The Koi species Bekko is the result of cross-breeding attempts by Japanese breeders in the late 18th century. The first specimens emerged from a variety of Taisho Sanke / Taisho Sanshoku. Translated into German, the name Bekko means something like “tortoiseshell” and thus characterizes the appearance of the fish quite clearly:
Similar to the light and dark iridescent of the decorative horn scales made of tortoise shell, the Koi species Bekko shows a deep black pattern on a clearly contrasting, clear one Reason.
This can have the colors:
- white / shiro
- yellow / ki or
- red / aka
.
According to the Japanese words for the listed tones carry representatives of Koi Art Bekko the names:
- Shiro Bekko
- Ki Bekko and
- Aka Bekko
The pectoral fins of the so-named animals are to be coloured in the same way as you of the remaining body so that the whole fish has a uniform white, Yellow or red tone.
The typical drawing of the Koi species Bekko is limited to a few black spots above the two imaginary sidelines. Flanks, chest and stomach must be free. In contrast to the Utsurimono / Utsuri, for example, the pattern must not extend into the head area – which is why it is always uni. The fins, which are coloured white, yellow or red depending on the subspecies, may also have black spots; but can also be unpatterned and thus also plain.
Another variety of the Koi species Bekko is Doitsu Bekko. The term placed in front of the actual fish name indicates that they come from a European breeding line. Representatives of the Doitsu show the same colours and patterns as the specimens of the Koi species Bekko from Japan; however, have skin reminiscent of leather, with very few scales on the surface. This not only makes Doitsu look smoother than their Far Eastern cousins but also a bit more artificial and less fishy.
