FindKoi

Price guide · updated August 2026

Koi fish prices: what you should actually pay

Koi pricing looks chaotic — the same variety sells for $30 at one dealer and $3,000 at another — but it follows rules. Four things set the price: size, grade (body conformation, skin, pattern), origin (domestic vs. Japanese import), and bloodline. The table below gives honest retail ranges for a healthy 6–10″ fish; each variety page breaks its range down further, and every dealer profile shows which price bracket that dealer actually sells in.

How much does a koi fish cost?

Koi fish prices fall into four tiers: pond-quality koi, typically under $100; quality selected koi, roughly $100–$500; high-grade imported koi, $500–$5,000; and show-grade and champion bloodlines, $5,000+. Size, grade, origin, and bloodline — not variety alone — determine where a given fish falls in that range.

The FindKoi Price Index — observed asking prices

Search the listings behind it →

Computed daily from the 4,730 koi currently listed across 15 dealers' own stores — real asking prices, not estimates. Updated 2026-08-31.

Variety Size Median ask Typical range (p25–p75) Listings Dealers
Asagi Koi 0-6″ $35 $31 – $54 20 2
6-12″ $112 $51 – $158 10 3
12-18″ $560 $505 – $560 3 2
18-24″ $2,280 $880 – $3,750 12 3
24+″ $242 $209 – $2,943 6 2
size not stated $1,049 $616 – $1,974 4 2
Bekko Koi 0-6″ $34 $26 – $44 86 2
6-12″ $70 $54 – $106 35 3
12-18″ $433 $401 – $455 4 2
Benigoi Koi 6-12″ $250 $225 – $275 3 2
size not stated $2,999 $1,999 – $4,999 29 1
Black Koi 24+″ $91 $88 – $130 5 1
Blue Koi 6-12″ $109 $33 – $134 5 1
12-18″ $111 $41 – $165 8 1
Butterfly Koi 0-6″ $66 $63 – $85 331 5
6-12″ $198 $136 – $262 718 6
12-18″ $415 $362 – $482 6 3
18-24″ $2,500 $1,000 – $3,250 7 2
24+″ $165 $99 – $195 355 1
size not stated $264 $200 – $336 27 3
Chagoi Koi 0-6″ $44 $40 – $54 3 1
6-12″ $149 $130 – $308 5 3
12-18″ $873 $740 – $909 9 3
24+″ $468 $242 – $6,491 7 2
Doitsu Koi size not stated $4,749 $4,499 – $10,499 8 1
Gin Rin Koi 0-6″ $49 $32 – $60 18 1
6-12″ $149 $125 – $200 21 3
12-18″ $850 $656 – $850 10 3
18-24″ $2,940 $1,579 – $2,940 6 2
24+″ $462 $310 – $468 5 2
size not stated $3,224 $999 – $5,999 14 2
Goromo Koi 0-6″ $47 $38 – $61 4 2
6-12″ $123 $113 – $158 19 4
12-18″ $440 $286 – $644 9 2
18-24″ $1,150 $875 – $1,433 4 2
24+″ $375 $300 – $468 3 1
size not stated $180 $180 – $750 7 2
Goshiki Koi 0-6″ $35 $31 – $45 3 1
6-12″ $160 $140 – $301 15 4
12-18″ $606 $554 – $688 8 4
18-24″ $2,430 $1,715 – $3,563 10 3
24+″ $310 $287 – $2,535 7 3
size not stated $1,360 $325 – $3,999 14 3
Hariwake Koi 0-6″ $35 $28 – $48 131 3
6-12″ $80 $56 – $107 130 3
12-18″ $572 $366 – $825 22 5
18-24″ $960 $760 – $1,600 3 2
24+″ $74 $53 – $112 42 1
Hi Utsuri 0-6″ $34 $33 – $41 12 2
6-12″ $165 $135 – $200 42 3
12-18″ $300 $300 – $400 7 4
24+″ $704 $595 – $756 4 1
size not stated $2,049 $1,999 – $7,999 22 1
Jumbo Koi size not stated $16,499 $12,249 – $21,249 8 1
Ki Utsuri 0-6″ $43 $36 – $46 3 1
6-12″ $211 $151 – $274 4 2
12-18″ $500 $442 – $531 4 2
size not stated $1,499 $799 – $2,999 11 3
Kikokuryu Koi 0-6″ $35 $31 – $48 55 3
6-12″ $81 $61 – $130 48 3
12-18″ $668 $448 – $950 14 3
18-24″ $1,395 $983 – $2,310 10 2
24+″ $71 $60 – $102 42 1
size not stated $4,499 $1,524 – $4,700 8 3
Kohaku Koi 0-6″ $38 $31 – $52 63 3
6-12″ $171 $79 – $290 107 3
12-18″ $840 $523 – $1,200 43 7
18-24″ $1,700 $1,440 – $2,500 46 4
24+″ $398 $116 – $3,200 40 4
size not stated $9,999 $1,500 – $19,999 37 2
Kujaku Koi 0-6″ $34 $29 – $42 92 3
6-12″ $63 $48 – $90 70 3
12-18″ $490 $440 – $661 15 4
24+″ $103 $59 – $385 20 2
size not stated $5,499 $949 – $9,249 8 1
Kumonryu Koi 0-6″ $129 $72 – $181 4 3
6-12″ $250 $205 – $250 11 7
Matsuba Koi 0-6″ $34 $29 – $43 33 2
6-12″ $95 $63 – $158 29 4
12-18″ $375 $349 – $425 10 4
18-24″ $760 $540 – $800 10 2
24+″ $78 $48 – $91 14 1
size not stated $9,999 $855 – $16,249 12 3
Ochiba Koi 0-6″ $39 $34 – $67 22 3
6-12″ $174 $81 – $217 27 3
12-18″ $572 $560 – $650 5 4
18-24″ $2,120 $1,400 – $2,345 8 3
24+″ $322 $180 – $4,030 9 2
size not stated $3,299 $869 – $10,749 8 2
Ogon Koi 6-12″ $135 $95 – $165 25 3
12-18″ $400 $260 – $430 7 1
18-24″ $1,190 $1,128 – $1,680 5 2
24+″ $1,920 $114 – $1,920 16 3
size not stated $270 $225 – $495 4 1
Orange Koi 0-6″ $50 $40 – $61 4 1
6-12″ $105 $78 – $219 25 1
12-18″ $538 $456 – $882 13 1
24+″ $256 $64 – $455 30 1
Platinum Ogon 0-6″ $44 $34 – $60 17 2
6-12″ $109 $70 – $165 68 3
12-18″ $440 $385 – $864 7 3
18-24″ $880 $760 – $880 5 1
24+″ $91 $70 – $159 38 1
Red Koi 0-6″ $44 $8 – $55 12 2
6-12″ $83 $66 – $83 9 1
Sanke Koi 0-6″ $39 $31 – $48 72 2
6-12″ $149 $73 – $250 81 6
12-18″ $440 $330 – $550 32 6
18-24″ $2,500 $1,430 – $3,660 32 4
24+″ $436 $226 – $3,575 28 3
size not stated $1,400 $210 – $8,999 13 3
Shiro Utsuri 6-12″ $150 $135 – $200 28 3
12-18″ $445 $375 – $533 16 7
18-24″ $2,175 $1,235 – $3,010 8 4
24+″ $340 $333 – $4,970 3 2
size not stated $4,499 $180 – $8,749 14 2
Showa Koi 6-12″ $165 $165 – $200 68 6
12-18″ $550 $300 – $981 64 5
18-24″ $2,850 $1,315 – $4,015 39 3
24+″ $7,700 $5,470 – $12,000 12 3
size not stated $6,500 $300 – $14,999 41 3
Shusui Koi 0-6″ $35 $32 – $65 15 2
6-12″ $138 $113 – $165 22 4
12-18″ $385 $350 – $465 6 2
18-24″ $1,700 $900 – $2,635 4 2
24+″ $130 $81 – $360 5 1
size not stated $5,999 $5,999 – $7,499 3 1
Soragoi Koi 0-6″ $34 $29 – $46 19 1
6-12″ $95 $63 – $189 12 2
12-18″ $300 $286 – $572 5 2
Tancho Koi 6-12″ $375 $296 – $400 12 3
12-18″ $695 $596 – $1,185 8 3
18-24″ $1,050 $788 – $1,650 6 3
24+″ $401 $245 – $834 6 2
Yamabuki Ogon 0-6″ $49 $35 – $65 41 2
6-12″ $140 $79 – $190 91 3
12-18″ $572 $358 – $711 14 2
18-24″ $2,775 $2,675 – $2,940 4 4
24+″ $95 $59 – $146 40 1
Yellow Koi 6-12″ $275 $227 – $300 4 2
12-18″ $525 $300 – $750 4 2

Asking prices from dealers' public stores; cells shown only where ≥3 listings exist. Median = half list for less, half for more. Not a valuation of any individual fish — grade and bloodline move real prices far beyond these bands. Checking a specific quote? Use the price checker. Methodology. This data may be cited with attribution to the FindKoi Price Index and a link to findkoi.com/koi-prices.

Index highlights

  • Red Koi is the most affordable variety in the index, with a median asking price of $63.
  • Jumbo Koi carries the highest median asking price in the index, at $16,499.
  • Showa Koi at 24+″ shows the widest observed price spread, from $5,470 to $12,000 (25th–75th percentile).
  • The index is computed from 4,730 active listings across 15 dealers.
  • Data was last updated on 2026-08-31.

Reference ranges by variety (curated)

Variety Pond / garden High grade Show grade
Ghost Koi from $25 up to $300 —
Orange Koi from $25 up to $800 $2,500+
Ogon Koi from $30 up to $500 $1,500+
Platinum Ogon from $30 up to $400 $1,200+
Yamabuki Ogon from $30 up to $400 $1,200+
Red Koi from $30 up to $2,000 $5,000+
White Koi from $30 up to $800 $3,000+
Yellow Koi from $30 up to $900 $2,500+
Butterfly Koi from $40 up to $400 $1,500+
Chagoi Koi from $40 up to $600 $2,000+
Soragoi Koi from $40 up to $500 $1,500+
Doitsu Koi from $40 up to $1,200 $3,000+
Black Koi from $40 up to $1,500 $4,000+
Blue Koi from $40 up to $1,200 $3,500+
Kohaku Koi from $50 up to $2,000 $5,000+
Ochiba Koi from $50 up to $700 $2,000+
Bekko Koi from $50 up to $900 $2,500+
Benigoi Koi from $50 up to $700 $2,000+
Gin Rin Koi from $50 up to $1,500 $3,500+
Showa Koi from $60 up to $2,500 $5,000+
Sanke Koi from $60 up to $2,500 $5,000+
Asagi Koi from $60 up to $1,200 $4,000+
Shusui Koi from $60 up to $1,200 $3,500+
Shiro Utsuri from $60 up to $2,000 $4,000+
Hi Utsuri from $60 up to $1,500 $3,500+
Hariwake Koi from $60 up to $1,200 $3,000+
Matsuba Koi from $60 up to $900 $2,500+
Goshiki Koi from $70 up to $1,800 $4,000+
Kumonryu Koi from $70 up to $1,000 $2,500+
Ki Utsuri from $80 up to $1,200 $3,000+
Kujaku Koi from $80 up to $2,000 $4,000+
Goromo Koi from $80 up to $1,800 $4,000+
Kikokuryu Koi from $90 up to $1,500 $3,000+
Tancho Koi from $100 up to $3,000 $6,000+
Jumbo Koi from $800 up to $10,000 $15,000+

Estimates compiled from published US dealer prices for healthy 6–10″ fish, August 2026. Individual fish vary widely — treat these as sanity-check ranges, not quotes.

Why does koi size multiply the price so much?

Every extra inch represents months of feeding, heated water, and survival risk the dealer has already absorbed. A 6″ juvenile at $60 and a 24″ jumbo of the same line at $3,000 can be the same fish, four years apart. If you have patience and a good pond, buying small is the best value in the hobby.

What drives the gap between domestic and Japanese import prices?

US-bred koi are hardy, affordable, and fine for most ponds. Japanese imports from named breeders cost several times more because generations of selection show up in body shape and skin quality. Dealer profiles on FindKoi list which Japanese breeders each importer buys from — that provenance is exactly what you're paying for.

Koi price questions, answered

How much does a koi fish cost?

Pond-quality koi from US farms run $20–$100. Quality selected koi run $100–$500. High-grade Japanese imports run $500–$5,000, and show-grade koi from famous breeder lines start around $5,000 and can exceed $100,000 at auction. Size, body shape, and breeder matter more than variety.

Why are Japanese koi more expensive than domestic koi?

Japanese breeders like Dainichi, Sakai, and Momotaro have refined bloodlines for generations, producing better body conformation, skin quality, and pattern stability. Import costs, broker fees, and quarantine add to the price. A domestic-bred koi can still be an excellent pond fish at a fraction of the cost.

What is the most expensive koi variety?

The Gosanke varieties — Kohaku, Sanke, and Showa — command the highest prices at the top end because they dominate koi shows. The record sale is S Legend, a Kohaku that sold for about $1.8 million in 2018. Among pond-grade fish, variety matters less than size and quality.

Are bigger koi worth more?

Yes, disproportionately. A 24-inch (jumbo) koi of the same variety and grade can cost 10–50x what a 6-inch juvenile costs, because years of growth, feeding, and risk are priced in — and because jumbo potential itself is a bloodline trait.