A koi with a single, round red patch on its head and no other red markings on its body is called a Tancho Koi. The name comes from the Tancho crane, which has a similar red spot on its head, making this variety highly symbolic and prized.
(1) Tancho Kohaku
A koi with a pure white body and only a round red patch on its head is called a "Tancho Kohaku." The red patch should be perfectly round, and the larger the better, but it should not extend to the eyes or the back. The red color must be intense and have a sharp edge, and the white base must be pure snow-white without any red on the lips (kuchibeni). The patch can have different shapes, such as plum blossom or heart shapes, but the round shape is the most classic and valued.
(2) Tancho Sanke
A koi with a single red patch on its head and a body pattern resembling a Shiro Bekko (white base with black sumimarkings).
(3) Tancho Showa
A Showa Sanshoku that has a single red patch on its head.
(4) Tancho Goshiki
A Goshiki (Five-colored koi) that has a single red patch on its head.
(5) Tancho Shusui
A Shusui (the German-scaled variant of Asagi) that has a single red patch on its head.
(6) Tancho Koromo
A Koromo (a koi with a net-like pattern over its red patches) that has a single red patch on its head.
(7) Tancho Utsurimono
A Utsurimono (a koi with a black base and colored patches) that has a single red patch on its head.
