Koi - Tancho

A koi variety with the prefix Tancho is characterized by a red dot on its head, without any red pattern elsewhere on the koi's body. Tancho is a reference to the Japanese (and Chinese) crane of the same name. This elegant white bird has partially black wings, a black neck, and black legs. A red dot adorns the top of its head.

Any variety whose only red pattern is a red dot on the head can be given the prefix Tancho. A Goromo that is entirely white, with only the red dot on the head (with a black pattern within it), can therefore be called Tancho Goromo. Other varieties include Tancho Kujaku, Tancho Sanke, and Tancho Goshiki.

Chauvinism

You can probably imagine that the Tancho varieties (especially the Tancho Kohaku) are extremely popular in Japan, because of their resemblance to the Japanese flag (a white flag with a red dot).

Show class Tancho

However, not all koi with the Tancho prefix belong to the Tancho show class. This requires some explanation. At koi shows, all varieties are divided into show classes. Within a show class, prizes are awarded. The "Utsurimono" show class, for example, consists of the varieties Shiro Utsuri, Hi Utsuri, and Ki Utsuri. The agreement in the "Tancho" show class is that only the Tancho Kohaku, Tancho Sanke, and Tancho Showa may be included in this class. Sometimes the Tancho Goshiki is also added (depending on the show regulations, which can vary per show). This means that, for example, a Tancho Kujaku is "normally" classified in the "metallic wagoi with a white base and a pattern" class, or the "Hikari Moyomono" class, just like the regular Kujaku. The Tancho show class is therefore normally only for the three kings: Kohaku, Sanke, and Showa. The Tancho Kohaku is a completely white fish with a red dot on its head. The Tancho Sanke is essentially a Shiro Bekko with the added bonus of a red dot on its head, and the Tancho Showa is a Shiro Utsuri with a red dot on its head.

Maruten

To complicate the rules even further, imagine a Kohaku with a red dot on its head, but also a red pattern elsewhere on its body. We're not allowed to call this a Tancho Kohaku, because that title is reserved exclusively for varieties that don't have a red pattern elsewhere on the body. These fish are given the prefix "Maruten." There are also Maruten Sanke and Maruten Showa. However, when referring to the head markings of Maruten varieties, we still refer to them as the Tancho spot. The fish simply doesn't get the Tancho prefix (but the Maruten prefix) and is therefore not classified in the Tancho show class.