A koi fish that has set a record with its beauty as of 2018, which sets it apart from other fish. This jaw-dropping koi that made it so valuable was purchased in 2018 for $1.8 million, the most expensive koi fish in history. If you know aquariums, you should know that many koi fish are cheap.
The most popular and expensive fish was sold in 2018, the Legend Kohaku Koi, and it is more popular among Japanese people.
In this blog post, we will know why Japanese people paid so much money for it and who the person was who bought such an expensive Koi fish, and also all the information that you may not know about this fish.
Why the Most Expensive Koi Fish Ever Sold?
The main reason for the high price of this fish is its rarity among fish, and its offspring are born with extremely beautiful, distinctive color patterns.
And Koi in Japan, in particular, are considered symbols of their culture, such as good luck and strength, for which they even spend millions.
Who bought the koi fish for 1.8 million?
A Taiwanese woman named Ms. Ying Ying Chung bought this 39-inch colorful koi carp fish. She originally purchased it from the renowned Japanese breeder, Kentaro Sakai. The price of this koi fish finally reach to 1.8 million.
While the average kohaku koi fish costs about $50 or less, due to some of its features that we mentioned above, the price paid for it was shocking.
Most Expensive Koi Fish Ever Sold: Statistics
The most expensive koi fish ever sold in the world is the Kohaku variety, now known as the S Legend Kohaku Koi, which a Japanese collector purchased for $1.8 million in 2018.
Ms. Ying raised the Kohaku Koi at Sakai Fish Farm, one of the largest and most famous koi farms in Japan. The farm is one of the best in Japan and has won all-Japan koi show competitions, showcasing its skills.
| Category | Key Facts |
|---|---|
| Size | Average: 39 inches, 3 Feet |
| Age | 9 years old (in 2018 when sold) |
| Age Record | The oldest Kohaku koi fish on record is Hanako. 226 years |
| Weight | 40 pounds (18 kg) at its peak |
| Lifespan | 25-50 years |
| Most Expensive | $1.8 million (S Legend, 2018) |
| Main Colors | white and red |
| Popular Types in Koi’s | Kohaku, Taisho Sanke, Showa |
| Origin | China/Japan |
| Rarity | Less than 1% of koi turn out perfect |
| Perfect specimens are extremely rare |
Why are some Koi types so Expensive?
Prices for koi fish in the Kohaku variety don’t usually reach into the millions. So, what is so special about the S Legend Kohaku koi fish that makes it the most expensive koi fish ever sold? Let’s find out what makes it so valuable.
1. High rarity and premium varieties
These high-value koi are the most popular among Japanese breeders with decades of experience, who command premium prices for koi from champion breeding families.
Some koi bloodlines are considered the best, making koi from famous breeding families significantly more valuable.
Koi from strong genetics have the perfect genetic combination for ideal colors and patterns that are extremely rare.
For example, a koi that came from a high-end bloodline for $1.8 million, which increased the value of its type and made the world know the Kohaku koi fish better.
2. Koi Rare Types, Colors, and Patterns
The most expensive types of koi fish, of which 3 types are considered the rarest and most popular.
- 1. Kohaku, a type of koi that in Japanese culture represents a symbol of good fortune, progress, and success with its body colors (red and white)
- 2. Showa, a type of koi that is also a rare breed (black, red, white) that comes in 3 colors. It is extremely difficult to achieve the perfect balance of the three colors. Such as the dramatic koi with a black body that has red and white markings.
- 3. Sanke, and this is also one of the rare types of koi that comes in its three colors (red, white, black), which makes it a winner in the competition.
For example, the Kohaku koi fish has managed to create its own unique identity with its white and red colors, which makes it the most valuable of the koi types.
3. Koi Fish Actual Size and Age
Larger Koi are more valuable than smaller Koi.
When larger Koi are between 30 and 40 inches, their demand increases and they are more rare and expensive.
If larger Koi are compared to smaller Koi, then older Koi, meaning they must be over 5 years old, are more valuable because their colors are fully developed on their bodies.
For example, in 2018, the world’s most expensive Koi was sold, which was 3 feet long and 9 years old, which increased its price and rarity.
4. Female vs. Male Koi
Female Koi are more expensive and in trend than males.
Females are larger than males, show the complexity of their body colors, and maintain their body shape and color.
Females have a less desirable body proportion than males.
For example, 70 percent of all high-priced items sold at auction are women.
5. Breeder Reputation
Koi from well-known breeders are usually more expensive than those from less established farms.
Japan’s top koi breeders, such as Sakai, Dainichi, Kodama, and Matsue Koi Farm, have waiting lists of buyers.
A koi must be purebred to win a championship, and only a well-bred koi has ever won the championship, which increases its value.
For example, the most expensive koi sold in 2018 was bred by Sakai Fish Farm, and this fish farm was one of the popular koi fish farms that is a big name in koi breeding.
Another Koi Fish that sold for a High Price.
The 7 most expensive koi fish species were sold in 2024, but none of the seven could beat the record of $1.8 million set by the S. Legend Kohaku fish.
However, other types of koi fish were sold for around the same amount as the S Legend fish. I have tried to give their prices, ranks, and names from 2018 to 2024 in a table.
| Rank | Koi Fish | Cost per Fish |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kohaku | in $1.8 Million |
| 2 | Sanke | in $341,990 |
| 3 | Kohaku | in $200,000+ |
| 4 | Showa | in $68,000 |
| 5 | Doitsu | in $16,000 |
| 6 | Kumonryu | in $15,000 |
| 7 | Ogon | in $8,000 |
Why do people pay millions for any fish?
It is surprising to spend millions on a fish, but some people buy a fish for millions. But there are also some strong reasons. Which collecting people attract attention?
Japan, despite being an advanced country, follows its culture with land, as Koi is a comparison of fish, which will significantly increase the value of the fish that gives it a high level of market value.
Rare items like luxury cars and jewelry to decorate at home for people who collect. As KOI fish also understand a rare art, it increases their status and name for the collector and for them.
An investment in a fish is such that, if a KOI fish is an award-winning one, its price and value can increase, making it a potential investment in the future.
Japan is a country that follows its culture well, and with this in mind, KOI is considered a symbol of good luck, prosperity, progress, and success, and perhaps this is the reason why the Japanese people value KOI fish so much.
For example, you can guess from the fact that in 2018, a KOI fish was sold for 1.8 million, from which you can guess that there was an investment somewhere in it, and maybe the fish was also bought to increase its value.
Can Regular Koi Owners Buy Expensive Koi in 2025?
KOI fish owners can buy quite expensive koi fish, but before that, some important points, like not all koi fish cost in the millions, but below is some buying information for you.
The best ones for your new starter pond are the smaller KOI and standard specimens.✔ $10–$100
A mid-range KOI that is a better quality KOI from breeders. ✔ $100–$1,000
And higher-end KOI that comes with excellent quality bloodlines.✔ $1,000–$10,000
These KOI are the best and championship-level KOI fish in their level and may prove to be an investment opportunity for you. $10,000+
Last and important tip: You can’t buy a million-dollar KOI fish. But you can get beautiful and healthy KOI in your pond for $200 or less, for the beauty of a home.
Final Thoughts
The most expensive koi fish ever sold was a 39-inch Kohaku koi for $1.8 million in 2018. And experts predict even higher prices in future championships.
The true value of a koi depends on its bloodline, pattern perfection, size, breeder reputation, sex (females command more), and competition wins.
For collectors of rare items, premium koi serve as both a status symbol and an investment, and one such person was Ms. Ying Ying Chung, who purchased the koi for $1.8 million.
Koi FAQs
1. What is the most expensive koi fish ever sold?
The most expensive KOI fish variety is the Kohaku KOI, which was sold in October 2018 for $1.8 million (203 million yen).
2. Can koi fish live 200 years?
Yes, some Japanese koi can live up to 200 years. There is one example called Hanako who lived to be 226 years old and became quite famous because of that. But most koi can live an average of 25-35 years.
3. What koi fish sold for 1.8 million?
A red and white Kohaku Koi “S Legend” from Japan sold for $1.8 million in 2018. The 3-foot-long fish was purchased by a Taiwanese collector named Ms. Ying Ying Chung.
4. What is the most expensive fish ever sold?
The most expensive koi fish ever sold, named S. Legend Koi, broke the previous record for the most expensive live fish ever sold at $1.8 million.
5. What is the most famous koi fish?
KOI fish that became famous for their longevity include Hanako, who lived for 226 years, and S Legend, who lived for $1.8 million and Hanako, who lived for 226 years. These two have become the most famous koi in history.
