Sumi are the black colored markings that sometimes appear on koi, especially Sanke and Showa. It is prized among koi breeders, particularly those that live in Japan. Among the Japanese, sumi is desirable due to its style and the specific location where it appears on the fish. Below are some ways in which these markings have changed over the years.
It is known that salt is useful as a preservative, and it can also applied toward the treatment of disease since it is antimicrobial. However, knowing how to use it specifically for the treatment of koi requires specialized knowledge which will be discussed below.