koi vs shubunkin
 

How can I tell if I have "koi" fish rather than shubunkin? Are the "whiskers" (barbels?) exclusive to koi?

While both Shubinkin and Koi look very similar when young, Shubunkin don't have barbels and reach a length of 9 in.(23 cm) to 18 in.(46 cm.) Koi have barbels and are much larger reaching a size of more than 3 feet(91 cm.) Both make great pond fish!