Ochiba koi, or more commonly known as ochiba shigure, is another variety of the brocaded Japanese carp. Its name ochiba shigure is literally translated as "autumn leaves on water" which perfectly describes their glowing reticulated scales arranged in a position that gives the impression of floating leaves on a calm pond and trees with golden leaves reflected on its surface. The characteristics of an ochiba shigure may be seen as a light blue to gray koi fish with a yellow, copper, or bronze color pattern that greatly resembles a Kohaku. It is because of these colors that enthusiasts have been given the impression of falling autumn leaves.

The ochiba koi is classified under Kawarimono which is a 'catch-all' term for the brocaded carps that cannot be categorized under any of the available categories. This classification is considered to be a competition category for the koi hobbyists who compete the different variations of koi fish depending on their class and characteristics.

This elegant and quietly refined koi is a newcomer on the scene of koi breeding. First seen around mid-90s where a breeder decided to crossbreed a Soragoi (a blue gray Japanese carp with scales forming a net-like pattern) and a Chagoi (a golden brown koi fish). Both of these breeds are known for being the friendliest among the koi types, and the ochiba shigure seem to have inherited this trait also.

The breeding of koi fish can be quite tricky especially when nurturing the fry (term used for offspring) as the mother koi will lays such a large amount of eggs - like any other type of fish. The breeding is usually done only by the professionals although some koi enthusiasts have been breeding their pets by carefully selecting the parents based on the desired outcome of the fry. In a single spawning, the koi fish can produce thousands of offspring, however, not all of them are considered acceptable as nishikigoi because of many different reasons. In most cases, those that are culled are often used as a feeder to some certain fish like the arowana.

Today, koi breeding has become increasingly popular. Many different breeds of Ochiba can now be seen. Some examples are the scale-less Doitsu Ochiba, or a more sparking Ochiba GinRin, and one of the most recent is a metallic doitsu ochiba. Lately, they have been acquiring ochiba by crossbreeding the brown Chagoi with a Kohaku. The dominance of the hi (red color markings) of the Chagoi gives the shiroji (white markings) of the Kohaku, a less refined color to provide a grayish fish with muddy red patterns that look like falling leaves on a pond.

The beauty of these domesticated ornamental carps is that they are easy to take care of. They are commonly omnivorous so they basically eat anything that they are given. Staying true to what they symbolize, which is love and friendship, their peaceful nature allows them to live harmoniously with each other - both the young ones and the older ones - and their gentle orientation provides a relaxing atmosphere.