colored carp; ornamental koi
Refers specifically to brightly colored, ornamental varieties of carp (koi), often kept in ponds for decorative purposes.
庭の池に錦鯉が泳いでいる。
Colored carp are swimming in the garden pond.
鯉 is the general term for carp, while 錦鯉 specifically denotes the ornamental, multi-colored variety.
Standard kanji spelling for the ornamental koi variety.
Compound of 錦 (nishiki, 'brocade') and 鯉 (koi, 'carp'), referring to the fish's colorful, brocade-like patterns.