Color Depth
Saturation, not lightness. A deep ruby red beats a bright orange. Metallic sheen adds points.
Light from multiple angles reveals iridescence — judges look at the fish from several directions.
Pattern Clarity
Sharp boundaries between colors. Blurry transitions lose points.
Pattern must match strain standards — snakeskin should be even, tuxedo should be symmetric.
Body Coverage
Color should extend across the entire body where the strain calls for it — no bald spots.
Tail color pattern must match body and dorsal color for unified appearance.
Symmetry
Both sides of the fish must match. Uneven patterns disqualify from top awards.
Especially critical for patterns like half-black, tuxedo, and mosaic.