Secret Bonus: Ten most Popular Goldfish! You can t imagine the kind of varieties of Goldfish there are! People have been breeding Goldfish for over 2000 years now. China is believed to have over 100 varieties and to think that it all began with the Carassius auratus the gibel carp! Not all goldfish have been bred in China though. Other countries have specially bred their own goldfish around the world. Comets and Veiltails are very American while the Jikin, Tosakin and the Shubunkin are Japanese. The United Kingdom bred its own Shubunkins and there are two types Bristol and London Shubunkin. And so the endless list of Goldfish varieties goes on, so much so that it s hard to say which is the most unique of them all. Today, we can zero in on at least 20 recognized breeds all sorted out according to their color, body shape, finnage and any other very unique outgrowths. There are the orange or red goldfish which we immediately think of as being typical colors but actually the most genuine goldfish colors are greenish brown, blue, black, bronze, olive green, dark brown, reddish brown, light brown, calico, red and white and even white. All of these have been bred by experts. But some goldfish will be more popular than the others. Lets find out what makes them a hit with the fish keepers in the following top-ten list of the Goldfish parade:
1. The Common Goldfish These goldfish as the name suggests, are the most common variety. These are normal shaped fish that are very hardy. They can live to be 20 years old and sometimes even more if they get the right kind of care. Common Goldfish are pretty slender, have a long single tail and can grow to be 12 to 14 inches. You can get them in all pet stores where they are sold as what are called "feeder fish". They are active fish and will be swimming all around the tank. Common goldfish come in natural bronze, reddish orange with white on the fin tips. Some are metallic self-colored as in red, orange, yellow, blue, brown or black or a combination of these colors. Some also have a silver pattern that s the same on either side. They look very glossy as their colors appear as burnished metal and even extending into the fins. This type of goldfish is an ideal one for first-time goldfish keepers as it is easier to care for and is hardy enough, as long as you follow the correct fish keeping routine and maintain the tank. 2. The Comet Goldfish These are the all-american goldfish! Comets were bred in USA and are very much like the common goldfish, except that they are much more slender and with longer fins. They are single-tailed goldfish and are the hardiest breeds of Goldfish for both tanks and ponds. Comets are very fast swimmers and are known as swallowtails in the Far East. The comet is names so because of it s tail that sort of trails after it like a comet. The Comet is also the type of goldfish usually put in fish bowls, which is not fair to it, as it is an active goldfish that needs space. The dashing Comets need a temperature of 65 to 80 degrees F
and a p.h.of 6.5-8.5. The comets come in different colors both metallic and calico. They are selfcolored or a combination of colors with the same pattern on either side. They are also the gleaming variety as the colors have an appearance of burnished metal. There are three types of comets: Pond Comet: These are the totally orange-red kind of goldfish that looks absolutely stunning in a pond. It s a fast one and is easy to care for. Sarasa Comet: These are red and white goldfish but often them red spots on a white body. Shubunkins- Calico Comets often have a blue background with patches of violet, red, orange, yellow and brown, spotted with black. 3. The Shubunkin The Japanese bred the Shubunkin, which are slender like the comets and the common goldfish, but their colors are just so amazing, that they make the comets and commons look monotone and boring! The multi colored Shubunkins are also fast swimmers and of the single tail variety. They have long bodies and normal shaped. The Shubunkin can grow up to be 25 inches long and are called "scaleless" because it looks like they have no scales. The two most popular Shubunkins are: The Bristol Shubunkin: Once these were an all-blue type of goldfish but today they can have a combination of colors ranging from blue to orange, black, purple, yellow, brown, red, or some combination of these. The Bristol Shubunkin can grow up to 5 inches in length and are great pond fish that need a temperature of 32 to 68 degrees F. The London Shubunkin: This type of Shubunkin has a shape that is more like the common goldfish but the color calico only. These calico goldfish
have a blue background adorned with patches of violet, red, orange, yellow and brown and spotted with black. These types can grow to about 8 inches or larger. The calico colors of the Shubunkins runs into their fins, giving them a very exotic look, but they are not fancy goldfish that need extra care. They are quite hardy and with the regular weekly maintenance and a proper diet, Shubunkins are pretty lasting. They are however prone to parasitic infection now and them but as long as you maintain high water quality, the Shubunkins will be in fine shape and live up to be 35 years old! Just maintain the tank well and keep the water temperature between 65 to 80 degrees F with a p.h.of 6.5-8.5. 4. The Wakins and the Jikins These two are the Japanese bred double-tailed varieties of goldfish. Wakins are pretty slender like the common goldfish except that the tail fin, though short and flat, is split in two. The common colors are white, white and orange or just orange and calico. What makes it spectacular to view from the top is their bright reds matched against a very bright white. They also have exotic color patterns that are unique to each Wakin. Not a small breed, some Wakins are known to have grown up to 18 inches. Wakins are good pond fish and hardy as well. However, don t expect a Wakin to get along with slow variety goldfish like the fantail because he s much faster. The thing about Wakins is that they might be beautiful and much wanted but they are not commonly available like comets. Jikins are also slender shaped goldfish like the common goldfish but the tail is completely spilt outward. They are not commonly available in USA but are very much in demand and that s because of their amazingly unique tails. Jikins usually come in one color that is white, while the fins, lips and gill plats are red to orange.
5. The Fantail Goldfish These goldfish are very popular with fish keepers. Fantails belong to the fancy variety and are shorter goldfish, with egg-shaped bodies and double tails that spread out like a fan. They also have dorsal fins. They are awfully slow swimmers but graceful and striking. They grow up to be at least 4 inches long. It s very important that Fantails get high quality, very clean water. Fantails can live for about 10 years and are hardy enough to happily live outdoors in ponds. They come in a variety of colors either metallic or calico. The colors are like burnished metal and the calico fish have a blue background with various combinations of violet, red, orange, yellow and brown. You would need to soak the food you give them as all round-bodied goldfish are prone to suffering from swim-bladder disorder. Another problem is that Fantails have large tails, so you need to take care that the tails are not subject to ripping or tearing. Fantails are great with beginners and all you need to do is keep them in temperatures ranging from 46-78 degrees F and a p.h of 7.0-8.0 Somewhat like the Fantails, are the Veiltails that have really long flowing fins hanging off the fish s body. These Veiltails are also egged shaped and available in different colors. 6. Oranda These fat fancy goldfish also have an egg shaped body but with a head growth known as wen. The wen is pretty pronounced and they say that the age of the
Oranda is calculated on the basis of its head growth. The Oranda has fins that are long and flowing and are usually white with a red cap that kinds of looks like a hood. They are the double-tailed varieties and also have a dorsal fin. Orandas can live up to be 16 years old. Orandas come in colors ranging from black, midnight blue, calico, blue, lemon, but the red cap is a must. It is a slow swimmer that can grow up to 5 inches long. The ideal temperatures for Orandas are between 46 and 68 degrees F, and like the Fantails they need very good quality and very clean water and with a p.h of 7.0 to 8.0. 7. The Ryukin Ryukins look a lot like fantails except that they have a hump on their backs. These humps are situated just after the head of the goldfish. They are the eggshaped and double tailed varieties that are prone to swim-bladder disorders. The Ryukin is great fancy goldfish for beginners and very tame. It can grow to be up to 6 inches long. Ryukins are explorers who love to be around plants. If cared for well these goldfish, which are known to the hardiest among the fancy types, can live for 15 years. Ryukins usually come in colors are calico, red and white, white, and orange. The ideal temperature for them is around 70 to 80 degrees F and the need a p.h. level of 7.0-8.0. 8. The Black Moor The Black Moor look irresistibly exotic! They are a delightful playful lot and cannot live alone. Make sure your Black Moor has company. Its color is black
almost always and if cared for well it can grow to be up to 7 inches long. For a fancy fish, Black moors are easily available and fairly inexpensive. These fancy goldfish are the double tailed and egg shaped varieties. They have short, round bodies with forked tails. Their eyes bulge out. In fact Black moors are said to be a black version of the Telescope Goldfish, a fish whose eyes bulge out. The difference is that the eyes of the Black moor do not bulge out all that much. They are pretty hardy considering that they fancy goldfish and can withstand even almost freezing temperatures. Black Moor Goldfish like all goldfish love all kinds of fresh, frozen, and flake foods but do not overfeed them as their short stout bodies make them predisposed to swim bladder disorder. Give them a high quality flake food with live or frozen brine shrimp, bloodworms, Daphnia, or tubifex worms, thrown in as a treat. If well cared for, Black Moors can live for 17 years but make sure you keep them in temperatures ranging from 65-72 F and a p.h.level of 7.0-8.0. 9. The Lionhead Goldfish Lionheads are very popular fish but if you are a beginner, you should wait a while. This fancy goldfish needs a little more expert care. Lionheads are eggshaped but do not have dorsal fins. They do have a head growth like the Orandas. They are more round in shape, than slender and but they are very gentle. You won t find them stressed unless you put them together with faster varieties. That s because like other fancy goldfish, Lionheads are very poor swimmers. They are happiest when they are with other fancy goldfish that are slow like Celestials, Bubble eyes and Ranchus that are a lot like lionheads, except that its back is curved then you will see a tail tuck of 90 degrees. If you are an experienced enough fish keeper you can watch your Lionheads
grow to be up to 5 inches long and live up to be 15 years old. The most common colors for Lionheads are black, midnight blue, calico, blue, and lemon. Lionheads need temperatures that should be kept under 70 to 80 degrees F with a p.h. level of 7.0-8.0. 10. The exotics The exotic range of goldfish, apart from including come of the above-mentioned type of goldfish, also includes: Pompoms These goldfish have growths called pompoms near their nostrils. They come in different colors and are egg-shaped fish with or without dorsal fins. Telescope eyed This fish have huge eyes that protrude like a telescope. They are also egg shaped goldfish with long flowing fins and come in a variety of colors and different sized eyes. Pearlscale These are double tailed with a dorsal fin but are kind of fat with a round stomach and their scales look like it s got white pearl underneath. The scales are slightly raised and they are available in different colors. Bubble eyed These types of goldfish have bubble sacs under each eye. They do not have a dorsal fin and are egg shaped fish. They need a lot of special care beginning with a separate tank with no sharp objects in it. Demekin This kind of fish is a cross between a Ryukin and a Telescope goldfish giving it a high arched back and bulging telescope eyes. Eggfish Like its name suggests, it is an egg shaped goldfish, but with long flowing fins. This fish are very rare and are nicknamed the phoenix eggfish. This is a double tailed goldfish with no dorsal fin. Celestial This is also a double tailed goldfish with no dorsal fin but amazingly their eyes actually point upwards! Can t get more exotic than that.
People s tastes differ. Some prefer the good old commons and comets; others can t do without the fantails while still others need the strangeness of the Celestials. Nevertheless, there is no denying the popularity of the goldfish. Take anyone of the mentioned Goldfish home but remember: Give them space; don t stuff them in bowl. Let them be their unique selves; don t mix them with tropicals. Maintain the tank; don t compromise on the water quality. Feed them with the right diet and amount; don t overfeed them to death. Get to know your goldfish; don t ignore abnormal signs. Love your goldfish and give them the respect they deserve!