fancy Goldfish Varieties
There are a variety of methods to distinguish the plain as well as expensive goldfish ( Carassius auratus) by the shape of their bodies, their pigments or patterns, their kind of scales, as well as other distinct qualities such as the morphology of their tail and head.
Goldfish are typically divided into breeds and varieties, however, these categories are very fluid and loose.
When you’re the raising of fish there’s no fish species that offers much more choices in terms of patterns, colors body shape, fin configurations than the goldfish.
Did you be aware that they were among of the very first fish species that was domesticated and selectively breed? There are over 200 kinds of goldfish found around the globe!
If you’ve seen just the tank of feeder fish, or possibly a handful of odd goldfish varieties, you could be amazed by the diversity of this species is.
Let me introduce you to this large and fascinating fish family and assist you in identifying the most suitable species to add to your goldfish tank or pond!
Types Of Goldfish introduction to Hearty and fancy Fishes
Names of fish can be an indication of what it appears like. It will help you in choosing the most suitable goldfish species for outdoor ponds or aquariums.
Certain breeds are recognized for their heartiness and sturdy, while others are delicate and require much more care.
Common name (species)
Goldfish (Carassius auratus)
Family
Cyprinidae
Temperament
Peaceful, social and curious
Care Level
Varies by breed
Diet
Omnivore; ideal diet varies by breed
Average Size
8 to 12 inches from snout to tail at maturity
Water Hardness
Does well with either soft or hard water
pH Range
6.0 to 8.0
Water Current
They don’t like swift water currents and these hard currents can harm the delicate fancy breeds. They choose well-oxygenated water but can survive in stagnant conditions as long as the water is clean
Water quality and Filtration
Goldfish are very sensitive to ammonia and need very clean water to thrive. because they are such voracious eaters they produce a lot of biowaste. 3-stage low-flow filtration with weekly water changes is ideal
Goldfish Breeds—A comprehensive guide to 32 popular Types
It’s time for us to talk about the most well-known goldfish breeds and the differences they have in appearance and care needs.
To narrow down your options to identify the most desirable breed of goldfish is contingent on whether you’re keeping an aquarium or a pond However, from there, the possibilities are endless!
Single Tailed Goldfish Breeds
Single-tailed goldfish are healthy and easy to take care of with an indoor pond, or in a suitable size aquarium.
They aren’t in any way sensitive to temperature, but choose clear filtering water with a low current. Single tails love exploring tanks with ornaments with plants, hide-outs and plants but they also require space to swim.
Common Goldfish aka Feeder Goldfish
Goldfish that are common don’t receive much attention on these kinds of lists however many of us begin with tank of these cheap fish!
It’s really not that much more easy than keeping the common goldfish.
They can be found in a range of temperatures that are acceptable and although they don’t require heating, they are often able to do fine in tropical settings.
Do feeder fish imply the exact thing as the common goldfish? It is dependent on the retailer.
Commons aren’t always inferior feeder fish , and numerous shops have tanks filled with brightly colored fish to stock tanks and outdoor ponds.
The fish could be much more expensive than their supply of feeders, but.
Feeders are typically small and plain brown or grey goldfish that are culled from the groups of their much more dynamic and rapidly growing sibling fish.
Their hardiness is similar to the other goldfish species, however they are typically kept in tightly-packed aquarium store tanks and aren’t kept or fed as often.
Breed
Common Goldfish, Feeder Goldfish
Unique Trait
N/A
Care Level
Easy
Ideal Diet
Commercial goldfish flakes or pellets supplemented with live/frozen foods such as brine shrimp
Scale Type
Metallic scales
Pattern
Can be any color or mix of colors other than calico, but the most common patterns are self-colored or bi-colored. Feeder tanks are often considered multicolored
Colors
Grey/brown, red/orange, and white/silver are many common
Average Size
2 to 4-inches for juveniles; 10 to 12-inches at maturity, although there are numerous reports of these fish reaching 14 inches or longer
Minimum tank Size
10 gallons for juvenile; 20 gallons for adult
Add 10 to 15 gallons per adult
Ok for Ponds
Yes
Temperature Range
Coldwater 60 to 80°F
Compatibility with tank Mates
Compatible with other single tail goldfish, peaceful community fish or koi with similar care requirements. avoid housing with aggressive fish or small snails or shrimp which might get eaten
Comet GoldfishComet goldfish are smaller, much more leaner structure than common breed, but they have an elongated, distinctive tail that is sharp with points.
They require a bit larger space than the common goldfish, so that they don’t get injured on their surface or their décor.
Goldfish are energetic and attractive. They are among the most well-known varieties of goldfish!
These are coldwater fish that flourish in ponds, however, you can also keep them inside heated tanks.
Comets are typically deep-colored with a dynamic red or orange shade which is spectacular in the midst of a water pond.
The majority of comet goldfish can be self – or bi-colored. They typically are available as Red and White Sarassa forms.
Breed
Comet Goldfish
Unique Trait
Long, flowing single tail that spreads out; the slender body is shorter than the Common
Care Level
Easy
Ideal Diet
Commercial goldfish flakes or pellets supplemented with live/frozen foods such as brine shrimp
Scale Type
Metallic scales
Pattern
Usually self-colored or bi-colored. Red and White’s are the most common but this breed also comes in Sarassa morphs
Colors
Red/orange, white, yellow, green or chocolate
Black Comets are not true comets but rather a hybrid koi/goldfish species
Average Size
2 to 4 inches for juveniles; 10 to 12 inches in length at maturity
Minimum tank Size
15 gallons for juvenile; 30 gallons for adult
Add 15 to 20 gallons per adult
Ok for Ponds
Yes
Temperature Range
Coldwater 60 to 80°F
Compatibility with tank Mates
Compatible with other single tail goldfish, peaceful community fish or koi with similar care requirements. avoid housing with aggressive fish or small snails or shrimp which might get eaten
Nymph Goldfish
There aren’t numerous Nymph goldfish available to buy nowadays, but these fish were very popular in the past 15 years and have because fallen out of fashion.
The hearty fish are of the top swimmers of the goldfish family. It is funny due to their egg-shaped bodies and lengthy single tail. There are some with telescopic eyes too.
Although they are called Nymphs, they aren’t small fish. They can grow to as long as 12 inches of length.
It’s believed they were originally an interbreeding between the Comet and the fancy Fantail, although these times, the characteristic typically shows as a recessive characteristic when it concerns Fantail or Veiltail crosses. They’re easy to keep in a pond or an huge aquarium.
Breed
Nymph Goldfish
Unique Trait
Has the egg-shaped body of a fantail with the single tail of the hearty goldfish. thought to be a cross of a Comet and fancy Fantail
Care Level
Easy
Ideal Diet
Commercial goldfish flakes or pellets supplemented with live/frozen foods such as brine shrimp
Scale Type
Metallic scales
Pattern
Usually self-colored or bi-colored
Colors
Any color except calico
Average Size
1 to 3 inches for juveniles; 10 to 12 inches in length at maturity
Minimum tank Size
10 gallons for juvenile; 20 gallons for adult
Add 10 to 15 gallons per adult
Ok for Ponds
Yes
Temperature Range
Coldwater 60 to 80°F
Compatibility with tank Mates
Compatible with other single tail goldfish, peaceful community fish or koi with similar care requirements. avoid housing with aggressive fish or small snails or shrimp which might get eaten
Shubunkin Goldfish
My personal favorite goldfish is the obscure Shubunkin. They can be a bit challenging for those who are new to keeping goldfish because any tail fish with a single tail with a calico color is thought to be Shubunkin.
If you are breeding with a Comet or Nymph goldfish that has the calico trait, it’s technically Shubunkin. The color morph identifies the breed.
Goldfish that are fancy and have the calico-like morph could be called Shubunkins. However, some sellers still label Shubunkins as Calico.
If you spot a beautiful type of goldfish known as”Shubunkin-type “Shubunkin-type” you can be sure it’s a color that is calico. There are three varieties of Shubunkin goldfish and their distinctions aren’t always obvious.
American/Japanese Shubunkin
The American (also known as the Japanese ) kind of Shubunkin is distinguished with its tail. Its tail is longer than other varieties with sharp points and a thick fork.
Many believe that Shubunkin as the American Shubunkin or Japanese Shubunkin being the original version, and that the other forms likely derived from them.
Bristol Shubunkin
The Bristol type of Shubunkin has a slender body similar to the Comet with a distinctive, large pointed tail.
London Shubunkin
The final type of Shubunkin is the London form, which has a slender body with shorter, rounder tail fins.
Breed
Shubunkin or Calico Goldfish
Unique Trait
Nacreous scales with calico color morph; body and tail shape identifies the particular type of Shubunkin (American, Bristol or London)
Care Level
Easy
Ideal Diet
Commercial goldfish flakes or pellets supplemented with live/frozen foods such as brine shrimp
Scale Type
Nacreous
Pattern
Calico
Colors
Base color is typically blue with white, black or red/orange patches or speckles. Scales can bring out iridescent blue/purple shades in some lighting conditions. Black is typically a stable color in calico goldfish
Average Size
2 to 4 inches for juveniles; 10 to 12 inches in length at maturity
Minimum tank Size
10 gallons for juvenile; 20 gallons for adult
Add 10 to 15 gallons per adult
Ok for Ponds
Yes
Temperature Range
Coldwater 60 to 80°F
Compatibility with tank Mates
Compatible with other single tail goldfish, peaceful community fish or koi with similar care requirements. avoid housing with aggressive fish or small snails or shrimp which might get eaten
Tamasaba or Sabao Goldfish
This distinct Japanese goldfish isn’t frequently seen, however it is very rare. Tamasaba is a vividly colored red or white goldfish with an egg-shaped body , and an incredibly long tail. Their tail is believed to resemble that of a mackerel’s tail.
They were initially bred from Ryukin breeders and you can clearly notice the distinct hump they’ve taken from their grandparents.
These slender fish are great choices for koi ponds and add an attractive look in comparison to the slimmer koi.
They can be found in large aquariums, but ought to not be kept in conjunction with other kinds that have single tails. They’re quite challenging to locate nowadays and there’s not much information on them online.
Breed
Tamasaba, Sabao or Mackerel Tailed Goldfish
Unique Trait
Round egg-shaped body with an arched back and long single tail with rounded points
Care Level
Easy to Moderate
Ideal Diet
Commercial goldfish flakes or pellets supplemented with live/frozen foods such as brine shrimp
Scale Type
Metallic
Pattern
Self-colored or bi-colored
Colors
Usually red/orange or Red and White
Average Size
1 to 2 inches for juveniles; 8 to 10 inches in length at maturity
Minimum tank Size
10 gallons for juvenile; 20 gallons for adult
Add 10 to 15 gallons per adult
Ok for Ponds
Yes
Temperature Range
Coldwater 60 to 80°F
Compatibility with tank Mates
Best kept with other Tamasaba goldfish or with koi rather than other breeds of single tail goldfish. avoid housing with aggressive fish or small snails or shrimp which might get eaten
Double Tail Goldfish—Fancy Breeds
Double tail goldfish are typically fancy varieties of fish that have a circular egg-shaped, hunched or egg-shaped bodies.
They tend to be much more sensitive to environment and typically (but often) require warmer tanks that can maintain a stable temperature. They don’t swim as rapidly and are typically not suited to the pond environment.
You may keep various kinds of fancy goldfish in the same tank as offered they have enough space, but do not keep them with single tails.
The much more fancies with slower paces cannot compete with them in food. Mix fancies on the basis of their physical traits , and guarantee that the gentle breeds are aside from the larger ones such as Fantails.
Certain breeds of dogs possess physical qualities that make them much more vulnerable to injury from accidents for example, those with Celestial as well as Bubble Eyes.
It’s possible that you’ll need to modify your design or equipment in purchase to safeguard your fish from injury. It is essential to have an aquarium heater and a low-flow filters for the delicate fish tank.
Fantail Goldfish
If you’re ready to plunge in the realm of goldfish that is fancy,, you could not pick a better starting species than Fantail!
Although these fish require much more particular conditions than single tails, they are nevertheless among the easiest goldfish to take care of.
Fantails come with egg-shaped bodies as well as beautiful double tails with long, long lengths that are the reason they’re called.
Fantails are the breed of choice for the majority of fancy goldfish . They are often crossed back to these lines to keep them healthy genetically.
They choose warm water over goldfish that are savvier and typically will require an heater for their aquariums.
Their tails mak