Black Moor Goldfish
The Black Moor goldfish is a special type of goldfish that can trace its country of origin back to early China and Japan. Black Moor goldfish have beautiful color vibrancy, which usually ranges from metallic gold to a deep, velvet black. The color of a Black Moor goldfish can change over time, depending on the fish’s environment, water temperature, and stress level. The tail of a Black Moor goldfish is of the “veiltail” classification since it resembles a veil both in texture and opacity.
A fact that many people aren’t aware of is that the Black Moor goldfish may live from 6 to 25 years! This is, of course, dependent on many factors (such as water clarity, diet quality, and stress level). When an adult, a Black Moor goldfish may eventually reach a length of up to 10 inches. Black Moor goldfish, like abounding other fish breeds, do have a tendency to overeat. As a general rule, it’s best not to overfeed a Black Moor goldfish, since they may eat themselves to the point of death.
Black Moor goldfish are fairly good with other fish and do not usually tend towards aggressive behavior. However, due to their docile temperament, they may be bullied by aggressive fish breeds. If kept in a tank with other goldfish, the Black Moor goldfish will swim in a school with the other fish. Since some Black Moor goldfish like to dig, this can lead to the uprooting of any plants that are anchored to the bottom of the tank.
Bubble Eye Goldfish
The Bubble Eye goldfish has some of the most unique and interesting features of many of the other types of goldfish. Bubble Eye goldfish are relatively small in comparison to some other breeds, having metallic scales and a characteristic “double tail”. They don’t have a dorsal fin, but this is not the most unique feature of this special fish. Bubble Eye goldfish are so named because they have two pouches of skin that are filled with fluid, located just below their eyes. These fluid sacks are not present in young Bubble Eye goldfish until they reach about three months of age. However, after this time, the eye pouches will continue to grow into the fish’s adult life.
In reality, the fluid pouches on the Bubble Eye goldfish are extremely fragile. When kept in an aquarium, it’s highly recommended that you avoid placing any sharp or abrasive decorations that could damage the Bubble Eye goldfish’s fluid pouches. In addition to this, the Bubble Eye goldfish may be prone to injury from the attention of other more aggressive breeds of fish. Since the Bubble Eye goldfish only grows to a length of about 6 or 8 inches, it may be a bit smaller than the other fish in the tank.
Bubble Eye goldfish are similar in appearance to Celestial Eye goldfish. They have a consistently curved back body shape, which is bare of any fins or distinguishing markings. When healthy, the cheek pouches of a Bubble Eye goldfish will be even in size.
Celestial Eye Goldfish
Celestial Eye goldfish are said to have first originated in China or Korea. Even today, the origin of this unique breed of goldfish is still debated among different cultures. Celestial Eye goldfish are a fan-tailed type of goldfish and first appeared as an image on an ancient Chinese scroll in 1772. Celestial Eye goldfish lack a dorsal fin, which is a unique feature among certain types of goldfish. It is said that Celestial Eye goldfish first arrived in Japan in the year 1903. Thirty fish were transported from China, and Japan quickly took to breeding the Celestial Eye goldfish. Around 1910, Celestial Eye goldfish began to arrive in the United States and continued to grow in popularity during the following years.
The body of the Celestial Eye goldfish is often referred to as being “torpedo-shaped”. This unique body shape could be compared to similar goldfish, such as the Bubble Eye goldfish. As far as color, Celestial Eye goldfish tend to come in shades of red, white, orange, or a red-and-white pattern. The scales of the Celestial Eye goldfish are metallic, with their scales often reflecting light. Celestial Eye goldfish are fairly agile swimmers, even though they have comparatively low-quality eyesight. Since the Celestial Eye goldfish has upwards-facing protruding eyes, they can be easily damaged by decorations or other aggressive fish in the tank. Celestial Eye goldfish are so named because the position of their eyes makes it appear that they are constantly gazing up at the heavens.
Comet Goldfish
Among the different types of goldfish, the Comet goldfish is one of the most common. The Comet goldfish is slightly similar in size and appearance to the common goldfish. However, the Comet goldfish’s body is more slender, and a bit smaller than the common goldfish. The most distinguishing characteristic of the Comet goldfish is its long, flowing, forked tail. Comet goldfish have the ability to grow their tales to over 12 inches in length! However, this is usually only possible under optimum aquarium conditions. Due to the length of their tail, Comet goldfish are susceptible to fungal and bacterial infections, such as fin rot. Comet goldfish do have a dorsal fin, which extends from roughly halfway down their body to the beginning of their tail.
Comet Goldfish can be in many colors, including white, orange, red, yellow, and a red-and-white pattern. These colors may be either enhanced or dulled by the fish’s stress level, diet, and tank conditions. Comet goldfish are relatively energetic, more so than many other types of goldfish. They like to “play”, and are often seen darting back and forth in their tank. They are also very hardy, being able to adapt to small variants in temperature and water quality. In most cases, a Comet goldfish will live from 7 to 14 years, though it is possible for them to live longer with proper care. Comet fish may be kept outdoors, and are sometimes kept with other outdoor fish, such as koi fish. Comet fish are relatively easy to care for.
Common Goldfish
The common goldfish is a breed of goldfish that is simply the direct descendant of its ancestral genetic goldfish. The only genetic modification that has been made to the common goldfish is its color patterns and variation. All of the goldfish that are referred to as “fancy” can trace their genetics back to the common goldfish. Common goldfish are very hardy, which is one of the reasons why they are currently extremely popular among fish owners all over the world. They can live both indoors and outdoors and are also very easy to breed. In general, the common goldfish is able to accept greater variations in temperature and water quality than fancy goldfish. If kept in optimum conditions, the common goldfish is able to live more than 10 years in aquarium conditions.
Though it is possible to keep common goldfish alone, they prefer to be kept in groups. They are very social, and will usually interact well with most other types of fish with similar temperaments. If subjected to proper care, it is possible for a common goldfish to become relatively tame. They can be trained to approach the edge of the tank at mealtimes, and may even rise up to the top of the tank to “greet” their owners. Over time, they may come to directly take food from the hand of their owner. They socialize with other fish by rubbing their body up against the fish and may display this behavior when attempting to socialize with humans as well.
Fantail Goldfish
Fantail goldfish were first bred to be “show quality” goldfish. Fantail goldfish have a characteristically round, egg-shaped body that is typical among other closely related breeds. They are referred to as being a type of “fancy” goldfish, as opposed to the more common types of goldfish. The main feature of the fantail goldfish that is prized among enthusiasts of this breed is their long, flowing split-tail fin. The tail fin of the Fantail goldfish is of medium length, and a completely split tail is a sign of a premium specimen of this breed. In addition to the tail fin, a Fantail goldfish also has a double anal fin. This fin needs to be completely separated, in order for the fantail goldfish to be of “show quality”.
Fantail goldfish are often referred to as being one of the hardier types of fancy goldfish. While this is true, it’s also not recommended that you keep a Fantail goldfish in a tank with low water temperature for extended periods of time. As a general rule, try to keep your Fantail goldfish tank from 55 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Because they are relatively easy to care for, Fantail goldfish make good pets for a first-time fish owner. This is partially due to their adaptability to a range of temperatures, but also has to do with their slight adaptability to different water qualities. However, just like with many other types of fish, Fantail goldfish should be kept in a tank that receives weekly cleaning, with 10% of the water being replaced.
Lionchu Goldfish
Technically speaking, the Lionchu goldfish is a fancy goldfish that is a crossbreed of the Ranchu and Lionhead goldfish. Lionchu goldfish are sometimes called “Lionhead Ranchus” though this is not the official term that is used to describe this breed of goldfish. It was not until recently that the Lionchu was recognized as being a legitimate type of fancy goldfish. In previous years, the Lionchu goldfish was thought of merely as a “mongrel”, or a breed fault in the Lionhead goldfish’s genetic line. The Lionchu goldfish is said to have originated in Thailand when a group of fish enthusiasts made the cross popular by promoting the breed on an online goldfish forum. It was not until 2006, however, that the Lionchu was officially recognized as being a legitimate breed, during the “My Fancy Goldfish Competition” in Singapore.
As far as appearance, the Lionchu goldfish is a combination of the body type of the Ranchu goldfish, as well as the unique head growths that are seen on Lionhead goldfish. Ranchu goldfish typically have a long, deep body with a sharply curved back. Lionchu goldfish also are known for not having a dorsal fin, which is a slightly unique feature of some goldfish breeds. In competitions, Lionchu goldfish are increasing in popularity, with many Lionchu goldfish taking home the Grand Champion or Reserve Grand Champion titles. The fins of the Lionchu goldfish are very powerful, which is one of the reasons why it is typically known for being a fairly exceptional swimmer.
Lionhead Goldfish
The Lionhead goldfish is a popular type of goldfish that is often referred to as a “hooded” fish breed. Lionheads were first discovered and developed in China, and are a “fancy” type of goldfish. The Lionhead breed of fish is often designated as being the “precursor” fish to the Ranchu breed of goldfish since Lionheads were bred in order to create the Ranchu breed. The Lionhead goldfish gets its name from the unique, protruding growths that extend past the front of their fairly large heads. This growth usually fully covers most of the fish’s head, hiding the cheeks and gills from view. Lionhead fish also have characteristically short, wide bodies that display a fairly straight back line. Lionfish don’t have a dorsal fin, and their back usually displays some of their color markings.
There are not very strict specifications on the proper appearance of a Lionhead goldfish’s tail. The tail may be either webbed, partially separated, or fully separated. The Lionhead goldfish’s back is fairly broad, in order to support the size and weight of its head growths. This special hood is more pronounced in male Lionhead goldfish, though female Lionhead goldfish have a hood as well. From the time that they are a baby, the Lionhead goldfish typically take about a year to develop their hood. Lionhead goldfish were developed in China to resemble the “shishi”, which is a special type of mythical lion-dog in Chinese legends. Over the years, several modifications have been made to the Lionhead goldfish.
Oranda Goldfish
The Oranda goldfish is a fancy type of goldfish that is prized among many aquarium enthusiasts worldwide. The Oranda goldfish can trace its origins back to China, where it was selectively bred for the raspberry-like growth that protrudes out of the top of its head. This special hood covers the entire top of the head, as well as a bit of the cheek and gill area. This hooded appearance is one of the reasons why the Oranda goldfish is so popular among fish lovers all over the world. Some aquarium experts refer to the Oranda goldfish as a “wen”. The Oranda’s scales and shape are similar to that of the Veiltailed goldfish, which is also characterized by having metallic or slightly matte scales.
There are many types of color variations of the Oranda goldfish. The most common color types are calico, red white black, black white, silver, pure white, bronze colored, chocolate, black, blue, red black, red white, red, and orange. The body of the Oranda goldfish is long and deep, with a flowing tail that has four different fins (also called a “quadruple tail”). When fully grown, the Oranda goldfish can reach a length of from 8 to 12 inches. However, some Oranda goldfish have been said to reach up to 15 inches in length. Oranda goldfish are prone to developing bacterial and fungal infections, so it is very important that you closely monitor the quality of their water. Most Oranda goldfish can tolerate water temperatures from 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Panda Moor Goldfish
The Panda Moor goldfish is a type of goldfish that is generally referred to as being “fancy”. Any type of fancy goldfish is simply a genetic variation of the first goldfish, which was seen as a mutation of certain types of carp. Over the years, these “mutated” fish were selectively bred, which gives us the rich diversity of types of goldfish that we see today. The Panda Moor goldfish is, as its name suggests, a black and white goldfish with “panda-like” colors. Just like in pandas, the black and white patches on the Panda Moor goldfish are fairly large and oval or circular in shape. Some Panda Moor goldfish have black coloration in specific areas, such as along the dorsal line, or on the tips of their tail fins.
The tail of the Panda Moor goldfish is usually split, with the two fins being fan-like in shape. They extend down and out from the body of the Panda Moor goldfish, flowing back from the fish as it swims. When mature, the Panda Moor goldfish is almost velvet-like in appearance, without the usual metallic sheen seen on the scales of some other types of goldfish. One of the most distinctive features of the Panda Moor goldfish is its eyes, which protrude from the sides of its head on short stalks. The eyes of the Panda Moor goldfish are fairly delicate and may become injured through rough play with other fish. It’s best if a Panda Moor goldfish be kept in a tank without a fluctuating temperature.
Pearlscale Goldfish
The Pearlscale goldfish is a type of fancy goldfish that is sometimes referred to as the “chinshurin” in Japanese. The Pearlscale goldfish is slightly similar to the Fantail goldfish, in the placement and appearance of the fins. Pearlscale goldfish are best known for the unique scales on their body that have a rounded, pearl-like appearance. Though the body of the Pearlscale goldfish is usually orange, the inner spherical portion of the scales is usually white. The most notable feature of the Pearlscale goldfish is its body, which is almost perfectly round in shape. This is one of the traits that the Pearlscale goldfish was selectively bred for since a perfectly round body is not common in goldfish. Most other goldfish have a torpedo-shaped body or an egg-shaped body.
Though the circular body of the Pearscale goldfish is its most desired characteristic, it has caused some problems in the breed. The reason for this is that the shape of the Pearscale goldfish’s body has increased its susceptibility to developing swimbladder disorders. The swimbladder is a small gas-filled organ that allows certain types of fish to maintain their positions while swimming in the water. Due to the circular shape of the Pearlscale’s body, the shape of its swimbladder has also been altered.
Some of the other appearance characteristics of the Pearlscale goldfish include a single dorsal fin, a rounded appearance of all fin edges, a minimum length of 2.25 inches, as well as a domed appearance of the scales.
Ranchu Goldfish
The Ranchu goldfish was first developed in Japan. It is a type of fancy goldfish, also possessing a “hood” similar to some other breeds of goldfish. The Ranchu goldfish was created by selectively breeding certain Lionhead goldfish in order to enhance certain characteristics. Oftentimes, the Ranchu goldfish is called by the nickname “King of Goldfish”, though usually only by the Japanese. They are highly regarded in Japanese culture, being extremely popular not only as pets but as show-quality fish as well.
The body of a Ranchu goldfish is egg-shaped, with the tail being notably more downturned than that of their Lionhead goldfish relatives. The back of the Ranchu is more arched as well, extending back and then sloping downward to meet the base of the tail. The tail of the Ranchu is also shorter than that of the Lionhead, which is one of the characteristics that was selectively bred into the Ranchu goldfish.
The belly of the Ranchu goldfish can be up to 3/4 of the total length of the fish. The deepness of the belly is another highly sought characteristic of Ranchu goldfish. Like the Lionhead goldfish, the Ranchu goldfish do not have a dorsal fin.
Ranchu fish are also known for their unique head growths. Some people state that these growths are less prominent than some other types of goldfish. From the day of their hatching, the head growth on a Ranchu goldfish may take at least a year to develop, though may sometimes take slightly longer.
Ryukin Goldfish
The Ryukin goldfish is a type of fancy goldfish that has several very unique features. The Ryukin goldfish is said to first have originated in Japan back in the 1770′s. The Ryukin goldfish gets its name because it is said to have first arrived in Japan by being transported from the Ryukyu Islands (located between Japan and Taiwan). The Ryukin is also known by several other names, such as the Fringetail, the Japanese Ribbontail, the Nagasaki goldfish, or the Onaga goldfish. These name variations are mostly due to the different texts in which the Ryukin goldfish is cited.
There are two notable variants of the Ryukin goldfish: the Yamagata Kingyo and the Tetsu Onaga. The Ryukin goldfish is most notable for the unique shape of its body, which has a type of “hump” that exists in the shoulder part of this goldfish. The fins of the Ryukin goldfish may be either long or short, depending on its genetics. In addition to this, the tail of the Ryukin goldfish may be either quadruple or triple-finned.
There are a few different color variations of the Ryukin goldfish. These colors may include a calico pattern, an “iron” color, white, red, and white, or a deep red color. The dorsal fin of the Ryukin goldfish is high on its body, and often times the tail fins of this fish may extend in length to be twice the size of the fish’s body. Like most other goldfish, Ryukin goldfish are able to tolerate small temperature changes.
Shubunkin Goldfish
Shubunkin goldfish is a type of fancy goldfish that first originated in Japan. The Shubunkin is also sometimes called the “Poor Man’s Koi” due to their appearance being slightly similar to that of the Koi fish. Koi fish are relatively expensive, due to their selective breeding to exhibit specific color patterns and variations. Shubunkin goldfish, by comparison, are relatively less expensive than Koi fish.
The Shubunkin goldfish only has a single tail, which is in contrast to other species of goldfish that have double, triple, or even quadruple tails. Shubunkin is often cited as being similar to the Comet goldfish and the Common goldfish in body shape and general appearance. Shubunkin goldfish possess unique “nacreous” scales, which is one of the reasons for their unique appearance. Having nacreous scales means that a fish has a mix of pearl-looking scales that are both transparent and metallic.
The Shubunkin goldfish was first developed in Japan, from a mutation that occurred in the telescope eye goldfish. This occurred back in 1900, and the Shubunkin goldfish continued to increase in popularity after this time. Baby Shubunkin goldfish usually don’t have nacreous scales, rather, it takes them a few months for this type of pattern to develop. Of all of these colors, blue is the most sought-after color for Shubunkin goldfish enthusiasts.
Telescope Eye Goldfish
The Telescope Eye goldfish is actually a general classification given to other related fish with similar features. As the name suggests, a Telescope Eye goldfish has large, protruding eyes, that stick out significantly from the body. These eyes are slightly tilted upward, but not as severely as the eyes on the Celestial Eye goldfish. Telescope Eye goldfish are seen in a wide number of colors and are usually divided into subtypes by these colors. For example, the Black Moor goldfish is a type of Telescope Eye goldfish that is primarily black in color (though this color may fluctuate due to stress, water conditions, and water temperature). A black and white telescope eye goldfish with distinctive markings are referred to as a “Panda Moor” goldfish.
The Telescope Eye goldfish may be seen in black, chocolate blue, lavender, blue, chocolate, black-white, calico, red-white, and red. The Telescope Eye type of goldfish can trace its origins back to China, similar to many other types of goldfish.
Most Telescope Eye goldfish are known for having extremely fragile eyes, which can be damaged easily. Due to the eyes protruding out significantly from the head, they may be damaged by sharp edges in an aquarium. This is one of the main reasons why Telescope Eye goldfish need to be kept in a tank without plastic plants, since they may scratch the fish’s sensitive eyes. Instead, it’s best to replace plastic plants with real plants, though only real plants that have leaves that are silky in texture.
Tosakin Goldfish
The Tosakin goldfish is a type of fancy goldfish that was first developed in Japan. The Tosakin goldfish is sometimes referred to as the “curly fantail goldfish”, due to the unique nature of its tail. The tail is the most remarkable feature of the Tosakin goldfish since it is a large, undivided fin that spreads out like a fan when the fish swims. Some fish enthusiasts also refer to the Tosakin goldfish as the “peacock tail goldfish”, because of the shape the tail forms when fully extended.
The shape of the Tosakin goldfish’s body is said to be similar to that of the Ryukin, which has a distinctive hump that is present right around the “shoulder” area of the fish. The Tosakin’s most distinctive feature, its fan-like tail, is also the reason for the relative fragility of this fish breed. Since the Tosakin was inbred many times during its early stages, it is a fairly unskilled swimmer. This is the main reason why Tosakin goldfish need to be kept in a tank without an existing current, and in relatively shallow water.
Unlike some other hardier fish, the Tosakin is very sensitive to sudden changes in the water chemistry of its tank. This is the main reason why Tosakin goldfish are fairly high maintenance since their tank needs to be under constant monitoring for any changes. As far as color, Tosakin goldfish are commonly seen in calico, black, red white, and pure red. Tosakin goldfish are usually only seen in Japanese aquariums.
Veiltail Goldfish
The Veiltail goldfish is a type of fancy goldfish that can actually trace its origins back to the United States. In the 1890′s, a man named Franklin Barret who lived in Philadelphia decided to breed a Ryukin goldfish (Japanese bred) with a telescope eye goldfish that had very distinctive features. The fry that resulted from this breeding was the first of a long line of fish that were called “Philadelphia Veiltails”. Today, there are different variations of the Veiltail goldfish that are present in countries in Europe, as well as in parts of China. These variations may or may not exhibit the telescope eyes that resulted from the crossbreed.
The body of the Veiltail goldfish is rounded, with a deep chest that is slightly similar to that of the Ryukin goldfish. However, the Veiltail goldfish does not display the characteristic “hump” that occurs in the Ryukin goldfish. The most notable feature of the Veiltail goldfish is its tail, which is double-finned and very long. The edges of the tail are fairly long, and square-shaped, which is fairly unique for goldfish breeds.
Veiltail goldfish do have a dorsal fin, which extends from roughly halfway down the back to the base of the tail. The anal fins are also very well-developed, long enough to warrant recognition. Many fish owners mistakenly use the term “Veiltail fish” to describe any type of goldfish breed that exhibits a long, flowing tail. However, a true Veiltail goldfish must have a square-edged tail that is double-finned.
See More: Female Betta Fish