Their deep body shape can cause digestive complications, causing the fish to float on its side added vegetable matter in their diet and a day a week without food can usually help to remedy the ailment. They are also more assertive than many other fancy types, so Ryukins should not be kept with docile or less agile varieties. The face of the fish is more pointed than other types. Ryukins – Ryukins are admired for their uniquely-shaped, rounded bodies and very high, arched backs. The Red Cap Oranda – a white fish with deep red wen – is one of the most popular color varieties. The wen is prone to bacterial infections, especially in Orandas, who are sensitive to cooler temperatures. It may even obstruct the eyesight of older fish. The most notable characteristic of these fish is the “brain” on top of their head – a soft,raspberry-like growth known as the “wen” that continues to grow as the fish grows. They have deep bodies and long, split double tails, like the Fantail. Orandas – Oranda Goldfish are one of the most popular varieties. Since their eyesight is fixed, they cannot see in front of them and can be out-competed for food by more active or less “handicapped” varieties. Celestial Eye Goldfish have gently rounded backs and do not have a dorsal fin. Some legends say that these fish were bred by monks to encourage man to always gaze towards Heaven. However, the eyes of this variety appear to be rotated with the pupils in a constant upward gaze. The Telescope variety of goldfish also includes the very popular Moors, and the smaller Siamese or Chinese Dolls.Ĭelestial Eyes – Like Telescopes, the eyes of Celestial Eye Goldfish protrude. The mutation gives the fish an endearing appearance, but the eyesight of Telescope Goldfish is fairly poor. They also have large, round, bulging eyes that protrude from their skulls. Telescopes – Telescope Goldfish have the squat, rounded bodies and the double tails. The traits that these fish were bred for have some impact on their growth and health and while they may be housed outside in some climates and conditions year round, their ideal home is in an aquarium where they can be admired and cared for properly. Though many of the fancy varieties mentioned above were developed for outdoor ponds, some of the other fancy goldfish are best suited aquariums. It is also rounder and more egg-shaped, rather than the long, slender, carp-like shape of the previous varieties. The tail is split and double like the Wakin, but the body is shorter. These are ideal pond fish, and are best admired from above.įantails – basic Fantail Goldfish are the basis of many of the other varieties. While most of the body is still carp-like, Wakins have a split, double tail, giving it the fantail-like shape associated with fancier varieties. Wakins – Wakins, or Japanese Goldfish, have brilliant red and white coloration. These fish are sometimes known as the “Poor Man’s Koi” and indeed, their colors can resemble their highly prized cousins. Shubunkins – Shubunkins have a body shape similar to Comets, but their color is a calico mix of white, black, red, orange, grey and even steely blue on some individuals. The Sarasa Comet is a very popular variety whose coloration is a combination of pure white and deep red. They get fairly large and are often sold for ponds rather than aquariums. They can be orange, white, silver, yellow or black.

Made for Outdoor LivingĬomets – Perhaps the closest in appearance to the “natural” carp, Comets have longer fins than the common goldfish, and are often sold as “feeder fish”. Let me introduce you to some of the most popular “breeds” that have become aquarium mainstays over the past few hundred years. Over time, the fish that we know as “goldfish” were selectively bred for specific traits and colors which would eventually become the varieties we see in fish stores today. Almost two thousand years ago, Asian fisherman raised these fish in ponds for food, and soon the natural orange and yellow mutations of these fish caught the eye of Chinese royalty. With the wide range of body shapes and colors, it is hard to believe that all of the fish we call “goldfish” come from the same ancestor, a rather dull, silver/brown carp known as Carassius auratus.

Telescope goldfish color types