When it comes to home aquariums, goldfish are what comes to most people’s minds when they think about the kind of fish to keep as pets.
Goldfish are the best fish to raise at home because they have everything in pattern, shape, and color.
However, many people don’t know these fishes are of different species.
This article discusses the different types of goldfish, so read on.
Single-Tailed Goldfish
Single-tailed goldfish have only one tail and look much like their Prussian carp ancestor.
Their bodies are thin and don’t change much. They don’t care about the temperature but like clean water with little movement.
Single tails want to look around a tank with decorations, plants, and places to hide. They also need a lot of room to swim. Let us discuss some types of single-tailed goldfish.
1. Common Goldfish
The common goldfish belongs to the Cyprinidae family of freshwater fish, and it is a close relative of koi and is a domesticated wild carp. This simple breed gave rise to most fancy goldfish variants.
They’re bright, affordable, and widely available. These fish are a popular pet among many keepers because they are friendly and fun to watch.
A color mutation occurred when the Chinese began domesticating carp for food, giving common goldfish. Further, they are natural fish that live in shallow, quiet bodies of water like rivers and streams.
2. Wakin Goldfish
One of the most valuable goldfish in Japan was the wakin, which was once only available to the rich.
The Wakin Goldfish is a small goldfish that is also one of the most interesting. The Wakin is different from other goldfish because it has some features that single-tailed goldfish don’t have.
However, Wakin goldfish are an excellent choice for people who like to keep fish as pets because they are easy to care for.
There is no better way to raise them than in a pond, but they can be kept in aquariums.
3. Comet Goldfish
The comet is a goldfish that looks much like a common species. Their bodies are roughly the same form and size and share many of the same primary colors.
The tail is the only distinction between comets and regular goldfish. Comet goldfish have a longer and more flowing caudal than common goldfish.
Comet goldfish are good starter pets because they can tolerate less-than-ideal water quality. However, an essential thing about raising comet goldfish is to provide them with adequate space to grow.
4. Shubunkin
Shubunkins are among the different types of goldfish under single-tailed goldfish.
They have a similar appearance to ordinary goldfish and comet goldfish, and they were created by crossing the calico telescope eye goldfish, comet goldfish, and common goldfish in Japan.
Their bodies are sleek, and their fins are well-developed and even. However, Shubunkins are calico goldfish with nacreous scales.
Shubunkins are like water plants in a pond, but they also need space to swim. At least, you should maintain 5 specimens of this fish together in a school. Also, they can swim along with golden orfes, koi, and goldfish.
It’s a tough fish that doesn’t get sick quickly. Nonetheless, like many Cypriniformes, it is susceptible to carp louse and mold. For your Shubunkin goldfish to hibernate, your pond should be at least 28 inches deep, with shallow regions of roughly 6 inches for proliferation.
Fancy Goldfish
Fancy goldfish are other goldfish types that have characteristics that single-tail goldfish lack. All fancy goldfish have two tails, and they also have different body forms.
Fancies have short bodies rather than long bodies. Also, they are often slower and more delicate swimmers. Below are some types of fancy goldfish.
5. Ryukin Goldfish
The Ryukin is a giant, plump-looking, adorable goldfish, and it is one of the elegant goldfish species.
In recent decades, they’ve been popular as owning goldfish as a regular pet has become common.
The Ryukin Goldfish’s actual origins have long been forgotten in history. They originated in China and were imported to Japan in the 1770s. Then, the fish became very popular there.
Ryukins are tough creatures that can survive in colder climates. However, if you want to keep Ryukin goldfish, remember that they look a lot like fantails while they’re young, and when the fish is young, their features aren’t very noticeable.
6. Fantail Goldfish
Fantails are a popular fancy goldfish that both new and veteran keepers love caring for. Although they are easy to keep, few areas to consider when caring for these lovely goldfish.
These fancy goldfish are the most basic type and are not found in the wild. However, they result from hundreds, if not thousands, of years of careful breeding.
Though fantails are tough, they are easily bullied because of their poor swimming speed. It also makes it hard for them to compete for food. Also, they are gregarious creatures who like the company of others. They don’t always shoal, but they do interact with one another.
7. Bubble Eye Goldfish
The Bubble Eye is a fancy goldfish with upward-pointing eyeballs and two enormous fluid-filled sacs.
It has no dorsal fin; good examples will have a clean back, matching color, and size eye bubbles.
Because their bubbles are fragile, they should be maintained aside from a sharp tank decor.
While most goldfish are ideal for new aquarists, the Bubble Eye is not one of them. These fish have specific requirements that you must meet.
However, learning how to care for these unique goldfish isn’t too difficult with the right procedure.
For safety reasons, collectors must keep their bubble eyes in tanks that don’t have sharp things. However, because the fish can’t see well, it’s recommended that they be kept with other bubble eyes goldfish to compete for food fairly.
8. Pearlscale Goldfish
The Pearlscale goldfish is a fancy goldfish type that has been carefully bred. They belong to the Cyprinidae family, a young species discovered in China in the early 1900s.
Pearlscale goldfish are fascinating freshwater fish with a distinct look. As a result, many aquarists want to keep them as pets.
We can differentiate Pearlscale by its thick, domed scales with a pearl-like appearance. It has a circular body resembling a golf ball, and Pearlscales can grow as long as 8 inches.
9. Celestial Goldfish
Celestial eye goldfish are fancy goldfish with telescopic eyes and pupils looking upwards.
During the Sung Dynasty, the Chinese got this goldfish from a local carp species. The Celestial Eye Goldfish first appeared in the latter half of the nineteenth century. The Japanese further defined the species, resulting in its current look.
The Celestial Eye Goldfish is a more spherical or egg-shaped fancy goldfish. Unlike the Common Goldfish and Shubunkins, which have long, slender bodies.
Like the Lionhead and Bubble Eye Goldfish, the Celestial Eye Goldfish lacks a dorsal fin. It comes in orange, black, and a lovely calico pattern.
10. Black Moor Goldfish
The Black Moor Goldfish is among the different types of goldfish under the fancy goldfish type. As a descendant of Carp, Black Moors originated in China.
People had bred them there since the 1700s when they first traded them in Japan and worldwide.
Black Moor Goldfish are peaceful fish that should get along with every fish in the tank. Due to their cautiousness, they do not get along well with loud fish.
Also, because of their slow swimming speed, they need the presence of other peaceful species in the tank.
It would help if you fed them various high-protein diets and green vegetables. Protein sources should be the first item in the fish flakes you offer. Avoid brands that are low in quality and contain unnecessary ingredients.
11. Oranda Goldfish
An oranda is a goldfish breed distinguished by a large bubble-like “hood” on the head.
The head growth might be conspicuous on top of the head or enclose the entire face except for the mouth.
Orandas, like other goldfish species, come from wild carp. The origins of the Oranda Goldfish are unknown, but early accounts of this fish date back to the 15th century.
They were one of many fancy goldfish species developed in East Asia.
Orandas aren’t particularly aggressive. They are calm and caring fish who get along well with other serene aquarium species.
Although they are not schooling fish, they are at ease in a tank with other fish species.
12. Telescope Eye Goldfish
The telescope eye is the last on our list of the different types of goldfish, and it is popular for its projecting eyeballs.
It was first discovered in China in the early 1700s, where they called it “dragon eyes.” Later in the century, they got the Japanese name Demekin, which they still use today.
The demekin is identical to the ryukin and fantail except for its bigger protruding eyes.
Like the “China doll,” it has a deep body and long flowing fins, some with veiled fins and others with broad or short fins.
Although goldfish can survive in cooler temperatures, the Telescope is not an excellent starter fish. This is due to their telescopic eyes rather than a lack of hardiness.
They have weak vision due to their eyes; hence, they aren’t a good food competitor. Their eyes are especially vulnerable to infection and injury.
