Types Of Goldfish - The Goldie Identification Guide

Types Of Goldfish - The Goldie Identification Guide

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Welcome to the wonderful world of goldfish keeping! Goldies have been delighting their owners for thousands of years, even though the first goldfish didn’t possess the bulging eyes and fancy fins that we have grown to love. Goldfish continue to become more and more popular due to their forgiving nature and spectacular shapes and colors. But with such an array of unique breeds, how do you know which goldfish you have? This blog will discuss the types of goldfish, and which one may be best for you and your tank.

Single Tailed Goldfish

These goldfish are the closest in resemblance to their wild cousins, the Prussian carp. Besides the obviously brighter pigmentation, common goldfish have the same semi stocky body, short rounded fins, and hardy nature as the carp do. As they mature, common goldfish will develop a distinguishable “hump” on their backs. Called Hibuna in Japan, common goldfish are often labeled as “feeder fish”, or given away as prizes at fairs. Almost everyone has found themselves with a common goldie at one time or another. Despite their low status, common goldfish can be an attractive addition to any pond. You can find these fish in self stable red, orange, yellow, white, brown or olive, or any mix of these. It is not uncommon to find common goldfish reaching 14 inches in body length.

Comet Goldfish:

Comets are very similar to common goldfish not only in looks, but in commonality and availability. These fish are also sold to be food for other animals, and given as a first pet to children. Comets and commons are often mistaken for each other, but there are some distinguishing characteristics between them. Mainly, comets have much longer, flowing fins, while the fins on common goldfish are shorter, and more rounded. Comet goldfish also have a much more streamline body as adults and a deeply forked tail. These fish can easily reach 14 inches in body length, though larger has been reported. Comet goldfish come in the same beautiful colorations as commons, though the Sarasa pattern is a trademark of this species. Comets hold the title as one of the only goldfish to originate in America.

Shubunkin Goldfish:

These fish closely resemble comets with their streamline bodies. Shubunkins are prized fish due to their gorgeous calico coloration and metallic, shimmering scales. They are most known to have a mix of orange, red, yellow, silver, blue, and black patches, but many breeders are developing primarily white and black shubunkins. Shubunkin goldfish are found in three different varieties; the American, London, and Bristol. American shubunkins have prominently split tails like comets. London tails are shorter, like commons. Bristol shubunkins have rounded, heart shaped tails.

Tamasaba Goldfish:

The Tamasaba goldfish is a very rare breed that developed by crossing a single tailed Syounai (no longer available) with a double tailed ryukin. The result is a goldfish with a round body and arched back that has a single anal and caudal fin. These are large, hardy fish that flourish in ponds. Although they aren’t as fast as their slender bodied cousins, tamasaba goldfish make up for it in stature. They grow larger than ryukins, easily reaching 10 inches in length. Because of this, they should be housed in a tank no less than 60 gallons. Many times tamasaba goldfish are misidentified with tamaryu goldfish, which are actually a ryukin morph. In almost all ryukin spawns, a few goldfish will be born with a single tail instead of a double one. This does not make them tamasaba goldfish, as true tamasabas must come from the hybrid strain. Tamasabas also posses a single anal fin, whereas tamaryu goldfish have two. Tamaryus are often the first to be culled in a spawn, but that does not mean they aren’t great pets.

Sabao Goldfish

Sabao goldfish are the tamasaba’s brothers. They are bred the same way, but desirable sabaos should have a more slender body and a less prominent hump. They make wonderful pond fish and are better swimmers than tamasabas. Once again, Sabao goldfish are often labeled as another breed, most often tamasabas. Like tamasabas, they have a single caudal and anal fin, but sabaos look more like plump common goldfish, rather than a ryukin mix. Sabaos only come in white and red. These goldfish are very rare, even less common than tamasbas, so they are as prized as koi fish.

Imperial Goldfish:

Although not yet recognized as a breed to itself, many goldfish breeders in the US and UK are developing an imperial goldfish strain. This fish has many variations due to a lack of outlined characteristics, but its said to become a round bodied bristol shubunkin. Like the shubunkin, these fish have metallic and nacreous scales; many have a matte band near the center of their body. They have a body shape similar to a sabao; not quite as round as a fantail, but more compact than a common. High quality imperial goldfish have not yet been released onto the market, but culled fish from prized imperial strains are floating around. Imperial goldfish can come in almost any color type as of now.

Double Tailed Goldfish

Double tailed goldies are often referred to as “fancy goldfish”. This group of goldfish are selectively bred for unique, and even strange characteristics. They have round bodies and a tail split into two parts. Both tail parts are forked. Besides the jikin, watonai and wakin goldfish, fancy varieties don’t grow quite as large as their single tailed cousins and are very popular for aquariums. If you decide to keep a fancy, they will need at least a 40 gallon tank for two adults, but you may need to upgrade to 55 gallons or larger. Each variety of double tail requires different care based on unique needs.

Wakin Goldfish

At first glance, wakin (pronounced WA-KEEN) goldfish look very similar to single tailed goldfish. They have a torpedo shaped body and can grow over 12 inches in length. However, what distinguishes wakins from other goldfish, is their small double tail. They are not found much outside of Japan, but if you happen to stumble upon one of these unique fish, they would make great additions to goldfish ponds. They’re most often found in red/white patterns, but can also harvest black, yellow and orange pigments.

Note: Japanese goldfish breeders refer to all single tailed goldfish as wakins, but in the US and UK, only the double tailed goldfish shown above are true wakins.
Watonai Goldfish

After crossing a wakin and a ryukin, the Watonai goldfish was born. Like wakins, they have a streamline body and a double tail. The only difference is the watonai’s long, flowing fins, like those of a comet. Watonais can be found in more colors than wakins, ranging from light pink to rich reds and oranges, to blacks and blues. Growing 12 or more inches and being active swimmers, watonais are best suited for pond life.
Jikin Goldfish

Jikins are beautiful pond fish that developed from wakins. Also called “peacock tail goldfish” a jikin tail is completely split outward, almost making an X shape. They don’t grow quite as large as wakins, but must still have plenty of space to swim. Jikin breeders usually follow at “12 point rule” when it comes to their coloration. A true jikin must have orange or red on its two pectorals, two anal fins, two ventral fins, both of the gill plates, parts of the caudal fins, its dorsal and its nose. Their body should be a shimmery white. However, such desirable markings are very hard to obtain, making jikins some of the most rare and expensive types of goldfish
Fantail Goldfish

When you think of fancy goldfish, a fantail almost immediately comes to mind. They are the most common, yet most diverse variety of fancy goldfish. Almost every pet shop stocks fantails. Fantail goldfish come in a wide range of colors, shapes and styles. They can have long or short fins. Some have more slender bodies while others develop a large curvature in the spine. They can be found in colors from solid orange to calico and every color pattern in between. Most fantails reach 8 inches in length, but if well cared for they can grow to 10 inches. Fantails are the most hardy of egg shaped goldfish and therefore make a great
choice for a beginner.
Ryukin Goldfish:

Very similar to fantails in terms of colors and fin types, the ryukin is another common variety of fancy goldfish. They are distinguished between fancies by their larger size and the huge hump on their back. While the hump on a fantail is more sloped towards the front, a ryukin’s hump will take a steep incline right behind the head. They are also common beginner goldfish but can be aggressive towards other fancies due to their large size. However, because of their round shape, ryukins are very prone to swim bladder issues. A well balanced diet, pristine water conditions and an adequate sized tank will help your ryukin live a long, healthy life.
Oranda Goldfish:

Orandas are very deep bodied goldfish with long flowing fins. They are some of the largest varieties of fancy goldfish and can easily grow to 10 inches in body length. But, the most impressive part of an oranda, is the large, fleshy growth on their head known as a wen. The wen begins to grow at around 3-4 months of age, but is not fully developed until the fish is over a year old. Even then, the wen continues to grow through the fish’s entire life. Older orandas can have stunning and beautiful wens that cover the entire face. Although wens are beautiful, they are prone to infection if debris settles in between the folds. In some cases, the wen may even need to be trimmed if it covers the fish’s eyes. Orandas come in lots of different color morphs, including calico, panda, red cap and more.

Note: NEVER attempt to trim your fish’s wen at home. The wen is a very delicate and sensitive organ, and there is a huge risk of infection or damage to the fish’s skin. Contact an experienced and trained aquatic vet to do the job for you.

Veiltail Goldfish:

True veiltail goldfish are hard to come by, but if you have the pleasure of seeing one in person, their beauty is astounding. Veiltail goldfish have extremely long fins and only come in a few color morphs, some of which are white, gold, bi color and tri color. They are also one of the only goldfish to originate outside of Japan. The first veiltails were bred in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, hence the reason why true veiltails are called “Philadelphia Veiltails”. By breed standards, a Philadelphia veiltail should have a caudal fin that is 1-2 times the body length and has little to no fork, giving it almost a “butterfly” appearance. The veiltail must also have a dorsal that is longer than the body’s height, making them the goldfish with the longest dorsal fin comparative to size. They are also very fragile, and only a few breeders have successfully carried on the Philadelphia veiltail strain, one of which still resides in their home town.

Pearlscale Goldfish:

Pearlscale goldfish show how bizarre goldfish can become with selective breeding. Unlike any other goldfish variety, the pearlscale has some very interesting scales. The scales have a very hard, bulging center that is most often white in color. They also have a very plump midsection, giving them the nickname “golfball goldfish”. To make things even stranger, some pearlscales are bred with a headgrowth called a Hamanishiki (try pronouncing that!) that resembles a large bubble. This is very hard to find though, and most hamanshikis are just like wens. Pearlscales can even be found without a headgrowth at all. Because of their “golfball” shape, pearlscale goldfish must be fed carefully to prevent bloating. This means that all dry foods must be soaked (as with other goldfish varieties), and veggies should be offered daily. Additionally, if you wish to keep their pearly appearance, sharp objects and aggressive fish should be removed from the tank, because once a scale is gone, it will regrow like any other goldfish scale would.

Telescope Eye Goldfish:

Besides fantails, telescope eye goldfish are one of the most hybridized goldfish varieties. Telescope goldfish have the body of an oranda but posses large, protruding eyes. You can find them in almost any tail type, eye type, and color pattern out there. Telescopes are fairly hardy goldfish, but need careful feeding. Because of their eye shape, telescope goldfish lack the perception necessary to pinpoint where food is, so they prefer to scavenge the substrate for sinking flakes and pellets. They must not be housed with large or aggressive species, or they will be out competed for food. Take care when choosing decor in a telescope tank, as sharp object can cause severe damage to the eye.

Butterfly Tail Goldfish:

When viewed from above, the caudal fins on these goldfish are splayed out to the side, giving them the appearance of a butterfly. Most of the time, butterfly tails are only applied to telescope eye goldfish but are migrating to other fancy breeds like the oranda and ryukin. Butterfly tails are large and impressive, and should only be mildly forked. Take care to keep your butterfly away from sharp objects to preserve these beautiful “wings”

Moor Goldfish

Black and panda moor goldfish are really just a color morph of the telescope eye. As their name suggests, they have a black velvety appearance that, unlike other black goldfish, hardly fades through the fish’s life. Moors are cared for just like telescope eye goldfish above.

Eggfish

The eggfish is the grandfather of all dorsalless goldfish species, yet its hardly seen in stores today. Eggfish look like lionheads without the wen, or celestials without the bulging eyes. Their bodies resemble an egg in shape and aren’t nearly as compact as the other dorsalless varieties. They are known for their simple and smooth body structure. The Phoenix eggfish is a variety of eggfish that has long, flowing fins like a comet. Most eggfish are orange or white colored, with others morphs seldom seen. In fact, blue Phoenix eggfish are one of the rarest goldfish in the world! Its no wonder these fish are often sold at over $100 a piece.

Pompom Goldfish:

This fish gets it’s name from the overgrown nasal septa (outer portion of the nose) that resemble pom poms. Pompom goldfish are often found with a dorsal, but true pompoms are dorsalless. The dorsalled pompoms are actually a Japanese variant known as Hanafusa. Pompoms resemble lionheads in body and fin shape and are most often found in white with orange splotches. Bronze and silver pompoms are also available. The “nasal bouquets” on a pompom goldfish are perfect targets for nippy goldfish and should be housed with other pompoms or other dorsalless goldfish.

Lionhead Goldfish

Lionheads are known as the puppy dogs of the goldfish world, with their round bodies, pudgy faces, and sweet personalities. Lionhead goldfish are known for their large and prominent wens that grow as the fish matures. The wen covers the fish’s entire face, from the gill plates to the nose. The wen will often become overgrown, resulting in the fish’s lack of vision or inhibiting proper gill function. Like all goldfish with wens, seek professional help when attempting to trim it. Lionhead goldfish have a relatively flat back without any major humps or bumps, and lacks a dorsal fin.

Ranchu Goldfish

To the untrained eye, ranchu goldfish look almost identical to lionheads, but there are a few distinguishing characteristics between them. Ranchu goldfish have a much more arched back, and the tail tucks in at a sharp point. The tail is always held at a 40 degree angle to the body. Ranchus were bred to resemble Japanese coins, so they have much more rounded bodies than lionheads that almost look “boxy”. Although some ranchus have wens, they are not nearly as prominent as lionheads, and some ranchus don’t have any head growths at all. Ranchus are also found in more colors than lionheads, including jet black.

Lionchu Goldfish

Lionchu goldfish were created by crossing the round body of a ranchu, with the large wen of a lionhead. These fish are the best of both worlds, as they come in a wide range of colors and styles. Care for your lionchu just like ranchus and lionheads.

Shukin Goldfish:

Shukin goldfish are basically an oranda and ranchu or lionhead combined. The very first strain of shukin goldfish went extinct in Japan after WWII, so the original, stable shukin breed is lost. Today, most long tailed lionheads are considered shukins, but there are advanced hobbyists working to replicate the original strain. Shukin goldfish come in the same color patterns as lionheads and ranchus, with the long flowing tail of an oranda. Keep these fish with other similarly sized goldfish, and be careful to remove any objects that could tear their fins.

Izumo Nankin Goldfish:

The Izumo nankin is a rare but beautiful breed. This fish is known for its pure white body and rich red splotches. The head should be snow white with red exclusively on the eyes and nose, with very minimal head growth. All fins are mottled with red. The nankin developed from ranhcus, but the body tapers down at a much sharper angle and the fins are widely spread in this breed. Nankin goldfish lack a dorsal fin just like ranchus.

Celestial Eye Goldfish

Gaze your eyes upon this unique and even strange goldfish breed. As if they are looking up at the stars, celestial eye goldfish were selectively bred to have upwards pointing, immobile pupils. Because of this, celestial goldfish have a very difficult time locating and competing for food. They are some of the most delicate goldfish and usually don’t live as long or grow as large as other varieties. But this does not mean they require any less care, or a smaller tank. (40 gallons is still the minimum for fancies) The only suitable tankmates for celestials are other celestials and bubble eye goldfish. Celestial goldfish have an elongated egg shaped body and relatively long fins but lack a dorsal. Orange is the standard celestial color.

Bubble Eye Goldfish

With a body shape similar to celestials, the bubble eye goldfish is the definition of “exotic”. The large, fluid filled sacks under their eyes give them a comical expression. However, special care must be taken to keep these “bubbles” intact. Any sharp or rough decor should be removed from the tank, and powerful filters should be covered with sponge. Keep bubble eye goldfish with similarly handicapped species much as celestials. Bubble eye goldfish are most often found in orange and red and occasionally calico.

Tosakin Goldfish

Tosakin goldfish are the caviar of the goldfish world. Bred as prized pond fish in Japan, Tosakins are the only goldfish types with a fused double tail. When viewed from above, their stunning caudal fin forms a perfect half circle with the ends flipping over each other. Such elaborate finnage means that the tosakin must be housed in a tank without any hazards. They are very delicate fish and terrible swimmers, so special care must be taken to keep a healthy tosakin. Keep tosakins with non aggressive goldfish species, and keep currents at a minimum. Tosakin goldfish will reward your hard work with their extraordinary beauty and elegance

Goldfish Scale Types

You are probably aware that all goldfish are covered in rows of scales, but did you know that there are different kinds of scales? Most scales of a goldfish are actually colorless, and its the fish’s skin that give a goldfish its name. This is why some goldfish dull with age, as their scales harden and block out color. You’d also be surprised to know that what makes a goldfish shiny is a reflective pigment inside the scale known as guanine.

Metallic Scales

Metallic goldfish have scales with a thick layer of guanine underneath that refracts light. This gives the fish a shiny metal appearance.

Nacreous Scales

Almost all “calico” fish have nacreous scales. Nacreous scales have a moderate amount of guanine, so only some scales will reflect light. Some scales will even have color pigment embedded into them, so goldfish with nacreous scales often have rich black colors that never fade

Matte Scales

Goldfish with matte scales lack any reflective pigments at all. Because of this, most fish with matte scales are white, with the pink of their muscle showing through the skin. Hence, why they are also called “pinkies”

Goldfish Colors

The original goldfish were a dull brown/green color just like their carp ancestors. Since then, selective breeding has brought on a huge range of vibrant colors and stunning patterns. Just like humans, a goldfish’s pigment changes with light. A goldfish that is kept in the dark will eventually fade to white, while goldfish in high light will have rich and vibrant colors.

Solid Colors (Self Stable)

“Wild”: Wild type goldfish are a rusty brown color or a dull green. This helps them blend into sandy streams and murky waters.

Orange/Gold: How the goldfish got its name! This was the first major color morph, and can be found in any goldfish breed.

Red: Another common color morph found in all breeds but the pompom.

Yellow: Yellow goldfish were reserved for royal ponds, so this strain isn’t very common today, but it can still occur in most goldfish types.

White: Do not confuse white goldfish with albino ones. White goldfish have white pigment, while albino fish lack any pigment at all. White goldfish will also have white fins and black eyes. Found in all goldfish varieties.

Black: True black goldfish are uncommon. Most are considered blue due to the lack of sufficient black pigment and metallic scales. Black moors and ranchus are some goldfish breeds that can be found in black.

Blue: Along with chocolate, blue goldfish are the most recent color morphs. They are really a silver variant, not actual blue. Blue is often found in orandas, but other fancy types have been found with this stunning coloration.

Chocolate: As of now, only orandas have been found with this beautiful red/brown coloration known as chocolate. Chocolate orandas are very desirable among hobbyists due to their one of a kind coloration.

Multi-Colored / Patterned

Sarasa: The term sarasa is used to describe single tailed goldfish, most often comets. Goldfish with a sarasa pattern will have brilliant red spots outlined by soft opaque scales.

Tancho (Redcap): More commonly called redcap, the tancho pattern is usually associated with orandas, but can also be found in comets. The tancho pattern describes a fish with an all white body, and a perfect circle on top of its head.

Panda: This specifically relates to a goldfish known as the panda moor (a telescope variant). Just like the fuzzy mammal, these fish have mottled white and black. True panda goldfish will retain their black throughout their lives.

Calico: Calico goldfish are described as having three or more overlapping colors with nacreous scales. No two calico goldfish are the same, but the most desirable calicos will have lots of blue and silver pigment.

There are too many goldfish patterns to possibly show! Every goldfish is unique, and there is an endless variety of colors and patterns out there.

What about fin types?

Goldfish caudal fin types were excluded from this blog due to the lack of standards for each variant. Some breeders will classify a tail type as one thing, while another breeder will call it another. Additionally, not all tail types fit into a single category, as there is an immense amount of diversity among goldfish finnage. The universal categories for goldfish fin types is singletails, and doubletailed varieties.

Conclusion

As you can see, there is a huge variety of different goldfish breeds and variations! Keep in mind that all fish will not comply to the standards listed above. That’s the beauty of the goldfish! There are always new types being discovered and selectively bred. Each goldfish are unique in their own special way. But no matter how they are classified, all goldfish make treasured pets for many years to come.