FishFreshwaterIntermediatePeaceful
Goldfish
Carassius auratus
Also known as: Comet, Common Goldfish, Edible Goldfish, Goldcarp, Gold Crucian Carp
The streamlined single-tail original. Hardy, fast, and pond-tough.
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About
Goldfish (Carassius auratus) are probably the single most recognizable aquatic animal on the planet, and for good reason. Centuries of selective breeding in China and Japan have produced an astonishing range of body shapes, fin types, and colors far removed from the plain olive-gold wild form. In nature, they inhabit slow-moving and still waters across East Asia: weedy ponds, canals, ditches, and the shallower margins of lakes, where they root through sediment for invertebrates, plant matter, and detritus. That opportunistic, bottom-grubbing lifestyle translates directly into their aquarium behavior. They are relentless foragers that will uproot plants and produce a significant waste load, so filtration genuinely matters here. They are sociable and peaceful almost all of the time, and do best kept in groups rather than alone. Spawning is the main exception: males become pushy and persistently chase females, and the protein spike from eggs and milt can stress water quality noticeably. The sheer breadth of varieties, from common and comet forms to fancy double-tailed breeds, means care demands vary quite a bit across the group, so this one sits solidly at intermediate level despite its beginner reputation. Given decent conditions, goldfish are remarkably long-lived companions.
Varieties & strains
29 recognized strains of Goldfish.
CometThe Comet is defined by its deeply forked, single tail fin — often as long or longer than the body itself — giving it a swept, streamlined silhouette that no other goldfish matches. Body coloration is typically solid red, red-and-white, or sarasa (crisp red patches on white), though yellow and orange variants exist. Fast and athletic, Comets thrive in ponds and large tanks and will outcompete fancy varieties for food without hesitation. Select fish with symmetrical tail lobes and clean color borders; avoid specimens with clamped or ragged fins at purchase.Shubunkin (London)London Shubunkins share the single-tailed, slim body plan of a common goldfish but are celebrated entirely for their calico coloration — a mosaic of blue, violet, red, orange, black, and white on a nacreous (matte, non-metallic) scale base. The blue ground color is the prized trait; deep, pervasive blue across the body is the benchmark of a quality specimen. London-type Shubunkins have a shorter, rounder tail compared to Bristol and American types. Hardy and fast, they belong in ponds or spacious community setups rather than delicate fancy tanks.Shubunkin (Bristol)Bristol Shubunkins carry the same striking nacreous calico patterning as London types but are distinguished by their dramatically large, rounded, lobed tail fin — broad at the base with soft, almost scalloped edges rather than a forked point. A show-quality Bristol tail should be substantial enough to wave gently when the fish glides. Coloration ideally features a blue ground with violet, red, orange, and black markings. They're hardier than most fancies and do well in outdoor ponds in temperate climates. Choose fish whose tail lobes are symmetrical and free of splits.Shubunkin (American)The American Shubunkin is the most tail-forward of the three Shubunkin types — it sports a long, deeply forked single tail resembling a Comet's, paired with the nacreous calico coloration that defines the Shubunkin group. Blue ground tones with vivid red, orange, and black overlays make a top-grade specimen genuinely stunning. Fast and energetic, this variety belongs in ponds or very large tanks. Don't mix with slow fancy varieties — it'll dominate feeding. Select for depth of blue coloring and clean, unragged tail edges.WakinThe Wakin looks like a common goldfish until you notice the tail — it has a fully doubled caudal fin, making it a rare combination of streamlined, torpedo-shaped body and twin tail lobes. Coloration is typically red-and-white or solid red. This is a vigorous, fast swimmer that does well in ponds and is considerably hardier than most fancy twin-tail varieties. It's an important ancestral form, believed to be one of the earliest twin-tailed mutations developed in Asia. Don't mistake its toughness for license to house it with delicate fancies — it's too competitive.JikinThe Jikin is immediately recognizable by its distinctive "peacock tail" — four distinct tail lobes splayed outward in an X shape when viewed from behind. The body is torpedo-shaped like a Wakin, and the ideal color pattern is strictly red-and-white: red lips, red fins, and all-white body. Achieving this precise bi-color pattern requires selective culling and sometimes color management techniques, making quality Jikins rare and expensive. A treasured Japanese show variety not often seen in Western fish stores; if you find one, examine the tail spread and color borders carefully.OrandaOrandas are defined by the wen — a fleshy, raspberry-textured hood growth that covers the top and sometimes the entire face of the head. The body is egg-shaped, the fins are fully doubled, and the flowing veil tail is a hallmark of show specimens. Coloration varies enormously: red, orange, black, blue, chocolate, red-cap (red wen on white body), and calico are all established. Wen growth increases with age; young fish show minimal development. Watch for wen tissue blocking nostrils — moderate trimming may be needed in mature fish. Sensitive to cold; keep above 60°F.Red Cap OrandaThe Red Cap Oranda is a specific color form of the Oranda instantly recognizable by its brilliant red wen contrasting sharply against a pure metallic white body — no red anywhere on the body scales or fins. It's a visually striking fish that photographs beautifully, which has made it one of the most commercially visible fancy goldfish worldwide. Care requirements match standard Orandas: filtered, heated indoor setups, no fin-nipping tankmates, and space for the wen to develop without stress. Quality specimens have evenly developed wen lobes and truly clean white body coloration.RyukinThe Ryukin is built like a fancy goldfish turned up to eleven — its most striking feature is a pronounced dorsal hump just behind the head, giving the body a steep, angular profile unlike any other variety. Paired with a deep belly, a full double tail, and flowing fins, it creates a silhouette that's unmistakably Ryukin. Common colors include red, red-and-white, calico, and chocolate. The hump height is a quality indicator in competition fish. Ryukins are among the more robust fancy varieties and can be aggressive at feeding; house with equally sized tank mates.FantailThe Fantail is the entry point to the fancy goldfish world — an egg-shaped body with a fully divided double tail that fans out when the fish is at rest, held without drooping. It lacks the extreme features of Orandas or Ranchus: no wen, no telescope eyes, no bubble cheeks. That simplicity is actually its strength — Fantails are hardier than most fancies, tolerate a wider temperature range, and are forgiving for newer keepers. Coloration varies widely. Look for fish with level tail carriage and no twisted or collapsed lobes. A solid beginner fancy.VeiltailVeiltails take the Fantail concept and stretch the fins into something almost theatrical — the tail fin is squared-off at the edge (not forked), extremely long and flowing, and hangs with a delicate drape rather than fanning stiffly. All fins — dorsal, pectoral, anal — are proportionally elongated and gossamer-thin. They're breathtaking in a well-planted display tank but correspondingly fragile: fin tears are common if kept with nippy species or in rough-filtered setups. Prioritize gentle filtration and smooth décor. Slow feeders that lose out easily to faster varieties.TelescopeTelescope goldfish have protruding, cylindrical or spherical eyes that extend noticeably from the sides of the head — the degree of protrusion is a quality indicator, with greater and more symmetrical extension preferred in show fish. Body shape is the standard egg-shaped fancy type with full double tail. Coloration varies widely, but red, red-and-white, calico, and panda patterns are common. Critically, the protruding eyes are vulnerable to injury and infection — keep decor smooth and rounded, avoid sharp plants, and don't house with nippy species. Poor vision means they're slow feeders.Black MoorThe Black Moor is a telescope-eyed goldfish in deep, velvety black — the combination of protruding eyes and the dramatic matte-black coloration is what sets it apart visually from all other telescope variants. The black pigmentation can fade to bronze or orange-gold as the fish ages or in warm, bright conditions; some keepers consider this a flaw, others find the color shift interesting. Body is egg-shaped with full double fins. Care mirrors other telescopes: gentle filtration, smooth décor, no nippy tankmates. One of the most widely available fancy varieties in the hobby.Panda MoorThe Panda Moor is a telescope-eyed goldfish with a striking black-and-white bicolor pattern — ideally, jet black and pure white with clean borders, evoking the panda coloration that gives it its name. It's one of the more visually dramatic fancy goldfish when the contrast is strong. Color stability is a real concern: the black can fade to gray or orange with age, warmth, or dietary factors, so expect some color shift over the fish's lifetime. Care is identical to other Telescopes — vulnerable eyes, slow feeder, needs gentle tank conditions.Celestial EyeThe Celestial Eye takes the telescope eye concept to its extreme — the eyes are rotated permanently upward, fixed in a skyward gaze, giving the fish a uniquely otherworldly appearance. The dorsal fin is absent in true specimens (a key distinguishing point from some Telescope variants). Body is egg-shaped, coloration typically red, orange, or red-and-white. Vision is severely compromised; these fish cannot see food falling from above and must be fed from below or at their level. Needs the most careful, deliberate husbandry of any goldfish — pristine water, ultra-smooth décor, and tankmates that won't steal all the food.Bubble EyeBubble Eyes are unforgettable — they carry two large, fluid-filled sacs beneath each eye that wobble dramatically as the fish moves. The sacs have no bony support and are surprisingly delicate; a sharp object or a filter intake can rupture them, though minor punctures can heal. True specimens lack a dorsal fin. Coloration is typically red, orange, red-and-white, or calico. These fish require the most specifically managed tank environment of any goldfish: no sharp décor, sponge filter intakes only, no vigorous current, and no fin-nipping or boisterous tankmates. Best kept in species-specific setups.RanchuThe Ranchu is often called the "King of Goldfish" in Japan, and one look explains why — it has a deeply curved, arch-shaped back with no dorsal fin, a broad egg-shaped body, and a dramatically downturned tail tucked beneath the body rather than fanning outward. The head may develop modest wen growth with age. Viewed from above (the traditional Japanese judging perspective), a top-quality Ranchu has perfect bilateral symmetry. Red, red-and-white, and calico are typical colors. Sensitive and slow; pristine water quality is non-negotiable. Not for beginners.LionheadThe Lionhead is the Chinese antecedent to the Japanese Ranchu — it shares the absent dorsal fin and pronounced wen head growth, but differs in back profile (flatter, less dramatically arched than the Ranchu) and tail carriage (held more horizontally rather than tucked under). Wen development can be extreme in mature specimens, covering the entire face. Colors include red, red-and-white, and calico. As with all dorsal-less, wen-heavy fancies, water quality must be excellent and the tank must be kept clean of any organic waste that can irritate or infect the wen tissue.PearlscalePearlscales are immediately obvious by their scales — each one is domed and raised, creating a golf-ball texture across the entire body that catches light in a way no other goldfish does. The body itself is extremely round, almost perfectly spherical in a quality specimen. This roundness is both the variety's appeal and its vulnerability: the compressed body shape can predispose fish to swim bladder issues. They come in metallic and nacreous (calico) forms. Feed a high-quality, easily digestible diet and avoid heavily protein-skewed foods. Avoid housing with fish that pick at raised scales.PomponPompons are identified by the fleshy nasal outgrowths — enlarged, lobed nasal septa that form two conspicuous pompom-like bundles sitting on top of the snout. When fully developed, these outgrowths bounce gently with the fish's movement. The body type can vary: Pompons exist in single-tail forms (with dorsal fin) and dorsal-less egg-body forms. Colors include red, red-and-white, calico, and chocolate. The nasal growths are delicate — avoid sharp tank decor and net very carefully during maintenance. A less commonly kept variety that rewards the patient keeper who tracks one down.TosakinThe Tosakin has one of the most unusual tail structures in all of goldfish keeping — the paired caudal fins are fused along the outer edges and spread forward at the tips, creating a fan that curls back toward the fish's head when viewed from above. It's the only goldfish designed to be admired from directly overhead in shallow water. The body is egg-shaped, typically without extreme wen, in red, red-and-white, or calico. Tosakins are delicate, poor swimmers (that curled tail creates drag), and require calm, shallow tanks with gentle filtration. Rare outside Japan.TamasabaThe Tamasaba combines a Ryukin-style rounded, humped body with a single, mackerel-like flowing tail — it's a rare and visually graceful fish that bridges the gap between single-tail and fancy body forms. The single tail is long and flowing, often described as resembling a mackerel tail. Coloration is typically red-and-white or solid red. Hardier than most fancies due to its single tail, it can tolerate colder temperatures and does well in ponds in appropriate climates. Often overlooked in favor of flashier varieties, the Tamasaba rewards keepers who appreciate elegance over extremity.Butterfly TailButterfly Tails are a Telescope-eyed variety defined by the tail shape as seen from above — the caudal fin spreads into four lobes in a symmetrical butterfly or batwing silhouette when the fish is observed from a top-down angle. This makes them the only fancy goldfish deliberately bred for both front-view and top-view appreciation. The protruding eyes and egg body are standard telescope features; care requirements match other Telescopes. Colors include red, red-and-white, calico, panda, and chocolate. High-quality specimens show perfect bilateral symmetry in the tail spread.WatonaiThe Watonai is a hybrid variety with a Ryukin-style humped body and a single, forked tail — a combination that doesn't appear naturally in either parent variety. It's more robust than most fancies thanks to the single tail, while still having the body depth and dorsal hump that signal its fancy ancestry. Coloration is typically red, red-and-white, or calico. An intermediate choice for keepers who want fancy body aesthetics without the full fragility of a twin-tailed fish. Relatively uncommon in mainstream retail; you may need to seek out specialist breeders.EggfishThe Eggfish — sometimes called Maruko — is one of the most minimalist fancy goldfish: a smooth, oval egg-shaped body with no dorsal fin, no wen, and no eye or nasal modifications. What you get is pure body shape. In its simplicity it emphasizes swimming motion and body proportions above everything else. Colors include red, red-and-white, and calico. It's considered an ancestral form to the Ranchu and Celestial Eye. Not common in Western fishkeeping — most hobbyists encounter it in Japanese or Chinese specialty contexts. Requires the same care as other dorsal-less fancy varieties.Phoenix (Egg-Fish)The Phoenix goldfish (also called Phoenix Egg-Fish) pairs the simple, dorsal-less egg-shaped body of the Eggfish with a dramatically elongated, flowing single tail — creating a fish that looks almost like a cross between a Celestial Eye and a Comet in silhouette. The tail is long and ribbon-like, and moves with considerable grace. Coloration includes red, red-and-white, and occasionally calico. It's a slow-moving fish despite the single tail; the body shape and long trailing tail still limit speed. Rare in mainstream retail. A specialty variety for hobbyists specifically seeking unusual fancy forms.NymphThe Nymph is a Fantail with a single tail — it has the egg-shaped fancy body, the dorsal fin, and the full fin complement of a Fantail, but only one caudal lobe instead of the divided double tail. This creates an intermediate form that's visually distinct from both the Comet (too sleek) and the Fantail (double tail). It swims more efficiently than twin-tailed fancies and is moderately hardy. Not commonly seen in retail; most appear from spawn culls where the double tail failed to develop, though dedicated breeders also produce them intentionally as a distinct variety.Calico FantailThe Calico Fantail is the nacreous-scaled, multicolor expression of the standard Fantail — the same egg-shaped body and divided double tail, but with the matte, non-reflective nacreous scales that carry blue, violet, red, orange, black, and white in the irregular mosaic typical of calico coloration. Blue ground coverage is the quality benchmark, as in all calico goldfish. The nacreous scaling means these fish don't have the flash of metallic Fantails, but in good light the coloring is rich and complex. Hardy, beginner-friendly, and widely available.LionchuThe Lionchu is a hybrid variety combining the robust wen head growth of the Lionhead with the strongly arched back profile of the Ranchu — the goal being maximum wen development on a Ranchu body form. In practice, quality varies considerably; the best specimens show a well-developed, symmetrical wen and the smooth curved dorsal line of a Ranchu without a dorsal fin. They're popular in Southeast Asian goldfish markets and have gained traction in Western fancy goldfish circles. Care mirrors Ranchu: excellent water quality, gentle filtration, and careful feeding to avoid wen infection.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Goldfish
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Goldfish get?
- The Goldfish reaches about 6.5–12" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Goldfish need?
- A minimum of 12 gallons is recommended for the Goldfish.
- What water parameters does the Goldfish need?
- The Goldfish does best with a temperature of 40–100°F, a pH of 6–8, hardness around 4–25 dGH.
- Is the Goldfish aggressive?
- The Goldfish is generally peaceful and suits a community tank with similarly calm tankmates.
- What does the Goldfish eat?
- The Goldfish is an omnivore. It does well on a varied diet of quality flake or pellet plus occasional frozen or live foods.
- How long does the Goldfish live?
- With good care, the Goldfish typically lives 10-15 years.