Fantail Goldfish
Carassius auratus
About this strain
The 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.
Origin
One of the oldest fancy goldfish varieties, originating in China and well-documented in Asian aquaculture literature by the 1600s. It served as foundational stock for many other fancy varieties developed afterward.