Pearlscale Goldfish
Carassius auratus
About this strain
Pearlscales 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.
Origin
Developed in China, with the distinctive scale mutation appearing in records from the early 20th century. Refined by Chinese and later Thai breeders into the round-bodied form widely available in the hobby today.