There are thousands of aquarium fish on the planet. But, 15 types of Goldfish is one of the world’s most popular aquarium fish in the world.
Easily one of the most popular aquarium fish, the goldfish is a freshwater fish that belongs to the carp family. Native to East Asia, these fish are named for their bright orange-gold color, but they come in a variety of colors and patterns.
Goldfish (Carassius auratus) is a type of freshwater fish that belongs to the Cyprinidae family – the carp family. They are freshwater fish.
They are mostly found in East Asia that have been selectively bred for over 1000 years. Goldfish can be kept inside an aquarium or outside in a pond where they can grow up to 14 inches long and weigh up to 2 pounds.
1. Common Goldfish (Feeder Goldfish)
Common goldfish are the first types of goldfish. Common goldfish are often referred to as feeder goldfish because they are commonly sold for this purpose.
These goldfish are usually gold, yellow, or white, and they usually grow to lengths of 10 inches or more under favorable conditions.
Common goldfish are compatible peaceful community fish with similar care requirements to other types of goldfish. Read about Barb fish types.
2. Comet Goldfish
This is the second type of goldfish. Although similar in appearance, comet goldfish are shorter and leaner than normal goldfish.
This breed also has a distinctive long, broad tail with pointed tips. Because of their larger tails, comet goldfish may need more space than regular goldfish, but they come in a wide range of colors, making them a popular choice.
These goldfish grow to 10 to 12 inches in length and do best in a 15- or 20-gallon tank with other goldfish or peaceful community fish. Read about flying fish facts.
3. Shubunkin Goldfish
Third types of goldfish is Shubunkin Goldfish. Also known as the American Shubunkin, this type of goldfish is almost identical to the comet goldfish except for the calico patterning.
These goldfish display a spotted pattern in a mix of colors including orange, white, blue and black.
You can find a variety of Shubunkin goldfish tails as well as heart-shaped tails including Longfin Shubunkin and Bristol Shubunkin.
4. Fantail Goldfish
A type of “fancy” goldfish, the fantail types of goldfish has an egg-shaped body, an elongated dorsal fin, and a flowing tail.
Many consider the fantail goldfish to be the European version of the Ryukin goldfish.
Technically speaking, fantails are a type of double-tailed goldfish and are a bit more complicated to keep than regular goldfish but still very beginner-friendly. Know more about Angel fish facts.
5. Ryukin Goldfish
The ryukin types of goldfish is considered an earlier version of the fantail goldfish – the primary difference between the two is the body shape.
Ryukin Goldfish are fairly tall with a shoulder hump just behind the head which often makes this breed look taller than tall.
These goldfish have a slightly pointed head that is unique among exotic goldfish and their tails can also be very long – sometimes twice as long as the body.
6. Pearlscale Goldfish
Perhaps one of the strangest types of goldfish is the pearl scale goldfish. These goldfish are very round, almost golf ball shaped, and have very thick scaling that makes them look like they are covered in pearls.
This unique feature is due to the high levels of calcium deposited under the scales that make them stand out from the body.
Pearlscale goldfish grow up to 6 inches. They come in a variety of colors, like white, red, blue, chocolate, and black. Know more about Shrimp.
7. Bubble Eye Goldfish
Another strange-looking types of goldfish breed is the bubble eye goldfish. These fish have water-filled sacs under their eyes that grow with the fish.
Because these fish require special care, they are generally not the best choice for beginners.
First and foremost, you need to make sure that there are no sharp objects in your aquarium and you should place a sponge around the intake of your filter.
8. Telescope Eye Goldfish
Telescope Eye Goldfish is a very rare and unique eye types of goldfish. This breed has round, elongated eyes that are less fragile than bubble eyes but require special care.
Aside from their telescope eyes, these goldfish look very similar to fantail goldfish but are slightly smaller. They look similar to black moor goldfish, with dome-shaped eyes that are not fully telescopic. Read our latest post about Sea Turtles facts.
9. Celestial Eye Goldfish
This types of goldfish has unique eyes similar to telescope eye goldfish, but their eyes point upwards instead of sideways.
Another unique feature of this type of goldfish is the lack of a dorsal (back) fin. Celestial eye goldfish have been around since the 18th century and can make a very attractive addition to the home aquarium.
Just remember that their odd eyes mean their vision is fairly poor – they may not be able to compete for food with other fish.
10. Butterfly Tail Goldfish
Butterfly Tail Seen from above, the butterfly tail type of goldfish has a Ryukin-style body and a long, broad double tail that is shaped like a butterfly.
Many butterfly tail goldfish have other fancy features such as hoods or telescopic eyes. Butterfly tail goldfish typically grow up to 8 inches long and require a tank size of at least 20 gallons.
They prefer warm water between 70°F and 80°F. Know more about Atlantic Salmon habitat.
11. Peacock Goldfish (Geekin Goldfish)
Also known as the Jikin Goldfish, the Peacock types of Goldfish is a rare color morph native to Japan. This goldfish has a long body like a normal goldfish but a broad tail. Geekin goldfish are best known for their unique color patterns.
These types of goldfish are always red and white, but red is only allowed on the tail, fins, beak and gill covers. This variety grows up to 10 inches tall and requires a fairly large tank – at least 20 gallons with an additional 10 to 20 gallons per adult.
12. Oranda Goldfish
One of the most easily recognized fancy types of goldfish is the Oranda Goldfish that was selectively bred for a fleshy mass known as a wain on top of its head.
When the eggs first hatch, goldfish fry look like fantail goldfish, but as they age, they develop a winch.
Although this breed may not be the most beginner-friendly, they are a hardy breed of goldfish – especially when they are young and the wren is small.
13. Lionhead Goldfish
Another types of goldfish is the Lionhead goldfish. Lionhead goldfish and ranchu goldfish look very similar – both have fins and both lack dorsal fins.
Lionhead goldfish have more elongated bodies and fuller head-growths that rise from the head – they also have fuller cheeks.
Because they lack a dorsal fin, lionhead goldfish are not particularly strong swimmers and may do best in a tank with other fragile goldfish species. Know about Siamese fighting fish.
14. Rancho Goldfish
One of the oldest breeds of goldfish, Ranchu is also known as the “King of Goldfish” in Japan because of their high value.
These goldfish closely resemble lion heads, but their hoods are less prominent and their backs are wider. This type of goldfish also lacks a dorsal fin, so they do best in a warm aquarium with similar goldfish.
15. Lionchu Goldfish
A cross between lionhead and ranchu goldfish, the lionchu goldfish is a hybrid breed. The body of these types of goldfish is similar to that of the Rancho goldfish but with the development of a fantail and lion’s head.
Goldfish make great pets, but like any living thing, they require a certain level of care. Unfortunately, many people misunderstand the need for goldfish because they are often used as prizes at carnivals and fairs.
As with any aquarium fish species, goldfish require adequate space and high water quality to thrive. Learn more about caring for goldfish here.
SOURCES: Wikipedia, National Geographics, Know more types