Types of Goldfish

Look for attractive freshwater fish and you will definitely find goldfish leading the most preferred list. Taxonomically classified under the carp family, its scientific name is Carassius auratus auratus. Other aquarium fish belonging to the same family are crucian carp and koi carp. More than 500 goldfish are identified, of which some are popularly reared as pets in aquariums. In terms of variation in color, you cannot believe the diversity of goldfish.

Native to east Asia, goldfish is probably one of the first fish known to be domesticated in garden ponds and fish tanks for recreation purposes. Till today, it is the most sought-after aquarium fish. Thanks to the advances in selective goldfish breeding, today we can choose pet goldfish from so many varieties. Given below is a list of different goldfish types, which you can consider keeping in garden ponds and aquariums.

Common Goldfish: The common goldfish lacks fancy features and is more or less similar to the wild carp, from which the common type is bred commercially. Unlike the ancestral carp, it is found in white, yellow, golden orange, and red. Most of the other fancy types of goldfish are bred from common goldfish.

Black Moor: As the name signifies, black moor goldfish is blackish in color. In recent times, more black moor varieties with variant colors (white, red, calico, bronze, lavender, chocolate) have been developed. Some of them have prominent eyes that protrude out from the head. Such black moor goldfish are also referred to as telescope goldfish.

Bubble Eye Goldfish: A small fancy variety of goldfish, the bubble eye possesses an unusual pair of eyes that point upwards. These eyes are surrounded by fluid filled sacs that resemble bubbles. The sacs, when punctured regrow with time. In aquariums, they should be kept with mild temperament fish.

Comet Goldfish: With a long and deeply forked tail, the comet goldfish is the most frequently kept aquarium fish in the United States. The body shape of comet is similar to the common variety, except that the former is smaller in size and slimmer. Comet goldfish comes in white, yellow, orange, red, and red mixed with white color.

Fantail Goldfish: Fantail goldfish is the oldest breed found in shades of orange and red, which is still reared as pets. It has a very long quadruple caudal fin that accounts to about 33 percent of the total body length. The ryukin goldfish is bred from fantail type. It can be identified from the hump in the shoulder and a quadruple caudal fin.

Lionhead Goldfish: The lionhead goldfish is a fancy variety having a prominent hood over the head and fat cheeks. The short and arched body of lionhead goldfish lacks dorsal fins. It comes in a wide range of pure and mixed colors. Another goldfish type, ranchu is bred from lionhead goldfish.

Oranda Goldfish: The characteristic features of oranda goldfish are the presence of a hood like structure above the head and quadruple tail. The fleshy head growth completely encloses the head, except the mouth and eyes. Oranda is available in shades of white, silver, orange, red, red mixed with white or black, bronze, chocolate, blue, and black.

Pearlscale Goldfish: Characterized by presence of thick and dome-shaped scales (like pearls), pearlscale goldfish body is very short, egg-shaped, and resembles a golf ball. It comes in a wide range of colors. Its fins are identical with fantail variety. Any variant of pearlscale having a head growth is known as crown pearlscale.

Pompom Goldfish: You can easily identify pompom (or pompon) goldfish from the two loose fleshy outgrowths located on each side of the head (in between the nostrils). Based on the particular breed, a pompom may or may not have dorsal fins. It also comes in color combination of white, silver, orange, red, and black colors.

Easy to care and graceful with long fins and tail, there is hardly any other freshwater fish that is as variable as goldfish. Apart from aquariums and garden ponds, introducing different types of goldfish to stagnant water bodies help control mosquito breeding.

Though it is fascinating to watch pet goldfish in bowls, never keep them in such a confined space. Rather, you can let your pet enjoy a spacious environment in aquariums or ponds. With correct goldfish care tips and attention, you can enjoy watching this golden beauty for as long as 10 years.