33 Different Types of Goldfish Breeds

If you want to know how to identify what type of goldfish you have, you need to look at its features. Here are some unique features that make identifying your goldfish simple. There are hundreds of types of goldfish, many that have been cross bred which take on a mix of different features.

Table of Contents

    List of Goldfish

    • American Shubunkins
    • Bristol Shubunkins
    • Bubble Eye
    • Butterfly Tail
    • Celestial Eye
    • Comet
    • Common
    • Curled-gill
    • Eggfish
    • Fantail
    • Imperial
    • Izumo Nankin
    • Jikin
    • Lionchu
    • Lionhead
    • London Shubunkins
    • Moor
    • Nymph
    • Oranda
    • Panda Telescope
    • Pearlscale
    • Pompon
    • Ranchu
    • Red Cap Oranda
    • Ryukin
    • Sabao
    • Shukin
    • Tamasaba
    • Telescope
    • Tosakin
    • Veiltail
    • Wakin
    • Watona

    Hardy Goldfish Types

    A body shape that has an elongated flattened football shape include: The Common, the Comet, Shubunkin. (good breeds for an outdoor goldfish pond).The common, comet and shubunkin look very similar in shape and colors.

    • The comet has longer fins and most notably its tail fin is much longer.
    • The common doesn’t come in calico but the comet and shubunkin do.
    • The shubunkin is only calico so if it’s calico with short fins, it can’t be a common.

    Common vs Comet vs Shubunkin Goldfish

    Goldfish BreedBody TypeDorsal FinTail ShapeColorationOriginCare Difficulty
    CommonLong and slenderPresentSingle tailVarious shades of goldChinaEasy
    CometStreamlined, robustPresentForked tailMetallic orangeUSAEasy
    ShubunkinStreamlined, robustPresentForked tailCalico pattern of blue, orange, and blackJapanEasy

    Fancy Goldfish Types

    An egg shape body shape are considered the fancy breeds and can include: Fantail, Ryukin, Veiltail, Oranda, Telescope, Black Moor, Panda Butterfly, Ranchu, lionhead, Pompon, Pearlscale, Hama Nishki, Celestial and Bubble-Eye. The mature oranda, ranchu and lionhead has a wart like wen hood cover over its face and head.

    • The oranda has a dorsal fin and the lionhead and most ranchu don’t.
    • The ranchu has a prominent arch in its back and downward pointed tail fins.
    • The lionhead and oranda have a straighter back line.
    • A goldfish with a hood cover with a straight back and no dorsal fin is a lionhead.
    • The fantail, ryukin and veiltail have similar egg-shaped bodies with no distinct features like a hood cover or globe eyes
    • The fantail and ryukin have sturdy upright fins and tails.
    • The ryukin has a more prominent hump that the dorsal fin sits on than the fantail.
    • The veiltail has long flowing fins and tail.
    • The telescope, black moor and panda butterfly have their eyes on the sides of ball like protuberances
    • A black moor is a telescope/globe-eye but is only black or faded black in color.
    • The panda butterfly resembles the colors of a panda bear, clear sections of black and white.
    • The pearlscale and hama nishiki have a golf ball body shape with scales that stand out like little white domes
    • The hama nishiki has a slight hood cover on top of its head while the pearlscale does not.
    • The celestial has bulging eyes that point upward and no dorsal fin.The bubble eye has two bubble shaped check pouches

    Oranda vs Ranchu vs Lionhead Goldfish

    Goldfish TypeBody TypeDorsal FinHeadgrowthOriginCare Difficulty
    RanchuRound, compactAbsentTop of headJapanModerate
    LionheadRound, compactAbsentTop of head and under chinChinaModerate
    OrandaRound, compactPresentTop of headChinaModerate

    Ryukin vs Fantail Goldfish

    Goldfish TypeBody TypeDorsal FinHeadgrowthTail ShapeOriginCare Difficulty
    OrandaRound, compactPresentOn top of headShort and roundedChinaModerate
    RyukinShort, deep bodyAbsentNo headgrowthShort and deeply forkedJapanModerate

    The reason there are so many types of goldfish breeds is due to years of selective breeding.

    The Common Goldfish

    common goldfish


    The common goldfish, scientifically known as Carassius Auratus, is an Asian fish species belonging to the Cyprindae family.. This fish species is related to various breeds of carp, koi, and other similar types. The name Auratus refers to the gold coloration that overlays the fish’s body – it literally means “overlaid with gold”. For over a thousand years, humans have been raising goldfish, and during this period, they have become popular family pets.

    Common goldfish is a hardy breed and an excellent choice for beginners. They can survive in temperatures ranging from 55-80°F (12-26°C), and a pH of 6-8, which is similar to tap water. They don’t require a heater and minimal care if kept in a well-filtered 10-gallon aquarium. In the wild, common goldfish can be found in freshwater, lakes, rivers, canals, and even ditches that have adequate vegetation. They prefer cooler water temperatures around the low 70s (21s°C).

    While common goldfish can thrive alone in an aquarium, they are social animals and will benefit from having a tank mate. You can keep two or three small goldfish in a 10-gallon tank, but as they grow, you will need to upgrade to a larger tank size. A properly cared for goldfish can live for well over five years and grow to around 12 inches long, with an average of 4 inches. It’s not recommended to keep a goldfish in a small space such as a one-gallon goldfish bowl as the water can quickly become dirty and harm the fish’s health.

    If space is an issue, consider getting a fancy Beta fish or cold-water minnows, which are better suited for smaller spaces than goldfish. Beta fish have the ability to breathe oxygen through their mouth, making them capable of living in stagnant water with low oxygen levels. Even with these fish species, routine maintenance is necessary to ensure their well-being.

    You might also be interested in knowing what the difference between a goldfish and a koi is.

    Comet

    comet goldfish


    The Comet Goldfish is a popular breed that originated in the late 1800s from the state of Washington. This fish species comes in several variations, with the orange metallic comet being the most popular due to its vibrant color that shows well in goldfish ponds. Other variations come in an array of calicos, including the red and silver sarassa comet. The color combinations of these goldfish can range from red and white to black and orange, yellow, red, black, and of course, goldfish orange.

    Although the Comet Goldfish is similar to the common goldfish, it has a more slender body and more noticeable, elongated fins, particularly the caudal fin. The caudal fin is more than half to three-quarters the size of the fish’s body, and its ends are much more pointed than those of the common goldfish. The Comet Goldfish also has two pectoral fins and pelvic fins, while the dorsal fin, anal fin, and caudal fin are single.

    When keeping Comet Goldfish, they require a minimum of a 55-gallon (208 liter) tank or pond as they grow up to 12 inches long (30.48cm). Additionally, they need a well-maintained filtration system and regular water changes to maintain good water quality. Comet Goldfish are omnivorous and will eat both plant and animal matter, but it’s essential to feed them a varied diet that includes high-quality fish food, vegetables, and live or frozen food.

    Comet Goldfish are also social creatures and can coexist peacefully with other fish species as long as they’re similar in size and temperament. However, avoid keeping them with aggressive fish as they may become stressed and susceptible to disease. By providing proper care, Comet Goldfish can live for over a decade and bring beauty and joy to any aquarium or pond.

    Shubunkin

    shubunkin pond goldfish


    The shubunkin goldfish is a stunning breed that combines the body shape of common or comet goldfish with the vibrant colors of fancy goldfish types. There are two varieties of shubunkin goldfish: the London shubunkin and the Bristol shubunkin. The Bristol shubunkin is larger and has a more rounded caudal fin compared to the London shubunkin.

    Shubunkin goldfish are considered to be hardy and can thrive in both indoor aquariums and outdoor ponds. When choosing shubunkins for your pond or tank, it’s important to avoid mixing them with slower-moving goldfish types like bubble eyes or celestial goldfish. Shubunkins are fast swimmers and can out-eat these other breeds, which may result in malnutrition and starvation for the slower fish.

    The ideal coloration for shubunkin goldfish is calico, with about 25% of the body covered in a blue-silver color that serves as a background for the other colors. A uniform coat of black dots and colors that run into the fins is desirable for show-quality shubunkins.

    In terms of physical characteristics, shubunkin goldfish have a single caudal tail fin, one dorsal fin, and paired pectoral and pelvic fins. They are similar to common and comet goldfish, but their fins are more elongated and noticeable.

    Overall, the shubunkin goldfish is an excellent choice for beginner goldfish enthusiasts as they are hardy and relatively easy to care for.

    Wakin

    The wakin goldfish is a beloved and popular breed in Japan, thought to be the common goldfish of East Asia. With its elongated body and double caudal tail fin, it closely resembles the comet goldfish, but with a shorter, fantail-like tail. It is one of only two goldfish breeds, along with the jikin goldfish, to have this unique combination of elongated body and double anal and caudal fins.

    This hardy breed is best suited for goldfish ponds, but if kept in a goldfish tank, it should be housed in a large enough tank to allow for its growth of over a foot long (30cm). While not an aggressive breed, the wakin goldfish is a fast swimmer and has a big appetite, making it less suitable for slower swimming goldfish breeds as tank mates. Additionally, if the tank or pond contains live aquatic plants that the wakin finds tasty, its appetite could pose a problem.

    The wakin goldfish is typically found in solid red or variegated red and white colors. The ideal balance of red and white should be half and half, but some individuals may have only a few small stripes of red on an otherwise white body, or vice versa. The red color should be deep and vibrant, making it a stunning addition to any goldfish pond. Other color variations include metallics and variegated colors such as oranges, yellows, browns, and blacks.

    Japanese Ryukin

    ryukin Japanese goldfish


    The Japanese Ryukin goldfish is a unique breed that is highly sought after by goldfish enthusiasts. Originating from the Ryukyu Islands, this goldfish has a distinct appearance that sets it apart from other goldfish types. It resembles the fantail goldfish in body shape, but what makes it unique is the prominent hump on its back that elevates the dorsal fin. Additionally, the long caudal tail fins can have three or four lobes, giving it a stunning cherry blossom petal tail.

    There are several types of ryukin goldfish, including the yamagata kingyo, sabao, and tamasaba. These types have been bred to have only a single caudal tail fin, which further adds to their distinctiveness.

    When it comes to colors, the ryukin goldfish offers a wide variety of color combinations, including solid colors and multiple colors of deep red, red and white, blue, white, calico, and more. They are a hardy breed and can thrive in an outdoor goldfish pond or an indoor goldfish aquarium with other goldfish breeds such as the oranda, lionhead, or Ranchu Goldfish.

    However, it’s essential to be cautious when introducing them to other goldfish types. The ryukin goldfish is a tough breed and can bully slower-moving breeds like the bubble eye and telescope goldfish. Therefore, it’s crucial to keep an eye on the interactions between the different breeds.

    Care Guides

    Fancy Fantail

    fantail goldfish


    The Fancy Fantail goldfish is a popular and well-known variety of fancy goldfish. It is easily distinguished from other goldfish breeds by its egg-shaped body that makes up about three-fifths of its overall length. The Fantail Goldfish has a single dorsal fin, but all other fins are paired, including the caudal fin which is split down the middle with a forked appearance on each fin. The fins are sturdy and rounded at the end, resembling blades of a fan. This is most noticeable when viewing the caudal tail fin from directly above.

    Fancy Fantail goldfish come in a wide range of colors and patterns, from metallic self-colored (single color) to variegated (multiple colors), including calico. The ideal coloration of the variegated variety should extend into the fins, and the calico variety should be mainly blue with patches of other colors. Colors of the fantail goldfish usually come in a few solids or a mix of orange, blue (silver), black, bronze, and red. A high-quality fantail will have a good balance of color on both sides of its body.

    Despite being a fancy goldfish breed often bred for show, the Fancy Fantail is a very hardy species and an excellent choice for beginners or outdoor goldfish ponds. With proper care, fantails can live for more than ten to twenty years. At maturity, the fantail can grow up to six to eight inches long.

    Fancy Fantail goldfish are peaceful and social creatures that get along well with other goldfish breeds. They are relatively easy to care for, but it is important to maintain a clean and well-aerated environment for their optimal health. They are omnivorous and will eat a variety of foods, including live, frozen, and flake foods.

    Veiltail

    vailtail goldfish

    The veiltail goldfish is a popular type of goldfish among collectors and hobbyists, but it is a variety that is difficult to breed for showing. Its long, flowing, paired caudal tail is the veiltail’s most prominent feature. The caudal tail fins should not be forked or have pointed tips but be completely divided when viewed from above. When your veiltail goldfish swims, the caudal tail fins should flow elegantly in the water. Its dorsal fin should not fold over or sag but rather sway like a flag in the wind. The pectoral and pelvic fins should be long and narrow.

    Color-wise, the veiltail goldfish can be metallic self-colored (solid), variegated (multiple colors), or calico in color. The colors should be strong and run into their fins. This goldfish type is not as hardy as the common, comet, or ryukin goldfish, but it can survive in an outdoor goldfish pond if the conditions are not too extreme. Most goldfish owners will choose to place their veiltail goldfish into their indoor aquariums.

    Other Types of Animal Breeds

    Globe Eye or Telescope

    telescope bubble eye goldfish

    The Telescope Goldfish, also known as the Globe Eye Goldfish or Dragon Fish in the Far East, is a fancy goldfish type that is easy to recognize due to its protruding eyes. These eyes start to develop around six months of age and are located on the outermost tip of its globe-shaped protuberance. The body of the Telescope Goldfish is similar to that of the Veiltail Goldfish, with a short, deep, rounded body.

    A high-quality Telescope Goldfish should have good symmetrical placement of its two eyes, with each eye located on the outermost tip of its globe-shaped protuberance. Aside from the single dorsal fin, all of the Telescope Goldfish’s fins are paired and pointed, including the caudal tail fin. The dorsal fin is high on the back with a slightly elevated appearance, similar to the Ryukin Goldfish. When swimming, the dorsal fin should be sturdy and upright.

    The Telescope Goldfish’s fully divided caudal fins should be about three-quarters the length of its body, and forked about a quarter of the overall length of the caudal tail fins. When swimming, the caudal tail fin should flow elegantly like that of the Oranda Goldfish. The Telescope Goldfish comes in a variety of colors, including self-colored (red, blue, chocolate, or white), bi-colors (black/white and red/white), and calico. The calico type should have a blue background with a symmetrical balance of bright brown, orange, red, yellow, and violet patches, with small black spots over its entire body.

    There are also some varieties of the Telescope Goldfish, such as the Panda Butterfly Telescope, which is predominantly black and white, and the popular Broadtail Moor or Black Moor Goldfish. The Telescope Goldfish is hardy and can survive in cold waters but should not be kept in an outdoor goldfish pond. This is because it has poor vision and cannot compete with other goldfish types for food. Additionally, due to their protruding eyes, Telescope Goldfish are susceptible to infections and injuries, so they should only be placed among other slow-moving or delicate breeds.

    Broadtail Moor

    black moor goldfish

    The Broadtail Moor goldfish, also known as the Black Moor, is a fancy goldfish type that is entirely black in color, although some specimens may contain shades of brown or silver. Show quality Black Moors have a flat sooty color. The Black Moor closely resembles the Veiltail Goldfish, with a single dorsal fin located high on its back, and all other fins paired. Its paired and flowing caudal fin should be fully divided with rounded tips and an absence of a forked appearance. However, unlike Veiltail Goldfish, the Black Moor has protruding eyes that resemble the Telescope Goldfish, with its eyes placed on the extreme tips of its protuberances. Due to its poor vision, it is not recommended to keep Black Moors with more agile breeds of goldfish as they may outcompete the slower Black Moor when it comes to feeding.

    Oranda

    oranda goldfish

    The Oranda Goldfish is a fancier type of goldfish that requires special care. It does not do well in waters with temperatures below 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.33°C) and is not suitable for outdoor ponds. It is best to keep them in an aquarium with other slow-moving fancy breeds and aquatic plants. Due to their body shape, Oranda Goldfish are slow-moving and should be fed a balanced diet to avoid swim bladder or constipation problems.

    Breeding Oranda Goldfish is a challenge for breeders as it is difficult to determine their sex out of mating season. Typically, males are smaller and slenderer than females. During mating season, males produce white dots on the hoods on their heads, which should not be mistaken for goldfish ich. If breeders are successful in mating two Oranda Goldfish, it is rare to get high-quality fry.

    A high-quality Oranda Goldfish has a short, deep body that is about two-thirds of its body length. The dorsal fin should be high on its body, similar to the Ryukin Goldfish. All other fins should be long, flowing, and paired. The caudal fin should be divided and flow gracefully like the Veiltail Goldfish, with slightly squared trailing edges. The appearance of the caudal tail varies depending on the geographic location of the Oranda’s breeding. The caudal tail should be deeply forked in the Far East, but points are deducted for this in the West.

    Oranda Goldfish are easily recognizable by the soft, wart-like hood cover around their head. As they mature, these hoods should develop around their head and face. Some Orandas develop more hood than others, while some may not develop any at all. A good hood will have lumps of similar size that cover the entire head back to its gills.

    The Oranda Goldfish comes in a variety of colors, including metallic, solid (self-colored), multiple colors (variegated), and calico. The Redcap Oranda Goldfish should have a deep red hood and a silver body. Other colors include black, blue, chocolate, red, and silver.

    Pearlscale

    pearlscale goldfish

    The pearlscale goldfish has a distinctive spherical body shape and dome-like scales made of calcium carbonate, resembling a golf ball. Its small pointed head contains a little mouth that doesn’t stand out, making the body more noticeable. The single dorsal fin starts at the middle of the back and extends all the way to the caudal peduncle, while all other fins are paired with rounded ends. The sturdy caudal fins should be divided with mildly forked lobes that sit high and don’t drop down as the goldfish swims. Pearlscale goldfish come in a range of colors including metallic self-colored, variegated, and calico. They can live in an outdoor goldfish pond but are best suited for aquariums to showcase their unique features.

    Hama Nishiki Goldfish

    A cross bred between the pearlscale and the oranda. This goldfish bred looks a lot like the pearlscale, but its fins are slightly longer, and it has a small wen hood cover on top of its face that it gets from the oranda. It also grows slightly larger than the pearlscale.

    Ranchu

    ranchu goldfish

    The ranchu goldfish is a full-bodied fancy goldfish with a distinct appearance. One of the most obvious features of a ranchu is the absence of a dorsal fin. A show-quality specimen should have a clean, arched back with no sign of a dorsal fin. The back of the ranchu should have a pronounced upward arch, curving sharply downwards at the peduncle and caudal fins. This curve directs the pair of divided caudal fins downwards, and the optimal angle of the back curve and the direction of the upper lobes of the caudal fins should be 90 degrees.

    Another distinctive feature of the ranchu goldfish is its wen hood cover, which should be larger than that of the oranda. The wen hood cover should cover the entire head and face but not the eyes, and a full wen hood cover can also cover the cheeks and gill covers, resembling the mane of a lion. In fact, the Chinese version of the ranchu is called the lionhead for this reason. The ranchu goldfish from Japan and the lionhead goldfish from China are virtually the same breed with only minor differences in appearance.

    A ranchu goldfish can come in a variety of colors, including metallic self-colored orange, red-and-black, or variegated multiple colors, usually red and white. There are also red-and-white nacreous varieties that give it a mother of pearl color called ‘sakura nishiki’ and calico nacreous-colored ranchu goldfish that are called ‘edo nishiki’. The ranchu is suitable for both indoor and outdoor living environments, but it is important to keep them in a tank with low flow rates to prevent injury and disease.

    Pompon

    The pompon goldfish is a fancy goldfish breed named after its fleshy lobed nasal septa that resemble pompons. These growths are connected to the goldfish’s nasal septum and act as sensors for smelling airborne chemicals and odors. The body of a true pompon goldfish should look like the body of ranchu types without a dorsal fin. They come in metallic and calico colors. A quality pompon specimen should have a solid uniform growth and be spherical in shape, with the pompon lobes not hanging down into the mouth. They are best suited for goldfish aquariums with water no colder than 55*F (12.8°C) and should not be placed in an outdoor pond. Tank mates should only include other delicate and slow-moving breeds like the telescope, oranda, bubble eye, or celestial.

    Bubble Eye

    bubble eye

    The bubble eye goldfish is a fancy goldfish breed that is characterized by its fluid-filled sacs or pouches that protrude from its cheeks. These pouches, which are filled with water or air, give the bubble eye goldfish its distinctive appearance. The pouches are delicate and require careful attention to avoid damage. The goldfish’s eyes are upward-pointing, similar to the celestial, and the body shape and fins are also similar. A high-quality bubble eye goldfish will have two equally developed pouches that sit right below its eyes. The colors of the bubble eye goldfish include metallic self-colored, variegated, and calico.

    Because of the delicate nature of the pouches, it is important to consider the aquarium environment and tank mates carefully. The bubble eye goldfish is a slow swimmer with poor eyesight, so it is important to avoid sharp edges in the tank and to choose decorations, substrate, and filters that will not damage the pouches or create a strong current. Low wattage aquarium lights are recommended. Tank mates should include other slow-moving and poor seeing goldfish breeds like the celestial, pompon, ranchu, or telescope. The bubble eye goldfish is not well-suited to outdoor ponds and is best kept in an aquarium with water no colder than 55°F (12.8°C).

    Celestial

    Celestial Goldfish

    The celestial goldfish is a small and delicate fancy breed of goldfish that requires special care to ensure its health, making it not suitable for beginner goldfish hobbyists. One of the most unique features of the celestial goldfish is its protruding eyes that are always set to face upwards. This feature means that the celestial goldfish should not be kept in a tank with any decoration that can scrape or poke its eyes. The tank should also not have a bright light since the celestial goldfish is always looking up while at rest.

    The celestial goldfish lacks a dorsal fin, and when it swims, it pushes its head downward to see straight ahead. This lifts its body and caudal fins upwards, making it a slow swimmer and not suitable for a tank with a water current. Tank mates should only include other celestial goldfish, bubble eyes, pompons, or telescopes.

    The celestial goldfish comes in metallic, variegated, and calico colors, and a high-quality specimen will have a well-rounded body with a smooth and even curvature. Its tail should be well-divided and slightly curved downward, and its anal fins should be well-joined with the body.

    It’s important to monitor the water temperature of the tank, as celestial goldfish prefer warmer waters ranging from 70-80°F (21-27°C). Additionally, their delicate fins can easily become damaged, so it’s important to choose a filter with a gentle flow and avoid placing any sharp-edged decorations or substrates in the tank.

    Complete Goldfish Comparison Chart

    Goldfish BreedBody TypeDorsal FinHeadgrowthTail ShapeOriginCare Difficulty
    American ShubunkinsStreamlined, slenderPresentNo headgrowthForkedUSAEasy
    Bristol ShubunkinsStreamlined, slenderPresentNo headgrowthForkedUKEasy
    Bubble EyeElongated, roundAbsentNoneShort and roundedChinaModerate
    Butterfly TailElongated, slenderPresentNoneButterflyJapanModerate
    Celestial EyeElongated, roundAbsentNoneShort and roundedChinaModerate
    CometStreamlined, slenderAbsentNo headgrowthForkedUSAEasy
    CommonStreamlined, slenderAbsentNo headgrowthForkedAsiaEasy
    Curled-gillStreamlined, slenderPresentNoneForkedAsiaModerate
    EggfishRounded, egg-shapedAbsentNo headgrowthShort and roundedChinaEasy
    FantailRounded, egg-shapedAbsentNo headgrowthShort and roundedChinaEasy
    ImperialRounded, egg-shapedAbsentNo headgrowthShort and roundedChinaEasy
    Izumo NankinRounded, egg-shapedAbsentNo headgrowthShort and roundedJapanModerate
    JikinStreamlined, slenderPresentNoneButterflyJapanModerate
    LionchuRounded, egg-shapedPresentOn top of headShort and roundedUSAModerate
    LionheadRounded, egg-shapedAbsentOn top of headShort and roundedChinaModerate
    London ShubunkinsStreamlined, slenderPresentNo headgrowthForkedUKEasy
    MoorRounded, egg-shapedAbsentNo headgrowthShort and roundedChinaEasy
    NymphElongated, slenderAbsentNoneButterflyJapanModerate
    OrandaRound, compactPresentOn top of headShort and roundedChinaModerate
    Panda TelescopeElongated, roundAbsentNoneShort and roundedChinaModerate
    PearlscaleRounded, egg-shapedAbsentNo headgrowthShort and roundedChinaModerate
    PomponRounded, egg-shapedAbsentNo headgrowthShort and roundedJapanEasy
    RanchuRound, compactAbsentOn top of headShort and roundedJapanModerate
    Red Cap OrandaRound, compactPresentOn top of headShort and roundedChinaModerate
    RyukinShort, deep bodyAbsentNo headgrowthShort and deeply forkedJapanModerate
    SabaoElongated, slenderAbsentNoneButterflyJapanModerate
    ShukinShort, deep bodyAbsentNo headgrowthShort and deeply forkedJapanModerate
    TamasabaElongated, slenderAbsentNoneButterflyJapanModerate
    TelescopeElongated, roundAbsentNoneShort and roundedChinaModerate
    TosakinElongated, roundAbsentNoneButterflyJapanDifficult
    Veiltail
    Streamlined, slender
    Absent
    No headgrowth
    Long and flowing
    USA
    Easy
    WakinStreamlined, slenderAbsent
    No headgrowthForkedJapanEasy
    WatonaStreamlined, slenderAbsentNo headgrowthForkedJapanEasy

    Article Citations and Resources

    • Johnson, Erik DR., and Richard Hess. Fancy Goldfish: Complete Guide To Care And Collecting. Weatherhill, 2001.
    • Boruchowitz, David. Aquarium Care of Goldfish. T.F.H Publication, 2008.
    • Brewster, Bernice. An Essential Guide to Keeping Goldfish. Interpet Publishing, 2003.
    • Halls, Steve. Your Healthy Garden Pond. Howell Book House, 2000.
    • Sweeney, Mary. The 101 Best Aquarium Plants. T.F.H, 2008.
    • Watson, Craig A., et al. “Species Profile: Koi and Goldfish.” SRAC Publication No. 7201, Southern Regional Aquaculture Center, September 2004.

    Photo credits: biodork , [email protected], sheffield_tiger, stwbrypocky, norman_baboo, cliche, peterrosbjerg, astrid-goes-usa/, kerjsi, amymyou, hand-nor-glove, [email protected], angiehu

    Reviewed By: Tim Winter

    Tim Winter has an unwavering affection for animals and his extensive experience in caring for various pets has motivated him to impart his personal successes and failures to enlighten others on the best practices in pet care. Tim obtained his Bachelor of Science in Advertising from the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communications.

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    91 thoughts on “33 Different Types of Goldfish Breeds”

    1. How many fish can I put in a 21.5 across , 36.5 width and 25.7 tall tank( I have guppies and shrimps)*・゜゚・*:.。..。.:*・'(*゚▽゚*)’・*:.。. .。.:*・゜゚・*

      Reply
    2. I’m not so sure what type of goldfish I have ,so please can someone help me?we have two fish that are oval shaped, with orange skin and scales, and has like a type of black dots that looks like a smiling face if you look sidwards.
      Thanks for your help,
      Amy

      Reply
    3. I have a black and gold goldfish and it has a beautiful black fantail very rare I can find a example , what species is this.

      Reply
    4. I have a telescopes goldfish that was sold as a butterfly goldfish, his tail only has three fins ,is this a true butterfly .His tail looks nothing like the others.

      Reply
      • The answer is a resounding YES. Just make sure you have a large enough tank for them. If you want to grow them out some in a smaller tank that’s ok(they kinda look lost in a big tank and is what I do). MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A TANK THAT’S A MINIMUM OF 55 GALLONS WAITING for when they start to out grow their tank. The idea that a fish will only grow as large as it’s tank is FALSE.
        Remember that Oranda’s can get larger than the average female hand not including the fins. Try to get a filter that’s at least twice (min) recommended for you goldfish. (i recommend it for any tank actually)
        as goldfish produce a lot of waste. They like nibbling on greens so toss some common floating plants in for nibbles.
        BE SURE TO HAVE A HEATER. Ones that are completly submersible and stick to the side of your tank are best.(you may need morw than one depending on what your store offers but it’s worth it). Partial water changes are vital.
        Yes, they can be a pain in the but to care for properly but so are other fish. Enjoy them! Love them! And you will have them for many many years.They are a very personable fish. (at least mine are). Good luck and may you be rewarded with their beauty for many, many years!

        Reply
      • If you are looking for just a common comet you can go to the pet store and look at their “feeder” tank. When requesting a certain colour most will oblige. They shouldn’t cost more than 25 to 50 cents each. I recommend buying at least two so they have company.
        Please tell me they’re not going a bowl but something like a 10 gallon tank. Enjoy you fish!

        Reply
      • Check the pH levels in the tank. My two goldfish thrive in a 7.6 ph level but I’ve noticed some goldfish like other levels. Nothing more or less than a 6-8 though. If you also don’t have oxygen and a filter in the tank they can be suffering from excess ammonia in the tank. Stress can be a factor as well in fish, so if the tank is too small (20 gallons minimum for one fancy + 10 gallons for another fish) it could be causing stress for them as well. Flake food is bad but I’ve noticed if you put it in the filter stream they will have fun chasing the food around the tank! I recommend pellet food and feeding them at least a green pea once a week so it prevents dropsy. Goldfish have their intestines all scrunched up in their chubby bodies! So sometimes if some air or too much food gets stuck up in there, they can’t control themselves on their swimming features. Just make sure your goldfish are healthy and do your research!

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    5. Do you have to have a male goldfish if you only have one female goldfish that’s pregnant? I found out earlier that my one female goldfish is pregnant. Do I need to get a male goldfish?

      Reply
      • Only if you want babies. They may be eaten by the parents as eggs or small fry so that may not be a problem for you. I do recommend however that she be given a companion of either sex

        Reply
    6. Hello I have a fish calico Japanese ryunkin fantail with 2 balls on his shoulders behind his gill covers x after keeping fish for 50 yrs I have never seen anything like x

      Reply
      • Man o man! You just described one of my fish sold to me as a fantail! I thought it has tumors. Glad to hear that’s normal.

        Reply
    7. I have a comet and a moor unforunately my moor died today and now my comet is just sitting at a corner , is there any fish you can suggest i can put in tank with my comet so that my comet can pair with it. My existing comet is a male.

      Reply
      • Well, it usually isn’t a good idea for comets and moors to be together, but you made it work I guess. Don’t attempt it again though.
        You could pair him with any GOLDFISH of similar size and speed. Speed is important because the fast fish always get all the food first, making the slow fish starve. Goldfish are only compatible with goldfish though so only get another goldfish, but make sure it’s fast, of similar size, and has no delicate body parts like a celestial, moor or bubbleeye.
        There you go, Omar. Good luck 🙂

        Reply
        • I have had different varieties of fancy goldfish with many different varieties of cory cats for about 17 years. I have never had a problem with large fancy goldfish picking on my cory cats regardless of the huge difference in size. I never knew I could combine fancy goldfish with cory cats until an aquarium store employee told me that I was able to do that. I love having the variety.

      • My comet goldfish is attacking my black moor, I unfortunately had to take him out and put him in a bucket. They are predators and should not be with black moors!!! He is trying to kill my poor gold fish! 🙁

        Reply
        • I have a black moor and a comet living together currently. They’ve been doing well for 3 months now and both seem very happy. There has been no sign of fighting or illnesses for me.

      • I have a comet goldfish (Ori) and a black moor goldfish(Rexi) living together for about 2-3 months now. I don’t know which one is male or female, but I suggest checking the pH level in your water. Make sure the tank is 10 gallons and above because they both can get pretty big. Have a lot of decorations (but not too much) like gravel, plants, a little house, a live plant, etc. Make sure that your fish/fishes don’t have an illness too. Hope I helped! 😀

        Reply
      • Fish can and do get depressed when losuming a tankmate especially if they have been together for a long time.
        It doesn’t matter what sex you get but I would definatly get him a new tank mate or 3. (it’been my experience that they do better in even numbers so after the adjustment period obe is not left left out of the group).
        I’m very sorry to hear you lost one of your babies today. 🙁

        Reply
      • hmm, any other symptoms? im only 20 but i love goldfish. i might know its issue. is it laying at a angle? or gasp for air? also do you know the species? if its a fancy or fantail it could have bladder issues or may be bloated. if not it might be nitrate poisoning. all you need to do is change 3/4ths the water is balance in the tank once every seven days till the bacterial cycle and nitrate cycle is balanced again. if its swim bladder, try feeding the fish skinless freeze dried peas. hope this helps.

        Reply
      • hmm, any other symptoms? im only 20 but i love goldfish. i might know its issue. is it laying at a angle? or gasp for air? also do you know the species? if its a fancy or fantail it could have bladder issues or may be bloated. if not it might be nitrate poisoning. all you need to do is change 3/4ths the water is balance in the tank once every seven days till the bacterial cycle and nitrate cycle is balanced again. if its swim bladder, try feeding the fish skinless freeze dried peas. hope this helps.

        Reply
      • sometimes the stress of another fish dying in the tank can actually cause the other fish to get sick or die too, its like they put off some sort of energy waves when a fish is ill or dying and it can be contagious to other fish in the same tank

        Reply
      • Goldfish are sometimes known to have a rest period at the bottom of the tank usually because of stress, weariness, or irregular feeding, but it is nothing serious usually.. It’s not dead though as your fish will float belly up when dead.. Sometimes fish will go to the bottom when injured, but be patient and monitor the fish’s behavior carefully.. I have two goldfish of my own in a tank with a divider, and they each often go to the bottom for a few hours once every 24 hours or so.. if that is the case then your fish is probably resting which is normal.. So I wouldn’t worry if I were you..

        Reply
      • My black moor is doing that too since I removed the comet goldfish. The comet is trying to kill him so I had to remove him and put him in a plastic bucket. Sad!

        Reply
    8. I have 1 black moor fish and I want to know if I can get other fish to go in the tank with him? What other breeds of fish can I put in the tank with him?

      Reply
    9. Hi I have a big common goldfish and 2 gold fantails in the same tank ,the big gold fish keeps chasing the bigger of the fantails and pins it to the side of the glass or on the bottom of the fish tank,should I take the big goldfish out of the tank.

      Reply
      • If they are different breeds of goldfish, they are very unlikely to breed. Common goldfish only breed with common goldfish because they are already a different species and cannot mate with other goldfish species. You will not get an output at all; best to try to breed one species or the other.

        Reply
      • It is usually chunky on one side and often looks asymmetrical, and when the “pregnancy” is about to end (for it is not a pregnancy but a storage of eggs of that which do not hatch immediately and live), males will chase it and pin it so it lays its eggs.

        Reply
    10. I buy gold fish But it’s kind a. Different
      Black color on his head to towerds to is fin
      And all was gold
      I have questions is it really a gold fish
      Plz reply me

      Reply
    11. Hey!
      I have a pond in my garden when we built it we bought 5 comet Goldfish they are big now and 3 of them have very long tails but 2 of them look more like a common goldfish. They started breeding last year and now we have about 45-60 fishes in the pond in all sorts of colors and 2 black telescope goldfish, Can the comet goldfish breed telescope goldfish, or how did this happen ?

      Will they stop breeding, when they are to many? (They all look healthy and are friendly with each other)

      My largest comet his body is maybe 175mm and long tails. He has bumps on his head, he had them for two years now. No other fish has bumps. He swims fast eats and are just like normal. What can it be, is he sick ?

      Reply
      • If you really know that one of the goldfish was a “he”, then it you would see that male goldfish tend to have bumbs on their head while females do not.

        Reply
    12. I would like to know do you think the background of my tank makes a difference? Should I change the background photo here and there if it does matter?

      Reply
      • If your fish is swimming sideways or upside down then your fish likely has swim bladder disorder. The swim bladder, while working properly, helps a goldfish control its buoyancy. If you notice that your fish starts swimming upside down a few hours after eating, it was most likely caused by constipation (but could also be a result of infection or enlarged organs). Overfeeding your goldfish or feeding your goldfish flakes can lead to this issue. You can try witholding food for three days or feed your goldfish a cooked pea (make sure you peel it cut it up). In my experience peas have always worked.
        Make sure you’re doing regular water changes, and maybe try switching your goldfish food (sinking pellets work great for my goldfish).

        Reply
    13. Hello,
      I have a 3 comet gold fish in fish boule. I just want to know this is good for them. And how many days after i want to chang water. And how many times food given per day and how much like 1 tabel spoon, 2 spoon.

      Reply
      • Three goldfish in a bowl will require you to change the water daily. in terms of feeding, 3-4 or so flakes per fish, 2-3 times a day (all food should be consumed within a min – any longer and you overfed them). It’s recommended you upgrade to a much larger fish tank with filtration if you want the goldfish to live a long healthy life.

        Reply
    14. I have 6 goldfish! And I know the breed of 4 of them but the other two confused me, one of them is silver/blue? And the other is black but doesn’t have telescope eyes so I guess it isn’t a black moor? Idk

      Reply
    15. Sir pls reply my orandas head i mean their hood was nipped by the other goldfish will it regenerate themself? I mean the hood will it be back to what it was before?

      Reply
      • I’m not an expert on this matter so I am not entirely sure if it will regenerate fully though – though it should continue to grow if the goldfish is still young. Depending on how bad the injury was, it might not be noticeable over time. But the real issue here is will your other fish continue to attack it. If they did it once, they will likely continue to do so. You might want to separate them by giving the Oranda it’s own tank or by removing the instigators from the main tank.

        Reply
    16. Hello, as a gift I was given two comet gold fish today. I already own a telescope eye goldfish but I’m not sure weather I should put my comet goldfish in the same bowl as my telescope eye goldfish. I know that they shouldn’t go together because the telescope eye fish is slow at swimming due to it’s heavy body but I have no where else to put my new fish besides a small bowl, which is clearly too small. What should I do?

      Reply
      • You should really consider finding a big habitat for your goldfish. Three goldfish in a small bowl would need their water changed a few times a day. That doesn’t seem like a good solution. In regards to having live in the same bowl as the telescope, you can see how they act during feeding. If the telescope is able to eat a fair share of food, it’s probably okay to keep them together. One other thing to worry about is to make sure the comet goldfish are not nipping at the telescope.

        Reply
    17. I have a pearlscale and a small calico telescope goldfish. I just purchased them today and the telescope keeps running into the pearlscale and nibbling at it. So far the pearlscale won’t eat anything. Should I just wait it out or do I need to take one back and get a goldfish more similar to the pearlscale?

      Reply
      • You might want to add a few decorations into the tank to give each their own space. a bit of chasing is fine but obviously not constant chasing.

        Reply
      • They can grow to around 5-7 inches perhaps. It all depends on the size of the tank, the quality of water, how much you feed them and a few other variables. I don’t think it matters if you buy from PetSmart in terms of how large they will grow.

        Reply
    18. Can a fancy fantail gold fish be in the same tank as the Ryukin goldfish? I sse then chasing each other but when I went to the pet store they told me all goldfish can be with other goldfish?

      Reply
      • Technically they can live together but sometimes there might be little issues like this. Is it a real issue? – it might not be. If the goldfish being chased isn’t constantly being chased and its fins are not being picked at, it will probably be okay. By adding a few hiding places or some plants to break up the visibility in the tank, the two goldfish will be able to stick to themselves more easily.

        The real problems occur during feeding. If you add a fancy slow moving goldfish in with a more common species of goldfish, it might not be able to compete for food as easily. As a result the faster common goldfish will get all the food and grow bigger much faster than the fancy goldfish.

        Reply
      • If you can, we would recommend that. Then try adding some aquarium salt. It could be an issue with the swim bladder or a digestive issue. Also try not feeding it for a day or two. This might help too. If the issue continues, look through all the posts on the different goldfish illnesses to help you determine what the problem might be. Let us know how your Oranda is doing in a day or so.

        Reply
      • It might be normal but it might also be a sign they are sick or the water quality is bad. If they are new to your tank, it’s normal for them to be inactive until they feel comfortable. You can test the water for ammonia or ph to see they are good and if they are off, do a water change. Review our goldfish diseases section to see if your goldfish show signs of an illness.

        Reply
    19. hi, im austin you need to put 5 or 6 goldfish in your tank because you need to leave room for them to grow and when they get up to 6″ inches you need to put them into a bigger tank or you will cause diseases.

      austin bailey

      Reply
      • The biggest cause of death to goldfish is poor water quality. Make sure the ammonia levels are low, the ph is neutral and there is a lot of oxygen in the water. You can purchase inexpensive test kits to test the water quality.

        Reply
      • The only real good tank mates for goldfish are other goldfish. The reason being is that goldfish like cold water (unheated) and they are also aggressive eaters. Many fish can’t live in an unheated tank or move fast enough to compete for food. You could try certain cold water minnows perhaps.

        Reply
      • The basic rule is one fully grown goldfish per ten gallons but a lot of people put two or three small goldfish into a ten gallon tank. As they grow you might want to upgrade your tank size. They are social creatures and do like the company of other goldfish by the way.

        Reply

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