Goldfish Varieties

[BennySings]

Goldfish Varieties
 

© Naturescornermagazine.com

I was surprised after purchasing my first Goldfish pet, that they come in many different colors, sizes, and shapes!  Although most LFS-sold Goldfish could be the offspring of a combination of two or more varieties, there are standards that depictify the traits of many goldie favorites.  These standards are frequently set by well-respected Goldfish organizations and clubs, as well as select breeders located world-wide.

**Recognized by the American Goldfish Association

Single Tailed w/Dorsal Fin

**Common
**Comet
**Shubunkin or "Shubie"
Wakin
Tosakin
Jikin

Double Tailed w/Dorsal Fin

**Fantail
**Ryukin
**Pearlscale
**Veiltail
**Telescope Eye
**Oranda
Red Cap Oranda (Tancho)
Demekin (cross between a Telescope & Ryukin, AKA Moor)

Double Tailed w/o Dorsal Fin

**Lionhead
**Ranchu
**Bubble Eye
**Celestial
Eggfish

Colors

Red, Orange, White, Black, Blue, Chocolate Brown, Yellow, Red & White, Red & Black, Black & White, Calico (red, white, black &/or blue), and Lavender

Types of Scales



Metallic - shiny, reflective
Matte - dull or non-reflective
Nacreous (combination of Metallic & Matte)
Pearlscale - an encrustatoin on each scale of the fish, causing the sclae to appear to have a dome shape in the center
Transparent - non-metallic scale that allows body color to show through  (not shown)
Crystal - irridescent, like a crystal rock appearing different colors in different light (not shown)
 

© Goldfish Varieties & Genetics by Joseph Smartt

Head Growth



Goose Head - wen growth limited primarily to the top of the head
Lionhead - full wen head growth, appearing on the top of the head, the cheeks, and the opercula
Tiger Head - wen growth on the top of the head, as well as the cheek areas
 

© Goldfish Varieties & Genetics by Joseph Smartt


Narial Bouquets (Pom Poms)


© FishSempai.com

A tuft-like series of growth appearing on the nose of the fish, which resembles a cheerleader's pom pom


Outurned Operculum

A fish with the gill plates turned over, so that the gills are revealed
 

© Goldfish Varieties & Genetics by Joseph Smartt
 

Other Goldfish Characteristics/Definitions

Broadtail: long, horizontally set, undivided caudal fin
Bubble Eye: an upward pointing eye with a large sac of fluid hanging below it
Butterfly Tail: a double caudal fin that is set on a horizontal or near horizontal axis
Celestial Eye: an eye oriented upward
Dragon Back: a back without a dorsal fin
Dragon Eye: the Chinese term for Telescope Eyes
Double Tail: a caudal fin with two lobes
Egg Shape: the Chinese term for a fish with a round/oval body and no dorsal fin
Fantail: a long quadruple caudal fin
Flat Head: a head with no head growth
Fringetail: a long caudal fin
Frog Face: a fish with eyes resembling a Bubble Eye but with very reduced sacs
High Head: a general Chinese term for head growth
Jade Seal: a pattern with an oval marking on the top of the head, like a Chinese seal
Popeye: synonym for Telescope Eyes
Quadruple Tail: a caudal fin with 4 lobes
Red Crane: a white fish with a red cap
Ribbon Tail: a long quadruple tail with deeply indented lobes
Single Tail: a single-lobed, vertically oriented caudal fin
Swallow Tail: a long, single, forked caudal fin
Tancho: Japanese for Red Crane
Toad Head: same as Frog Head
Triple Tail: a caudal fin with 3 lobes
Variegated: Calico
Veiltail: a long, draping tail
Velvet Balls: large, exaggerated Pompoms, usually in pairs
 
 

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