Goldfish come in various shapes, sizes, colors and markings that attract their owners as they have distinctive appearances and scarcities that attract enthusiasts. Some varieties are highly sought-after by enthusiasts due to their rarity or unique features.
These fish tend to cost more to care for due to their larger sizes and higher growth potential, and require more space for their successful development. They may also be susceptible to disease.
1. Tosakin
The Tosakin goldfish is an extremely rare variety of fancy goldfish. Distinguished by a deep body with two divided double tails that look spectacular when seen from above, the Tosakin goldfish is commonly kept in shallow bowls or small ponds for viewing from above and can often be seen sporting metallic orange or red and white tones or even yellow and calico hues depending on breeding efforts.
Tosakins are generally peaceful species, rarely causing problems in their tanks. With slow swimming speeds they're less likely to be caught by predators or bullied by other fish in the tank.
Tosakins should be kept in an aquarium or large tank that holds at least 10 gallons and provides enough biological filtration to remove their waste products. They should be housed alongside round-bodied goldfish, several shrimp species and snails for an interesting aquascape; comets should not be introduced as this could overwhelm their immune systems and lead to Swim Bladder issues.
2. Ryukin
The Ryukin is a descendent of Fantail goldfish and has led the way for other double-tailed fancy goldfish species. This fish is considered one of the easiest fancy goldfish to care for and thrives both in ponds and aquariums. Additionally, Ryukins tend to be less aggressive than some other fancy goldfish types but still enjoy eating smaller fish and may chase other types of goldfish around; making them an excellent option for beginners looking to enter fancy goldfish keeping.
Ryukins come in an array of colors that span mono, bi and calico patterns. Their bodies range from short-tailed with rounded fins to long tails with distinctive humped backs. Like all goldfish species, the Ryukin is an omnivore and should be fed a variety of live and frozen food such as worms, bloodworms and daphnia in addition to standard pellet foods or sinking foods - this diet will help avoid constipation issues due to their deformed swim bladder; potentially leading to Dropsy and Fish Tuberculosis infections among others.
3. Panda Oranda
The Panda Oranda, more commonly referred to as a Moor Goldfish, is an extravagant variety of fancy goldfish with white bodies with scattered black spots on their scales and an elaborate jelly-like growth covering its head (known as a wen). Due to their limited production numbers and premium price tags, breeding these precious gems in limited numbers increases their price significantly.
As with other fancy goldfish, the Panda Oranda is an enduring species that thrives under diverse water conditions. Its unique features make it a valuable addition to any tank; however, its large size may pose problems.
These fish are an ideal starter species for newcomers to the hobby as they require minimal care and coexist well with other species. You'll find them in various colors such as red, black, orange or even calico; most notable feature being a wen that forms on its head from birth until about two years later and grows larger as it matures.
4. Veiltail
The veiltail betta is an aquarium pet known for its trailing fins that resemble an extravagant cape or superhero's cloak. Developed through crossing fantail betta with short-tailed telescope eye goldfish, its development laid the groundwork for many of the more elaborate tail shapes we now recognize as typical "fancy bettas."
This fish can reach 12 inches long, and thrives in a three-gallon tank with reasonable care. Temperature control is key; using a heater might be wise as these fish are sensitive to sudden temperature shifts.
Veiltail bettas come in an assortment of colors, with both nacreous and metallic scales. Similar to their Japanese cousin, Ryukins, Veiltail Bettas differ by not possessing an additional hump on their back and having longer double tails that correspond with their dorsal fin height. They can either be stubby or round in shape, with scales that range from solid reddish orange, to multicolored or even calico patterns; making for an eye-catching addition in any home aquarium or pond. Despite being more delicate than their Japanese cousin, Veiltail Bettas add beauty and charm when added into any home aquarium or pond environment!
5. Meteor
One of the rarest goldfish varieties, known as the Meteor, is an incredible swimmer characterized by no caudal fin and only well-developed anal fins. Additionally, its body is long enough to make for impressive swimming performances; unfortunately no photographic or tangible proof exists to confirm its existence and thus it is considered myth by many goldfish enthusiasts such as Bristol Aquarist Society.
Comet goldfish are an ideal starter fish species because of their easy maintenance requirements. Additionally, these hardy aquatic lifeforms can tolerate surprising low temperatures in their environment. However, make sure there's ample air circulation by having gaps for air circulation and turning off any lights at night to maintain optimal conditions for their care.
These fish feature long, slender bodies with tapering ends that taper down toward their tail base, making for great swimmers that can live up to 14 years in captivity. While their colors typically are orange due to selective breeding practices, other colors may also exist depending on environmental conditions and breeding efforts. They're most suitable for keeping in a 15-gallon tank or outdoor pond environment where factors like water temperatures may play a part in how large they reach maturity.
