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Black Lionhead
IntermediateCarassius auratus var.
All-black Lionhead goldfish. Well-developed black wen creates a majestic, imposing appearance. Specimens that maintain black without fading are rare and valuable. Chinese variety.
Difficulty
Intermediate
Temperature
15〜28℃
Lifespan
10-15 years
Size
12-20cm
Diet
Goldfish pellets, bloodworms, brine shrimp
About
The Black Lionhead is a lionhead-type goldfish—bearing the characteristic fleshy wen on its head—rendered entirely in a deep, glossy black, giving it a weighty, dignified appearance. A Chinese variety, it has the dorsal-less, rounded lionhead body combined with a black wen for striking presence. Black coloration in goldfish tends to fade as the fish grows or as water temperature and environment change, so individuals that retain solid black are considered uncommon. Clean, stable water is important both for healthy wen development and for maintaining the black color, and the crevices of the wen should be kept free of debris. The fish is a slow swimmer best housed with similarly paced varieties. A tank of 60 liters or more with strong filtration and regular water changes keeps it healthy, and color-enhancing foods together with a calm, darker-toned aquarium can help preserve the black coloration.
Basic Info
Origin
China
Lifespan
10-15 years
Size
12-20cm
Temperature
15〜28℃
Diet
Goldfish pellets, bloodworms, brine shrimp
Care Guide
Color
Lower temps (18-22°C) help maintain black color
Water
Maintain clean water. Ammonia accelerates color loss
Care Specifications
- pH
- 6–8
- Hardness (GH)
- 5–19 dGH
- Water Temp.
- 18–23℃
PeacefulGroupBreeding: Moderate
Sources: FishBase / Aqueon Goldfish Care Guide
Morphs (Varieties)
金魚品種は体型・尾型・鱗・色の選抜固定(line-bred)。出目・透明鱗(キャリコ)・白子等は単一座。
PolygenicContinuous trait from multiple genes; intensified by selective breeding.
Head growth (wen)
Line-bredEstablished by selective line breeding.
Deep body / dorsal humpFantail (paired caudal)Black coloration
Sources: Wikipedia - Goldfish (Varieties) / 金魚 - Wikipedia (日本語版・品種)
A curated selection of notable morphs. Inheritance modes are a breeding-planning guide; actual appearance varies with combos.
References & Sources
Edited & verified by: br-choku editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Taxonomy & Authority
Accepted name: Carassius auratus var. (Linnaeus, 1758)
Synonyms: Cyprinus auratus Linnaeus, 1758, Carassius auratus auratus (Linnaeus, 1758), Cyprinus thoracatus Valenciennes, 1842, Carassius burgeri Temminck & Schlegel, 1846, Cyprinus chinensis Gronow, 1854
Authority databases: FishBase · GBIF · FishBase: Carassius auratus · GBIF: Carassius auratus
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
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