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Carassius auratus
A line carrying calico mottling of red, black and white on the wakin body. Also called sanshoku wakin, it has the streamlined build of a crucian carp, swims fast, and is among the hardiest of goldfish.
The calico wakin carries calico mottling of red, black and white on the wakin body, and is also called sanshoku wakin. The wakin is the origin point of the goldfish, a fixed form of the mutated red crucian carp, and reached Japan in the Muromachi period. It has the streamlined build of a crucian carp, and hardy individuals grow to around 20cm. The tail may be a single funa tail or three- or four-lobed, and the colour ranges across red, variegated and white. Calico patterning is the complex mottling produced by mosaic transparent scales, a trait brought into many breeds through crosses with the calico telescope. Wakin types are easy to keep but swim fast and are pugnacious, so mixing them with other breeds is not generally advised. They also jump, so a cover is worth fitting.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Calico Wakin grows to About 20cm.
The ideal temperature for the Calico Wakin is 15〜28℃.
Origin
Japan (the wakin itself came from China in the Muromachi period)
Size
About 20cm
Temperature
15〜28℃
Prepared foods, frozen bloodworms
Sources: FishBase (Carassius auratus) / Keihan Nishikigoi Center: goldfish water management / Kingyo Hitosuji: Wakin
Goldfish varieties are established by fixing mutations and by selective breeding, and traits of body form, tail form, scale type, colour and head growth are all carried forward as line-bred selections. No primary source identifying loci or dominance for individual traits could be found, so inheritance is recorded only as line-bred.
Sources: Kingyo Hitosuji: Wakin
A curated selection of notable morphs. Inheritance modes are a breeding-planning guide; actual appearance varies with combos.
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Sources: CITES Appendices (species not listed) / FishBase (Carassius auratus)
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
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Daylight-like lighting best shows the calico and its pale blue. The fish reads well from above or from the side and needs no strong light.
As a fast-swimming wakin type that grows large, it needs room to move. These fish jump, so fit a cover on the tank.
It swims fast and is pugnacious, so mixing it with other breeds is not generally advised. If combined, keep it with wakin or comets of the same build.
Fish that grow large are unsuited to tanks, and pond keeping is sometimes recommended. Do not size the setup to the fish you buy.
Beginner. This is a beginner-friendly species. No special equipment or experience is required, and it can be kept successfully with basic care setup.
The ideal temperature for Calico Wakin is 15〜28℃. Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.
Calico Wakin typically reaches About 20cm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Calico Wakin feeds on: Prepared foods, frozen bloodworms. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Calico Wakin varies significantly depending on variety, size, and individual quality. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.
Last updated: September 16, 2026