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Wakin
BeginnerClosest to the original goldfish ancestor. Crucian carp body shape, hardy and strong swimmer. Suitable for outdoor ponds.
Difficulty
Beginner
Temperature
5〜30℃（適温18〜24℃）
Lifespan
10-15 years
Size
15-30cm
Diet
Goldfish pellets, omnivorous
About
The Wakin is one of Japan's oldest goldfish varieties and is considered the ancestor of many twin-tailed fancy breeds, including the Ryukin, Ranchu, Oranda, and Pearlscale. Retaining a streamlined, carp-like body shape with a bifurcated tail, the Wakin is far more agile and active than most fancy goldfish. Its hardiness and adaptability to temperatures ranging from 5 to 30°C make it an excellent choice for outdoor ponds as well as large aquariums. The sarasa (red-and-white) Wakin is particularly prized for its bold coloration. Because of its vigorous swimming and competitive feeding behavior, it should not be housed with slow-moving varieties like Oranda or Telescope Eye. Wakin can grow to 20–30 cm in length, and individuals living over a decade in well-maintained ponds are not uncommon. For longevity, Wakin rank among the very best goldfish: 10-15 years in aquariums, and pond-kept individuals exceeding 20 years are not unusual. Tish, the Guinness-record goldfish that lived 43 years, was a Wakin-type common goldfish. The three main lifespan killers are overcrowding in undersized tanks, summer heat, and water fouling from overfeeding—avoid these and a long life is the norm. Even a festival-scooped Wakin can become a decade-plus companion given an initial 1-2 week salt bath and a calm, stable environment.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Basic Info
Origin
Japan
Lifespan
10-15 years
Size
15-30cm
Temperature
5〜30℃（適温18〜24℃）
Diet
Goldfish pellets, omnivorous
Care Specifications
- pH
- 6–8
- Hardness (GH)
- 5–19 dGH
- Water Temp.
- 18–23℃
PeacefulGroupBreeding: Moderate
Sources: FishBase / Aqueon Goldfish Care Guide
Captive Breeding
Egg-laying
- Clutch size
- 2000〜4000
- Incubation days
- 2〜9 days
Breeding season: Spring to early summer (March–June). Rising water temperature above approximately 18–22°C is the primary spawning trigger. A winter cooling period is considered important to prime the fish for spawning.
Breeding notes
Wakin, like all goldfish varieties, is a domesticated form of Carassius auratus and shares the same spawning biology. In captivity, providing spawning mops or floating plants (e.g., Cabomba, Elodea) encourages deposition of adhesive eggs. Hatching duration depends on water temperature and typically spans 2–9 days. Parents should be removed promptly after spawning to prevent egg predation. Gentle aeration and good water quality are considered important for maximizing hatch rates and fry survival.
Breeding requires planning, proper husbandry, and responsibility. These figures are general guidelines.
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。
Line-bredEstablished by selective line breeding.
Single tail (wild-type fin)
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: (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.
Wakin Listings
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