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Goldfish Encyclopedia — 77 Species Directory

Encyclopedia of popular goldfish varieties with care guides, traits, and show standards.

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RareRanchuCalicoHardyRyukinTop viewWenShowTelescopeElegantTricolorChinese varietyRed-whiteOrandaPompom

Showing 7 of 77 species

Azuma Nishiki© C_Lion_hiro / CC BY-SA 3.0

Azuma Nishiki

Intermediate

Oranda body type with calico (tricolor) pattern. Beautiful mix of red, white, and black coloring.

TricolorCalicoOranda type
Calico Ranchu

Calico Ranchu

Carassius auratus var.

Advanced

Ranchu with red, white, and black calico pattern. Some have transparent scales revealing internal red. Unique beauty. Shows evaluate pattern balance.

CalicoRanchuThree-color
Calico Ryukin

Calico Ryukin

Intermediate

A ryukin with red-white-black tricolor (calico) pattern. Popular for gorgeous coloring and round body.

CalicoTricolorRyukin
Calico Ryukin Long Tail

Calico Ryukin Long Tail

Intermediate

A ryukin with tricolor calico pattern and long elegant tail fins. Gorgeous representative of ornamental goldfish.

CalicoLong tailRyukin
Calico Telescope

Calico Telescope

Intermediate

Calico version of telescope goldfish. Red-white-black pattern with protruding eyes is distinctive. Each fish has unique markings.

CalicoTelescopeTricolor
Sakura Nishiki

Sakura Nishiki

Intermediate

Relatively new variety with ranchu body and calico pattern. Named for its cherry blossom-like soft coloring.

New varietyCherry blossomRanchu type
Shubunkin

Shubunkin

Beginner

Long-bodied calico goldfish. Wakin type, hardy and active. Displays red, white, black, and blue colors. Perfect for outdoor ponds.

Beginner-friendlyCalicoOutdoor suited
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Goldfish FAQ

How much do goldfish cost?
Common varieties like wakin and ryukin cost 300-2,000 yen, ranchu 3,000-30,000 yen, and show-quality specimens can reach tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of yen.
Can beginners keep goldfish?
Hardy varieties like wakin, ryukin, and telescope goldfish are recommended for beginners. A tank and filter are all you need, and no heater is required.
How long do goldfish live?
With proper care, goldfish live 10-15 years, and some individuals can live 20+ years. Water quality management and proper feeding are key to longevity.
What should I check when buying goldfish?
Look for symmetrical body shape, stable swimming, well-formed fins, and no injuries or white spots. Breed-specific aesthetic standards are also helpful references.
What should I be careful about when keeping goldfish?
Overfeeding causing poor water quality is the most common issue. Feed 1-2 times daily in amounts eaten within 2 minutes, and never skip weekly water changes.