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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 5 of 77 species

Black Lionhead

Black Lionhead

Carassius auratus var.

Intermediate

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.

BlackLionheadMajestic
Butterfly Tail© C Lion hiro / Public domain

Butterfly Tail

Intermediate

Tail fins spread like butterfly wings when viewed from above. Bred in China, most impressive in top-down viewing.

Top-viewingButterfly tailChinese variety
Dragon Eye Pearlscale

Dragon Eye Pearlscale

Carassius auratus var.

Advanced

Cross between Telescope Eye and Pearlscale. Combines protruding eyes with round pearlscale body. Popular fancy goldfish in China, increasingly available in Japan.

TelescopePearlscaleChinese variety
Egg Fish Goldfish

Egg Fish Goldfish

Carassius auratus var.

Intermediate

Ancient Chinese egg-shaped goldfish. No dorsal fin with round body similar to Ranchu, but without wen development. Prototype of Chinese goldfish varieties.

Egg fishChinese varietyNo dorsal fin
Kirin Goldfish

Kirin Goldfish

Carassius auratus var.

Intermediate

Rare goldfish with mosaic-like scale mutation. Mix of normal and transparent scales creates unique sparkling appearance. Chinese variety, rare in Japan.

KirinMosaic scalesChinese variety
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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.