Goldfish

COMMON NAME: Goldfish.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Carassius auratus auratus(usually shortened to Carassius auratus).

DESIGNATION: Coldwater.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Originally native to China and certain parts of Siberia but introduced into numerous natural and artificial bodies of water worldwide.

SIZE: It is impossible to give a single accurate figure for Goldfish. Slim-bodied varieties, such as the Common Goldfish, London and Bristol Shubunkin and Comets, can grow to over 12 in (30 cm). Fancier, round-bodied varieties generally grow to less than half this size. Having said this, though, I have seen Oranda measuring 14 in (c. 35 cm) in the Far East.

WATER PREFERENCES: Will tolerate a wide range of water conditions and temperatures. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures, e.g.(82°F) and above, will cause distress.

DIET: Will eat a wide range of animal and plant-based foods. Will benefit from a diet is relatively rich in carbohydrates, such as flake or pellet food specifically manufactured for this species.

BREEDING: Males develop white pimple-like growths, known as nuptial tubercles, on their gill covers and the first ray of the pectoral fin during the breeding season which starts in the spring and can extend into late summer. In slim-bodied varieties, females become noticeably plumper during this time - this is not easily detectable in round-bodied varieties.

A period of relatively cool temperature in early spring, followed by a gentle rise(possibly by means of an aquarium heater) of a few degrees is often sufficient to bring well-fed fish into breeding condition.

Prior separation of the spawning pair may also improve the chances of success. A spacious tank (approximately 20 gallons/90 liters or over) should be provided for the pair. Several clumps of fine-leaved vegetation should also be introduced as a spawning medium. Alternatively, spawning mops can be bought for this purpose. After an initial period of intense activity during which the male chases the female (but which develops into a situation where it is difficult to say whether the female is being chased or the male is being led!), the pair will end up among the vegetation. Eggs will be scattered and fertilized in a series of spawning 'encounters'. When these have been completed, either the pair or the eggs should be removed. Hatching takes about six days at cool temperatures (below20°C/c. 68°F) but may take as little as four days at 21°C/c. 70°F.

After a few days, the fry will have absorbed their yolk sacs and will become free-swimming. From then on the fry will require regular feeding.

DESCRIPTION: The Goldfish has been regarded as a 'cultivated' fish for around1,000 years. Careful selection, highly organized line-breeding program and stringently controlled refinements have resulted in numerous varieties during this period.

Many years of painstaking work can be easily undone by the unthinking breeder who mixes varieties and/or fish of varying quality. Although there is no universal agreement as to what constitutes a perfect specimen of a Pearl scale, Shubunkin, Comet, or the rest, guidelines do exist. These are known as 'standards' and are published by the various Goldfish societies which have become established throughout the world over the years.

Societies may (and do) differ in their opinions as to what constitutes an ideal standard for a particular variety but their strict criteria do bring considerable order to a potentially chaotic state of affairs and give the hobbyist targets to aim at. All societies agree that Goldfish can be divided into two groups: single-tailed varieties and twin-tailed varieties (alternatively known as Single tails and Twin tails). Despite the differences referred to above, there is also general agreement concerning the overall identification of the main varieties.

Therefore, for example, there is universal agreement that a London Shubunkin is a single-tailed, short-finned Goldfish with Bristol Shubunkin mottled coloration which should include a degree of blue. A Bristol Shubunkin is similar but has longer fins, particularly the caudal are tail:

A Comet has an even longer caudal fin than the Shubunkin. It is pointed and roughly as long as the body itself. A Fantail is a relatively short-finned, double-tailed variety with an oval body. A Veil tail is, similar to the Fantail but has long, flowing fins.

An Oranda has long, flowing fins as well but, in addition, carries a raspberry-like growth on the head, called a hood. A Moor is yet another long-finned, double-tailed fish but this time, there is no hood. Instead, the eyes protrude from the head and the overall color is black. Pearl scales are oval-bodied, short-finned and double-tailed, and possess domed or convex scales which give the impression that the body is covered in pearls.

Lion heads have a similarly shaped body, but no pearls or dorsal fin. In addition, the head has a hood similar to that found in Oranda. A Ranchu is similar to a Lion head but has a highly curved back, particularly around the peduncle (the posterior end of the body which supports the caudal fin).Celestials have similar body characteristics to Lion heads but have no hood and, as their name suggests, have upward-looking eyes. The Bubble-eye takes this development further and has large, fluid-filled sacs which protrude from the eye socket. The Pompon is yet another oval, (usually) dorsal-less, twin-tailed fish. This time, though, the eyes are normal but the nostrils (nasal septa) are highly developed into two very characteristic, round pompons.

Body and fin characteristics can occur in combination with a range of colors which are generally grouped as follows:

Metallic These fish contain a considerable amount of the pigment guanine which gives the body reflective (metallic) qualities.

Matt Lack of reflective components give such colored fish a non-shiny appearance. Nacreous These fish have an overall mother-of-pearl' shine.