In this post we will talk about 25 popular types of goldfish for first-time owners. Goldfish have always been a favorite among new fish owners. They are a beautiful addition to any aquarium because of their bright colors, graceful swimming patterns, and low maintenance requirements.
Knowing the beginner-friendly goldfish varieties and what makes each one special is a must if you’re considering getting one as a pet.
In this article, we’ll look at 25 popular types of goldfish for beginners.
Let’s get straight in!
What are Goldfish?
The scientific name for goldfish is Carassius auratus. They are in the family of fish called carp. They were one of the first fish to be kept as pets, and people have been breeding them for hundreds of years to make them look different in size, shape, and color.
Goldfish are known for their bright colors, which can be orange, black, white, red, or even glittery.
These beautiful fish’s long, flowing fins and graceful swimming moves give them a unique look.
Goldfish as Pets
Goldfish are great pets, and both kids and adults like to have them as pets. They don’t need as much care as other fish, making them popular species for beginners.
Goldfish have personalities of their own and can recognize their owners. This makes fishkeeping more fun and engaging. Also, their peaceful presence and the mesmerizing beauty of their colors can be soothing and healing.
When choosing a goldfish for your aquarium or pond, consider what each type needs and how it behaves.
Different types of goldfish have different needs regarding aquarium size, water temperature, and how they eat.
If you choose the right type of goldfish, you can give them an optimal environment for their health and well-being.
25 Popular Types Of Goldfish You Can Keep As A Beginner
1. Common Goldfish
One of the types of goldfish that is indigenous to China is known as the common goldfish. They are widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and adaptable varieties of goldfish, contributing to their status as one of the most popular types worldwide.
The length of a common goldfish can reach up to 12 inches if it is allowed to mature to its full size.
They also require low maintenance, making them an excellent goldfish breeds suitable for beginners
Common goldfish are available in a wide range of colors, some of which are red, orange, yellow, black, and white. They are also available in a wide variety of patterns, including calico and koi, amongst others.
The body of a common goldfish is elongated and slender, and it only has a single tail. They have modest scales, but their heads are disproportionately huge. Common goldfish are Omnivores and will consume a wide range of food, including flakes, pellets, and even live food. They can be fed in aquariums.
2. Comet Goldfish
Comet goldfish look like common goldfish, but their tails are longer and more deeply twisted.
They are known for how gracefully they move and can grow very big. Comets are busy and social fish often seen darting around the aquarium.
Since the 1880s, these fish have been around. They were bred from common goldfish and became extremely popular very quickly. Because they are so easy to be bred, making them beginner’s goldfish choices, you can buy these species at local pet stores.
3. Shubunkin Goldfish
Shubunkin goldfish are well-known for their distinctive calico coloring, which consists of varying amounts of orange, red, blue, black, and white spots.
They have a thin body structure and a single tail on their body. Because of their resilience and adaptability, shubunkins are beginner-friendly fancy goldfish.
Shubunkin goldfish aren’t too challenging to take care of. They need a tank with a capacity of at least 20 gallons. It should have a filter and a warmer.
Shubunkin goldfish need to eat a lot of energy and not much fat. It would be best to feed them twice or three times a day.
Shubunkin goldfish can get sick, so it’s essential to regularly take them to the vet for checkups.
4. Fantail Goldfish
Fantail goldfish are easy to spot because they have two tails and a round body.
They have different colors, and their moving fins give them an elegant look. Fantails do well in aquariums and are known for how busy they are when they swim.
They are also one of the hardest types of goldfish and can handle a lot of mistakes made by beginners, making them easy-to-keep goldfish varieties.
Fantail goldfish don’t live in the wild; they are grown from eggs all over Asia, especially in Japan and China.
5. Black Moor Goldfish
The black moor goldfish stands out from the other fish thanks to its dark coloring and prominent eyes. Their bodies are round, and their fins flow gracefully.
Compared to other types of goldfish, black moors are slower swimmers and need high-quality water to thrive.
The Black Moor goldfish is a favorite among fish enthusiasts and aquarists because of its striking appearance in ponds and aquariums.
6. Oranda Goldfish
The Oranda goldfish is a variety of fancy goldfish that is well-known for the size of its head growth, also referred to as “wen.”
The wen is a fleshy bulge that can develop into great sizes and is on top of the fish’s head.
An oranda’s magnificent appearance is due to its rounded body and long, flowing fins.
They are a stunning addition to outdoor ponds or aquariums and are popular among people passionate about goldfish.
Even though Oranda goldfish are species for novice keepers, they have a few specific requirements that must be met.
They require a tank capable of holding at least 20 gallons of water equipped with a filter and a heater.
Temperatures ranging from 68 to 74 degrees Fahrenheit should be maintained in the water.
7. Ryukin Goldfish
Ryukin goldfish are a type of fancy goldfish with short and deep bodies and fins that are long and flowy. They are a relatively new breed of goldfish. They were made in Japan in the 1800s. Ryukin goldfish are popular with people who like goldfish, and they look great in outdoor ponds or tanks.
Their bodies are short and thick, and they only have one tail.
Ryukins come in different colors and are very busy and lively.
8. Pearlscale Goldfish
Pearlscale goldfish are highly sought after due to the exquisite beauty of their scales, which take the form of tiny pearls and are spherical.
They feature a spherical body shape, a double tail, and short, stumpy fins compared to the rest of their body.
Due to the fragile nature of their scales, pearlscales require vigilant observation of the conditions of their aquatic environment.
Pearlscales are extremely sensitive to cold water and should not be subjected to temperatures lower than 13 degrees Celsius (55 degrees Fahrenheit).
9. Telescope Goldfish
The telescope goldfish gets its name from how its eyeballs stick out, like a telescope.
They have a spherical body and long, curving fins. Because of their peaceful nature, telescope goldfish do best in an aquarium with other similarly slower-swimming species.
The Telescope goldfish are also known as dragon eyes. Originally bred in China during the early 1700s,
10. Ranchu Goldfish
Ranchu goldfish are widely sought because they lack a dorsal fin and large rounded heads.
They look like eggs and have two tails. Ranchus can only preserve their distinctive appearance by drinking clean water and eating a varied, nutritional diet.
Ranchu goldfish are often referred to as the “King of Goldfish” by those passionate about the species.
They have a massive following of enthusiasts worldwide, particularly in Asia.
These stunning aquarium ornaments first appeared in China, but Japan did some more hybridizing in the late 1800s.
11. Lionhead Goldfish
Fancy goldfish, known as lionheads, are distinguished by their big, furry heads. Orange, red, white, black, and blue are just some of the colors you can get them in. Although lionheads require less attention than certain other goldfish species, they are more likely to get eye problems.
The lionhead goldfish have been bred for generations in China, where it is believed to have first appeared.
The 17th century saw their introduction to Europe, where they immediately gained favor among aquarists.
One of the most well-liked varieties of goldfish nowadays is the lionhead.
12. Bubble eye
Bubble-eyed goldfish are fancy goldfish known for the big fluid-filled sacs under their eyes. These sacs, called “bubbles,” can get very big, making it hard for the fish to see and move.
Goldfish with bubble eyes can also have problems with their eyes because the bubbles are easily hurt.
The bubble eye goldfish is related to the original Comet goldfish, but its genes have been changed over many generations to give it a double tail fin and crooked eyes.
13. Dragon eye
Dragon Eye Goldfish are a compelling species of goldfish that stand out owing to the one-of-a-kind and mesmerizing appearance of their eyes.
They are also known as Dragon Eyes or Dragon Fish. These goldfish have eyeballs that stick out in a way reminiscent of the legendary beast they are named for, giving them a unique and fascinating look.
14. Celestial eye goldfish
The Celestial eye goldfish, also known as Choutengan, is a double-tailed breed of fancy goldfish with telescopic eyes tilted upwards, with the pupils staring toward the heavens.
This trait is used to identify the breed. When the fry hatch, the eyes of young Celestials are normal but gradually protrude sideways, similar to the Telescope eye goldfish.
However, unlike the Telescope eye goldfish, which has eyes looking outwards on each side, the eyes of the Celestial eye goldfish turn strictly upwards during six months of development. This process takes place throughout a lifetime.
15. Pompom Goldfish
A pompom goldfish is a type of fancy goldfish that has fatty growths around its nostrils.
These growths, which are called “pompoms,” are the result of careful breeding. Pompoms can have shiny or made of nacre scales and have or do not have a dorsal fin.
The lionhead type of these fish will get along best with other lionhead fish or fish without a dorsal fin.
Pompom goldfish are not as popular as other types of fancy goldfish because they are newer. Also, they cost more than other kinds of goldfish.
16. Butterfly tail
The broad, flowing tails of butterfly tail goldfish are one of the distinguishing characteristics of this variety of fancy goldfish.
These tails result from selective breeding, resulting in various color possibilities. Some examples of these colors include orange, red, white, black, and blue.
Although they are easier to care for than other goldfish species, butterfly-tail goldfish need a tank significantly more significantly than the average goldfish aquarium. They will make a perfect beginner-friendly goldfish selection.
17. Tamasaba goldfish
Tamasaba goldfish have long and slender bodies and only have one tail.
People frequently confuse the two species because of their striking resemblance to koi. Their brilliant red coloring distinguishes Tamasabas, and thrives in ponds and aquariums of a more substantial size.
The Tamasaba goldfish is a rare and stunning variety of goldfish. However, they are not very common.
It comes originally from Japan and is also known by the name Sabao.
The Tamasaba goldfish is from the Yamagata Prefecture in northern Japan. It is also called Yamagata goldfish.
18. Phoenix Goldfish
The body of a Phoenix goldfish is elongated and slender, and it only has a single tail fin.
They are well-known for their vivid colors, often containing metallic versions of red, orange, and gold in various tones.
Phoenix goldfish are strong swimmers who do best in large aquariums with plenty of room to move around.
These fish are hardy, although their reproductive process can take a while. Following a few setbacks, a solid breeding basis has been developed, and there are now a number of active breeders who are maintaining the breed.
They have shown to be equally adaptive to the pond and the aquarium, having an attractive side perspective and a top view and behaving actively and alertly.
19. Veiltail Goldfish
Goldfish with long, flowing tail fins called veiltails are highly desirable because of the graceful way their tail fins trail behind them as they swim. They come in various colors and have a slimmer body shape than most. Veiltails can withstand harsh conditions and are beautiful additions to any aquarium.
20. Egg Goldfish
Egg goldfish, also called Maruko, is a kind of fancy goldfish with bodies that look like eggs.
They are a fairly new type of fancy goldfish; you don’t see them as often as other kinds. Also, they cost more than other kinds of goldfish.
This kind of goldfish is kept separately in Hong Kong and China, so you rarely see them in the West. This breed has several different kinds and needs care, just like most fancy goldfish. Because of their appearance, Eggfish can be a delicate breed of goldfish that does better living indoors.
21. Egghead Telescope Goldfish
Egghead telescope goldfish are a variety of fancy goldfish characterized by eyeballs that stick out in front of their heads.
These eyes, referred to as “telescopes,” can become enormous, making it difficult for the fish to see and swim.
Egghead telescope goldfish are also susceptible to eye problems since their telescopes are readily damaged.
22. Curled-Gill Goldfish
Curled-Gill Goldfish, also called Curly-Gill Goldfish or Fimbriatus Goldfish, are a beautiful type of fancy goldfish with gill covers that are curled uniquely.
The gill covers on these goldfish are interesting because they curl outward, making a decorative and eye-catching feature.
Curled-Gill Goldfish have a body shape that is similar to that of other types of fancy goldfish.
They are beautiful and slim. But what makes them stand out is that their gill covers are curled in a way that makes them look pretty.
Their gill covers bend outward, which makes them look unique and exciting.
They come in many colors, like bright red, orange, black, white, and shiny shades.
23. Demekin Goldfish
Demekin Goldfish, also called Butterfly Demekin, are a kind of fancy goldfish that are beautiful and unusual.
They are called goldfish because of the shape of their bodies and the bright colors that make them stand out.
Demekin Goldfish have bodies that are both round and long, like a telescope goldfish. But what makes them different is a large head growth called the wen. The wen covers the fish’s whole head and goes over its eyes, giving it a unique and charming look. They come in many colors, such as red, orange, calico, black, shiny, and more.
24. Lionchu
The Lionchu goldfish is a hybrid of two different types of goldfish, the Lionhead and the Ranchu.
This breed has only been around since the early 2000s; it was bred in Thailand.
Lionchus have the broad, curving back and deep body of the Ranchu, in addition to the massive, meaty head growth or wen of the Lionhead. They lack a dorsal fin as well.
Lionchus are tough fish that do well in many aquarium environments.
They’re low maintenance, too, so new fish owners can have success with them.
However, they have specific requirements, including a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet and a spacious tank with enough room to swim.
Lionchus have a reputation for being docile and loving companions.
They are playful and energetic fish that love to swim. The Lionchu is a stunning goldfish that stands out from the crowd.
25. Nymph Goldfish
The Nymph goldfish is a type of goldfish that is closely linked to the Fantail and Veiltail types. On the other hand, the Nymph has only one tail with a single set of anal and caudal fins. It comes from a gene that is rarely passed on on purpose.
It swims quickly and is hardy enough to live in a pond for many years, even through harsh winters.
Nymph goldfish come in many colors, such as gold, red, black, and white.
They can get as long as 12 inches, but most only get as long as 8 inches.
They eat flakes, pellets, and live food, among other things. They are omnivores.
CONCLUSION:
Goldfish are beautiful and attractive pets, and there are many different types to choose from. No matter how much you know about fish or how new you are in fish keeping, there is a goldfish that will win your heart.
In this piece, we’ve discussed 25 Popular Types Of Goldfish For Beginners, each with its traits, colors, and patterns. From the elegant Ranchu and majestic Oranda to the graceful Ryukin and charming Pearlscale, there is a goldfish for every taste and tank setup.
Beginners should consider the tank’s size, the water’s quality, and how well the fish will get along with others when picking a goldfish.