Gold fish varieties for ponds

Goldfish varieties for pond :

Since The Orients first developed goldfish from carp, these fascinating fish have expanded to include a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Some common goldfish types are even bred to develop special characteristics. Bulging eyes, raspberry-like head growths, eyes that gaze heaven-ward, round fluid-filled eye sacks, elaborate nostrils, and flowing fins to name a few.

Goldfish also aren’t just in gold hues. You can find common goldfish types in striking reds, yellows, whites, purples, blues, and blacks – even in calico.

And think that goldfish are just in solid colors? Think again! Common goldfish types are in a mixture of color combinations to fit your personality and tastes.

In fact, there are so many different varieties of goldfish in stores today that it can be difficult to choose which ones to bring home with you. Some common goldfish types, like celestial or bubble-eye goldfish, are even too sensitive for the beginner hobbyist just starting out. Such goldfish are better off with expert care.

Let’s take a look at the most common goldfish types available in pet stores. See any you like?

Few aquarium fish have been developed in as many varieties as the goldfish. It has been estimated that there are over 125 varieties! – Marshall E. Ostrow, author of Goldfish (Barron’s Complete Pet Owner’s Manual)

Slim-bodied Goldfish

Slim-bodied goldfish are so hardy that they are often wonderful choices for the novice goldfish owner. They can even get along well in less-than-ideal water quality and very cool temperatures, but you should still strive to make the water comfortable for your fish. Slim-bodied goldfish are also great for outdoor ponds, since they aren’t as sensitive to cold water as fancy varieties are. What’s more, these goldfish get pretty large and a pond is even recommended.

Since slim-bodied goldfish are strong, fast swimmers and competitive eaters, I don’t suggest keeping these common goldfish types with most fancy varieties. Fancy goldfish are slow-moving and can’t compete for food with slim-bodied goldfish around.

Slim-bodied goldfish are very rambunctious. Because they grow very large and are faster than fancy goldfish, they need at least 30-gallons of water (114 liters) per fish.

1-Common Goldfish :

Obviously, the common goldfish is well, very common. Not to say it doesn't have its advantages though, because the common goldfish is a hardy, brightly colored addition for your pond. Common goldfish are a perfect, inexpensive pond inhabitant if you are just starting out and don't want to worry about maintaining expensive, picky fish. Often a dozen or more common goldfish can be bought for just a dollar.

This fish is generally orange and yellow
The common goldfish is easy to take care of and is a very social pet
This fish is one of the most popular

Some of the hardiest goldfish around, common goldfish get along well in outdoor ponds and can tolerate slightly polluted water better than most common goldfish types (even so, don’t neglect water quality). Common goldfish most resemble their ancestor, the carp, and have a forked caudal (tail) fin with a smooth body. If kept in a pond, common goldfish can grow well over a foot long. These fish are available in many colors, including red, black, orange, white, yellow, and bronze. You can also find them in a combination of colors. Common goldfish are an excellent choice for beginners as long as tank requirements are met.

My Goldfish pond

2-Comet Goldfish :

These are red-orange and yellow
They have a very long body and require plenty of room to swim
Comets make good pond fish

Comet goldfish are very similar to the common goldfish. They are simply a variation of the same species. The only goldfish variety to originate in America, the comet goldfish, has a slim body and longer fins than the common goldfish.

The Sarassa comet is usually red on the upper parts of its body and white below. The fins are long and often red and white as well. Many retailers are now selling Sarassa comets, which are often more expensive than common red comets.

Comets have been bred for their long tail fins, which in larger specimens may be half the length of the body. Comets are rarely one color but will regularly display white- and-red patterns that are more pronounced when viewed from the top. They are predominantly deep red in color.

Due to the comet's hardy and active nature, and the relative ease in caring for them, they are best suited to ponds. Comet-tails can grow up to 12 inches in length.

-Sarasa comet goldfish :

The Sarasa Comet is a graceful alternative to standard pond fish. It has a brilliant red body contrasted with soft white patches and a single-tail. Though it may resemble ornamental carp, the Sarasa Comet lacks the barbels in the mouth area, the markings at the base of the scales, and the size. The Sarasa Comet adds unique beauty to any large backyard water garden oasis.

The Sarasa Comet is originally from China and over the years it has been distributed worldwide. The ideal setup for the hardy Sarasa Comet is a pond of at least 180 gallons with a gravel substrate, rocks, and cold-hardy plants. The Sarasa Comet will tend to grow in proportion to its surroundings. It likes to eat the roots of plants and will dig to get to them, so provide large rocks around the base of the plants to protect the plants.

Adequate filtration should be provided in order to maintain proper water conditions.

The male can be differentiated from the female by the concave anal section and, sometimes, breeding spots on the head. Spawning may result in as many as 1,000 eggs and the fry emerge in about six days. Feed the fry small live foods, and their color will emerge in about eight months.

Feed the Sarasa Comet a quality pellet or flake food that does not exceed 30% protein.

Approximate Purchase Size: Tiny: 1" to 2"; Small: 2" to 3"; Medium: 3" to 5"; Large: 5" to 6"

3- Shubunkin Goldfish :

hese fish are also recommended for novice goldfish owners and are recognizable by their beautiful calico pattern (pattern includes orange, yellow, red, brown, black, grey, white, purple, and blue colors). The more blue shubunkin goldfish have, the more valuable they’re considered. Like most slim-bodied goldfish, shubunkins are very hardy, competitive eaters, and fast swimmers.

The shubunkin goldfish is a favorite with outdoor pond enthusiasts due to a flexible yet hearty appetite that readily accepts most food sources, with vegetable-based selections being more nutritious choices. This fish features attractive calico-style patterns with mixtures of red, brown, orange and yellow colors combined with black spots. A native of Japan, this fish is an excellent match for most goldfish species other than the telescope and the bubble-eye, who swim at much slower speeds.

Also known as calico goldfish, Shubunkinsmight be the most varied of all goldfish varieties. Shubunkins' only standard feature is their diverse coloration that can include red, orange, brown, and yellow patches punctuated by black dots of varying sizes. The patterning extends through the fishes' long and graceful tails. Shubunkin scales are clear so to the eye the fish look see through; depending on the color underneath, the fish's body can appear blue, violet, pink, or silver.

Egg-shaped Goldfish :

Also known as fancy goldfish, egg-shaped goldfish are very sensitive to poor water quality conditions. For this reason, many fancy goldfish are only recommended for experienced fish owners.

Most fancy goldfish have distorted swim bladders (because of their egg-shaped bodies) that can cause problems in poor water conditions – and even cause the fish to swim at a downward angle. Fancy goldfish are not ideal for ponds, since a majority are much too delicate and can’t withstand water temperatures below 60°F (16°F).

As mentioned before, most egg-shaped goldfish shouldn’t be kept with slim-bodied goldfish. If you do keep both goldfish types together, you risk frequent fin nipping, fancy varieties not getting enough to eat, and other problems. Many fancy goldfish also have very delicate features (bubble-eye goldfish, for example) that can easily tear at the slightest nip, making it even more imperative that these goldfish are kept away from fast-moving fish.

Like all common goldfish types, fancy goldfish do just fine if water conditions are met and you take safety precautions when handling or feeding. Fancy goldfish prefer 20 gallons (76 liters) of aquarium water at the very minimum, with 10 gallons (38 liters) for each additional fish.

1-Fantail Goldfish :

One of the hardiest fancy varieties, fantail goldfish can sometimes even survive fine in ponds or when kept with slim-bodied goldfish (though keep a close eye on your goldfish to make sure they’re getting their share of food). Fantail goldfish are recognizable for their split caudal fin and are typically found in orange or calico colorations, though other colors are also available.

The fantail species is an acceptable yet slightly challenging choice for beginners. He is hardy and will tolerate a few missed feedings but not being left for extended periods in cold water. He needs to come inside during the winter in northern climates. This fish grows to 6 to 8 inches and lives up to 10 years.

2-Veiltail Goldfish :

While veiltails are thought to be very beautiful and graceful fish, they’re also one of the most sensitive common goldfish types because of their long, flowing fins. They look a lot like fantail goldfish but with slightly rounder bodies and a more distorted swim bladder. Their long fins are very sensitive to goldfish diseases and tears. These fish are not recommended for beginners because they’re so sensitive, and they most certainly shouldn’t be kept in outdoor ponds.

The veiltail goldfish is a popular type of goldfish among collectors and hobbyists but it a variety that is difficult to breed for showing. It’s long flowing paired caudal is the veiltails most prominent feature. the caudal tail fins should not be forked or have pointed tips but be completely divided while viewed from above. When your veiltail goldfish swims, the caudal tail fins should flow elegantly in the water.
It’s dorsal fin should not fold over or sag but rather it should sway like a flag in the wind. The pectoral and pelvic fins should be long and narrow.

Color wise, the veiltail goldfish can be metallic self-colored (solid), variegated (multiple colors) or calico in color. The colors should strong and run into its fins.

This goldfish type is not as hardy as the common, comet or ryukin goldfish but it can survive in an outdoor goldfish pond if the conditions are not too extreme. Most goldfish owners will choose to place their veiltail goldfish into their indoor aquariums.

3- Telescope Goldfish :

Telescope goldfish have very limited vision because of their protruding eyes (which resemble telescope lenses). The body of a telescope goldfish is very similar to a veiltail goldfish. While telescope goldfish aren’t very hardy, they’re also not as weak as veiltails either. Telescope goldfish come in all sorts of colors. Because of their limited vision, they make poor competitors for food if kept with slim-bodied goldfish. These fish are usually best handled by intermediate goldfish owners.

Globe Eye or Telescope Goldfish

courtesy to : www.caringpets.org/how-to-take-care-of-a-goldfish/types/

The Telescope Goldfish or globe eye goldfish as it is known in Europe and dragon fish in the far east is a fancy goldfish type. Protruding eyes that begin to develop around six months of age clearly explain the name of this fancy goldfish breed and make it easy to recognize if a goldfish is a telescope. A high quality telescope goldfish has good symmetrical placement of its two eyes, each located on the outer most tip of its globe shaped protuberance.

The body resembles that of the veiltail goldfish, with a short deep rounded body. Aside from the single dorsal fin, all the telescope goldfish’s fins are paired and pointed, including the caudal tail fin. The dorsal fin is high on the back with a slightly elevated appearance similar to the ryukin goldfish When the telescope goldfish swims, the dorsal fin should sturdy and upright.

The fully divided caudal fins should be about three-quarters the length of the telescopes body and forked about a quarter of the overall length of the caudal tail fins. When it swims the caudal tail fin should be flowing like the oranda goldfish.

The telescope goldfish comes in a variety of colors: all one color (self colored) of red, blue, chocolate, or white; bi colors (variegated) of black/white and red/white; and calico. The calico types should have a blue background with a good symmetrical balance of bright brown, orange, red yellow and violet patches, with small black spots over it’s entire body. There is a variety that is named a panda butterfly telescope since its colors are predominately black and white and there is also the popular broadtail moor or black moor goldfish.

The telescope goldfish is hardy and can survive in cold waters but it really should not be kept in an outdoor goldfish pond. The main reason is that is has poor vision and can’t compete with other goldfish types for food. Another reason, which also has to do with their protruding eyes, is that telescope goldfish eyes are susceptible infection and injury. Make it a rule to only place these goldfish among other slow moving or delicate breeds.

4- Black Moor Goldfish

Black moors have a surprisingly high tolerance for cold water temperatures and are very hardy, despite the fact that these jet black fish also have telescope eyes (though the eyes don’t protrude as much as a telescope goldfish). Unlike other common goldfish types, black moors are fine pets for beginners and can even survive well in outdoor ponds.

5- Lionhead Goldfish :

Lionhead goldfish aren’t the best swimmers because they lack a dorsal fin (located on the fish’s back). They’re also very slow moving and should only be kept with common goldfish types that are also slow swimmers. Lionhead goldfish are named after the fleshy hood that surrounds their face, except for the eyes, mouth, and nostrils. This hood is soft to the touch but actually doesn’t tear as easily as you may think. Lionheads are sensitive fish and shouldn’t be kept in outdoor ponds with fast-moving goldfish types. They’re also not recommended for beginners.

These were given their name because originally they were always black. Oher colors are now available
Some of the blackmoor goldfish have a telescopic eye that protrudes out of the head. Others have a normal eye
The blackmoor goldfish are not well suited for the outdoor pond or any fish tank with many decorations. They tend to have poor vision making it hard for them to see predators outdoors and sharp objects indoors
They also have difficulty finding their food and may not be the best goldfish for all aquariums

This fish has a short body with no dorsal fin
It is a very colorful goldfish
The lionhead is best for an indoor aquarium

6- Oranda Goldfish :

Like lionheads, oranda goldfish have a similar headgrowth (also called the wen), though it only develops on the top of the head and slightly on the sides of the head as well. Oranda goldfish resemble fantails in body shape and are very slow moving. These fish come in a variety of colors and shouldn’t be kept by beginners.

Orandas are also of fantail shape. Their distinguishing feature is the headgrowth. The headgrowth is known as the hood and has the appearance of being covered with warts.

The oranda offers outdoor pond enthusiasts the best of both worlds: Color variety and a visually appealing body style. His coloration is a plethora of color options from red, black, calico, chocolate, deep blue and a red/white combination on either metallic or matte scales. His body features a hood or fleshy growth at the top of his head. This growth is not fully developed until he reaches 2 years of age. But once matured, the hood is his defining feature. He does not tolerate cold or dirty water conditions, making him a more challenging keeper.