Tropical Fish - Species

Black Moor

Description

Variants

Special care

Bubble Eye

Coloration

Etymology

Variants

Calico (goldfish)

Celestial Eye

Comet (goldfish)

Main article: Goldfish

Common goldfish

As pets

Housing

Common goldfish in a pond

Breeding

Diseases

Goldfish as feeder fish

KKG

Fantail (goldfish)

Coloration

Goldfish

History

Chinese goldfish classification

Goldfish in ponds

In the aquarium

Feeding

Behavior

Native environment

Breeding

Mosquito control

Edibility and cruelty

Origins and evolution

Special care

Tropical Fish - Species

Black Moor

    This article is about a breed of fish. Black moor might also refer to a member of an ethnic group, Portsmouth Tropical Fish a subgroup of the present-day Moors.

 

Black moor goldfish

Country of origin

China and Japan

Type

Veiltailed

Breed standards

BAS

 

The black moor is a telescope-eyed variety of fancy goldfish that has a characteristic pair of protruding eyes. It is also referred to as popeye, Portsmouth Tropical Fish telescope, Portsmouth Tropical Fish demekin (moor) in Japan and dragon-eye in China.

Contents

 

 

    1 Description

    2 Variants

    3 Special care

    4 References

    5 See also

 

 Description

 

Apart from their projecting eyes, Portsmouth Tropical Fish black moors have deep bodies and long, Portsmouth Tropical Fish flowing finnage. They are veiltailed and possess metallic scales with a velvet-like appearance.

 

Young moors resemble bronze fantails. Their black coloration and eye protrusion develop with age. They can grow quite large but may lose their velvet-like appearance with increasing age. Black demekins may also revert to metallic orange due to very high water temperature levels.

 

 Variants

 

Telescopes also come in red, Portsmouth Tropical Fish red-and-white, Portsmouth Tropical Fish calico, Portsmouth Tropical Fish black-and-white, Portsmouth Tropical Fish chocolate, Portsmouth Tropical Fish brown, Portsmouth Tropical Fish blue, Portsmouth Tropical Fish bronze, Portsmouth Tropical Fish lavender and chocolate-and-blue, Portsmouth Tropical Fish tricolored, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and black coloration. Black moors with a deep solid black color are difficult to find but are more stable in moors than any other goldfish variety. Black-and-white moors are known as panda moors.

 

 Special care

 

Black moors have poor vision, Portsmouth Tropical Fish therefore mixing them with more active varieties of fish is not recommended. And because of their delicate eyes, Portsmouth Tropical Fish an aquarium without any sharp and pointed objects is preferred. They are sensitive to prolonged exposure to low temperature levels.

 

Bubble Eye

Bubble eye goldfish

Country of origin

China

Type

Fantailed

Breed standards

BAS

 

The bubble eye is a small variety of fancy goldfish with upward pointing eyes that are accompanied by two large fluid-filled sacs. It is known as suihogan in Japan.

Contents

 

 

    1 Description

    2 Coloration

    3 Special care

    4 References

    5 External links and further readings

    6 See also

 

 Description

 

The bubble eye normally has an evenly curved back that lacks a dorsal fin. The pair of large pouches of skin attached under its eyes jiggle as it swims. Bubble eyes have metallic scales and they are similar to the celestial eye goldfish.

 

The eyes of the bubble eye goldfish are normal in the young fry, Portsmouth Tropical Fish but will start to develop eye bladders three months after hatching.

 

 Coloration

 

Bubble eyes come in many color patterns such as red, Portsmouth Tropical Fish red-and-white, Portsmouth Tropical Fish black, Portsmouth Tropical Fish gold and calico.

 

 Special care

 

Bubble eyes require a special aquatic environment because they are relatively poor swimmers due to their impaired vision, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and cannot compete with more active goldfish. Their "bubbles" can be easily sucked into the filter intake. These bladder-like swellings can also be easily damaged by any sharp-edged rocks and tank decorations.

 

Butterfly tail (goldfish)

Butterfly tail goldfish

Country of origin

Japan

Type

Many

Breed standards

BAS

 

The butterfly tail goldfish or jikin, Portsmouth Tropical Fish as it is known in Japan, Portsmouth Tropical Fish is believed to have been developed from the hardy wakin, Portsmouth Tropical Fish a Japanese goldfish variety (also common in China and the rest of Asia) which is very similar to the river carp.

Contents

 

 

    1 Description and production

    2 Etymology

    3 Variants

    4 References

          o 4.1 Footnotes

          o 4.2 Bibliography

    5 See also

 

 Description and production

 

The butterfly tail is similar to the wakin except that, Portsmouth Tropical Fish when viewed from behind, Portsmouth Tropical Fish its double tail fin has a pronounced "X" shape. It has a characteristic long, Portsmouth Tropical Fish cigar-shaped or torpedo-shaped body that is white, Portsmouth Tropical Fish with red lips, Portsmouth Tropical Fish fins and gill covers. The jikin is not born with this coloration, Portsmouth Tropical Fish instead this white pigmentation of the skin is artificially produced by removing the red scales when still young, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and usually done at about three months old and by either plucking off any red scales on the body with the use of tweezers or by bleaching with oxalic acid. Jikins swim in a characteristically jerky manner but can grow up to 9 inches long. Older jikins tend to become stronger than young jikins.

 

The jikin, Portsmouth Tropical Fish however, Portsmouth Tropical Fish is a rare Japanese variety and is hardly ever available outside Japan. This fish originated from the area around the modern city of Nagoya, Portsmouth Tropical Fish Aichi Prefecture, Portsmouth Tropical Fish Japan, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and thus designated as a Natural Treasure (Tennen Kinenbitsu) of that prefecture.

 

 Etymology

 

The word jikin means "local goldfish" in Japanese. It is also referred to as peacock tail and as rokurin (six-scales) fish. The latter name, Portsmouth Tropical Fish "rokurin" refers to the six-scales or "points" of the fish, Portsmouth Tropical Fish namely the red-colored lips, Portsmouth Tropical Fish dorsal, Portsmouth Tropical Fish pectoral, Portsmouth Tropical Fish ventral, Portsmouth Tropical Fish anal and caudal fins.

 

 Variants

 

Butterfly tail fancy goldfish can also be globe-eyed.

 

Calico (goldfish)

 

Calico or nacreous goldfish are goldfish of any breed that sport a mixture of metallic and transparent scales that produces a pearly appearance. The name "calico goldfish" is often associated, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and sometimes confused, Portsmouth Tropical Fish with the shubunkin goldfish.

Contents

 

 

    1 Description

    2 Variants

    3 References

    4 See also

 

 Description

 

Calico goldfish have patches of red, Portsmouth Tropical Fish yellow, Portsmouth Tropical Fish grey and black along with dark speckles on a blue background. This nacreous coloration of usually extends over the fins.

 

 Variants

 

    See also: Shubunkin

 

A calico oranda goldfish.

A calico oranda goldfish.

 

Although calico coloration occasionally occurs in other fancy golfish varieties such as telescope eyes, Portsmouth Tropical Fish fantails, Portsmouth Tropical Fish ryukins, Portsmouth Tropical Fish orandas, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and ranchus, Portsmouth Tropical Fish this nacreous characteristic is exclusive to the shubunkins which are single-tailed fish that are similar to the common goldfish and could grow up to 12 inches in length.

 

Celestial Eye

Celestial eye goldfish

Country of origin

China and Japan

Type

Fantailed

Breed standards

BAS

 

Celestial eye goldfish or choten gan is a fancy goldfish that has similar finnageto ryukins and fantails. It has a characteristic pair of telescope eyes which are turned upwards.

Contents

 

 

    1 Description

    2 Variants

    3 References

    4 See also

 

 Description

 

Celestials are a relatively small variety of goldfish that does not have dorsal fins. They come in all colors with either metallic or nacreous scales. They are delicate goldfish because, Portsmouth Tropical Fish apart from sporting upward-oriented eyes, Portsmouth Tropical Fish they are also sensitive to cold water temperatures, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and are unable to compete with more vigorous goldfish for food. Therefore, Portsmouth Tropical Fish these fancy goldfish are best kept in a tank of their own.

 

The eyes of young celestials are normal but gradually protrudes sideways and then turn upwards within a period of six months.

 

Comet (goldfish)

Comet goldfish

Country of origin

USA

Type

Single tailed

Breed standards

BAS

 

The comet or comet-tailed goldfish is the most common variety of fancy goldfish in the United States.

Contents

 

 

    1 Origins

    2 Description

    3 Variants

    4 Goldfish farming market

    5 References

    6 See also

 

 Origins

 

The comet-tailed goldfish is an American development. The first one appeared in the ponds of the U.S. Government Fish Commission in Washington in the early 1880s. It has been developed from common goldfish stock by Hugo Mullert, Portsmouth Tropical Fish a government worker. Mullert was the first person to place the comet onto the fishkeeping market in quantity. Comets are known as kometto in Japan.[5]

 

 Description

A white comet goldfish.

A white comet goldfish.

 

The comet goldfish can be distinguished from the common goldfish by its long, Portsmouth Tropical Fish single and deeply forked tail fin. Comets with yellow, Portsmouth Tropical Fish orange, Portsmouth Tropical Fish red, Portsmouth Tropical Fish red-and-white color are common. Due to the comet's hardy and active nature, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and the relative ease in caring for them, Portsmouth Tropical Fish they are best suited to ponds and outdoor pools. Comet-tails can grow up to 12 inches in length.Sarasa Comets have long flowing fins are very hardy fish. They can be kept with koi in an outdoor pond.

 

 Variants

 

    Sarasa comets are characterized by their red-and-white coloration and resembles the Kohaku color pattern in koi. The word sarasa is of Japanese origin.

    The Tancho single-tail is similar to the comet-tail but it has a silver-colored body and finnage with a red patch on the head.

 

 Goldfish farming market

 

    Main article: Goldfish

 

Goldfish are commonly bred on fish farms in many parts of the world such as the Far East, Portsmouth Tropical Fish Middle East, Portsmouth Tropical Fish Europe and the United States. In most instances, Portsmouth Tropical Fish the millions of fish produced each year end up in pet or aquarium centers for sale to aquarists. However, Portsmouth Tropical Fish in North America, Portsmouth Tropical Fish there is a demand for goldfish used as bait or "feeder fish" to other fish by anglers.

 

Due to the relatively inexpensive prices of comets and the common goldfish, Portsmouth Tropical Fish they also become toy prizes in carnivals or other places of entertainment. This practice was intended to be made illegal through a bill such as the Animal Welfare Bill (July 14, Portsmouth Tropical Fish 2004) in the United Kingdom, Portsmouth Tropical Fish but was unsuccesful.

 

Common goldfish

Common goldfish

Country of origin

USA

Type

Single tailed

Breed standards

BAS

 

Common goldfish are a type of goldfish with no other modifications from their ancestors other than their color. Most varieties of fancy goldfish were derived from this simple breed. Common goldfish come in a variety of colours including red, Portsmouth Tropical Fish orange/gold, Portsmouth Tropical Fish white, Portsmouth Tropical Fish black and yellow or 'lemon' goldfish.

Contents

 

 

    1 As pets

    2 Temperament

    3 Housing

    4 Breeding

    5 Diseases

    6 Goldfish as feeder fish

    7 References

    8 See also

 

 As pets

 

The common goldfish became a popular pet around the world due to their hardy nature. They are hardier than fancy goldfish and are able to live in a variety of conditions ranging from indoor aquariums to outdoor ponds. Common goldfish can withstand fluctuations in water quality and temperature. They are also easy to breed. If well cared for, Portsmouth Tropical Fish common goldfish can live up to 10 years or more in captivity.

 

 Temperament

 

Common goldfish are social animals who prefer living in groups. They are able to interact with any fish belonging to the same species. With provision of adequate care and attention, Portsmouth Tropical Fish common goldfish can become tame. Once familiar with the face of its owner, Portsmouth Tropical Fish swimming towards the fishkeeper during feeding time can be observed and hand-feeding becomes possible. Small goldfish will normally avoid any form of human contact. However, Portsmouth Tropical Fish this fear ceases in a middle-sized and mature goldfish. A full-grown goldfish is more likely to eat directly from the hands of its owner without evident hesitation. Mature goldfish will also explore their surroundings through nibbling or grazing behavior.

 

If transferred into a tank of other goldfishes, Portsmouth Tropical Fish a common goldfish would normally try to communicate and familiarize itself with its new tankmates by rubbing up against the body of other fish. The most common introductory gesture would be by swimming side by side with another goldfish with its head facing forward, Portsmouth Tropical Fish or by swimming side by side with another goldfish with its head facing the opposite direction, Portsmouth Tropical Fish or even by swimming above another goldfish in a perpendicular fashion. Schooling is a common behavior when there is a new fish in the tank. After some time, Portsmouth Tropical Fish this schooling behavior eventually ceases, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and soon every individual fish will again be swimming and exploring the aquarium on its own. Aggressive behavior is uncommon when a new specimen is introduced into a settled school of goldfish.

 

Hierarchy during feeding is commonly observed in which the larger goldfish receives most of the food. However, Portsmouth Tropical Fish a small goldfish may also become aggressive or competitive feeders despite the presence of larger fish which is, Portsmouth Tropical Fish in general terms, Portsmouth Tropical Fish considered as a good sign since a willingness to feed is a good sign of a healthy goldfish.

 

 Housing

Common goldfish in a pond

Common goldfish in a pond

 

It is a common practice to keep common goldfish in a small bowl but this allows waste in the water to build up to toxic levels and does not provide enough oxygen. They should ideally be kept in an aquarium of at least 20 gallons or 75 L with a good filter, Portsmouth Tropical Fish because these fish can get larger than 14 inches (35cm). Tank recommendations range up to 100 gallons or 380 L. It is possible to keep small goldfish in smaller tanks, Portsmouth Tropical Fish but such an arrangement will be very difficult to maintain once the fish grows older. If there is concern about the fish not getting enough oxygen, Portsmouth Tropical Fish particularly when it is warm, Portsmouth Tropical Fish an air pump with an airstone or bubble strip will work well. A filter that can do at least 10Ũ filtration is best, Portsmouth Tropical Fish which means that for every 10 gallons or litres of water, Portsmouth Tropical Fish the filter should be able to cycle 100 gallons or litres per hour.

 

Goldfish are curious fish that will quickly become bored without items or other fish to interact with. If placed in a bare aquarium goldfish will settle to the bottom and only move when fed or frightened by sudden jolts. However, Portsmouth Tropical Fish if put in a tank with sufficient gravel, Portsmouth Tropical Fish aquarium accessories or plants (real or fake) they will make themselves at home. Adding a few companion fish will also help, Portsmouth Tropical Fish but make sure each fish has plenty of personal space.

 

Goldfish are minimally territorial, Portsmouth Tropical Fish so if your aquarium is already too small for one goldfish (see above recommendations), Portsmouth Tropical Fish it will certainly be too small for two or more. Stress is not healthy for any goldfish. In a best case scenario, Portsmouth Tropical Fish one or two fish will bully the rest so that they do not get enough to eat. Cannibalism is usually rare (such as when a fish is dying or dead) but in cramped, Portsmouth Tropical Fish stressful situations, Portsmouth Tropical Fish goldfish may behave unpredictably. Disease, Portsmouth Tropical Fish of course, Portsmouth Tropical Fish is possible anytime fish are stuck in small living quarters.

 

When adding goldfish to a new tank it is important to place no more than two at a time. This allows helpful bacteria (which turn ammonia to nitrite and finally to nitrate) to grow. If introduced in too great a number before these bacteria grow, Portsmouth Tropical Fish the goldfish will die from breathing in too much of their own untreated excrement. Even after the development of the biological filter, Portsmouth Tropical Fish it is necessary to change about 30% of the water at least four times a month (or as necessary to prevent a build-up of harmful nitrate). The addition of live aquatic plants may reduce the number of times per month one will have to perform water changes, Portsmouth Tropical Fish but only if the plants are growing (they will uptake nitrate as a source of nitrogen).

 

Common goldfish can be kept in outdoor ponds throughout the year with similar care but they may become sluggish and stop feeding in the winter. This does not mean they are sick, Portsmouth Tropical Fish but rather that their metabolism has slowed. The pond must not freeze solid of course, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and there should be an open spot in the surface ice to allow air in. The ice should also not be struck, Portsmouth Tropical Fish as this sends shock waves of sound pressure through the water.

 

 Breeding

Reproducing goldfish

Reproducing goldfish

 

Breeding common goldfish is relatively easy. In breeding condition the males will develop small white spots on his gill covers and the female will become plump. The male will chase the female until she releases her eggs, Portsmouth Tropical Fish then the male will release milt and they will become fertilized. The eggs will then stick to any available surface. It is then best to remove the eggs to a separate aquarium as the adults are likely to eat them. When the eggs hatch into fry, Portsmouth Tropical Fish they will need to be fed very small food such as hatched brine shrimp or a ready made fry food. As they grow bigger, Portsmouth Tropical Fish they can eat finely crumbled fishfood. Eventually the pieces of fishfood can get bigger.

 

 Diseases

 

Common goldfish are usually hardy but can also contract diseases. These can be caused by poor water quality, Portsmouth Tropical Fish overfeeding and overstocking. In small aquariums, Portsmouth Tropical Fish illnesses in common goldfish can quickly become fatal requiring quick and prompt treatment. Several symptoms can indicate sick fish such as cuts on any of the fins, Portsmouth Tropical Fish a change in scale or eye coloration, Portsmouth Tropical Fish excretions from the nostrils, Portsmouth Tropical Fish scales are falling off or the fish frequently rises towards the water surface. Many specialty treatments are available in the market to manage specific diseases.

 

 Goldfish as feeder fish

 

    Main article: feeder fish

 

Common goldfish are often used as live prey for predatory fishes such as oscars and piranhas. They are also fed to larger crayfish, Portsmouth Tropical Fish turtles, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and frogs. Sold at only about one inch long, Portsmouth Tropical Fish they can be easily consumed by other animals. Relatively inexpensive, Portsmouth Tropical Fish they are often bought in large numbers for this purpose. However, Portsmouth Tropical Fish some animal sympathizers find it unacceptable to feed live goldfish to other predatory fish or animals.

 

Curled-gill goldfish

 

The Curled-gill or Reversed-gill goldfish is another uncommon variety of fancy goldfish that has been developed by specialist enthusiasts. It owes its name from the out-turned appearance of its gill covers.

 

Egg-fish goldfish

Egg-fish goldfish

Country of origin

Japan

Type

Long-tailed and short-tailed

Breed standards

KKG

 

The egg-fish goldfish is another artificial creation of specialist fancy goldfish breeders which lacks a dorsal fin and has a pronounced egg-shaped body.

 

 Variant

 

    The phoenix is a Chinese variety with an egg-shaped body and a long tail, Portsmouth Tropical Fish without a dorsal fin and no headgrowth. It comes in all shades of color and scale types.

 

Fantail (goldfish)

Fantail goldfish

Country of origin

China and Japan (Asia)

Type

Fantailed

Breed standards

BAS

 

The Fantail goldfish is the western form of the Ryukin that possesses an egg-shaped body, Portsmouth Tropical Fish a high dorsal fin, Portsmouth Tropical Fish a long quadruple caudal fin, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and no shoulder hump.

Contents

 

 

    1 Description

    2 Coloration

    3 Breeding

    4 References

    5 See also

 

 Description

 

The Fantail goldfish may have either metallic or nacreous scales and normal or telescope eyes. Its finnage are less well developed than the Ryukin. It supports double anal and tail fins. The anal and caudal fins are well divided into two matching halves. Although generally considered as a hardy goldfish, Portsmouth Tropical Fish Fantails can be sensitive to prolonged exposure to low water temperatures. Keeping Fantails in an aquarium requires an ideal temperature ranging between 55 to 70°F (13 to 21°C).

 

 Coloration

 

Fantails with red, Portsmouth Tropical Fish bronze and calico colors are common.

 

 Breeding

 

Good-quality Fantails are produced by rigorous fry selection.

 

Goldfish

Goldfish

 

Conservation status

 

Least Concern

Scientific classification

Kingdom:         Animalia

Phylum:            Chordata

Class:   Actinopterygii

Order: Cypriniformes

Family:             Cyprinidae

Genus: Carassius

Species:            C. auratus

Subspecies:      C. a. auratus/C. a. gibelio

Trinomial name

Carassius auratus auratus

(Linnaeus, Portsmouth Tropical Fish 1758)

For the baked snack crackers, Portsmouth Tropical Fish please see Goldfish (snack).

 

The goldfish, Portsmouth Tropical Fish Carassius auratus, Portsmouth Tropical Fish was one of the earliest fish to be domesticated, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and is still one of the most commonly kept aquarium fish and Water gardens. A relatively small member of the carp family (which also includes the koi carp and the crucian carp), Portsmouth Tropical Fish the goldfish is a domesticated version of a dark-gray/brown carp native to east Asia (first domesticated in China) that was introduced to Europe in the late 17th century. The mutation that gave rise to the goldfish is also known from other cyprinid species, Portsmouth Tropical Fish such as common carp and tench. Goldfish may grow to a maximum length of 23 inches (59 cm) and a maximum weight of 9.9 pounds (4.5 kg), Portsmouth Tropical Fish although this is rare; few goldfish reach even half this size. In optimal conditions, Portsmouth Tropical Fish goldfish may live more than 20 years (the world record is 49 years), Portsmouth Tropical Fish but most household goldfish generally live only six to eight years, Portsmouth Tropical Fish due to their often being kept in bowls. A group of goldfish is known as a troubling.

Contents

 

 

    1 History

    2 Varieties of domesticated goldfish

          o 2.1 Chinese goldfish classification

    3 Goldfish in ponds

    4 In the aquarium

    5 Feeding

    6 Behavior

    7 Native environment

    8 Breeding

    9 Mosquito control

    10 Edibility and cruelty

    11 Care

    12 Varieties

    13 See also

    14 References

    15 External links

 

 History

 

During the Tang Dynasty, Portsmouth Tropical Fish it was popular to raise carp in ponds. As the result of a dominant genetic mutation, Portsmouth Tropical Fish one of these carp displayed gold (actually yellowish orange) rather than silver coloration. People began to breed the gold variety instead of the silver variety, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and began to display them in small containers. The fish were not kept in the containers permanently, Portsmouth Tropical Fish but would be kept in a larger body of water, Portsmouth Tropical Fish such as a pond, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and only for special occasions at which guests were expected would they be moved to the much smaller container.

A crucian carp carrying a mutation for yellow pigment. Some of the first goldfish may have looked like this.

A crucian carp carrying a mutation for yellow pigment. Some of the first goldfish may have looked like this.

 

In 1162, Portsmouth Tropical Fish the empress of the Song Dynasty ordered the building of a pond to collect the red and gold variety of those carp. By this time, Portsmouth Tropical Fish people outside the royal family were forbidden to keep goldfish of the gold (yellow) variety, Portsmouth Tropical Fish yellow being the royal color. This probably is the reason why there are more orange goldfish than yellow goldfish, Portsmouth Tropical Fish even though the latter are genetically easier to breed.

 

The occurrence of other colors was first recorded in 1276. The first occurrence of fancy tailed goldfish was recorded in the Ming dynasty. In 1502, Portsmouth Tropical Fish goldfish were introduced to Japan, Portsmouth Tropical Fish where the Ryukin and Tosakin varieties were developed.

 

In 1854, Portsmouth Tropical Fish goldfish were introduced to Portugal and from there to other parts of Europe. Goldfish were first introduced to North America around 1850 and quickly became popular in the United States.[5]

 

 Varieties of domesticated goldfish

 

Selective breeding over centuries has produced several color variations, Portsmouth Tropical Fish some of them far removed from the "golden" color of the originally domesticated fish. There are also different body shapes, Portsmouth Tropical Fish fin and eye configurations. Some extreme versions of the goldfish need to be kept in an aquarium — they are much less hardy than varieties closer to the "wild" original. However, Portsmouth Tropical Fish some variations are hardier, Portsmouth Tropical Fish such as the Shubunkin. The main goldfish varieties are:

Breeds of goldfish

 

Black moor • Bubble eye • Butterfly tail • Celestial eye • Comet • Common • Fantail • Lionchu • Lionhead • Oranda • Panda moor • Pearlscale • Pompom • Ranchu • Ryukin • Shubunkin • Telescope eye • Veiltail

 

 Chinese goldfish classification

 

In Chinese goldfish keeping, Portsmouth Tropical Fish goldfish are classified into 4 main types, Portsmouth Tropical Fish which are not commonly used in the west.

 

    Dragon eye - Goldfish with extended eyes, Portsmouth Tropical Fish e.g. Black Moor, Portsmouth Tropical Fish Bubble Eye, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and telescope eye

    Egg - goldfish without a dorsal fin. e.g. lionhead (note that a bubble eye without a dorsal fin belongs to this group)

    Wen - goldfish with dorsal fin and a fancy tail. e.g. veiltail ("wen" is also the name of the characteristic headgrowth on such strains as oranda and lionhead)

    Ce (may also be called "grass") - goldfish without anything fancy. This is the type that is usually used in Japanese carnivals, Portsmouth Tropical Fish especially for "goldfish scoops".

    Jikin and wakin - goldfish with double tails, Portsmouth Tropical Fish but with the body shapes of comets.

 

 Goldfish in ponds

 

Goldfish are popular pond fish, Portsmouth Tropical Fish since they are small, Portsmouth Tropical Fish inexpensive, Portsmouth Tropical Fish colourful, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and very hardy. In a pond, Portsmouth Tropical Fish they may even survive if brief periods of ice form on the surface, Portsmouth Tropical Fish as long as there is enough oxygen remaining in the water and the pond does not freeze solid.

 

Common goldfish, Portsmouth Tropical Fish London and Bristol shubunkins, Portsmouth Tropical Fish jikin, Portsmouth Tropical Fish wakin, Portsmouth Tropical Fish comet and sometimes fantail can be kept in a pond all year round in temperate and subtropical climates. Moor, Portsmouth Tropical Fish veiltail, Portsmouth Tropical Fish oranda and lionhead are only safe in the summer.

Goldfish pond

Goldfish pond

 

Small to large ponds are fine though the depth should be at least 80 cm (30 in) to avoid freezing. During winter, Portsmouth Tropical Fish goldfish will become sluggish, Portsmouth Tropical Fish stop eating, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and often stay on the bottom of the tank. This is completely normal; they will become active again in the spring. A filter is important to clear waste and keep the pond clean. Plants are essential as they act as part of the filtration system, Portsmouth Tropical Fish as well as a food source for the fish. Plants are furthermore beneficial since they raise oxygen levels in the water.

 

Compatible fish include rudd, Portsmouth Tropical Fish tench, Portsmouth Tropical Fish orfe and koi, Portsmouth Tropical Fish but the latter will require specialized care. Ramshorn snails are helpful by eating any algae that grows in the pond. It is of great importance to introduce fish that will consume excess goldfish eggs in the pond, Portsmouth Tropical Fish such as orfe. Without some form of population control, Portsmouth Tropical Fish goldfish ponds can easily become overstocked. Koi may also interbreed to produce a sterile new fish.

 

 In the aquarium

 

The goldfish is usually classified as a coldwater fish, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and it can live in an unheated aquarium. Like most carp, Portsmouth Tropical Fish goldfish produce a large amount of waste both in their feces and through their gills, Portsmouth Tropical Fish releasing harmful chemicals into the water. This also happens because goldfish, Portsmouth Tropical Fish like other cyprinids, Portsmouth Tropical Fish lack a stomach and only have an intestinal tract, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and thus cannot digest an excess of proteins, Portsmouth Tropical Fish unlike most tropical fish.[citation needed] Build-up of this waste to toxic levels can occur in a relatively short period of time, Portsmouth Tropical Fish which is often the cause of a fish's sudden death. It may be the amount of water surface area, Portsmouth Tropical Fish not the water volume, Portsmouth Tropical Fish that decides how many goldfish may live in a container, Portsmouth Tropical Fish because this determines how much oxygen diffuses and dissolves from the air into the water; one square foot of water surface area for every inch of goldfish length (370 cmē/cm). If the water is being further aerated by way of water pump, Portsmouth Tropical Fish filter or fountain, Portsmouth Tropical Fish more goldfish may be kept in the container.[citation needed]

Goldfish aquarium

Goldfish aquarium

 

Goldfish may be coldwater fish, Portsmouth Tropical Fish but this does not mean they can tolerate rapid changes in temperature. The sudden shift in temperature that comes at night, Portsmouth Tropical Fish for example in an office building where a goldfish might be kept in a small office tank, Portsmouth Tropical Fish could kill them, Portsmouth Tropical Fish especially in winter. Conversely, Portsmouth Tropical Fish temperatures over 25 °C (77 °F) can be extremely damaging for goldfish (this is the main reason why they shouldn't be kept in tropical tanks).[citation needed]

 

The popular image of a goldfish in a small fishbowl is an enduring one. Unfortunately, Portsmouth Tropical Fish the risk of stunting, Portsmouth Tropical Fish deoxygenation, Portsmouth Tropical Fish ammonia/nitrite poisoning caused by such a small environment means that this is hardly a suitable home for any species of fish, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and some countries have banned the sale of bowls of that type under animal rights legislation. [6]

 

The supposed reputation of goldfish dying quickly is often due to poor care amongst uninformed buyers looking for a cheap pet.[citation needed] The true lifespan of a well-cared-for goldfish in captivity can extend beyond 10 years.

 

Goldfish, Portsmouth Tropical Fish like all fish that are kept as pets, Portsmouth Tropical Fish do not like to be petted. In fact, Portsmouth Tropical Fish touching a goldfish can be quite dangerous to its health, Portsmouth Tropical Fish as it can cause the protective slime coat to be damaged or removed, Portsmouth Tropical Fish which opens the fish's skin up to infection from bacteria or parasites in the water.

 

Fancy goldfish are unlikely to survive for long in the wild as they are handicapped by their bright fin colors; however it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that such a fish, Portsmouth Tropical Fish especially the more hardy varieties such as the Shubunkin, Portsmouth Tropical Fish can survive long enough to breed with its wild cousins. Common and comet goldfish can survive, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and even thrive, Portsmouth Tropical Fish in any climate in which a pond for them can be created. Introduction of wild goldfish can cause problems for native species. Within three breeding generations the vast majority of the goldfish spawn will have reverted to their natural olive color. Since they are carp, Portsmouth Tropical Fish goldfish are also capable of breeding with certain other species of carp and creating hybrid species.[citation needed]

 

Research by Dr. Yoshiichi Matsui, Portsmouth Tropical Fish a professor of fish culture at Kinki University in Japan, Portsmouth Tropical Fish suggests that there are subtle differences which demonstrate that while the crucian carp is the ancestor of the goldfish, Portsmouth Tropical Fish they have sufficiently diverged to be considered separate species.[7]

 

If you leave your goldfish in the dark , Portsmouth Tropical Fish it will turn almost white. Goldfish have pigment production in response to light, Portsmouth Tropical Fish which is almost like our tanning in the sun. Fish have cells called chromatophores that produce pigments which reflects light, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and gives coloration. The color of a Goldfish is determined by which pigments are in the cells, Portsmouth Tropical Fish how many pigments molecules there are, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and whether the pigment is groupes inside the cell or is spaced throughout the cytoplasm. So if your Goldfish is kept in the Dark you will notice that it will appear lighter in the morning, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and if over a long period of time will lose its color.

 

 Feeding

Common flake fish food

Common flake fish food

 

Like most fish, Portsmouth Tropical Fish goldfish are opportunistic feeders. When an excess of food is offered, Portsmouth Tropical Fish they will produce more waste and feces, Portsmouth Tropical Fish partly due to incomplete digestion of protein. Overfed fish can sometimes be recognized by feces trailing from their cloaca. Goldfish need only be fed as much food as they can consume in one to two minutes, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and no more than twice a day. Extreme overfeeding can be fatal, Portsmouth Tropical Fish typically by bursting of the intestines. In short, Portsmouth Tropical Fish they will explode. This happens most often with selectively bred goldfish, Portsmouth Tropical Fish which have a convoluted intestinal tract as opposed to a straight one in common goldfish. Novice fishkeepers who have newly purchased ryukin, Portsmouth Tropical Fish fantail, Portsmouth Tropical Fish oranda, Portsmouth Tropical Fish lionhead or other fancy goldfish will need to watch their fish carefully for a few days, Portsmouth Tropical Fish as it is important to know how much the goldfish will eat in a couple minutes of time.

 

Special goldfish food has a lower protein and higher carbohydrate content. It is sold in two consistencies - flakes that float at the top of the aquarium, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and pellets that sink slowly to the bottom.

 

Goldfish enthusiasts will supplement this diet with shelled peas (with outer skins removed), Portsmouth Tropical Fish blanched green leafy vegetables, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and bloodworms. Young goldfish also benefit from the addition of brine shrimp to their diet. As with all animals, Portsmouth Tropical Fish individual goldfish will display varied food preferences.

 

 Behavior

 

Behavior can vary widely both because goldfish are housed in a variety of environments, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and because their behavior can be conditioned by their owners. A common misconception that goldfish only have a three second memory has been proven completely false (Busted on the show Mythbusters).[8]

 

Scientific studies done on the matter have shown that goldfish have strong associative learning abilities, Portsmouth Tropical Fish as well as social learning skills. In addition, Portsmouth Tropical Fish their strong visual acuity allows them to distinguish between different humans. It is quite possible that owners will notice the fish react favorably to them (swimming to the front of the glass, Portsmouth Tropical Fish swimming rapidly around the tank, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and going to the surface mouthing for food) while hiding when other people approach the tank. Over time, Portsmouth Tropical Fish goldfish should learn to associate their owners and other humans with food, Portsmouth Tropical Fish often "begging" for food whenever their owners approach. Auditory responses from a blind goldfish proved that he recognized one particular family member and a friend by voice, Portsmouth Tropical Fish or vibration of sound. This behavior was very remarkable because it showed that he recognized the vocal vibration or sound of two people specifically out of seven in the house.

 

Goldfish also display a range of social behaviors. When new fish are introduced to the tank, Portsmouth Tropical Fish aggressive social behaviors may sometimes be seen, Portsmouth Tropical Fish such as chasing the new fish, Portsmouth Tropical Fish or fin nipping. These usually stop within a few days. Fish that have been living together are often seen displaying schooling behavior, Portsmouth Tropical Fish as well as displaying the same types of feeding behaviors. Goldfish may display similar behaviors when responding to their reflections in a mirror.

 

Goldfish that have constant visual contact with humans also seem to stop associating them as a threat. After being kept in a tank for several weeks, Portsmouth Tropical Fish it becomes possible to feed a goldfish by hand without it reacting in a frightened manner. Some goldfish have been trained to swim through mazes, Portsmouth Tropical Fish push a ball through a hoop, Portsmouth Tropical Fish or even swim in a synchronized routine by their owners.[9]

 

Goldfish have behaviors, Portsmouth Tropical Fish both as groups and as individuals that stem from native carp behavior. They are a generalist species with varied feeding, Portsmouth Tropical Fish breeding, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and predators avoidance behaviors that contribute to their success in the environment. As fish they can be described as "friendly" towards each other, Portsmouth Tropical Fish very rarely will a goldfish harm another goldfish, Portsmouth Tropical Fish nor do the males harm the females during breeding. The only real threat that goldfish present to each other is in food competition. Commons, Portsmouth Tropical Fish comets, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and other faster varieties can easily eat all the food during a feeding before fancy varieties can reach it. This can be a problem that leads to stunted growth or possible starvation of fancier varieties when they are kept in a pond with their single-tailed brethren. As a result, Portsmouth Tropical Fish when mixing breeds in an aquarium environment, Portsmouth Tropical Fish care should be taken to combine only breeds with similar body type and swim characteristics.

 

 Native environment

 

Goldfish natively live in ponds, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and other slow or still moving bodies of water in depths up to 20 m (65 ft). Their native climate is subtropical to tropical and they live in freshwater with a pH of 6.0–8.0, Portsmouth Tropical Fish a water hardness of 5.0–19.0 dGH, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and a temperature range of 40 to 106 °F (4 to 41 °C) although they will not survive long at the higher temperatures. They are considered ill-suited even to live in a heated tropical fish tank, Portsmouth Tropical Fish as they are used to the greater amount of oxygen in unheated tanks, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and some believe that the heat burns them. However, Portsmouth Tropical Fish goldfish have been observed living for centuries in outdoor ponds in which the temperature often spikes above 86 °F (30 °C). When found in nature, Portsmouth Tropical Fish the goldfish are actually an olive green color.

 

In the wild, Portsmouth Tropical Fish the diet consists of crustaceans, Portsmouth Tropical Fish insects, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and various plant matter.

 

While it is true that goldfish can survive in a fairly wide temperature range, Portsmouth Tropical Fish the optimal range for indoor fish is 68 to 75 °F (20 to 23 °C). Pet goldfish, Portsmouth Tropical Fish as with many other fish, Portsmouth Tropical Fish will usually eat more food than it needs if given, Portsmouth Tropical Fish which can lead to fatal intestinal blockage. They are omnivorous and do best with a wide variety of fresh vegetables and fruit to supplement a flake or pellet diet staple.

 

Sudden changes in water temperature can be fatal to any fish, Portsmouth Tropical Fish including the goldfish. When transferring a store-bought goldfish to a pond or a tank, Portsmouth Tropical Fish the temperature in the storage container should be equalized by leaving it in the destination container for at least 20 minutes before releasing the goldfish. In addition, Portsmouth Tropical Fish some temperature changes might simply be too great for even the hardy goldfish to adjust to. For example, Portsmouth Tropical Fish buying a goldfish in a store, Portsmouth Tropical Fish where the water might be 70 °F (approximately 21 °C), Portsmouth Tropical Fish and hoping to release it into your garden pond at 40 °F (4 °C) will probably result in the death of the goldfish, Portsmouth Tropical Fish even if you use the slow immersion method just described. A goldfish will need a lot more time, Portsmouth Tropical Fish perhaps days or weeks, Portsmouth Tropical Fish to adjust to such a different temperature.

 

Because goldfish like to eat live plants, Portsmouth Tropical Fish their presence in an aquarium can be quite a problem. Only a few of the aquarium plant species can survive in a tank with goldfish, Portsmouth Tropical Fish for example Cryptocoryne and Anubias species, Portsmouth Tropical Fish but they require special attention so that they are not uprooted. Fake plants are often more durable, Portsmouth Tropical Fish but the plant branches can often irritate or harm a fish if it comes in contact with them.

 

 Breeding

 

Goldfish, Portsmouth Tropical Fish like all cyprinids, Portsmouth Tropical Fish lay eggs. They produce adhesive eggs that attach to aquatic vegetation. The eggs hatch within 48 to 72 hours, Portsmouth Tropical Fish releasing fry large enough to be described as appearing like "an eyelash with two eyeballs". Within a week or so, Portsmouth Tropical Fish the fry begin to look more like a goldfish in shape, Portsmouth Tropical Fish although it can take as much as a year before they develop a mature goldfish color; until then they are a metallic brown like their wild ancestors. In their first weeks of existence, Portsmouth Tropical Fish the fry grow remarkably fast - an adaptation born of the high risk of getting devoured by the adult goldfish (or other fish and insects) in their environment.

 

Goldfish can only grow to sexual maturity if given enough water and the right nutrition. However if kept well, Portsmouth Tropical Fish they may breed indoors. Breeding usually happens after a significant change in temperature, Portsmouth Tropical Fish often in spring. Eggs should then be separated into another tank, Portsmouth Tropical Fish as the parents will likely eat any of their young that they happen upon. Dense plants such as Cabomba or Elodea or a spawning mop are used to catch the eggs.

 

Most goldfish can and will breed if left to themselves, Portsmouth Tropical Fish particularly in pond settings. Males chase the females around, Portsmouth Tropical Fish bumping and nudging them in order to prompt the females to release her eggs, Portsmouth Tropical Fish which the males then fertilize. Due to the strange shapes of some extreme modern bred goldfish, Portsmouth Tropical Fish certain types can no longer breed among themselves. In these cases, Portsmouth Tropical Fish a method of artificial breeding is used called "hand stripping". This method keeps the breed going, Portsmouth Tropical Fish but can be dangerous and harmful to the fish if not done correctly.

 

 Mosquito control

 

Like some other popular aquarium fish, Portsmouth Tropical Fish such as the guppy, Portsmouth Tropical Fish goldfish, Portsmouth Tropical Fish guppy, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and other carp are frequently added to stagnant bodies of water in order to reduce the mosquito populations in some parts of the world, Portsmouth Tropical Fish especially to prevent the spread of West Nile Virus, Portsmouth Tropical Fish which relies on mosquitoes to migrate. However, Portsmouth Tropical Fish the introduction of goldfish has often had negative consequences for local ecosystems.[10]

 

 Edibility and cruelty

 

    For more details on this topic, Portsmouth Tropical Fish see goldfish swallowing and feeder fish.

 

Although edible, Portsmouth Tropical Fish goldfish are rarely eaten. A fad among North American college students for many years was swallowing goldfish as a stunt and as an initiation process for fraternities. The first recorded instance was in 1939 at Harvard University.[11] The practice gradually fell out of popularity over the course of several decades and is now rare [citation needed].

Goldfish being scooped up.

Goldfish being scooped up.

 

In many countries, Portsmouth Tropical Fish the operators of carnivals and fairs commonly give goldfish away in plastic bags as prizes for winning games. In the United Kingdom, Portsmouth Tropical Fish the government proposed banning this practice as part of its Animal Welfare Bill, Portsmouth Tropical Fish [12][13] though this has since been amended to only prevent goldfish being given as prizes to unaccompanied minors.[14] However, Portsmouth Tropical Fish in Rome, Portsmouth Tropical Fish Italy, Portsmouth Tropical Fish the city passed a law in late 2005, Portsmouth Tropical Fish which banned the use of goldfish or other animals as carnival prizes. Rome has also banned the keeping of goldfish in goldfish bowls, Portsmouth Tropical Fish on the premise that it's cruel for a fish to live in such a small, Portsmouth Tropical Fish confined space.[6]

 

In the UK, Portsmouth Tropical Fish the Animal Welfare Act 2006 prohibits deliberate and "unnecessary suffering" to animals, Portsmouth Tropical Fish but contrary to widespread belief, Portsmouth Tropical Fish it doesn't explicitly outlaw the feeding of live feeder fish such as goldfish to other fish. However, Portsmouth Tropical Fish it does prohibit introducing two animals for the purpose of "fighting, Portsmouth Tropical Fish wrestling or baiting".[15] Nonetheless, Portsmouth Tropical Fish the assumption is that a legal case could be made to class the use of feeder fish as a "fight" and though as-yet untried in the courts, Portsmouth Tropical Fish the risk of such a prosecution has led many retailers and hobbyists simply to treat the use of feeder fish in the UK as illegal.[citation needed

 

Lionchu

Lionchu goldfish

Country of origin

Thailand

Type

Fantailed

Breed standards

GFP

 

The Lionchu or lionhead-ranchu is a fancy goldfish that has resulted from crossbreeding lionheads and ranchus.

Contents

 

 

    1 Description

    2 Origins and evolution

    3 References

    4 Other sources

    5 See also

    6 External links

 

 Description

 

The Western criteria for lionchus combine the traditional characteristic side-view profiles of the ranchu and the lionhead. The ranchu's deep body, Portsmouth Tropical Fish broad and curved back, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and tail placement has been merged with the large headgrowth of the lionhead. Lionchus do not have dorsal fins.

 

 Origins and evolution

 

Although at first, Portsmouth Tropical Fish the lionchus were considered merely as mongrels, Portsmouth Tropical Fish being hybrids of the lionheads and ranchus, Portsmouth Tropical Fish the lionhead actually have an ancestor from Japan in the 1800s; it is then known as the shishigashira ranchu or lion-headed ranchu. The shishigashira ranchu is a ranchu-like goldfish with small amounts of headgrowth and some having small knobs and bumps on the back (a suggestion that the absence of the dorsal fin had not yet been stabilized at the time).[5] But the modern-day lionchu is considered to have originated from Thailand, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and was popularized by a group of goldfish hobbyists in Singapore through RafflesGold.com, Portsmouth Tropical Fish an internet-based goldfish forum site. The lionchu was officialy recognized as a unique class of fancy goldfish during the "My Fancy Goldfish Competition 2006", Portsmouth Tropical Fish which was held in Singapore from May 26-28, Portsmouth Tropical Fish 2006.

 

Lionhead (goldfish)

Lionhead goldfish

Country of origin

China

Type

Fantailed

Breed standards

BAS

 

The lionhead is a hooded variety of fancy goldfish. This fish is the precursor to the ranchu.

Contents

 

 

    1 Description

    2 Origins

    3 Special care

    4 References

    5 See also

 

 Description

 

The tremendous hood or headgrowth and fat cheeks of lionheads give them a facial appearance similar to canine puppies. The "wen" (Chinese term for headgrowth) fully covers the head, Portsmouth Tropical Fish cheeks and gill plates of the fish. Furthermore, Portsmouth Tropical Fish lionheads have short but deep bodies, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and relatively straight or evenly arched backs without dorsal fins. The finnage, Portsmouth Tropical Fish in general, Portsmouth Tropical Fish are short. Breeding standards require that the lionhead's anal fins are paired, Portsmouth Tropical Fish the double tail fin should not droop, Portsmouth Tropical Fish and its upper edges should be held away from the body. The tail of a traditional lionhead can be fully separated, Portsmouth Tropical Fish partially separated, Portsmouth Tropical Fish or webbed. The tail should also meet the caudal peduncle (the area where the body joins the tail) in a fashion that is almost perpendicular to the body. The caudal peduncle is ideally broad, Portsmouth Tropical Fish allowing the tail to open when the fish swims. The back of the proper lionhead is quite broad to support the placement of the raspberry-like hood. Hood development may vary but are more pronounced in males. The hood normally takes a year to develop in young fry. Mature male lionheads periodically shed patches of their headgrowths.

 

Lionheads can grow up to 6 inches (15 cm) in length (including finnage) and may have metallic, Portsmouth Tropical Fish nacreous or matte scales. They come in a variety of coloration.

 

 Origins

A painting of Chinese/Japanese lion-dogs. Lionhead goldfish were bred to mimick the appearance of this mythological Asian animal.

A painting of Chinese/Japanese lion-dogs. Lionhead goldfish were bred to mimick the appearance of this mythological Asian animal.

 

Lionheads were bred in China to depict the image of the mythical Chinese lion-dog (the shishi, Portsmouth Tropical Fish in Japanese legend). They were introduced to Japan from China during the 17th and 18th centuries. The Japanese produced lionheads with more rounded back profiles, Portsmouth Tropical Fish modified tails and diminished size of the headgrowth.

 

 Special care

 

Lionheads are sometimes sensitive to low water temperatures.