Shubunkin Fish For Sale? The 127 Detailed Answer

Goldfish are among the most popular fish in the aquarium, especially for beginners.

The shubunkin goldfish looks like the comet goldfish but adds extra color and flair to the aquarium with its longer, more flowing fins and blue coloring.

Their pretty appearance means they can be used to brighten up any aquarium or pond.

Shubunkin goldfish are also very hardy and are known to be highly adaptable and able to survive in most situations with a wide variety of food.

Shubunkin Goldfish Facts & Overview

Category Rating Care Level: Easy Temperament: Peaceful Color Shape: Calico Lifespan: 15 years Size: 12 inches Diet: Omnivore Family: Cyprinidae Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons Tank Design: Planted Freshwater Compatibility: Other peaceful fish

The shubunkin goldfish has become popular for its coloration. They belong to the Cyprinidae family, just like common goldfish, carp and danios. They share several common features, including no real teeth but rather a few rows of pharyngeal teeth located in the throat.

The coloration, calico, is also why these fish have the common name Calico Goldfish; however, its scientific name is Carassius auratus.

Calico refers to a multicolored or speckled animal. You may have heard the term “calico cat” and it’s pretty much the same thing.

Like many goldfish, they make an amazing addition to both indoor aquariums and outdoor ponds. They are at home in colder waters and therefore ideal for ponds. Their colors can even resemble the more expensive koi, making them ideal for creating a stunning pond on a budget.

If you want to get the most out of your fish, make sure they have enough room to grow so they can live for many years. Therefore, a pond is the best habitat as it gives them room to grow, but it is not mandatory.

You can also keep these fish indoors if the tank is very large and has plenty of space (more on that later).

Typical behavior

These fish are extremely social and will make amazing additions to community tanks full of other fast-swimming fish. The reason for this is that these goldfish are extremely fast swimmers and will eat as much food as quickly as possible.

You’ll likely see them eating what they can at the bottom of the tank, making adding other scavengers unnecessary.

Appearance (Blue, London, Bristol and American)

These fish come in many different patterns, all with calico coloring. When you hear the word “calico,” you probably think of the cat. The reason for the color has everything to do with genetics.

Shubunkin goldfish are spotted in color that is usually a combination of red, yellow, orange, white, black, and blue.

They also have long flowing fins that add to their appearance. As they swim you will see how these fins flow with their movements and look beautiful.

The most unique feature is the blue coloring that some calico goldfish can have. This blue is incredibly rare and helps set the price of these fish. The bluer a fish, the rarer and more expensive it is.

There are three different types of shubunkin goldfish depending on how you classify them:

The London

The Bristol

The American

The London goldfish is a different coloration (but still with the calico pattern). The fins become more rounded and the body slimmer.

The Bristol goldfish tends to have a slender body, like a comet, but a prominent tail. They also have larger, more pointed caudal fins.

Finally, the American goldfish is also distinguished by its tail. They have a long, pointed tail with a much deeper fork. Also known as the Japanese Shubunkin, this type is believed to be the original variant instead of another type.

Habitat and tank conditions

The goldfish you see in stores today are descendants of wild carp from Asia. A member of the Cyprinidae family, they prefer to live in slow-moving lakes, rivers, ponds, or ditches. Here they feed on plant matter, detritus, small crustaceans and insects.

These wild carp weren’t as colorful and today’s goldfish were bred to show off the different patterns and bright colors. However, the nature of the fish has not lost this breed; Their behavior and dietary needs are very similar.

They can live up to 30 years and grow to over 12 inches tall. For this, the conditions have to be almost perfect; means plenty of food and space.

In an aquarium, your fish will likely live around 15 years if you keep the conditions in their tank or pond good. The size of your fish will depend on how much space they have and how much food they eat.

tank conditions

To keep your goldfish healthy, make sure you have an aquarium with plenty of room for them to move around and forage for food.

There should be little to moderate water movement and a good amount of light. Keep the water itself as stable as possible to avoid stressing your fish, however, goldfish are hardy and tolerate change better than other fish.

Temperature: 65-72°F

pH: 6.0-8.0

Hardness 5 – 19 dGH

As a substrate, most will work for these fish. Medium sized gravel is best as it allows them to sift through the gravel and find scraps of food and other materials.

A good filtration system is important as these fish are incredibly messy. Frequent water changes are also important to keep the water clean and the fish healthy.

Plants can be difficult to keep with goldfish as they can be eaten. Even those who don’t eat them can become uprooted in their constant search for food. If you want to keep plants, consider fast-growing species like java fern, anacharis, and tomentosum.

What Size Aquarium Do Shubunkin Goldfish Need?

75 gallons is the minimum size for shubunkin goldfish. Because these fish grow so quickly, the larger the tank, the better.

How many shubunkin goldfish can be kept per gallon?

Make sure you don’t overstock your tank by only having 1-2 fish per 75 gallons.

tankmates

The first thing to know about tankmates is that these fish are very active and will steal food from other fish. This means that slow-moving or shy fish don’t make the best aquarium mates.

Tetras, guppies, killifish, glass catfish and cherry barbel can all work alongside the shubunkin goldfish. Because they are so active and quick to feed, you may need to monitor and feed your fish at different times and in different areas so each fish can eat properly.

Do this by feeding your shubunkin on one side of the tank first, then switching to the other side so your slower fish can enjoy their feed.

While it is possible to add shyer and more peaceful fish, it adds a level of complexity that some people may not be ready for.

If this is the case for you, add other types of goldfish or koi to your aquarium. Fancy goldfish, comet goldfish, and koi all share the same attitude and temperament. They also share the same general colors with many variations, making them look great together.

If you’re thinking of adding crustaceans or other invertebrates, then you’re in luck.

Choose larger, peaceful invertebrates like Amano shrimp or mystery snails. Avoid smaller creatures like cherry shrimp and ghost shrimp, which can be mistaken for food and eaten.

Be careful to avoid overly aggressive fish like cichlids or tiger barbel as they will attack and eat your fish.

diet

It can be hard to tell what these fish ate in the wild as it is a captive created and raised species. However, if we look at their carp ancestors, it’s likely that they ate anything they could: plant matter, small insects, or scraps of trash.

Goldfish feed on plant matter, detritus, small crustaceans, and insects. They actively search the bottom and center of the water column for anything that fits in their mouth.

The best part about this behavior is the fact that you don’t have to have scavengers in your tank. Your shubunkin goldfish will do most of the cleaning for you.

The bad part is that goldfish can uproot or eat plants in search of food. Because of this, certain plants like lilies or fast-growing species go well with goldfish.

Because of their nature, you can get away with feeding them a variety of foods. Most people use pellets, which give them the nutrients they need. Use pellets or flakes as their daily staple food and feed them as much as they can eat in two minutes twice a day.

They are omnivores, so they enjoy a combination of plant and meaty foods. As a reward, you can feed them vegetables from your kitchen like cucumber or blanched leafy greens once or twice a week.

You can also feed them live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, and tubifex worms.

Care

Like any goldfish, the Shubunkin is extremely messy. This means you need to do water changes and clean your tank more frequently than other fish species. This isn’t too much of a problem, but it can be time consuming.

You must do everything possible to keep your aquarium clean to avoid parasites and bacteria, do a 25% water change every one to two weeks.

Along with the other main fish diseases, keep an eye on your fish’s skin to find a specific disease called Ich. This is the most common goldfish disease in aquariums.

Ich is a parasite that appears as white spots on the surface of your fish. The first sign of this parasite is your fish “scratching” its surroundings. Left untreated, the white sores can lead to bacterial and fungal infections. Your fish will become lethargic and eventually die.

The good thing is, this is treatable. There are several products you can add to your tank to get rid of the parasite. It is always important to isolate sick fish to prevent disease spread.

You should also watch out for swim bladder disease. If you see your fish swimming sideways, swimming, or bloated, there may be a buoyancy problem.

Another major problem with these fish, especially with their large fins, is fin rot; a bacterial disease caused by poor water conditions.

Keeping the tank clean and your fish happy and calm is the most effective way to prevent disease. When fish are stressed, they can become susceptible to disease.

There are many commercial treatments for these diseases, but the best medicine is prevention. Most, if not all, diseases can be prevented with proper water control and weekly monitoring of water parameters.

breed

Shubunkin goldfish were probably first raised from carp in Japan and are now one of the 125 species of goldfish traded worldwide.

They breed in groups of at least 4 or 5 individuals. They are very sociable animals and prefer to swarm in larger groups.

Shubunkin will spawn under the right conditions, meaning that if you ensure the tank conditions are perfect, the fish will reproduce without further intervention.

To start breeding, you must first set up a separate tank; also called breeding tank. This tank should be full of plants to help spawn and catch the eggs. Artificial plants also work well.

To get your fish to spawn, slowly lower the water temperature to around 60°F. Then start heating the water by 2-3°F per day until you reach around 72°F. Goldfish breed in warmer waters, which should encourage them to be ready to spawn.

Feed them lots of protein-rich foods like Artemia or mosquito larvae. Make sure not to leave too much feed as it will settle to the bottom of the tank making conditions tough for the fish.

Males may begin non-aggressively chasing the females for a few days, and their colors will begin to darken and intensify.

The males then press the females against the plants, causing the females to release eggs for the males to fertilize. Spawning can take a few hours and produce up to 10,000 eggs. Once spawning is complete, the parents start eating any eggs they can find. For this reason, the adults must be removed. It takes about 7 days for the eggs to hatch.

Feed the fry small food until they are large enough to eat brine shrimp or other larger food. Once they reach about 1 inch, they can be placed in the adult tank.

Are Shubunkin Goldfish Right for Your Aquarium?

Shubunkin goldfish are excellent fish for both novice and intermediate aquarists.

They fit into many community tanks as well as outdoor ponds. There are many fish that work well with them and keeping this fish will provide you with an energetic and active personality.

Regardless of your level, you can find a use for these colorful and hardy fish. There is little to note other than that the water conditions remain stable.

They add so much to your tank and can even be additions to ponds as an alternative to koi. If you have a large enough tank or pond for these fish, they could be the right fish for you.

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Do you have a pond in your garden? Or maybe you just love goldfish and want to learn more about them! Either way, this blog post is for you! With beautiful colorful spots and long, flowing fins, the Shubunkin goldfish will make a pretty addition to your aquarium or pond. They have lively personalities, are social with other fish and are easy to care for.

This guide will give you all the information you need to know about caring for these fish, including feeding requirements, tank size requirements, compatibility with other fish species, and more!

A brief overview of the Shubunkin

Scientific name Carassius auratus Common name (species) Shubunkin goldfish family Cyprinidae Origin Japan Diet Omnivore Care level Easy Activity Active, social Lifespan Up to 30 years Temperament Peaceful Tank level All ranges Minimum tank size 75 gallons Temperature range 65 – 72 degrees F KH 150 pH range 6.0 – 8.0 Filtration/Flow Rate Moderate Water Type Freshwater Farming Egg layers, easy to breed Compatibility Peace Community Type Ok, for planted aquariums? With research

origin and habitat

Shubunkin goldfish are also known as calico goldfish, meaning multicolored. A type of goldfish (Carassius auratus), they are descendants of the wild carp that now live in Asia and were first bred in Japan. The Shubunkin gets its name from a town in Japan called Shubuta, where they were first bred. These fish were first brought to the West in 1882 by James Meehan, a curator at London Zoo.

As far as habitat goes, Shubunkins are a member of the Cyprinidae family, which means they like to live in slow-moving rivers, lakes, ditches, or ponds. In Asia, fish kept in ponds typically have habitat moderately decorated with plastic plants, driftwood, and rocks.

What Does Shubunkin Goldfish Look Like?

The shubunkin resembles the common goldfish and the comet goldfish in appearance and is a cross between these two and the Calico Telescope Eye Goldfish. They have pearlescent scales that appear pearly and look like a mix of transparent and metallic scales.

The calico goldfish has overlapping spots of white, gray, red, black, and blue seen on its long, flowing caudal fins. The most valuable color of a Shubukin is blue, and this is also the rarest color. These fish are also usually heavily spotted.

Typically, people divide Shubunkins into three different types:

London Shubunkins

The London Shubunkin goldfish typically has a slender body and shorter tails that are more rounded, much like the common goldfish.

American Shubunkins

The American shubunkin is also known as the Japanese shubunkin. An American shubunkin has longer fins and a sharper forked tail, and looks more like Comet Goldfish than the other species.

Bristol Shubunkins

The Bristol Shubunkin is fairly rare and has a B-shaped tail that catches the eye. Also, the Bristol Shubunkin tends to be longer and wider than other types.

Shubunkin Goldfish Vs. Koi

Below is a good reference video by J Lo on the difference between Shubunkin Goldfish and Koi. As you can see, the shubunkin suits koi with their different colors and fin shapes. They look great together in a pond! In some koi care circles, the shubunkin is often referred to as the “poor man’s koi”. The way I see it they remind me of butterfly koi and allow you to maintain the purity of the koi lineage if you don’t want to stick with traditional koi.

How Big Are Shubunkin Goldfish? A common characteristic of freshwater goldfish species is that they grow based on their environment. Typically, shubunkin goldfish reach a size of between 6 and 12 inches, but if you keep them in a small space they will get smaller. These are also excellent pond fish as they can grow up to 14-18 inches if given enough space and there have even been reports of them reaching lengths in excess of 18 inches. How Long Do Shubunkin Goldfish Live? Depending on their environment, shubunkin goldfish are hardy fish and typically have a lifespan of 10–15 years with proper care. Shubunkins kept in ponds usually live even longer as they have plenty of space to explore and lead happy lives. Some even have a lifespan of up to 30 years. Temperament and Activity Level These fish are super social and like to be in groups. They will likely spend their days exploring their aquarium or pond, which means they are very active. Like most goldfish species, they are fast swimmers and get along well with other fast-swimming fish. They also happily eat anything they can get their hands (or mouth) on and will often forage for food at the bottom of the tank. As such, the only type of aggression you might encounter with Shubunkins is that they are quick to steal food.

What are good tankmates for shubunkin goldfish?

While they can live alone, the Shubunkin thrives in tanks with other fish and makes a good addition to community tanks. However, some species suit them better than others.

Good tankmates

These fast swimmers pair well with other fast-moving fish that thrive in cooler waters, like the shubunkin does. They get along well with other types of goldfish, as well as many other species. Here are some suggestions for fish to pair with your shubunkin goldfish:

killifish

guppies

cherry barbel

glass catfish

Most tetras

Comet goldfish

koi

Mysterious snail

Fish Species to Avoid (Bad Tank Mates)

Because shubunkin goldfish tend to steal as much food as possible, it’s best not to pair them with slow and shy species as they may have trouble getting enough food.

For the more experienced fish owner, you can also pair your Shubunkin with slower swimmers. Just be sure to watch and feed your fish at different times, starting with the fast ones and then moving on to the slower ones.

Shubunkin goldfish don’t do well with aggressive fish like tiger mullet or cichlids as they don’t like to fight. They also don’t go well with Fancy Goldfish because they are very fast compared to them. Fancy goldfish will struggle to eat enough with an athletic shubunkin in the aquarium or pond.

Finally, some tropical fish species may not make the best partners for shubunkin as they prefer cooler waters.

What Do Shubunkin Goldfish Eat? Shubunkins are omnivores and will eat almost anything you drop in the water. But to ensure they get all the nutrients they need, it’s best to feed them high-quality dry food like flakes and pellets. Another great thing is that these fish are scavengers and will eat anything they find at the bottom of the tank like plant matter and detritus. Just keep in mind that they might uproot live plants while you’re at it.

What about live food?

Like all types of goldfish, shubunkin feed on insects and small crustaceans. Some live or frozen foods to feed them occasionally include daphnia, bloodworms, tubifex worms, krill, and artemia.

How much and how often to feed

You should feed your goldfish twice a day, giving them as much as they can eat for two minutes at a time. For the daily basic meal, pellets or flakes are the best choice. Occasionally they should also get a reward in the form of live or frozen food.

Once or twice a week you can also give them some fresh vegetables from your kitchen, like spinach, lettuce or cucumbers, but peel and blanch them beforehand.

Shubunkin Goldfish Care (tank requirements)

While the goldfish shubunkin is fairly low maintenance, you will need to consider the type of tank it will live in and how you will decorate it.

tank size

There is a lot of misleading information out there regarding keeping a goldfish. While your shubunkin goldfish will survive in a 15 to 20 gallon tank, it will be too small for them to live a healthy life. Instead, you should invest in an aquarium with a minimum tank size of 75 gallons to give them space to swim and forage.

Since your fish will grow depending on the space it has to move, the larger the tank, the better. Shubunkins live happiest in wide open spaces where they can roam and are easy to keep as pond fish.

As you add more fish to your aquarium, remember to increase the tank size by 10-15 gallons per new addition. A 75 gallon tank should only hold one shubunkin goldfish.

Tank or pond equipment

Because this type of goldfish typically lives in slow-moving rivers or lakes, you’ll want to make sure your aquarium has low to moderate water movement. In general, a water filter system ensures sufficient movement in the pool. You can invest in some Air Stones if you want to help keep the oxygen at reasonable levels.

Shubunkins are not fussy and most substrates will work with this fish. The best choice is medium-sized gravel, as they can sift through this material and search for food. You can also opt for a bare bottomed pond, a popular setup for koi pond setups and for easy cleaning.

You can also invest in live underwater plants for a more natural looking habitat. Keep in mind that this fish is a fast eater, so it’s likely to uproot almost anything you plant. Fast-growing plants such as tomentosum, java fern and anacharis are best suited here.

When it comes to other decorations, Shubunkins aren’t picky and don’t mind plastic or silicone plants. The most important thing for them is that they have adequate swimming space, so you can use some driftwood or rocks in your aquarium or pond, but keep it minimal.

After all, you need to ensure a sufficient amount of light. This will help your shubunkin goldfish maintain its natural sleeping pattern. There are many aquariums on the market that have built in LED lights with different day and night settings that could be a good investment.

water quality

filtration

The Shubunkin is a messy fish and has a high waste load, which means you need a good filtration system in your pond or aquarium. A filter with biological media is best. Without a filter, nitrate and ammonia levels in the water can reach unhealthy levels. However, also remember to change the water frequently and clean the tank or pond.

When choosing a filter, look for one that can clean all of the water in your tank or pond. If this aspect is missing, you end up with unfiltered water. I recommend a good quality line filter or opt for a canister filter.

water parameters

The good thing about the goldfish species is that they tolerate changes in water conditions much better than, for example, more sensitive tropical fish. They can even survive in temperatures a few degrees above freezing, which is why they make such great pond fish. However, you should invest in a water heater if you plan on keeping your Shubunkins in an outdoor pond during the winter.

Here are the ideal water parameters for Shubunkins:

Water Temperature: 65-72 degrees Fahrenheit

: 65-72 degrees Fahrenheit Hardness : 5-19 dH

: 5-19 dH pH values: 6.0-8.0

aquarium care

(Source)

Because goldfish are messy species of fish, they need to clean their tank more often than many other species. Keeping your aquarium clean is the most efficient way to prevent your Shubunkin from getting sick or developing fish diseases.

You should clean your aquarium every one to two weeks. First wipe the outside of the aquarium with a non-ammonia cleaner and a cloth, then shake the plants inside the aquarium to remove dirt. Also scrape the inside of the jar to remove algae, then take a break for 15 minutes. Finally, vacuum the substrate to remove any more debris, then perform a 25 percent water change.

test water conditions

You should check the pH value, water hardness and water temperature regularly, especially when setting up your aquarium and after changing the water. Make sure the levels are within the spectra given in the section above.

Other things you need to test are the levels of ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. For Shubunkin Goldfish, the values ​​should be as follows:

Ammonia: 0ppm.

0 ppm. Nitrite: 0 ppm.

0 ppm. Nitrate: <40ppm. To test water conditions, invest in an aquarium water test kit. A good rule is to test the water conditions monthly. At the same time, make sure you change the filter media as well. How to set up your aquarium Before your Shubunkin moves into its new home, you need to set up the tank. Make sure you have a clean aquarium with the right water conditions and temperatures for your fish to start with so it will be easier to optimize later. How to set up an aquarium Follow these seven steps to set up the aquarium for your shubunkin goldfish. 1. Clean the tank First wipe off dust with a damp cloth, never use household chemicals or old cleaning equipment to clean the inside of your tank. If you have an old aquarium that needs extra cleaning, you can use vinegar to loosen dirt. 2. Position the tank Now it's time to position your tank. It is best to get it in place before filling it with water as it will then be heavier. Make sure it's out of direct sunlight and on a sturdy stand. It should also be. 3. Fill the tank with substrate and water After that, it's time to fill the tank with the substrate. Use medium-sized gravel for the Shubunkin and rinse with cold water before filling the aquarium. Follow a ratio of 1 pound of substrate per gallon of water for a 1 inch thick bed, or 2 pounds of substrate per gallon of water for a 2 inch thick bed. With a tank size of at least 75 gallons, that means 75-150 pounds of substrate. For 125 gallons you will need 150-300 pounds. When the gravel is in the tank, fill it with water. Shubunkin goldfish are freshwater fish, so you must use freshwater. One tip to keep the running water from scattering the gravel is to place a bowl or saucer at the bottom of the tank and pour water on it. After filling the aquarium, add dechlorinator to the water according to the directions on the bottle. 4. Install the filter You can choose to use an external or internal filter, but we recommend an external one as it filters water more efficiently and offers more space for media. The best choice for Shubunkins is to use a biological media filter. Setup depends on the brand, so check the instructions. They usually place it in the sand under the tank. Before plugging it in, fill it with water to start the filtering process. When installing, make sure the inlet and outlet pipes are straight to allow water to flow easily. 5. Decorate it When you're done with the basic setup, it's time to decorate the tank. Keep in mind that Shubunkins like to have plenty of swimming space, but some plants and other items can be added. Rinse each item before placing it in the tank to avoid dirty water. Most plants can be buried well in the gravel, but some species such as Java fern will need to be attached to some driftwood first and then placed in the aquarium. 6th cycle of the tank Before adding fish you need to circulate the water in the tank to build up bacteria in your biofilter that can convert ammonia to nitrites and then nitrites to nitrates. This is to prevent toxins from building up in the water. Simply add some ammonia to the tank (I recommend using Dr Tim's Ammonia) following the directions on the bottle. You must regularly check the levels of these substances. When they reach 0ppm your tank is fully charged. This can take a few weeks, so prepare your aquarium ahead of time. See Fritz Turbo Start for bacteria in a bottle. My Choice for Freshwater Bacteria Fritz Turbo Start 700 Freshwater Fritz Turbo Start is known in the industry as the fastest acting nitrifying bacteria you can buy. This 700 version specializes in freshwater aquariums and has my highest recommendation. Buy from Amazon. Click here to get the best price 7. Add your fish Now your shubunkin goldfish is ready to move in. Because fish can be sensitive to changes in water conditions, you'll want to acclimate your goldfish by slowly adding 1/2 cup of water from the tank to its pouch and waiting 5 minutes before adding another 1/2 cup. Once you've acclimated your Shubunkin, use a net to transfer it into the tank. Pour the remaining water down the sink and watch your new friend for the next 24 hours to make sure he's eating well and settling in. If you choose to quarantine your fish (which I recommend), consider quarantining them for 30 days in a separate tank. health and sickness Although this is a hardy fish, that doesn't mean it's immune to freshwater fish diseases. So let's talk about how to recognize a healthy shubunkin and an unhealthy one. Signs of Health in Shubunkin Goldfish A healthy Shubunkin swims constantly and eats regularly. It looks shiny, its colors are vivid and the scales are intact and not damaged. They also get along well with their tankmates and often explore the tank, dig, and forage for food. signs of illness Some signs to look out for are: White spots on its scales. Side swimming or just swimming around without actively swimming. Stay only near the top or bottom of the tank. stay in a corner Do not eat. Constipation. Injured scales. Rubbing its scales on tank walls and plants. Common health problems and treatment of shubunkin Ich is one of the most common diseases in freshwater fish. This is a parasite that appears as white spots on fish scales and if left untreated, the white sores can lead to bacterial infection and kill the fish. If you notice your Shubukin rubbing against surfaces and developing white patches, take them to a veterinarian immediately. There are several products you can add to your tank to treat Ich. Swim bladder disease is another problem that Shubunkin Goldfish can suffer from. Signs include swimming sideways, staying close to the surface or bottom of the tank, or swimming in odd patterns. One home remedy for swim bladder disease is to feed your fish blanched peas, but it's best to consult a professional. Other diseases that can affect this type of goldfish include fin rot and skin flukes that cause other parasites or fungi. If your Shubunkin is showing any signs of illness, contact a veterinarian. breed Shubunkin spawns in the spring and to start this process, move the fish to a separate breeding tank and lower the temperature to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, heat the water in the breeding tank by 2-3 degrees Fahrenheit each day until the temperature reaches 72 degrees Fahrenheit. You will see the males intensify their colors and start chasing the females. After a few days, they drive the females into the plants, where they lay up to 10,000 eggs. After a few hours, spawning will be complete and you must remove the adult fish from the tank or they will eat the eggs. The eggs hatch after 4-7 days. Continue feeding the baby fish fry food until they reach 1 inch and then place them in the adult tank. Are Your Shubunkin Goldfish Male or Female? They probably won't be able to tell males and females apart until they are fully grown. During the breeding season, males develop brood tubercles on their gills and heads that look like white spines. The females get rounder bellies as the eggs develop. Availability You can find Shubunkin Goldfish at almost every pet store, fish store, and even online. Not everyone has access to a quality local fish shop. For those who don't have a good local fish shop, check out my best places to buy fish online. To save you time on Shubunkins I would recommend NextDayKoi for purchasing the high quality Shubunkins. My choice for Shubunkins! Next Day Koi Use Coupon Code: ASDEPOT Next Day Koi offers the best koi and pond goldfish from quality breeders. A great place to shop for Shubunkins! Click for the best price What you need to buy Aquarium Medium gravel Filter system with biological media Dried fish food flakes Fast growing plants dechlorinator ammonia and bacteria Test set for aquarium water Final Thoughts The Shubunkin Goldfish is an active, beautiful, and hardy species that socializes well with other freshwater fish and can be kept in outdoor ponds or indoor tanks. They make a great addition to your aquarium as long as you give them enough room to swim and maintain healthy water conditions in the tank.

Shubunkin goldfish are popular and interesting fish that have attracted the attention of aquarists around the world. It’s not hard to see why, given their attractive colors, lively personality, and easy care!

But despite all that, a lot of misinformation is shared online when it comes to this species. Some of the recommendations we’ve seen make us very concerned.

So we’re going to clear things up a bit. This guide will go over everything you need to know about shubunkin goldfish care and get you ready for ownership. You’ll learn about their size, lifespan, diet, tank size, breeding and more!

Summary of Species

Sometimes referred to as Calico or Speckled Goldfish, Shubunkin Goldfish make beautiful additions to both tanks and outdoor ponds.

Known for their intense coloring and flowing fins, they are a sight to behold. Combine that with their active nature and you have a Pisces that never gets bored!

As a type of goldfish, the shubunkin is a product of selective breeding. Today’s fish are descendants of the Prussian carp. While history is still a bit hazy as to how these fish came to be, it is believed that shubunkins were first developed in Japan around the 1900’s.

Today, shubunkin goldfish are a staple in fish shops around the world! They are readily available to add colorful life to your aquarium.

Average shubunkin goldfish size

Like other goldfish species, Shubunkins grow based on their environment. In a standard aquarium, you can expect the average shubunkin goldfish size to reach five or six inches when fully grown.

Author’s Note: However, if they have access to a large pond, they can reach 12 to 14 inches in length. Some shubunkin goldfish have even surpassed that, measuring over 18 inches in length!

life span

With proper care, the typical lifespan of shubunkin goldfish is 10 to 15 years. This requires keeping them in a habitat with adequate water conditions and a good diet.

If you’re lucky, your shubunkin goldfish could have an even longer lifespan. It is not uncommon for these fish to live in well-maintained ponds for more than two decades.

As with any other species, keeping these fish in habitats unsuitable for them can lead to disease and premature death.

Appearance & Types

Shubunkin Goldfish can be classified into three different types. These are America, Bristol and London Shubunkin.

Although they all share similar care requirements, there are some subtle differences in appearance.

London Shubunkin goldfish are the most common. They typically have a short tail and a slender body. The fins are also usually more rounded.

The American shubunkin goldfish has a longer tail with a deep and dramatic fork. It looks similar to the tail of a comet goldfish. Some believe that the American strain is the closest match to the original Japanese shubunkin.

Finally, there is the Bristol Shubunkin. It has a fuller tail that looks like the letter “B”. It’s a distinctive shape that you can’t miss. Bristol Shubunkins are rarer and often have a higher price tag.

Aside from these different traits, all Shubunkins share a few common traits. The head of this fish is typically broad but short. Their body has a smooth taper, while the sweeping dorsal fin is almost always erect.

The most notable feature of the Shubunkin is its color. They take on shades of yellow, red, orange, white, gray and even blue. The blue spots are the special ones as they are rare in goldfish.

These colors combine to create a distinctive calico look. Most Shubunkins are also heavily spotted, making each one unique.

Shubunkin goldfish care

If you’re considering owning one of these Pisces, you have a lot to look forward to! Taking care of shubunkin goldfish is fairly easy as they are quite hardy. They do well in captivity and can thrive in conditions that other fish cannot.

Even so, you must strive to offer the best conditions and comprehensive care as much as possible. To help you with this, here are some important care guidelines.

tank size

You will see a lot of conflicting information about the ideal Shubunkin Goldfish aquarium size. The truth is that these fish can adapt to smaller habitats. In larger ones, however, they come into their own.

Some aquarists will tell you that your tank should be at least 15-20 gallons, and they are technically correct. This tank size is enough to keep a single Shubunkin alive, but you can do better.

Instead, we recommend breeding these fish in 75-gallon tanks whenever possible. 75 gallons gives the fish a lot more swimming space, which is very important for their health and overall happiness.

Author’s Note: If you want to provide the best possible environment, use an outdoor pond. While not a requirement, shubunkin goldfish do best when they have expansive habitats to roam.

water parameters

Like other goldfish species, shubunkins generally require cooler water than tropical fish. They prefer to live in oxygen-rich waters with a relatively neutral pH.

The interesting thing about Shubunkins is that they can tolerate a few degrees above freezing. This is why they are such a good choice for ponds. Of course, we always recommend using a heater to avoid these extreme temperatures. But if a temperature shift is gradual, dropping only a few degrees per day, they shouldn’t have any negative effects.

Here are some water parameters to work towards maintaining throughout your fish’s life.

Water Temperature: 65°F to 72°F

65°F to 72°F pH levels: 6.0 to 8.0

6.0 to 8.0 water hardness: 5 to 19 dGH

What to put in your tank (or pond).

The most important thing you need in the aquarium or pond is a good biological filtration system.

Shubunkins can produce a lot of waste, which quickly increases ammonia and nitrite levels if you don’t have filtration. The system should be powerful enough to circulate the entire tank or pond.

It’s also good to have some water movement. In general, the outlet of the filter system is sufficient. However, you can install some airstones to keep the oxygen levels high.

When it comes to decorations, Shubunkins aren’t too picky. Use medium-sized gravel as a substrate. Then add plants to create a natural habitat.

Shubunkin goldfish are notorious for uprooting live plants. You can still use them, but you must anchor them securely. Silk and plastic plants are a good alternative.

Smooth rocks and pieces of driftwood are acceptable, but don’t overdo it. Keep the grand decor to a minimum. Open swimming space is what matters most to Shubunkins.

disease potential

Despite their overall hardiness, shubunkin goldfish are not immune to disease. They can have many of the same general health issues that other freshwater fish suffer from.

The most common is Ich (which is the case for most freshwater fish). This parasitic disease is highly contagious and can result in white patches all over the body. If left untreated, it can devastate an entire aquarium and kill fish.

External parasites and infections can also affect Shubunkins. Skin worms, fin rot and fungal diseases are possible. Internally, Shubunkin Goldfish can also suffer from problems such as dropsy and swim bladder disease.

Author’s Note: While this sounds like a lot to fear, most of these health problems are easily preventable! Fish are more susceptible to disease when living in poorly maintained environments.

Keep the pool or pond clean and keep an eye on the water parameters! With the right care, your fish should have no problem staying healthy.

Food & Nutrition

As omnivores, shubunkin goldfish are not fussy. They’ll eat pretty much anything you drop in the water.

A regular diet with high-quality dry food is best. Nutritious pellets and flakes are fine. Just pick your favorite brand and get started!

Occasional live and frozen foods are also great things to add to their diet. You can offer bloodworms, artemia, daphnia and tubifex worms as enriching and healthy treats.

It should be noted that due to their large appetites, it can be very easy to overfeed these fish. They will seemingly gobble up food no matter how much you give them!

To keep this in check, only feed them as much food as they can eat in 2-4 minutes. This depends a bit on the size of the fish, but this general rule will keep you from drastically overfeeding them (you can always make minor changes as you go).

Behavior & Temperament

Shubunkin goldfish are social and active creatures. You spend most of the day exploring the tank.

They can often be found at the bottom of the tank looking for plant debris or leftover food. They are so good at scavenging that many don’t even bother keeping bottom-dwelling fish with Shubunkins!

If they don’t, you’ll find them darting around the tank or pond. These fish are fast and agile swimmers!

In terms of temperament, Shubunkins are fairly peaceful. They prefer to stay in groups and can thrive in a multi-species tank.

Author’s Note: The only form of aggression you will have to deal with is stealing food! Thanks to their strong swimming abilities, these fish can take food away before slower fish get a chance to feed.

tankmates

You have several options for tankmates. Avoid aggressive fish. Shubunkins are far too peaceful to deal with fighters.

It’s also a good idea to avoid slow-moving fish. Shubunkin goldfish are too active and frantic for slower species that need a little more feeding time.

The biggest challenge you will face when looking for suitable tankmates is to meet the environmental requirements. Since Shubunkins prefer cooler water, you need to find species that don’t mind a lower temperature.

Here are some good tankmates to try:

breed

Breeding shubunkin goldfish is actually quite easy when kept under the right conditions. They are egg layers that like to breed in the spring. You can easily encourage spawning with a little environmental manipulation.

Set up a separate breeding tank and separate males and females. These fish like to breed in groups of at least five.

It is impossible to distinguish the sexes when the fish are young. But when mature and ready to breed, males develop brood nodules on their gills and head. Meanwhile, the females are getting fatter.

Fill the breeding tank with fine-leaved plants. You can also use spawning mops and smooth rocks to give the eggs something to stick to.

Put all the fish in the tank at once. Then slowly lower the temperature to 60 degrees. When you reach this guideline, increase the temperature again. Do this slowly, only raising the temperature by three degrees each day.

This process simulates the change from winter to spring. Eventually the fish should spawn. You’ll know when they’re going to multiply because their color will intensify. Males will also start chasing the females around.

When ready, the females will lay thousands of eggs. The males will follow them to fertilize them.

You must remove the adult fish after breeding. They will quickly try to eat the eggs. Put them back in their normal tank and let the eggs develop.

Usually the eggs hatch in four to seven days. The fry emerge from their egg sac and ingest it. After that, you can offer powdered or liquid brood food until they can eat baby artemia.

Babies appear black or brown for the first few months of life until they start developing their color.

Conclusion

Honestly, shubunkin goldfish care is a breeze once you have the right information. These hardy freshwater fish can handle just about anything!

We hope this guide has helped clear up some of the misinformation mentioned at the beginning. As long as you follow our recommendations, your Shubunkin will thrive.

If you have something you think we should add to this guide or have any questions you still need answered, don’t hesitate to message us directly. The best way to reach us is via the website or our Facebook page.

By Renee Wise, Carl Strohmeyer, Steven Wright

Updated 10/17/16

COMETS, FAN TAIL AND COMMON GOLDFISH;

*Size: 12 inches, although pond specimens can grow longer.

*Scientific name: Cyprinus auratus

*Natural Habitat: Goldfish are the earliest fish domesticated by humans. All modern goldfish are descended from Carassius-Gibelio carp that lived in East Asia in the 3rd century (they struck the Chinese as early as 265 AD). The common goldfish has been kept in captivity longer than any other fish.

*Water parameters: Ph 7.2 to 7.8, KH 150, GH 200+. Goldfish can survive temperatures between 40 and 80 °C. A temperature of 66°F to 72°F is ideal.

As mentioned earlier, good mineralization/electrolytes is important for healthy goldfish. For this reason, it is important to maintain a GH above 200 (150 absolute minimum) so that you have adequate calcium, magnesium and other essential minerals for osmoregulation in your water.

For more information, see this article:

aquarium chemistry; Calcium, GH, KH, pH

*Recommended Tank Size: 10 gallons +, approximately 10 gallons is needed per goldfish in an aquarium for optimal growth and health.

*Feeding: Goldfish are primarily herbivores, although many aquarists will feed them.

Comets and common goldfish will take foods like brine shrimp and shelled peas (which are great for constipation). However, “meatier” foods should be used sparingly, and high-protein foods such as worms should be avoided altogether.

In general, a good quality pellet or litter is a good food for goldfish. Goldfish are low in energy and also have slow digestive systems, making some foods better for them than others.

Fish Food Guru Clay Neighbor’s AAP Custom Hervivore is an excellent choice for goldfish because it’s easy to digest, has the right protein content, and addresses the “energy points” that are far too high in most other goldfish diets (leading to fatty liver problems, bloating, decreased disease resistance, etc.).

Highly digestible spirulina seaweed flakes are also an excellent PART of any goldfish’s diet due to the “high digestibility factor” and immune system boost (though not the only food).

Product Resources

*Clay Neighbor’s AAP Custom Herbivore Crumbles

*Aqueon Goldfish Granules

*Spirulina 20 aquarium fish flake food

*Kahoja Premium Goldfish Food

Also, soak your fish food in water for at least 5 minutes to keep it from floating. Soaking food will prevent your goldfish from inhaling (which can cause digestive problems). Be careful not to feed too much flake food (even the spirulina flakes, although these flakes don’t cause the intestinal gas problems that many flakes like TetraFin cause).

Additional information:

“Goldfish Care and Basics”

Contributor Notes: By Renee Wise;

This is a very hardy fish when cared for well. Contrary to what some people say, even feeder goldfish intended only to feed other fish can live for years and be perfectly healthy if cared for properly. Goldfish are also very friendly and will often greet their owner as they enter the room in a unique swimming manner. Another thing goldfish like to do is forage a lot in the gravel for food.

When goldfish forage through the gravel for food, they can (although rarely) get gravel lodged in their throats and die. To prevent this, keep gravel about half an inch in diameter in goldfish tanks. Goldfish also slowly change color throughout their lives. So when you pick a fish, don’t expect it to keep its original color forever. Goldfish should have about 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of aquarium salt in their tanks to help with electrolytes they need and also to help prevent stress and disease.

Relation:

Aquarium answers: salt, sodium chloride in aquariums

ORANDAS & LION HEADS;

*Size: 10 inches (26 cm) in aquariums.

*Scientific name: Cyprinus auratus

Description: Orandas and Lionheads are easily identified by the large growth on their heads (at least the better specimens). Not only do lionheads have this growth (which is often more pronounced than orandas), but they also lack their dorsal fin (which often makes it difficult to compete with other goldfish such as swift comets and shubunkins).

*Natural Habitat: Goldfish are the earliest fish domesticated by humans. Orandas and Lionheads are even more inbred. They differ significantly from their wild brethren, both externally and even internally.

*Water Parameters: Again, the water parameters these fish require are basically the same as comets. However, unusual varieties are often more sensitive to poor water quality than a comet or common goldfish.

A goldfish with Ph 7.2 to 7.8, KH 150, GH 200+ can survive temperatures between 40 and 80. A temperature of 66 F to 72 F is ideal.

Good mineralization/electrolytes are important for healthy goldfish. For this reason, it is important to maintain a GH above 200 (150 absolute minimum) so that you have adequate calcium, magnesium and other essential minerals for osmoregulation in your water.

Relation:

aquarium chemistry; GH

*Recommended Tank Size: Although 10 gallons will work initially, Orandas and Lionheads will do best in 20 gallons and up to outgrow.

*Feeding: Like ALL goldfish, orandas and lionheads are primarily herbivores. Orandas and Lionheads are often VERY sensitive to poor nutrition due to inbreeding which has left their internal organs (particularly the digestive tract) in poor condition to digest food.

In general, a quality goldfish pellet/crumble food such as AAP Custom Herbivore or Kahoja Pellets is a good food for goldfish that have slow digestive systems.

DL-Methionine is an essential amino acid for the formation of the “lion’s head” trait in goldfish. High levels of methionine are found in the vegetable proteins of spinach, green peas, garlic and vegetable protein extracts. These ingredients are used in many commercial foods such as Sanyu Koi and Goldfish Food. DL-Methionine is also found in fishmeal.

As noted for comets, oranda goldfish are even lower in energy and have slow digestive systems, making some foods often much better for them than others.

Fish Food Guru Clay Neighbor’s AAP Custom Hervivore is an excellent choice for goldfish because it’s easy to digest, has the right protein content, and addresses the “energy points” that are far too high in most other goldfish diets (leading to fatty liver problems, bloating, decreased disease resistance, etc.).

As mentioned with comets, a highly digestible spirulina seaweed flake is a great addition to any goldfish diet as it is easy to digest and boosts the immune system.

Product Resources

*Clay Neighbor’s AAP Custom Herbivore Crumbles

*Hikari Goldfish Gold Pellets

*Spirulina 20 aquarium fish flake food

*Kahoja Premium Goldfish Food

Orandas and lionheads are very susceptible to swim bladder infections. Soaking your fish food in water for at least 5 minutes so it doesn’t float can help prevent your goldfish from sucking air or getting a swim bladder infection. This is EVEN more important than Comets. Be careful not to feed too much flake food (even the spirulina flakes, although these flakes don’t cause the intestinal gas problems that many flakes like TetraFin cause.

Notes for contributors:

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ryukins;

*Size: Ryukine generally don’t grow as large as some other goldfish species. They generally grow 6 to 10 inches in contrast to other goldfish which can grow to over 12 inches in length.

*Scientific name: Cyprinus auratus

*Description: Ryukines have a body structure similar to fantail goldfish. They also have a higher back than fantail goldfish. All of a Ryukin’s fins should be paired, except for the dorsal fin.

These goldfish have a round, egg-like body shape and a high sloping back. Ryukines also have high, stiff dorsal fins. Ryukine are generally orange, red, white, or a mixture of two of these colors. However, these fish can also come in other colors like black, chocolate, and even calico.

*Natural Habitat: Like other goldfish, ryukins are descended from carp. However, ryukines were bred very selectively (and in many cases through inbreeding) to achieve their specific body shape.

*Water parameters: Ph 7.2 to 7.8, KH 150, GH 200+. A temperature of 66 F to 72 F is ideal. Since ryukines are fancy goldfish, they are more sensitive to water conditions than non-fancy goldfish like comet and common goldfish.

Good mineralization/electrolytes are important for healthy goldfish. For this reason, it is important to maintain a GH above 200 (150 absolute minimum) so that you have enough calcium, magnesium and other essential minerals for your goldfish’s osmoregulation.

It is worth noting that one can have a reasonable GH and still have an aquarium devoid of essential calcium and other positive mineral ions, for this reason it is important to regularly replace these mineral ions (cations) with the best working agents, whether via very regular ones Water changes rich in cations with mineral blocks or a drip.

For more information, see this article:

aquarium chemistry; Depletion of positive mineral ions

Product Resource: Wonder Shells, Mineral Block; Unique/fresh version only at AAP

*Recommended Tank Size: 10 gallons +, approximately 10 gallons is needed per goldfish in an aquarium for optimal growth and health.

*Feeding: Like other goldfish, ryukins are primarily herbivores. However, they are sensitive to poor nutrition as their body shape has been altered by breeding. Ryukins can be fed foods such as brine shrimp and shelled peas (which are great for constipation). However, “meatier” foods should be used sparingly, and high-protein foods such as worms should be avoided altogether. Another tactic used to treat constipation is to stop eating for a few days.

In general, a good quality pellet/crumbly goldfish food is a good food for goldfish that have slow digestive systems. Also, highly digestible spirulina seaweed flakes are an excellent part of any goldfish’s diet due to their high digestibility and immune system boosting.

Product Resources

*Clay Neighbor’s AAP Custom Herbivore Crumbles

*Hikari Goldfish Gold Pellets

*Spirulina 20 aquarium fish flake food

*Kahoja Premium Goldfish Foods

Because of their body shape, Ryukine are more prone to swim bladder problems and constipation than other goldfish species. When feeding these goldfish, extra care should be taken to soak your fish food in water for at least 5 minutes. This will prevent your Ryukin from taking in air (which can cause digestive problems).

Be careful not to feed too much flake food (even the spirulina flakes, although these flakes don’t cause the intestinal gas problems that many flakes like TetraFin cause). Also, be sure to soak flake food, as with other food you feed goldfish.

Additional information:

“Goldfish Care and Basics”

Notes for contributors:

SHUBUNKINS;

*Size: 12 inches, although pond specimens can grow longer.

*Scientific name: Cyprinus auratus

*Description: Shubunkins have the same body shape as common goldfish but longer fins. Shubunkins are mostly calico in color and have pearly scales. Their body coloration also extends to their fins. So if you see a patch of orange color on a shubunkin’s body, the patch may also extend to the fish’s tail.

In addition to the main Shubunkin species, there are other types of Shubunkin goldfish. One is the Bristol Shubunkin, which has large, rounded fins. Another is the London shubunkin, which has shorter fins than the long-finned shubunkin goldfish. Shubunkins are a hardy fish and can be kept in ponds during the winter.

These fish are also fast swimmers compared to some of the fancier goldfish species.

*Natural Habitat: Goldfish are the earliest fish domesticated by humans. All modern goldfish are descended from Carassius-Gibelio carp that lived in East Asia in the 3rd century (they struck the Chinese as early as 265 AD). Goldfish have been kept in captivity longer than any other fish.

*Water parameters: Ph 7.2 to 7.8, KH 150, GH 200+. Goldfish can survive temperatures between 40 and 80 °C. A temperature of 66°F to 72°F is ideal.

Good mineralization/electrolytes are important for ALL healthy goldfish, including Shubunkins. For this reason, it is important to maintain a GH above 200 (150 absolute minimum) so that you have enough calcium, magnesium and other essential minerals for your goldfish’s osmoregulation.

For more information, see this article:

“aquarium chemistry”

*Recommended Tank Size: 10 gallons +, approximately 10 gallons is needed per goldfish in an aquarium for optimal growth and health.

*Feeding: Shubunkin goldfish are primarily herbivores. They can be fed foods like brine shrimp (which are great for constipation (as well as shelled peas). However, “meatier” types of food should be used sparingly, and high-protein foods like worms should be avoided entirely.

In general, as with other goldfish, a good quality pelleted food is a good food for goldfish that have slow digestive systems. Highly digestible spirulina seaweed flakes are an excellent part of any goldfish diet as fish are easily digestible and the immune system is strengthened.

Also, soak your fish food in water for at least 5 minutes to keep it from floating. Soaking food will prevent your goldfish from inhaling (which can cause digestive problems). Be careful about feeding too much flake food (even the spirulina flakes, although these flakes don’t cause the intestinal gas problems that many flakes like TetraFin cause). Remember to soak flake food as well.

Additional information:

“Goldfish Care and Basics”

Notes for contributors:

Back to top

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Goldfish are an ever-popular pet for adults and children alike, and with their bright colors, shubunkins are sure to be the favorite breed of these super-cute, beginner-friendly fish. But there’s more to the mysterious Shubunkin than pretty colors!

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the shubunkin goldfish and explain how to care for this beautiful fish.

overview

Shubunkin goldfish are typically variegated or mottled in coloration, but what sets these fish apart from the crowd is their rare blue color.

Shubunkins were developed in Japan in the early 20th century. You may also find Shubunkins listed for sale as Calico Goldfish. Calicos are multicolored fish with yellow, red, orange, black, purple, white, brown, and gray on a blue base. Other common names for the shubunkin include harlequin goldfish, speckled goldfish, and coronation fish.

There are two types of shubunkin goldfish namely the Bristol shubunkin and the London shubunkin, but it is usually the more common London shubunkin that you will find in pet stores.

All types of Shubunkins are extremely hardy and easy to care for, making them perfect for beginners. Also, Shubies, as their fans affectionately call them, will eat anything you offer them and they are peaceful community fish.

origins

Modern goldfish (Carassius auratus auratus) are genetically descended from several wild carp species found in Central Asia, where they live in slow-moving waters such as lakes, ponds, rivers, and ditches and feed on plant matter, insects, and small crustaceans.

The goldfish you see for sale in pet stores today were developed in China as early as the 14th century. In the 16th century, the Chinese traded goldfish with Japan. The goldfish came to Europe in the 16th century and to the USA in the 18th century. Much goldfish farming has been done in Japan and it is believed that the shubunkin goldfish was created here. All of the goldfish you see in pet stores are captive bred. There are no wild populations of this artificially created species.

It’s incredible to imagine that the gorgeous colors, shapes, and sizes of the goldfish we enjoy today took centuries of painstaking breeding to evolve.

Looks

Shubunkins have elongated, flat bodies with a broad, short head. The fish’s body tapers from the abdomen and back to the base of the forked caudal fin. The edge of the dorsal fin is concave and is typically carried erect.

Shubunkins have an average lifespan of up to 15 years, although goldfish can live up to 20 years in a well maintained tank or pond.

London Shubunkin

The London Shubunkin has the short, deep body of traditional, common goldfish species with similar fin shapes. This Shubunkin strain was developed in the UK around 80 years ago. These fish come in a variety of color mixes and would do well in a large tank or pond.

Bristol Shubunkin

The Bristol Shubunkin has a slender body resembling the comet goldfish and it has a huge caudal fin that is broad and forked with well-rounded lobes. At times, the weight of the fish’s spectacular tail can affect its ability to swim.

size

The size of the adult fish depends to some extent on the environment in which the fish is kept. In a smaller tank of up to 15 gallons, a goldfish will grow to measure about five inches. However, in a larger tank, the fish will grow larger, typically up to about six inches. That being said, if you keep your goldfish in a very large aquarium or in an outdoor pond, your shubunkin could reach 18 inches in length.

Colours

Shubunkin goldfish have a blue background adorned with a random mix of colors including orange, red, white, silver, purple, black, and gray. The blue color is quite uncommon and sought after and arises because the fish’s body is black under its skin.

ease of care

Shubunkin goldfish are extremely hardy and easy to care for, making them a perfect choice for beginners. You can keep goldfish in an aquarium or a pond. However, if you’re thinking of creating a fish pond, be sure to install a protective net so your fish don’t fall prey to predatory birds or your neighbor’s cat!

Aquarium fish do not need heating as long as the room is not exposed to extreme temperatures. Like all goldfish, the shubunkin is a dirty fish that produces massive amounts of waste every week. Because of this, you need to install a very efficient filtration system, do weekly partial water changes, and vacuum the substrate to remove solid waste and general debris.

How to care for shubunkin goldfish

As we have already mentioned, Shubunkins are very easy to care for. Here’s what you need to know if you’re thinking of taking on one of these beauties.

Tank size and shape

The key to keeping your fish happy and healthy is to provide them with a well maintained aquarium that is large enough to house the fish comfortably.

The size of tank you choose depends on how many fish you want to keep. Goldfish produce a lot of waste and also need a lot of oxygen. This means you need to use a very good filtration system that can handle the bioburden generated by the fish, and the flow rate should also be pretty decent so the water is well oxygenated. Of course you need to change 30% of the water every week and vacuum the substrate to remove debris, solid waste and uneaten food.

tank size

The absolute minimum tank size for a single Shubunkin goldfish is 15 gallons. However, goldfish should not be kept alone as they are very social animals that are best kept in groups. So start with a 20- to 30-gallon tank and increase the size by 10 gallons for each additional fish.

Keep in mind that your tiny, inch-long juveniles will grow quickly and can reach up to 15 cm. So buy a large tank to start with, or be ready to expand your pet’s housing if the need arises. Overstocking the tank will stunt growth, so don’t be tempted to buy too many fish.

tank shape

Always choose a tank that is long and not deep. This ensures a large surface area and thus a large amount of oxygen. If you choose a round aquarium, do not fill it to the brim with water as this will reduce the surface area.

tank body

Shubunkins need a lot of swimming space, so be careful not to overcrowd the tank with decorations and ornaments. A gravel substrate is a good choice as the fish like to rummage through it in search of uneaten food and it is also relatively easy to vacuum. Any decorations you choose should not have any sharp edges that could injure your fish.

Goldfish love plants! Unfortunately, that means they’re also happy to tear them to pieces and uproot them. So instead of including live plants, try using milkweed instead. Plastic plants should be avoided as they can be sharp and potentially dangerous to your fish.

As mentioned above, to keep the water clean and safe for your fish, you need a very efficient filtration system. However, the current should not be too strong, so buffer the current with decorations or plants if necessary, so that the fish are not whirled around too much.

water parameters

Goldfish are cold-water fish, so you don’t need a heater for your aquarium. Ideally, keep room temperature and water temperature between 20 and 22 degrees Fahrenheit. Although shubunkins are pretty much the hardiest goldfish species you can get, they don’t tolerate rapid drops in temperature, so you’ll need to monitor the temperature in the room you’re keeping your aquarium in, especially during the winter.

The Shubunkin also tolerates a wide pH range between 6.0 and 8.0 pH with a water hardness between 5 and 19 dGH.

Diet and Nutrition

Shubunkin goldfish are not picky when it comes to food!

These fish are omnivores, meaning they eat a mix of plant matter and meaty foods. The ideal diet for your fish should be a staple of goldfish flakes or pellets, freeze-dried food, and frozen foods such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, daphnia, and tubifex worms. To add variety to your pet’s diet and prevent diseases like constipation that can affect goldfish, offer your fish blanched zucchini or peas about once a week.

Although goldfish love to devour live food, we do not recommend using this as it can be a source of parasites that could make your fish sick.

Ideally, feed your fish two to three times a day. Offer your pet just enough food to last a few minutes, but no longer. Overfeeding is a common cause of disease in goldfish, so make sure you’re not overfeeding your fish!

tankmates

Goldfish are peaceful, sociable creatures that are happiest when kept in a group of the same species. You can also introduce other cold-water species like White Cloud Minnows, Rosy Barbs, and Gold Barbs. However, when the goldfish reach their adult size, they have a habit of eating whatever fits in their mouths, so small fish can be considered lunch! Also, invertebrates such as shrimp should not be kept with goldfish as they will most likely be eaten.

breed

You can breed goldfish in a home aquarium and definitely in an outdoor pond. The breeding season for goldfish begins in the spring when the water warms up. Males develop white spines (tubercles) over their heads and gill covers, and female fish appear fatter because they are carrying eggs. Outside of the breeding season, goldfish are difficult to sex, although males are generally smaller and more slender than females.

Spawn

Shubunkins, like all goldfish, are egg layers that often spawn best when kept in groups, especially outside in ponds.

To encourage spawning in the aquarium, you must try to reproduce the same conditions that the fish enjoy in the wild. So you need to raise the temperature in the tank to around 20°C. If you set up a separate spawning tank, it should be at least 20 gallons and your farmed fish must be disease free and in good condition.

Separate the male and female fish for a few weeks before attempting to breed them to increase their interest in spawning, then introduce both sexes together. Provide plenty of lush plant and spawning mops for the fish to scatter their eggs on.

Induce spawning by slowly lowering the temperature to around 60°F and then gradually increasing the temperature to between 68° and 74°F at a rate of around 3°F until spawning begins. You should also feed your Shubunkins plenty of live worms and brine shrimp to get them into breeding condition. Do 25% water changes every day to keep the water in the tank pristine.

lay and fry eggs

The male fish chases the female through the tank until she lays her eggs, which attach to plant leaves or the spawning mop, where they are fertilized by the male. Once the eggs are laid you must remove both parents or they will eat the eggs. The spawning process can take up to three hours, and up to 10,000 eggs can be produced.

The eggs usually hatch in four to seven days. Once the fry emerge, you can feed them special fry food until they are big enough to eat baby brine shrimp or powdered flakes. Shubunkin juveniles are a rather drab black or dark brown color. This gives the fish some camouflage so they are not eaten by larger predatory fish. The true colors of the fish will show after a few months when they are ready to be introduced to your main tank or pond.

Diseases

Shubunkin goldfish are fairly hardy creatures and tend not to succumb to many diseases as long as their tank is kept clean and they are fed a nutritious diet. Goldfish diseases occur in most freshwater fish species. Treating all of these diseases is fairly simple and successful in most cases, as long as you recognize the condition of the fish in time.

I

The most common problem for shubunkin goldfish is a condition called ego. Ich is caused by a unicellular parasite that lives in aquarium water. Ich usually attacks fish that are weakened by bad water conditions or already sick or stressed.

Fish with Ich have a rash of tiny white spots on their skin, gills, and fins. Infected fish will flick the substrate and decorations to get rid of the parasites.

flukes and lice

External parasites such as flukes attack goldfish, infesting the animal’s gills and body.

Lice are flat-topped crustaceans that attach themselves to the goldfish’s body. There are also anchorworms, which look like fine threads sticking out of the fish’s body.

Other common diseases

Bacterial and fungal infections can also affect goldfish, and many are fatal if you don’t treat them right away. Most of these conditions can be treated by dosing the aquarium water with an over-the-counter antibacterial product, and the fish will usually survive if you catch the problem early enough.

Swim Bladder Disease

Swim bladder disease is also often associated with constipation and is a common problem in goldfish, particularly those with plump bodies. Affected fish cannot stay upright in the water and may have difficulty swimming normally. Often fish with swim bladder disease remain on the substrate and appear unable to swim to the surface.

You can often solve the problem by starving the fish for 24 hours and then feeding them live or frozen food. Feeding a cooked, peeled pea can also help unclog the fish and the fish will recover quickly.

Availability

Shubunkins are usually available at most fishmongers, although they can be more expensive than their simpler solid color cousins. If you can’t find what you’re looking for in-store, you might have better luck searching online.

Finally

Shubunkin goldfish are hardy, easy to care for, and beautiful to look at. These cold water fish are perfect for beginners and can be kept in an aquarium or pond. Each Shubunkin is unique in its colors and markings, so you know yours is truly one-of-a-kind!

These fish can grow up to 15 cm long and are very dirty fish. Because of this, you need a large tank equipped with a highly efficient filtration system to house a group of these gregarious community fish.

Sharing is caring!

Shubunkins like company, but they don’t school fish – so they won’t be unhappy if they’re not kept with others of their kind. These peaceful and social fish do get along well with other fish, however, so you can keep several as long as you have a large enough tank. A single fish of this species will require an aquarium of at least 30 gallons and an additional 10 gallons for each additional fish.

FTC Disclosure: Fishpondinfo contains affiliate links and if you click on such a link and make a purchase and I meet the minimum requirements, I will be compensated.

goldfish farming

Last updated: 04/29/10

Note: The two images above (but not the first) are courtesy of Fantastic Fantails.

Goldfish Varieties

breeding links

breed

recognize eggs

Hatch and raise the fry

Growth rates and color changes of goldfish

Distinguish Goldfish Fry from Koi Fry

On my koi care page:

Separating and crossing goldfish and koi

Goldfish Varieties

Goldfish come in many varieties. All are the same species and can interbreed. It is often asked whether shubunkins can breed with common goldfish or fantails with comets. Well, they’re all the same species. Just as a Yorkie and a Doberman pincher dog can breed, two different types of goldfish can also breed.

Here is a partial list of varieties. Common colors are given, but all varieties can be almost any color. Colors found include gold/orange, white, black, red, blue/grey, brown/chocolate and more! Goldfish can also be any combination of any of these varieties, in which case they can be several varieties at once. Also, any species with double caudal or caudal fins should have double anal fins; and whenever the long tail is mentioned, the other fins are also longer than in the common goldfish. Dorsal fin = fin on the back. caudal fin = tail. Anal fin = fin near vent or anus. Pectoral fin = fins near the front on the sides used for maneuvering. The varieties are in no particular order. [Interestingly, someone took my list (without asking) and put it on a forum and included photos from another site (which they seemed to have asked permission for) of examples of each of these fish, so you may find this more useful than mine list . Here is the link.]

* = I currently have one or more goldfish of this species

** = I used to have a goldfish of this species but it died

*** = I have never had a goldfish of this kind

*Common – one-tailed; no ornaments; usually natural bronze or reddish orange with white on the tips of the fins, but may be other colors; picture

*Comet – single long tail; no ornaments; essentially long-finned common goldfish; usually orange with or without white or black fins; often change color with age

Shubunkin (original) – single short tail; no ornaments; Mixture of white, red/orange and blue/black

*Bristol Shubunkin – single long tail; no ornaments; Mixture of white, red/orange and blue/black

**London Shubunkin – single short tail; no ornaments; mix of white, red/orange and blue/black; known for its intense blue

*Fantail – double tail; obese; red, white, calico or any combination

***Veitail – double long tail; obese; red, white, calico or any combination

*** Lionhead or Ranchu – short double tail; no dorsal fin; obese; crest or growth on head; red, white, calico or any combination

**Oranda – long double tail; lion head with dorsal fin; less fat body; crest or growth on head; red, white, orange-yellow, red cap (red only on the hood), calico, black, blue (grey), chocolate (bronze), brown, or any combination; picture blue oranda; Image Calico Oranda with torn fins; picture red cap oranda

***Telescopic eye – double long tail; with or without a dorsal fin; obese; Big eyes; evolved from Veiltail; red, white, calico or any combination

**Black Moor – Double Tail; jet black color; Big eyes; essentially a black goldfish with telescopic eyes

*** Bubble-Eye – double tail; obese; no dorsal fin; large, fragile, fluid-filled sacs around the eyes; evolved from heavenly; red, white, calico or any combination

***pearl scale – double short tail; obese; protruding scales, as if the fish had dropsy; red, white, yellow, calico, black, chocolate or any combination

**pom poms – double tail; obese; no dorsal fin as a “cherished” fish; may have other ornaments; pompomous growths near the nostrils; red, white, calico or any combination

*** Celestial – Dual Tail; no dorsal fin; upturned fragile large eyes as an adult; red, silver, orange-yellow, white, or any combination (usually metallic)

*** Wakin – double short tail; light colored; yellow, orange, white or red-orange and white

*** Pea cocktail – tail like a butterfly; evolved from Wakin; red, white, calico or any combination

*** Fringe Tail – double big tail; obese; hump on the back; red, white or any combination

***Albino Doll – Double Tail; obese; Big eyes; albino telescopic fish

breeding links

goldfish farming

breeding of goldfish

Goldfish Eggs and Fry Photos – an archived version of the site

breed

The keys to breeding goldfish are temperature changes and providing a spawning ground. A gradual rise in temperature from say 50 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit over a few months should excite the fish. The females need soft, cold-water plants in shallow (under one foot) areas to spawn. Plants like Anacharis, Cambomba, Hornwort, Java Moss (in tanks), etc. will work. You can also buy artificial spawning mops for her to lay the eggs. If you want a few (in tanks) or more than a few (in ponds) juveniles to survive, remove the eggs as soon as they are laid. Both fish eat the eggs immediately. If possible, keep the eggs in similar water with some aeration.

When a female goldfish is full of eggs, she releases pheromones into the water. The males will likely harass her at other times as well, but once she’s sent the message, the males go berserk. The males will chase the females around very quickly, smashing them into any soft vegetation in the area. If there are no soft spots, she will most likely get hurt in the excitement of the males. Most people who see goldfish spawning in a pond for the first time say their fish have “gone crazy.” In an aquarium with less swimming space, the activity will not seem as hectic. A female will lay thousands of eggs and any fish present will eat as many as they can get hold of. The eggs hatch in 4 to 7 days, depending on the temperature. After a few days of hanging around (they appear to be sucking on glass in tanks) the juveniles start feeding.

Goldfish laden with eggs were called twits, twats, twirps, and twerps, according to various sources. Get the hang of this controversy on “Is a Pregnant Goldfish Called a Sucker?” on this page. It’s pretty funny! And yes, goldfish aren’t technically pregnant, they’re laden with eggs, or ripe (like some kind of fruit!).

My fish videos page has nine videos of goldfish spawning in my pond at different times.

recognize eggs

Eggs look like tiny transparent balls that stick to anything they land on, including each other. After a day, black spots should appear in the center of each fertilized egg. Snail and amphibian eggs, on the other hand, are mostly gelatinous masses. Snail eggs are usually found in clumps on surfaces, and amphibian eggs are usually just attached to each other or perhaps anchored to a plant.

Check out Twerp’s site for photos of a red-capped oranda next to a pile of her eggs.

Hatch and raise the fry

Goldfish eggs can take up to a week to hatch, depending on the temperature. At 50 to 60 degrees F they may take up to a week or even two to hatch, but at 75 degrees F they can hatch in 4 to 5 days. The newborns will lie around for about a week. Only when they start swimming around should they be fed small foods such as infusoria. Later they can eat baby artemia. They grow slowly in cramped conditions. There are often runts, misshapen juveniles and juveniles that do not match what you intended to breed. These fish can be culled (killed) or raised separately to be used as “forage fish”. One person can discard most juveniles (often by feeding them to other fish) because he or she doesn’t have the space for multiple tanks. In ponds, non-selective culling is done naturally by the goldfish and all other animals in the pond, who love to eat both the eggs and the fry.

Growth rates and color changes of goldfish

In clean, non-crowded conditions in tanks or ponds, goldfish grow quickly. They can grow to a few centimeters (1 to 4 inches) within the first year. It really depends on their genetics and life situation. It may take a year or two for them to change color from brown to gold or their parents’ color. Some common and comet goldfish in my pond go from brown to orange/gold at only 1 inch long, while others I’ve had have kept the tan color well up to 2 inches long and around two years old. Occasionally, a common goldfish will retain its natural brownish color forever. My goldfish (comet and common mixes) tend to go from bronze at two inches to a washed out white/orange with black fin tips, then to orange with black fin tips, to all orange, and finally to orange with white fin tips time they reach four inches. Fancy goldfish and shubunkins tend to develop their colors earlier (by an inch) than common goldfish. Goldfish change color throughout their lives. A few years after birth, or when the goldfish (single-finned varieties) reach 4 to 6 inches in length (3 to 5 inches for fancy goldfish), they should be at their best colors and begin breeding in earnest.

For information on caring for juveniles in general, see my Breeding and Brood Care page.

For information on how to tell koi and goldfish apart and how to mix them, see this section.

For more information on goldfish color changes, including some photos, see this section.

Here is a link to a post on my forum about breeding goldfish in a pond. There are other posts there too. If I ever refurbish this site I will need to add the information from this and other posts to this site.

Forum post about breeding goldfish in a pond

Do you have both goldfish and koi in your pond? do you have roast Would you like to know whether a fry is a goldfish or a koi? Here are some things to keep in mind. If you have other fish, it gets even more complex!

Goldfish spawn earlier than koi in most ponds.

Goldfish can spawn at around 2 to 3 inches in length. At 4 inches in length, you won’t be able to stop them. Koi, on the other hand, which can grow to 3 feet as adults, will not usually first spawn until they are at least 8-12 inches, more likely a foot long. So if your koi are smaller, the fry would most likely be goldfish.

If you have more of one species than the other, it may be the one you have in greater abundance.

All koi have barbels/whiskers on the underside of their mouths. They can even be seen in the brood, although you might need a microscope first!

Koi and goldfish can breed. Their offspring are likely to be barren like mules. These mixed species of fish may or may not have barbels. A study suggests that they always have barbels. When fully grown they are usually medium sized for koi and goldfish. Reproduction of these two separate species is not as likely when both species are abundant. It could happen if, for example, you had a female or male koi alone with lots of goldfish around, or even just a koi and a goldfish of the opposite sex.

Koi develop color alongside the natural color (blah brown/grey/black) when they are small, maybe a third or a half inch long. They will change color for most of their lives, but at least have some color when they are little. A 2.5 cm long koi will have a coloration similar to its parents. Goldfish, on the other hand, usually develop their colors slowly. Most begin to change color by an inch or two in length, but variations exist. I had a goldfish that went from blah to pure white in a few days when it was only about three-quarters of an inch long. At the same time I have a foot long goldfish in my pond that is still blah colored! Of course, if a koi is destined to be colored naturally, it will not change color early like colored koi. Shubunkins are an exception to early goldfish coloration. Shubunkins (tricolored goldfish) often develop their first colors as only about half an inch long. They also don’t change color as obviously as most other goldfish. See my section above on color changes for more.

The body shapes of koi and goldfish are different. You can mostly say that from experience. It is hard to explain. Part of this is that goldfish have a higher height to length ratio than koi. They are wider.

Return to the Goldfish main page.

Go to the goldfish sexing page

Return to the main fish page.

See the main index for the fish pages.

They say Shubunkin, I say Shuboykin

You say shubumpkin, I say shubunkin

Let’s just call it that… shall we?!

Shubunkin, the poor man’s koi, are beautiful and easy to care for calico goldfish. Shubunkin is a great choice for the backyard water garden pond, adding color and vibrancy to any setting. As a pond fish, the shubunkin is cold hardy, tolerates a wide range of water conditions, accepts many foods, and reproduces fairly easily in a typical pond environment. They are available from most pond fish vendors; and with a reasonable price tag, they have become a popular choice for water garden and pond owners.

ABOUT SHUBUNKIN:

Although shubunkin (Carassuis auratus “auratus”) are nicknamed “poor man’s koi”; Let’s face it, koi are a hole nutha level of fish. Koi have very distinctive patterns that determine what type of koi they are. What the Shubunkin share with Koi is the beautiful colors but with randomly mottled calico patterns of red, blue, copper, black, purple, yellow, orange and white. Blue is the most coveted background color among shubunkin lovers. What Shubunkin also has in common with Koi is the high level of breeding standards among Shubunkin breeders. Being a Shubunkin enthusiast is practically a way of life. There are even competitions where members of various “societies” show their fish for awards and ribbons for their prize shubunkin; similar to those involved in “koi kichi societies”.

TYPES OF SHUBUNKIN:

Observance of breed standards has produced various types of shubunkin. 3 different types of Shubunkin were produced based on body type and not color patterns. These types include Bristol Shubunkin, London Shubunkin, and American Shubunkin (also called Japanese Shubunkin). The London Shubunkin could basically be described as a calico goldfish, with the same body shape as the common goldfish. The Bristol Shubunkin has a more refined body shape and fins with bolder colors and deeper blues and blacks. The American shubunkin has the classic shubunkin colors and markings, but with a body shape that more closely resembles the longer body and fins of the comet goldfish. The American Shubunkin also drives a 1967 Mustang convertible and honky-tonks on the weekends, right.

SHUBUNKIN STORY:

If you’re geek enough, the Shubunkin come from a cross-sectional multinational background. According to the fish story, the Chinese brought common goldfish to Japan. Around 1900, the Japanese developed calico goldfish from the common goldfish. Then some American breeders laid down the characteristics of the Shubunkin. From this the British developed the 3 Shubunkin types. The British Aquarist’s Society (BAS) officially recognized the Bristol Shubunkin in 1934 while the other types were recognized as developed. …not an easy story about this fish.

HOW TO STORE SHUBUNKIN:

Shubunkins are happy, fast-moving pond fish that get along well with most other pond fish, including koi, orfe, bitterling, and dace; but they may be too fast to be kept with highly ornamental goldfish. Shubunkin can live up to 20 years and grow to over 15 inches in size. Shubunkin has some transparent and pearly scales that catch and reflect light, making them sparkle! Plant-based pellets should be the staple of their varied diet and feed the Shunbunkin daily. They are very social and do best in groups, which is also the best way to display them. Then they can also thrive indoors in aquariums, just give them large tanks.

The Shubunkin’s broad appeal from the novice to the experienced fishkeeper is easy to see. The ease of keeping and bright colors for the beginner and the high breeding standard with the potential to achieve excellence in fishing competitions will appeal to the experienced. The Shubunkin has claimed its rightful place among favorite fish in the pond and water garden world. It’s time for you to try them too.

Well if we could only get the name right… Shubikin, Shubunten, Bunker, Shubunks, Shubinks, Shudoobeedoos…

For more information on Mike Gannon or Full Service Aquatics, visit www.fullserviceaquatics.com

All copyright in this material is owned exclusively by Mike Gannon.

Yes! Goldfish eat algae!

Goldfish are omnivores (they eat both plants and animals) and they will eat – or at least try to eat – almost anything. Also, because goldfish don’t have a stomach, they’re constantly on the lookout for food.

This means goldfish will eat algae wherever they find it – from the sides of your tank, from decorations and plants, and from the gravel on the bottom of your tank.

If goldfish eat algae, shouldn’t I clean my aquarium?

Before you get too upset about never having to clean your aquarium, remember that algae can grow very quickly (especially in tanks with a lot of light). While goldfish eat algae – and will eat a lot – you can’t expect them to keep your tank clean to the last detail! If you want to keep your aquarium looking clean and tidy, you will probably need to remove some algae yourself.

However, it is best to leave some algae in your tank as this can help keep levels of chemicals like ammonia, nitrite and nitrate down.

Is Eating Seaweed Good Or Bad For My Goldfish?

Neither. Algae isn’t particularly nutritious, but it’s not bad for your goldfish either. Don’t let algae growth get out of control so your fish eat it all the time — and still feed your goldfish right — and you should be fine.

Can I get other fish to eat the algae in my goldfish tank?

It’s possible, but it involves some risk. Fish like Plecos can latch onto goldfish and damage their scales and slime coating!

If you still want to try other fish in your goldfish tank, check out our ultimate guide to fish that can live with goldfish.

Otherwise, the combination of a tank that isn’t too brightly lit, regular cleaning, and allowing your goldfish to eat algae should be enough to keep algae growth under control. Some plants, such as tomentosum, can also inhibit algae growth.

Do you know that if your water is not in the desired PH range according to your fish, it can lead to problems like algae growth, coral growth, damage to the health of your fish, etc.? We highly recommend doing this API water test kit on Amazon.com so you always know the pH level of your aquarium.

As the name suggests, the Shubunkin goldfish is of Japanese origin and is a colorful breed. They are colorful little creatures that get their name from their coloring and are often referred to as Calico Goldfish or Goldfish Calico. Shubunkins and the rest of the goldfish species are from the Cyprinidae family and were bred by Yoshigoro Akiyama by crossing the calico telescopic eye goldfish (for color), the comet goldfish, and the common goldfish for stature.

Overview of Shubunkin goldfish

A notable feature of the Shubunkins is that they don’t have teeth like many other animals. Instead, their teeth are located in their throats, also known as pharyngeal teeth. Because of their bright and multicolored coloring, these fish make a great addition to any pond or aquarium. They are similar to koi fish in appearance, but aquarists will know that a major difference between the shubunkin and the koi is the price.

If you are looking for an affordable yet equally beautiful addition to your aquarium, Shubunkin is an excellent choice. Available at most pet supply stores, they can keep you company for years, and live up to their calico name with many color variations, including hints of blue!

Shubunkin Goldfish Information Chart Care Level: Light to Medium Temperament: Peaceful Color: Red, yellow, white, orange, blue, and black Lifespan: 15 years Size: 12 inches (1 foot) Family Cyprinidae Diet: Omnivore Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons Temperature: 65-72 ºF, 18-22 ºC Water Conditions: pH 6 to 8 Compatibility with Tankmates Fast, less shy and peaceful fish

Shubunkin Goldfish Care Level

Shubunkins are hardy fish that are easy to care for. They can get quite large (around 30cm long) so it is imperative for them to have enough space to thrive. For this reason, Shubunkins are kept in ponds that can simulate their natural environment and have enough space to grow to their full potential.

We think you may be interested in Best Pond Liner

These peaceful freshwater fish don’t have demanding water conditions and can stay healthy with very little. Shubunkins come in many color variations, but blue (yes, blue) is the most coveted, coveted, and expensive color of Shubunkins. More on all of that later as we delve deeper into these colorful fish.

Types of Shubunkin Goldfish

According to experts, the calico marbling distinguishes this goldfish from other single-tailed goldfish. Now when we talk about the types, you will see three different types of Shubunkins. These are London, Bristol and American Shubunkin goldfish. Now let’s talk about them in detail.

#1 American Shubunkins

Despite the name, many people think that the American shubunkin goldfish look quite similar to the original goldfish that the first breeders in Japan started with. Some call it the Japanese shubunkin.

If we talk more about the American Shubunkins, they have a unique characteristic and multi-colored appearance. But you can tell them apart from the rest by looking at their tails. If you look closely, you’ll see that they have long and deeply forked tails compared to other variants. If you disregard the calico patterns, they look like the Comet Goldfish.

#2 London Shubunkins

The fact is that most aquarists are happy to keep London Shubunkins. They generally split the difference between Bristol and American Shubunkin.

Their appearance is generally calico in color, but if you observe them closely you’ll find rounded tails with slender bodies. Compared to the other Shubunkins, London Shubunkins have a wide variety of patterns. For your home aquarium, they can be a perfect option.

#3 Bristol Shubunkins

Among all types of Shubunkin, Bristol Shubunkins will cost you more. Now you might be wondering why? One of the main reasons for this is that these Shubunkins are rare.

They have an attractive body shape and look very beautiful. If you mark closely, you can see that their tails have rounded lobes that form the letter “B.” But their fins are rounder and shorter compared to other Shubunkins.

Shubunkin goldfish generally display beautiful calico patterns of red, gold, black, blue, and orange. Shubunkin’s stunning marbled appearance mimics koi fish perfectly and it has been shown that most aquarists prefer to add them to their community tanks to get the touch of koi fish.

Is your Shubunkin female or male?

Well, deciding if you have a male or female shubunkin goldfish can be quite confusing and difficult as they all look the same. That doesn’t mean it’s completely impossible. You will differentiate between the female and male shubunkin goldfish during the breeding season.

You can try observing the Shubunkins in your aquarium from above. Female fish generally look slightly rounder and broader than male Shubunkins. Also, when males are in breeding conditions, they generally develop pimples around the gill covers and heads. These are called brood stars or tubercles.

temperament and behavior

Shubunkin, like many other common goldfish, is friendly. Aside from more aggressive species, they can get along with many other fish. They can get quite large, and they are also strong swimmers, which contributes to their space requirements. They get along well with other species and their own as they can be quite a social butterfly, but as they tend to outrun their tankmates and enjoy eating, you’ll need to make sure there’s plenty to do.

When we say they love to eat, that’s an understatement. These fish will clean up the tank and any food you give, helping to preserve the tank or pond environment. It also minimizes the need for scavengers in the tank. They swim around the tank or linger on the bottom and collect leftovers.

Some prefer to keep their Shubunkins alone. However, these are social Pisces, although they don’t prefer to be together all the time. Shubunkins are like a school society.

You should keep at least two Shubunkins together, but don’t forget to consider tank size. For two Shubunkins, experts recommend using a 284 liter or 75 gallon tank.

Because of their faster appetites, the shubunkin goldfish can easily outperform others in your aquarium. Sometimes they can also be found on the bottom of the aquarium to eat the missing waste.

So there is no need to add more scavengers to your aquarium. But you should always keep an eye on the other fish and make sure that they get enough food.

Shubunkin goldfish appearance

Although the shubunkin originated in Japan, the names that classify the most common shubunkins are named after cities miles away.

As discussed in the section above, the London Shubunkin is slimmer with rounder fins, but the coloration is still the same (blue, red, black, white, orange, and yellow). The Bristol Shubunkin is also slender, but its fins are more prominent. The original shubunkin, also referred to as the American or Japanese shubunkin (a more appropriate name given its origins), has a deeply forked tail that is longer than the other species.

Shubunkins come in a variety of patterns and calico colors. When people hear “calico,” they generally think of a cat. One of the main reasons for such a color is genetics.

Most Shubunkins are a beautiful mottled color. They can be a unique combination of orange, red, white, blue, black, or yellow.

Some Shubunkins have long fins that take their looks to a new level. When they swim you can see their fins flowing with their movements.

One of the most exciting features of Shubunkins is their unique blue coloring. This trait is rare in the Shubunkins, and the cost of the fish is determined with this factor in mind. Since they are scarce, you have to pay more for them.

Shubunkin goldfish size

How big does a shubunkin goldfish get? They can get quite large, up to 12 inches (1 foot) long. The size mainly depends on the Shubunkins’ environment and diet. It can grow to this size under the right conditions.

The best thing about shubunkin goldfish is that they can adapt to the size of their habitat. This is a significant evolutionary trait shared by all species of goldfish. This allows them to endure overpopulation and drought in the wild. This can also significantly affect the growth of shubunkin fish.

Keep in mind that inappropriately small vessels, vases, and bowls can lead to poor health conditions in your Shubunkin goldfish.

If you decide on the perfect aquarium size, you can expect your beautiful goldfish to grow to around five to six inches. Keeping them in a pond and giving them maximum freedom will allow them to reach their full potential. As mentioned above, they can reach around 12 to 14 inches in length.

A shubunkin has also been seen to grow as tall as 18-50 inches under the right conditions.

colour

Think of the shubunkin goldfish as a smaller version of koi. They come in many calico variations, each more unique than the last. They combine the following colors: red, yellow, white, orange, blue and black. Like the comet goldfish they also get it from, they can have long, billowing caudal fins that are beautiful when swimming.

As previously mentioned, blue is the most desirable color and the rarest. The bluer the Shubunkin Goldfish, the more expensive and rare it is. You’ll mostly find shubunkin goldfish with a white base and splashes of red, black, yellow, orange, and if you’re lucky, blue.

Lifespan of Shubunkin Goldfish

How Long Do Shubunkin Goldfish Live? Shubunkins are hardy fish that can live for quite a long time. Goldfish are generally healthy fish that can live up to 20 years with proper care. Again, this largely depends on the environment and the level of care it receives. You can be sure that the fish will accompany you for at least 10 years.

Although Shubunkins are hardy fish, they do need a pond or appropriately sized tank. Also, you need to maintain water quality year-round. A slight change in their water quality can shorten their lifespan.

On the other hand, if you maintain clean water conditions, provide adequate swimming space, and provide quality fish food, you can keep your Shubunkin swimming around in the aquarium for around 30 years.

Feeding shubunkin goldfish

The shubunkin goldfish is unique because it was captive bred and is a native species. Because of this, it’s hard to estimate what these goldfish would eat in the wild since all they’ve ever known is in captivity. If we compare them to other goldfish species or their ancestors, we can conclude that in the wild they ate anything they could.

An accurate projection of their diet would include plants and floating materials, smaller crustaceans and insects, and anything they can put in their mouths. Because of this, you need to be aware of what you put in the tank, but more on that later.

Feeding the shubunkin goldfish can be a challenge as you have to be more specific with the portions. On the plus side, however, it eliminates the need for scavengers and regular tank cleaning. Thanks to their love of food, you can give them anything. Pellets and flakes are a good place to start, but since they’re omnivores (both herbivores and carnivores), we recommend supplementing their diet with the occasional treat.

Think of extra vegetables and frozen foods. They will occasionally appreciate mosquito larvae and shrimp in their diet.

The amount you can eat in two minutes will be enough for you. Provide them with high-quality proteins so that they can develop sufficient swimming power. They should keep switching between freeze-dried, fresh, and frozen options so they can enjoy different flavors. Some popular options are:

krill

Artemia

bloodworms

Since they like to nibble on vegetables and fruits, you can offer them water hyacinth, tomato, watermelon, lettuce, peas, cucumber, spinach, and orange.

family

Like most other goldfish, the shubunkins are freshwater fish in the Cyprinidae family.

Shubunkin Goldfish Care & Tank Setup

Tank conditions for Shubunkin Goldfish

Bigger fish need more space; For this reason, a pond is the most recommended over a tank. If you don’t have enough space in the house or are only planning 1 or 2 Shubunkins, a pond is a good choice. It can ensure your shubunkin has enough space, and simulate the natural conditions of the outdoor environment what they are used to. Water flow should be slow and steady, but Shubunkins are tough and can handle the most subtle of changes.

As already mentioned, these fish love to eat. The substrate you put in the aquarium must be well rooted and fast growing. For tank liners, look for larger gravel rather than sand as they can mistake it for food. The larger substrate gives it the opportunity to forage for leftovers as it would in a natural environment.

You can opt for a solid filtration system or you would have to clean the pond fairly often as these fish are messy. They enjoy playing around with their surroundings, all in the name of foraging.

water temperature

You should keep the temperature between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit (about 18 to 22 degrees Celsius).

water conditions

The PH values ​​should be around neutral, but they are hardy there. Shubunkins can be more forgiving, living with pH levels of 6 to 8.

Like other goldfish species, shubunkins prefer to live in calmer waters than tropical fish. If you plan to keep them in your aquarium, make sure they have well-oxygenated water and a neutral pH.

One of the exciting things about these goldfish is that they can easily tolerate water temperatures a few degrees above freezing.

Therefore they are suitable for ponds. But the experts suggest using a quality water heater to avoid extreme conditions. If the water temperature changes gradually, dropping a few degrees every day, your shubunkin will not develop serious health problems.

Some essential water parameters to keep in mind if you want to keep Shubunkin in the aquarium are:

Water hardness level – 5 to 19 dGH.

Water Temperature – 65 to 72 degrees F.

pH levels – 6 to 8.

Minimum tank size

Just a shubunkin goldfish would need about 75 gallons! That means you would need quite a bit of space. This again confirms our suggestion to keep them in a pond. Also, shubunkin goldfish grow quickly, so you’ll need to decide on adequate space from the start. Keep no more than 2 Shubunkins in a 75 gallon tank. For an extra you would have to add another 75 gallons.

Maintenance and Care

They don’t need much from you in terms of tank maintenance other than cleaning. They clean up well behind them as they pick up leftovers. To keep them healthy, just make sure they always have clean water. Leaves and the like could contaminate the water if the pond is outdoors and their tendency to foul the tank could also foul water conditions.

To prevent the spread of diseases such as ich and swim bladder, schedule a 25% water change every two weeks. They are prone to common fish diseases like ich, swim bladder, fin rot and more. Keep an eye on your fish to make sure they are healthy. If they show signs of illness, it is important to isolate them from the group until they recover to prevent the spread.

Appropriate tankmates for Shubunkin Goldfish

Can shubunkin live with goldfish? If we’re strictly talking about temperament, yes they can. However, you need to be sure that the species you choose is not slow and timid, because such fish will snatch food straight away. The odds are slower and shy fish get no food at all and possibly die of malnutrition; other goldfish, tetras and certain catfish and barbs.

If you find that Shubunkins are still dominating the tank and taking food from the other fish, you can feed them on one side of the tank first, and then feed the slower and more disadvantaged fish on the other side. However, you can avoid this disparity by adding other goldfish to the tank. Comets, koi and fancy goldfish can more than do justice to the energetic trend.

Aside from aquarium mates, the Shubunkin can get along well with crustaceans and tank cleaners if you add them to the tank. Larger tanks house graceful creatures that live in harmony with the shubunkin and pair well together. Be sure to stay away from aggressive predatory fish like cichlids, and the invertebrates you add to the mix should not be small enough to fit in your Shubunkins’ mouths.

You can be easily drawn to the colorful and bright color patterns of the Shubunkin goldfish. Still, Shubunkins make a good aquatic pet as they have a social nature. Experts say that they can easily coexist with different tankmates.

Some of the best tankmates for your Shubunkins are:

goldfish

Goldfish can be an excellent choice for the Shubunkins’ tankmates. Since Shubunkins are giant goldfish, they can grow to around 12 inches in length. Choosing other fish of this size can result in a well balanced tank. The comet goldfish can live in a tank with Shubunkins. Remember that these fish are fast, so don’t use slow goldfish.

mollusks and crustaceans

Snails, crabs, and shrimp are some of the good choices for those looking to keep more than just shubunkin in their aquariums. Shubunkins are not an aggressive species of fish, so they do not harm others. However, if you decide to add molluscs or crustaceans to your aquarium, make sure their size matches the size of your Shubunkin. A larger shubunkin may consider a crab or shrimp as a snack.

koi

Both the shubunkins and the koi belong to the carp family. Because they all share similar ancestry, shubunkin and koi can ideally get along in an aquarium. They both have good contacts, consume the same foods and are friendly residents of the community. On the other hand, both Shubunkins and Koi fish look very similar, and they look beautiful in a large tank.

Incompatible species

After going through the discussion above, it can be said that one should avoid aggressive and more prominent tankmates for his shubunkin. For example, tiger mullets and cichlids always look at them as snacks. If you don’t have a shubunkin big enough to stand up to, don’t add cichlids and tiger barbel to the tank.

On the other hand, you have to be careful when combining invertebrates and shubunkins. Various freshwater shrimp, like amanos and more, various freshwater shrimp are large enough to survive, but the smaller species can have problems. So just use your common sense and you will understand.

compatibility

For the least amount of stress and hassle, we recommend shubunkin goldfish with others of his family. They all have the same temperament and attitudes that don’t require any extra attention from you.

Breeding Shubunkin Goldfish

Again, these fish were bred in captivity, allowing aquarists to do the same at home. However, to ensure proper breeding you will need a good number of fish between 4 and 5. If you remember what we said about tank size (75 gallons per 1-2 Shubunkin) you can calculate how much space you would need for a group of that number.

You would need more than one as it is a social fish that prefers to draw schools. Similar to the comet goldfish, it doesn’t take much effort on your part to trigger breeding. All you have to do is make sure the water conditions are right and the fish will do the rest. You will need a separate room or tank (especially if you have other species of fish in the tank) as you will be separating the parents from the eggs when laying have to.

Shubunkin fish tend to lay their eggs on surfaces, and a tank full of plants (manmade or natural) is a great addition to catching the eggs. You need to lower the water temperature in the breeding tank to 60 degrees Fahrenheit (about 15-16 degrees Celsius) so you can see that the tank will be colder than usual.

Your next step is to slowly increase the water temperature by 1-3 degrees day by day until you reach 72 degrees Fahrenheit (about 22-22.5 degrees Celsius). This will be a significant change to induce breeding as goldfish tend to breed in warmer waters.

To ensure the best conditions, always remove leftover food (if any) from the tank so as not to spoil the simulated conditions. During this time, the fish will also do well on a high-protein diet of bloodworm and brine shrimp. When you start seeing the males chasing the females around the pond or tank, you will know that you have been successful and breeding is about to begin.

Their colors then become lighter and darker. The females lay their eggs on the plants, about 10,000 in all. The males fertilize them and spawning lasts only a few hours. Shubunkins, along with other goldfish, make terrible parents because that’s when they start eating the eggs, so you should separate the adults once the eggs are laid.

A week later you should see the juveniles swimming around in the rearing tank. Give them food small enough until they are large enough to fit brine shrimp and much larger food in their mouths. You can introduce them to their parents again when they grow to about an inch or two.

Health and Disease of Shubunkin Goldfish

As mentioned above, Shubunkin is a hardy fish. However, sometimes they can develop some diseases. And one of the most common reasons for this can be dirty and dirty water in the aquarium.

If your Shubunkins are actively swimming, digging in the substrate, and are active, they are in good condition. However, signs that may indicate possible health problems include:

inactivity

Not eating right

Bloody, torn or torn fins

No socializing with the tankmates.

Red spots or sores on the skin

If your fish have Shubunkin’s white spot disease, you should treat the aquarium with Ich medication immediately. If they have flukes, you need to add an antiparasitic drug to the water. Sometimes they can develop swim bladder disease. When it happens, your fish will swim sideways or in an odd pattern. The main causes of this disease are poor diet, parasitic infections, constipation and physical deformities.

You can treat this condition by offering them blanched peas. If that doesn’t work, you should see a doctor.

Are Shubunkin Goldfish Good For You?

There is no doubt that Shubunkins can be a trendy and beautiful addition to your outdoor and indoor aquariums. Their cost can range from as little as $3 to $20. So you don’t have to break your bank for a stunning calico print.

It should be noted that in some cultures, especially China and Japan, shubunkins are considered a sign of good luck. So, if you have a large tank and a decent setup, you can go for shubunkin goldfish.

FAQ

Are these fish easy to care for?

Well, the regular grooming routine for your shubunkin goldfish is relatively simple. They are hardy fish, so they don’t need regular grooming. They can live and grow well in captivity and can easily live in conditions unsuitable for other fish.

How to take good care of Shubunkins?

Because Shubunkins are omnivores, they can eat a variety of flakes of frozen and fresh food. To take care of your Shubunkin you need to maintain a perfect balance by offering them good quality flake food. You should offer them Tubifex worms, mosquito larvae, daphnia, and frozen or live shrimp as treats.

What should be the minimum water level for your Shubunkins?

You should use at least 30 gallons of water for your first Shubunkin fish. And if you want to add more fish to the tank, you need to add 10 gallons for each shubunkin. A low water level in your tank can affect your health. You can also use a 75 gallon tank for two Shubunkins.

Do shubunkin fish hibernate?

Yes, shubunkin goldfish hibernate. For this, your pond should be about 28 inches deep. In addition, there should be about 6 inches of flat area for your shubunkin to spread out. It is good for them to put a rough composition on the bottom of the tank or pond as they spend a lot of time in the soil.

Conclusion

Due to their low maintenance and hardy breed, Shubunkins are fantastic in a tank. Unless you can find a blue one, both novice and experienced aquarists can be intrigued by their unique colors and relatively affordable prices.

They need a lot of space, but they can get along with many other species as long as you get the food. If you have enough space, these fish can live for many years and are cheaper than the more expensive koi. These handsome creatures are available at most pet stores.

This article was co-authored by Doug Ludemann and wikiHow contributor Megaera Lorenz, PhD. Doug Ludemann is the owner and operator of Fish Geeks, LLC, an aquarium services company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Doug has been in the aquarium and fish care industry for over 20 years, including as a professional aquarist for the Minnesota Zoo and Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior from the University of Minnesota. This article has been viewed 55,178 times.

Article overview

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To care for a shubunkin goldfish in an aquarium, keep it in a tank that holds at least 20-30 gallons of water, adding an additional 10 gallons for each additional fish. Cover the bottom of the tank with medium gravel substrate and use a thermometer to maintain a water temperature between 65-72°F. Because goldfish produce a lot of waste, keep the water clean with a good filter, rated for the size of your aquarium. Read on if you want to learn how to keep your shubunkin goldfish in a pond!

FTC Disclosure: Fishpondinfo contains affiliate links and if you click on such a link and make a purchase and I meet the minimum requirements, I will be compensated.

goldfish farming

Last updated: 04/29/10

Note: The two images above (but not the first) are courtesy of Fantastic Fantails.

Goldfish Varieties

breeding links

breed

recognize eggs

Hatch and raise the fry

Growth rates and color changes of goldfish

Distinguish Goldfish Fry from Koi Fry

On my koi care page:

Separating and crossing goldfish and koi

Goldfish Varieties

Goldfish come in many varieties. All are the same species and can interbreed. It is often asked whether shubunkins can breed with common goldfish or fantails with comets. Well, they’re all the same species. Just as a Yorkie and a Doberman pincher dog can breed, two different types of goldfish can also breed.

Here is a partial list of varieties. Common colors are given, but all varieties can be almost any color. Colors found include gold/orange, white, black, red, blue/grey, brown/chocolate and more! Goldfish can also be any combination of any of these varieties, in which case they can be several varieties at once. Also, any species with double caudal or caudal fins should have double anal fins; and whenever the long tail is mentioned, the other fins are also longer than in the common goldfish. Dorsal fin = fin on the back. caudal fin = tail. Anal fin = fin near vent or anus. Pectoral fin = fins near the front on the sides used for maneuvering. The varieties are in no particular order. [Interestingly, someone took my list (without asking) and put it on a forum and included photos from another site (which they seemed to have asked permission for) of examples of each of these fish, so you may find this more useful than mine list . Here is the link.]

* = I currently have one or more goldfish of this species

** = I used to have a goldfish of this species but it died

*** = I have never had a goldfish of this kind

*Common – one-tailed; no ornaments; usually natural bronze or reddish orange with white on the tips of the fins, but may be other colors; picture

*Comet – single long tail; no ornaments; essentially long-finned common goldfish; usually orange with or without white or black fins; often change color with age

Shubunkin (original) – single short tail; no ornaments; Mixture of white, red/orange and blue/black

*Bristol Shubunkin – single long tail; no ornaments; Mixture of white, red/orange and blue/black

**London Shubunkin – single short tail; no ornaments; mix of white, red/orange and blue/black; known for its intense blue

*Fantail – double tail; obese; red, white, calico or any combination

***Veitail – double long tail; obese; red, white, calico or any combination

*** Lionhead or Ranchu – short double tail; no dorsal fin; obese; crest or growth on head; red, white, calico or any combination

**Oranda – long double tail; lion head with dorsal fin; less fat body; crest or growth on head; red, white, orange-yellow, red cap (red only on the hood), calico, black, blue (grey), chocolate (bronze), brown, or any combination; picture blue oranda; Image Calico Oranda with torn fins; picture red cap oranda

***Telescopic eye – double long tail; with or without a dorsal fin; obese; Big eyes; evolved from Veiltail; red, white, calico or any combination

**Black Moor – Double Tail; jet black color; Big eyes; essentially a black goldfish with telescopic eyes

*** Bubble-Eye – double tail; obese; no dorsal fin; large, fragile, fluid-filled sacs around the eyes; evolved from heavenly; red, white, calico or any combination

***pearl scale – double short tail; obese; protruding scales, as if the fish had dropsy; red, white, yellow, calico, black, chocolate or any combination

**pom poms – double tail; obese; no dorsal fin as a “cherished” fish; may have other ornaments; pompomous growths near the nostrils; red, white, calico or any combination

*** Celestial – Dual Tail; no dorsal fin; upturned fragile large eyes as an adult; red, silver, orange-yellow, white, or any combination (usually metallic)

*** Wakin – double short tail; light colored; yellow, orange, white or red-orange and white

*** Pea cocktail – tail like a butterfly; evolved from Wakin; red, white, calico or any combination

*** Fringe Tail – double big tail; obese; hump on the back; red, white or any combination

***Albino Doll – Double Tail; obese; Big eyes; albino telescopic fish

breeding links

goldfish farming

breeding of goldfish

Goldfish Eggs and Fry Photos – an archived version of the site

breed

The keys to breeding goldfish are temperature changes and providing a spawning ground. A gradual rise in temperature from say 50 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit over a few months should excite the fish. The females need soft, cold-water plants in shallow (under one foot) areas to spawn. Plants like Anacharis, Cambomba, Hornwort, Java Moss (in tanks), etc. will work. You can also buy artificial spawning mops for her to lay the eggs. If you want a few (in tanks) or more than a few (in ponds) juveniles to survive, remove the eggs as soon as they are laid. Both fish eat the eggs immediately. If possible, keep the eggs in similar water with some aeration.

When a female goldfish is full of eggs, she releases pheromones into the water. The males will likely harass her at other times as well, but once she’s sent the message, the males go berserk. The males will chase the females around very quickly, smashing them into any soft vegetation in the area. If there are no soft spots, she will most likely get hurt in the excitement of the males. Most people who see goldfish spawning in a pond for the first time say their fish have “gone crazy.” In an aquarium with less swimming space, the activity will not seem as hectic. A female will lay thousands of eggs and any fish present will eat as many as they can get hold of. The eggs hatch in 4 to 7 days, depending on the temperature. After a few days of hanging around (they appear to be sucking on glass in tanks) the juveniles start feeding.

Goldfish laden with eggs were called twits, twats, twirps, and twerps, according to various sources. Get the hang of this controversy on “Is a Pregnant Goldfish Called a Sucker?” on this page. It’s pretty funny! And yes, goldfish aren’t technically pregnant, they’re laden with eggs, or ripe (like some kind of fruit!).

My fish videos page has nine videos of goldfish spawning in my pond at different times.

recognize eggs

Eggs look like tiny transparent balls that stick to anything they land on, including each other. After a day, black spots should appear in the center of each fertilized egg. Snail and amphibian eggs, on the other hand, are mostly gelatinous masses. Snail eggs are usually found in clumps on surfaces, and amphibian eggs are usually just attached to each other or perhaps anchored to a plant.

Check out Twerp’s site for photos of a red-capped oranda next to a pile of her eggs.

Hatch and raise the fry

Goldfish eggs can take up to a week to hatch, depending on the temperature. At 50 to 60 degrees F they may take up to a week or even two to hatch, but at 75 degrees F they can hatch in 4 to 5 days. The newborns will lie around for about a week. Only when they start swimming around should they be fed small foods such as infusoria. Later they can eat baby artemia. They grow slowly in cramped conditions. There are often runts, misshapen juveniles and juveniles that do not match what you intended to breed. These fish can be culled (killed) or raised separately to be used as “forage fish”. One person can discard most juveniles (often by feeding them to other fish) because he or she doesn’t have the space for multiple tanks. In ponds, non-selective culling is done naturally by the goldfish and all other animals in the pond, who love to eat both the eggs and the fry.

Growth rates and color changes of goldfish

In clean, non-crowded conditions in tanks or ponds, goldfish grow quickly. They can grow to a few centimeters (1 to 4 inches) within the first year. It really depends on their genetics and life situation. It may take a year or two for them to change color from brown to gold or their parents’ color. Some common and comet goldfish in my pond go from brown to orange/gold at only 1 inch long, while others I’ve had have kept the tan color well up to 2 inches long and around two years old. Occasionally, a common goldfish will retain its natural brownish color forever. My goldfish (comet and common mixes) tend to go from bronze at two inches to a washed out white/orange with black fin tips, then to orange with black fin tips, to all orange, and finally to orange with white fin tips time they reach four inches. Fancy goldfish and shubunkins tend to develop their colors earlier (by an inch) than common goldfish. Goldfish change color throughout their lives. A few years after birth, or when the goldfish (single-finned varieties) reach 4 to 6 inches in length (3 to 5 inches for fancy goldfish), they should be at their best colors and begin breeding in earnest.

For information on caring for juveniles in general, see my Breeding and Brood Care page.

For information on how to tell koi and goldfish apart and how to mix them, see this section.

For more information on goldfish color changes, including some photos, see this section.

Here is a link to a post on my forum about breeding goldfish in a pond. There are other posts there too. If I ever refurbish this site I will need to add the information from this and other posts to this site.

Forum post about breeding goldfish in a pond

Do you have both goldfish and koi in your pond? do you have roast Would you like to know whether a fry is a goldfish or a koi? Here are some things to keep in mind. If you have other fish, it gets even more complex!

Goldfish spawn earlier than koi in most ponds.

Goldfish can spawn at around 2 to 3 inches in length. At 4 inches in length, you won’t be able to stop them. Koi, on the other hand, which can grow to 3 feet as adults, will not usually first spawn until they are at least 8-12 inches, more likely a foot long. So if your koi are smaller, the fry would most likely be goldfish.

If you have more of one species than the other, it may be the one you have in greater abundance.

All koi have barbels/whiskers on the underside of their mouths. They can even be seen in the brood, although you might need a microscope first!

Koi and goldfish can breed. Their offspring are likely to be barren like mules. These mixed species of fish may or may not have barbels. A study suggests that they always have barbels. When fully grown they are usually medium sized for koi and goldfish. Reproduction of these two separate species is not as likely when both species are abundant. It could happen if, for example, you had a female or male koi alone with lots of goldfish around, or even just a koi and a goldfish of the opposite sex.

Koi develop color alongside the natural color (blah brown/grey/black) when they are small, maybe a third or a half inch long. They will change color for most of their lives, but at least have some color when they are little. A 2.5 cm long koi will have a coloration similar to its parents. Goldfish, on the other hand, usually develop their colors slowly. Most begin to change color by an inch or two in length, but variations exist. I had a goldfish that went from blah to pure white in a few days when it was only about three-quarters of an inch long. At the same time I have a foot long goldfish in my pond that is still blah colored! Of course, if a koi is destined to be colored naturally, it will not change color early like colored koi. Shubunkins are an exception to early goldfish coloration. Shubunkins (tricolored goldfish) often develop their first colors as only about half an inch long. They also don’t change color as obviously as most other goldfish. See my section above on color changes for more.

The body shapes of koi and goldfish are different. You can mostly say that from experience. It is hard to explain. Part of this is that goldfish have a higher height to length ratio than koi. They are wider.

Return to the Goldfish main page.

Go to the goldfish sexing page

Return to the main fish page.

See the main index for the fish pages.

How long is the memory of a goldfish?

There is a common belief that goldfish only have a 3 second memory. But the humble goldfish might not only have a longer memory than most people think, it might also be a lot smarter.

If you own a goldfish, there’s a good chance they’ll remember you for more than 3 seconds. Image by Benson Kua via Flickr

How long can goldfish remember?

A fairly simple experiment conducted by a 15-year-old schoolboy disproved the theory that goldfish don’t remember for more than a few seconds. When feeding his pet goldfish, he would place a red piece of lego in their fish tank and sprinkle food around the lego block. At first the fish seemed scared of the block, but after a few weeks the goldfish learned that the red block meant food was coming and swam straight for it.

After the goldfish seemed to understand what the block meant, he stopped using the Lego piece for 1 week. Then he reinserted the block and the fish swam straight towards it in anticipation of food.

This rather elegant experiment shows that goldfish can remember information for at least a week.

In another experiment, researchers trained young goldfish by playing a specific sound during feeding time. These goldfish were then released into the sea. About 6 months later, the researchers played the sound through a speaker again, and many of the goldfish returned to where the sound was playing. Again, much longer than the 3-second myth would have you believe.

So clearly a goldfish can remember things for longer than 3 seconds, but are they even smart?

How smart are goldfish?

If I asked you about an “intelligent” animal you would probably say something like a dolphin or a chimpanzee, I definitely don’t think you would say a species of fish. However, scientists believe many fish are smarter than we think.

Many biologists consider fish to be quite intelligent. A biologist from the University of Edinburgh says that “in many areas, such as memory, the cognitive abilities [of fish] match or exceed those of higher vertebrates, including non-human primates”.

Goldfish have demonstrated their ability to learn and process information. Pet goldfish can discriminate between humans and often recognize the human who feeds them regularly. Goldfish pets can also appear quite fearful of new people, but over time they become more comfortable with their owners as they realize that they pose no threat.

Goldfish have also been taught to complete relatively complex tasks, such as swimming through mazes or throwing a ball into a net. This means that goldfish not only have the ability to remember information such as their owner who feeds them, but also the ability for more complex processing and perception.

They may not look smart, but goldfish have been trained to perform fairly complex tasks. Image by Gexydaf via Flickr

Why do we think goldfish are stupid?

Many people have this preconceived notion that evolution is a liner, that fish evolved into reptiles, which evolved into mammals, then primates, and then us. So fish are a lot less intelligent than all the animals that came after, right? But that’s not really how evolution works. Yes, 400 million years ago there was a prehistoric fish that crawled out of the water that eventually evolved into humans over millions of years. But fish aren’t the same as they were 400 million years ago.

Scientists believe that fish evolved over millions of years to remember things, e.g. B. where they can find food and what a predator looks like and what it looks like – in the same way they recognize that their owner poses no threat and will give them food.

So we really should give goldfish more credit. While they are definitely not the smartest creatures in the animal kingdom, goldfish are definitely smarter than the 3-second memory myth gives them credit for.

Shubunkin Goldfish Care, Lifespan & Breeding Guide for Ponds 2022

Shubunkins are a single-tailed goldfish species created by breeding the common goldfish and the calico telescopic-eye goldfish together. The result is a unique, beautiful goldfish with pearlescent (pearlescent) coloring in various combinations of orange/gold, red, white, silver, blue and black.

It originated in Japan around the 1900’s, but there are other popular strains today – the London Shubunkin and the Bristol Shubunkin. The Japanese (sometimes referred to as American) shubunkin is perhaps the most popular, with a long body shape and a well-developed, pointed caudal fin.

London Shubunkins have shorter fins, similar to those of common goldfish, and Bristol Shubunkins have rounded caudal fins. Regardless of the strain, Shubunkins are fairly hardy, active, and playful.

Shubunkin Goldfish Maximum Lifespan and Size

Shubunkins reach adulthood at two years of age, by which time they have reached a maximum size of up to 18 inches in length. When kept in an aquarium, they can only grow up to 10 inches long, depending on the size of the aquarium and the number of other fish present. They can grow up to 30cm in their first year of life, again depending on whether they are kept in a tank or pond and how big they are.

The maximum life expectancy of Shubunkins is quite long, up to 30 years, although 15-20 years in a pond and 10 years in an aquarium are considered average. As with any fish, the exact growth rate depends on water quality, genetics, temperature, feeding rate, and general diet.

Shubunkin Feeding & Nutrition – What is the best feed?

Shubunkins are omnivores, so they need a varied diet and a high-quality goldfish food. Like most carp relatives, Shubunkins require a high-protein diet — things like brine shrimp, mosquito larvae, krill meal, and other high-protein foods should make up around 30-50% of their diet. Because protein requirements are higher in younger fish, juveniles and juveniles should be fed at or near 50% protein, with this level decreasing closer to the 30% mark once adulthood is reached. The remaining 50 to 70% should be plant-based and include foods like spinach, lettuce, shelled cooked peas, spirulina, cucumber, watermelon, water hyacinth, oranges, and tomatoes.

Check goldfish food prices

They will also likely eat any aquatic insects and plants present in the pond. Their low lipid and fiber requirements (both around 5%), as well as their vitamin and mineral needs are easily met by feeding them either these fresh or frozen foods, or by feeding them high quality fish flakes or pellets supplemented with the fresh or above frozen options. Flakes or pellets and fresh, frozen, or freeze-dried proteins can be fed several times a day, vegetables can be fed once a day, and fruit can be provided about every three days. Remember to only feed your fish as much as they eat in a short two minute period to avoid overfeeding.

Shubunkin Goldfish Tank Size & Pond Stock

If you keep it in a tank, you should have at least 30 gallons of water for your first shubunkin, and then at least another 10 gallons for each additional shubunkin. A simple rule of thumb to remember is that one inch of fish is equal to at least one gallon of water. It is important to note that this rule only applies to juvenile fish, as adult fish use more oxygen and produce more waste, and therefore require more water to maintain a healthy quality environment.

In ponds you can follow the same rule of thumb, but since you will likely have more fish and plants in a pond than in an aquarium, you should have closer to 100 gallons of water for the first shubunkin, followed by another 20-30 for each additional shubunkin, to prevent overcrowding, the best combination of space and improved water quality is offered. The depth of the pond should be at least 3 feet to reduce the risk of the pond freezing in winter and allow the fish to hide from predators and seek denser, warmer, and deeper water during cold periods.

Shubunkin Hibernation, Hardiness & Water Quality

One of the hardier pond fish species, shubunkins thrive well in a pH range of 6 to 8 and water temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees F (18 to about 23 degrees C). Slight fluctuations outside of these ranges can be tolerated as long as they are not too sudden or too frequent. When water dips near 50°F in winter, shubunkins, like other goldfish, can go into a state of torpor for several months. Although shubunkins are naturally freshwater fish, one study found that they can tolerate salinity levels as low as 2 ppm without harm to health, as long as this salinity change occurs over several hours and is not abrupt. This is helpful information if a salt bath is ever needed to treat an infection or disease.

In winter, it’s always best to install a deicer or electric heater to keep a hole in the ice open to allow Shubunkins to breathe and gas exchange to take place. Although shubukines can survive cold conditions, they struggle when oxygen levels drop to lower levels, which can often occur when a pond freezes solid. Check out our guides on electric deicers and heaters below:

Shubunkin Goldfish Tank Mates & Group Size

Shubunkins are social, playful fish that do best when kept with two or more of their own kind. Keep in mind that when kept in ponds with plenty of space and quality food, Shubunkins can get quite large, so try to start with just 3 to 5 Shubunkins to ensure you have enough room for them when they mature into adulthood. This number will of course depend on the size of your pond and can be changed based on your personal preference and other fish species present.

They are loveable fish and get along well with koi and most other goldfish species as long as they are a similar size. Larger fish may nibble on or even eat shubunkins, although their athletic nature makes this somewhat difficult.

How to Design Shubunkin Goldfish Ponds

As previously mentioned, the deepest part of the pond should be at least 3 feet to allow it to hide and hibernate. Shubunkins don’t do well in full sun, so be sure to build hiding places over things like PVC pipes, fish shelters, and plants. Gravel or a similar substrate is best for the bottom of the pond, as shubunkins have been known to become rampant and cause cloudiness if small-grained substrates such as sand or silt are used. To prevent plants from being uprooted while shubunkins are exploring and digging around, you can place them in weighted pots or weigh them down with metal discs if their root systems aren’t well developed.

They may also place large rocks around the roots of plants to prevent them from being eaten or uprooted. Shubunkins, like many other goldfish species, are not picky eaters and are likely to nibble on plants. When incorporating plants in and around your pond, be sure to check out our list of plants that are poisonous to pond fish!

Common Shubunkin problems, diseases and ailments

As a hardy fish, Shubunkins don’t naturally have many health problems. When health problems arise, they are likely to be related to environmental conditions. Ensure there is adequate dissolved oxygen, temperature and pH are within optimal ranges, 25% water changes are performed weekly, and pollutants such as ammonia are kept to an absolute minimum. Fin rot has been known to affect Shubunkins, but only in cases of poor water quality or pond overstocking (resulting in poor water quality).

Swim bladder problems can also affect Shubunkins, but again, this is most often due to grooming factors such as water quality, poor diet, or water that is too warm or too cold. Occasionally this may be due to a bacterial or parasitic infection that may have been brought in from outside, e.g. B. when a bird lands in your pond or runoff from agricultural fields. Most commonly, shubunkins with infections have been raised in fish farms that are overcrowded, making disease very easy to develop and spread.

Should You Quarantine New Subunkin?

Any time you buy a new fish from a store, whether it’s a shubunkin or not, make sure you quarantine it in a separate tank from the rest of your fish for a few days to maintain its health assess and carry out any necessary treatment. Overall, Shubunkins don’t need much to be healthy. So as long as you maintain proper water quality combined with a balanced diet, your Shubunkins should live long and hearty lives!

Shubunkin Breeding Behavior & Requirements

Shubunkins can reproduce when there are five or more individuals but prefer larger groups as they are social animals. If you are interested in spawning, you will find that males do not aggressively hunt females, and the colors of both sexes can become more intense as hormone production increases.

To induce breeding, you should gradually lower the water temperature to around 60°F and keep the water at that temperature for a day or two. Then increase the water temperature by about 2°F per day. This temperature shift will, in a sense, trick their system into believing that there has been a seasonal shift and that it is time for mating.

Shubunkins generally breed when the water temperature is between 20 and 24°C. Increase protein intake to 50% from the normal 30% for adults and feed them several times a day as this will encourage the females to produce and lay eggs which can then be fertilized by males. During this period of increased feeding, you should perform a 20-25% daily water change as uneaten food will spoil and affect water quality. You should also be sure to have a variety of submerged and floating plants, as adult Shubunkins find these to be ideal breeding habitats, both for protection from predators and as a natural surface for laying eggs.