Types of Goldfish from A-Z with Photos

Do you have goldfish? But don’t know how to identify what types of goldfish you have? Bravo! Now you are in the right place.

In this article, we will identify and show you different types of goldfish around the globe. May one of them is yours. Let us check this out.

Black Moor Goldfish

Black Moor Goldfish is basically a black version of the Telescope Goldfish, though the eyes usually don’t protrude as far as they do on the Telescope!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=qdiCSuTqsiQ&feature=emb_logo

Black Moor Goldfish is egg-shaped with a short, stubby body and large eyes protruding from either side of its head. It has deep, velvety black metallic scales and long, flowing finnage.

Though these fish once were available with a beautiful veil tail, the specimens available today have a broad tail, a ribbon tail, or a butterfly tail.

Black Moor Goldfish will generally reach about 10 cm (4 inches), though some hobbyists report their Black Moors growing to a whopping 10″ (25 cm).

The average goldfish lifespan is 10 – 15 years, though it is not uncommon for them to live 20 years or more in well-maintained goldfish aquariums and ponds.

While most Black Moors stay black in all sorts of environments, some may change color with age, fading to gray. They can also revert to a metallic orange when kept in warmer water.

Juveniles are dark bronze and without the protruding eyes, but as they mature they become black and their eyes begin to telescope.

• Size of fish – inches: 4.0 inches (10.16 cm) – The average size is 4″ (10.16 cm), but they have been reported to reach up to 10″ (25 cm).
• Lifespan: 15 years – The average goldfish lifespan is 10 – 15 years, but they have been known to live 20 years or more in well-maintained environments

Bubble Eye Goldfish

The Bubble Eye Goldfish has big bubbles on the side of its head, which give it a truly bizarre appearance!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3v1EEu75yM

Water-Bubble Eye Goldfish, also called the Bubble Eye Goldfish, is an egg-shaped variety of goldfish.

It has a double-tail, and its body shape and size are very similar to the Celestial Goldfish, which is also a bit slimmer than other egg-shaped goldfish. Also, like the Celestial, its eyes are upturned, though not as extreme.

Fluid-filled sacks begin to develop as bubbles under their eyes at an age of 6-9 months. By the time they are 2 years old, the bubbles are very large. It is one of the dorsal-less goldfish, though one variety bred in China does have a dorsal fin.

These goldfish are available in a variety of colors that include solids of red, blue, chocolate, and black; bi-colors of red/white and red/black; and calicos.

They will generally reach about 5 inches (13 cm), though some hobbyists report their Bubble Eye’s growing much larger. The average goldfish lifespan is 10 – 15 years, though living 20 years or more is not uncommon in well-maintained goldfish aquariums and ponds.

• Size of fish – inches: 5.0 inches (12.70 cm) – Although this fish is capable of larger sizes, it rarely exceeds five inches in the home aquarium.
• Lifespan: 15 years – The average goldfish lifespan is 10 – 15 years, but they have been known to live 20 years or more when well maintained.

Celestial Eye Goldfish

The Celestial Eye Goldfish’s eyes are permanently looking skyward, so the Chinese named it the Stargazer!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOS3xi-7ocY

The Celestial Eye Goldfish is an egg-shaped variety of goldfish. The body is short and stubby with a double caudal (tail) fin and a double anal fin. They will generally reach about 5″ (13 cm) in length, though some hobbyists report them reaching 6″ (15 cm) or more.

Their most distinctive feature is the eyes that extend out from the sides of the head and are locked into a permanent upward-looking position. In juveniles, the eyes are normal, but within a short time, the eyes begin to protrude. Then the upturned vision develops, and they become locked in place.

They are available in color varieties of orange, black, and calico. The average goldfish life span is 10 – 15 years, though living 20 years or more is not uncommon in well-maintained goldfish aquariums and ponds.

• Size of fish – inches: 5.0 inches (12.70 cm) – This fish can exceed this by a few inches in optimal conditions.
• Lifespan: 15 years – The average goldfish lifespan is 10 – 15 years, but they have been known to live 20 years or more when well maintained.

Comet Goldfish (Comet-tail Goldfish, Sarasa Comet, Pond Comet)

Comet Goldfish look just like regular goldfish but with a much longer and more deeply forked tail fin!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gqmnrDmZe8

The Comet Goldfish is an elongated, flat-bodied variety of goldfish. The head is wide but short, and its body tapers smoothly from its back and belly to the base of its caudal fin (tail fin).

The caudal fin is long and deeply forked and generally stands fully erect. Comets have a natural life span of up to 14 years, though possibly longer if kept in optimal conditions.

The Comet Goldfish is a bit smaller than the Common Goldfish, but even so, the environment it is kept in will mostly determine whether your pet grows to its full potential size.

In an average 15 gallon tank, if well cared for and not crowded, they can grow up to about 4 inches (10 cm), while in a larger, uncrowded tank, they can grow larger, generally reaching about 7 or 8 inches (17.78 – 20.32 cm). If kept in a spacious pond, they can reach over 12 inches (30+ cm).

They are primarily a reddish-orange color, but they are also available in yellow, orange, white, and red. Some Comet Goldfish come in a bi-color red/white combination, and occasionally they are available with nacreous (pearly) scales, giving them a variegated color.

Comet Goldfish can and do naturally change color, but color changes are believed to be influenced by diet and the amount of light. Aquarists often report the reds and oranges of their goldfish changing to white.

A fresh diet along with good lighting and available shade is suggested as the best way to maintain the original coloration. Even so, these measures are not always successful.

Other types of Comet Goldfish include the Sarasa Comet. This variety has long flowing fins and is characterized by a red-and-white coloration that holds a resemblance to a koi color pattern called ‘Kohaku.’ The Tancho Single-tail Comet is a silver variety with a red patch on its head.

• Size of fish – inches: 4.0 inches (10.16 cm) – Comet goldfish housed in small aquariums will have stunted growth that will limit their size to four inches. In larger aquariums, they will reach about eight inches and up to twelve in a pond.
• Lifespan: 14 years – Comets have a natural life span of up to 14 years, though possibly longer if kept in optimal conditions.

Common Goldfish

The Common Goldfish Carassius Gibelio (previously Carassius auratus auratus) are hardy fish that are well known by all aquarists. They are colorful, inexpensive, and readily available.

These fish are a favorite pet for a multitude of keepers because they can be quite personable and are delightful to watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bus1ug41SBU

The Common Goldfish is an elongated, flat-bodied variety of goldfish. The head is wide but short and its body tapers smoothly from its back and belly to the base of its caudal fin (tail fin). The caudal fin is forked. Its fins generally stand fully erect and the edge of the dorsal fin is slightly concave.

The average goldfish lifespan is 10 – 15 years, though living 20 years or more is not uncommon in well-maintained goldfish aquariums and ponds.

The environment the Common Goldfish is kept in is a determining factor on whether your pet will grow to its full potential size or remain somewhat smaller. In an average 15 gallon tank, if well cared for and not crowded, they can grow up to about 4 inches (10 cm).

In a larger, uncrowded tank, they can grow generally reach about 7 or 8 inches (17.78 – 20.32 cm). If kept in a spacious pond, they can reach over 12 inches (30+ cm) with some hobbyists reporting their goldfish reaching up to a whopping 18″ (45+ cm).

There are various solid colors and combinations of white, yellow, orange, red, brown, and black. The most distinguished specimen is a bright orange metallic color.

The Common Goldfish is very similar to and sometimes confused with, the Comet Goldfish. The Comet is a further development of the Common Goldfish.

Both these fish have an almost identical body shape but the fins on the Comet are much longer, especially the caudal (tail) fin, which is more deeply forked.

Also, the Comet is generally a reddish-orange while the Common Goldfish is more orangish. The adult size of the Comet Goldfish is smaller, too. On both these fish, the caudal (tail) fin is held fully erect.

Also, in the standard orange color, the Comet is generally more reddish-orange while the Common Goldfish is more orangish. The adult size of the Comet Goldfish is smaller too. On both these fish, the caudal (tail) fin is held fully erect.

Another goldfish that is almost identical to the Common Goldfish is the ‘London’ type of Shubunkin Goldfish. Both these fish have virtually the same body and fin shapes, but the London type Shubunkin Goldfish has a totally different body color.

While a good specimen of the Common Goldfish will have a bright orange metallic color, this London type Shubunkin goldfish can be speckled or have a variegated color pattern.

• Size of fish – inches: 4.0 inches (10.16 cm) – Average size is 4″ (10. cm) but can reach about 7 or 8 inches (18 – 20 cm) if not crowded. If kept in a spacious pond, they can reach over 12 inches (30+ cm). Some hobbyists report their Common Goldfish reaching up to a whopping 18″ (45+ cm).
• Lifespan: 15 years – The average goldfish lifespan is 10 – 15 years, but they have been known to live 20 years or more when well maintained.

Fantail Goldfish (Show Goldfish, Fancy Goldfish)

Rather than the long, slender body of the Common Goldfish or the Shubunkins, the Fantail Goldfish is one of the more rounded or egg-shaped fancy goldfish. These fish are bred for show. Their main feature, the split tail fin, is medium in length and slightly forked.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6zwxahAIg0

The Fantail Goldfish are available in three scale types: metallic, a solid reddish-orange, nacreous which is speckled, and matt, which is a whitish color. They are an egg-shaped variety of goldfish.

The body is short and stubby, and the head is very wide. The average goldfish lifespan is 10 – 15 years, though living 20 years or more is not uncommon in well-maintained goldfish aquariums and ponds.

A Japanese version of the Fantail, the Ryukin Goldfish has a highly curved back and a wider caudal fin than the Fantail Goldfish. Both Fantail Goldfish and Ryukin Goldfish will generally reach about 6 inches (15 cm), though some hobbyist reports their Fantails reaching up to a whopping 10- 12″ (25-30+ cm).

This fish is bred for show, and its main feature is its split caudal fin (tail fin) that is moderate in length and slightly forked.

On good show goldfish, the tail fin is completely split with the two lobes much closer together on top than on the bottom, making it look triangular when viewed from the back.

Good show specimens will have a double anal fin with complete separation as well. The tail fin on poor show specimens is not completely split along the top.

• Size of fish – inches: 6.0 inches (15.24 cm) – Average size is 6″ (15 cm), but they have been reported to reach 10- 12″ (25-30+ cm).
• Lifespan: 15 years – The average goldfish lifespan is 10 – 15 years, but they have been known to live 20 years or more when well maintained.