20+ Amazing Types of Goldfish (Care Guide Included)

Whenever we think about setting an aquarium, we firstly visit the market to find out different types of Goldfish before considering other aquatic species. Wondering what is the reason behind the popularity of Goldfish?

Well, not only the shimmering looks but your golden buddy has a calm temperament, social nature, and intellectual quality to understand the language of fishkeepers. Moreover, some people regard it as a lucky charm and keep it in their living room or hall room. All these reasons make Goldfish one of the common freshwater fish breeds which are easy to pet.

Types of Goldfish

Native to China and other Asian regions, Goldfish is one of the most common pet fish for both novice and experienced aquarists. Hobbyists who are interested in keeping Goldfish at their tanks will definitely like to learn about different types of Goldfish and their living conditions before petting them. Every Goldfish is dissimilar to each other in color, shape, size and living style. So, remember you cannot follow the same care guide for every fish. Let us discuss some of the different types of Goldfish before setting a golden fish world. We have categorized the passive-natured Goldfish in two categories that are mentioned below:

A.  Slim-Bodied Goldfish

As we have discussed above, there are various types of Goldfish. Here, we have categorized the types. If you ask about slim-bodied Goldfish then let us tell you that these fish are slim and slender in shape and are active by nature.

Moreover, these fish have a single tail, so they are also known as single-tailed Goldfish. Do you want to know the names of some slim-bodied and hardy Golden companions? Have a look at these non-fancy Goldfish as follows:

Quick Details

• Lifespan: 5-10 years  
• Size: 4” (10.16 cm)
• Color: Yellow, Orange, White, Red, Black, and Brown
• Tank Size: 15 gallons
• Tank Water Temperature: 65-72° F (18-22° C)

You will find most of the aquarists looking for Common Goldfish for their tank. Ask why? It is because these fish are hardy and adaptable in nature. Moreover, the calm nature of this non-fancy fish attracts the fishkeepers to keep them at their tank.

These fish have a short, rigid and single tail which is not very long in size. They are not very prone to several diseases and these omnivoros species is not a picky eater. These omnivoros species can eat both vegetative and meaty foods whether the foods are live or frozen. All these qualities make this fish a beginner-friendly fish.

Quick Details

• Lifespan: 4-14 years
• Size: Up to 12” (30.48 cm)
• Color: White, Yellow, and Orange
• Tank Size: 50 gallons
• Tank Water Temperature: 50-75 °F (10-23.88 °C)

This is another single-tailed fish that has a slim body and short fins. The name Comet Goldfish is because of its comet-shaped tail. Common Goldfish has short tail whereas Comet Goldfish has long flowing tail just like flower. Fish hobbyists keep this fish in their tank to beautify their pet fish world and bring ecstasy in their house.

Usually, you will find this active swimmer species in ponds and lakes. The best thing about this non-fancy fish is a simple eating habit. Comet Goldfish can consume every type of meaty foods and plant leaves.

Quick Details

• Lifespan: 10-15 years
• Size: 10” (25.4 cm)
• Color: Red, Calico (Red, White, Black mixed), Milky White, Bicolor (Red-White)
• Tank Size: 20-30 gallons
• Tank Water Temperature: 65-78 °F (18.33-25.55 °C)

You may have seen many long-bodied slender Goldfish like Wakin Goldfish that is the combination of the fancy and non-fancy breed. This is one of the strongest fish in Goldfish family which can live in various types of water conditions, which is why fishkeepers love keeping Wakin Goldfish in their tank.

The flowery fins and long flowing tail of this bright fish make it attractive in a freshwater tank. This long Goldfish needs a huge aquarium to dwell but the food habit if this omnivoros species is easy.

Quick Details

• Lifespan: 15 years
• Size: 12” (30.48 cm)
• Color: Black, Calico, Red, Brown, Gray. Purple, White, Orange, and Yellow (With Blue Background)
• Tank Size: 75 gallons
• Tank Water Temperature: 62-72 °F (16-22 °C)

Shubunkin Goldfish looks quite similar to Comet Goldfish but it is brighter than other Goldfish. Their flamboyant color and appearance glorify your tank. Like other non-fancy fish, Shubunkin is also a hardy fish that is easy to breed.

This multicolored Goldfish has different shades on its body, fins, and tail. So, its unique coloration makes it different from other fish. Shubunkin is an extremely active and social omnivoros fish that never cause trouble to the fish owner unless it is kept with wrong tankmates.

Quick Details

• Lifespan: 20 years
• Size: 9” (22.86 cm)  
• Color: Silvery White and Reddish  
• Tank Size: 30-50 gallons 
• Tank Water Temperature: 73-75 °F (23-24°C)

The long and slender Jikin Goldfish is native to the rivers of Japan and China. For the colorful tail of Jikin, it is known as Peacock Tail Goldfish. This Goldfish has no special diet and living requirement and it is adaptable to any kind of environment.

Just try to arrange a rectangular-shaped fish tank because this fish has a habit to jump and come out of the tank. So, try to cover the lead of the aquarium tightly to keep them captivated.

Quick Details

• Lifespan: 15 years  
• Size: 12”    
• Color: Bright Red and White    
• Tank Size: 40 gallons   
• Tank Water Temperature: 73-75 °F (23-24 °C) 

It is a double-tailed hardy Goldfish that belongs to the family of Koi fish. This hardy fish is found in the black water and small streams. It partially looks like Comet for its shape and partially looks like Wakin for its fins and tail.

Some live freshwater plants and small gravels are enough to set the tank of this medium-sized fish. Moreover, you don’t need to give much effort in finding special food for this omnivoros fish.

B. Egg-Shaped Goldfish

Usually, egg-shaped Goldfish are round and oval. They are more beautiful than slender-shaped fish, and they are fancy types of Goldfish.

You will commonly find double-tailed Goldfish in this category. However, experts recommend avoiding these breeds to keep in beginner’s tank because they are prone to various diseases. They are friendly, social and peaceful but suitable for expert fish tank because of its sensitive nature. Among the different types of Goldfish of round body, some names are mentioned below:

Quick Details

• Lifespan: 10 years
• Size: 6” (15 cm)  
• Color: Black, Yellow, Orange, Bronze, Silver, and Red
• Tank Size: 20-30 gallons
• Tank Water Temperature: 80 °F (26 °C)

This is one of the most common fancy Goldfish that has a fan-shaped tail and egg-shaped body. Its oval structure is adorable but its living condition is quite different from hardy Goldfish. This fish cannot be kept with single-tailed active breeds because this is a slow-moving plump fish that has much more weight than other goldfish. So, instead of its much space requirement, fishkeepers like petting this fish for its beauty.

Quick Details

• Lifespan: 10-15 years 
• Size: 4” (10 cm)
• Color: Red, Orange, Red-White, Black, Chocolate, Yellow, Calico, and Blue
• Tank Size: 10 gallons
• Tank Water Temperature: 65to 72° F (18.3 – 22.2° C)

Do you want a pearl beauty to glorify your aquarium, which can act as an ornament to your tank? Pearlscale Goldfish can fulfill your wish. The shape of this cute fish is just like a golf ball which makes it more adorable.

It is a fancy double-tailed Goldfish that has complex food habit, breeding process, and tank requirement but it is favorite of the fishkeepers because of its dazzling pearl-shaped scales and orange-white color. However, expert aquarists suggest beginner fishkeepers not to keep this fish in their tank because of its high necessity.

Quick Details

• Lifespan: 10-15 years
• Size: 4-8” (10.16-20.32 cm)
• Color: Red-White, Orange, Chocolate, Calico, White, and Red
• Tank Size: 20-30 gallons
• Tank Water Temperature: 75.2 °F (24 °C)

The tail of this egg-shaped Goldfish is just like the tail of Fantail Goldfish that looks like a fan. But there is one difference between Ryukin and Fantail Goldfish; Ryukin is taller than Fantail Goldfish with a hump on its shoulder just behind the head.

Usually, Ryukin is found in the large ponds and streams of Asian regions. Mostly, Ryukin Goldfish are golden-orange shaded.  

Quick Details

• Lifespan: 10-15 years
• Size: 4-6” (10-15 cm)
• Color: Red-White, Tri-Colored, Black-White, Calico, Chocolate Brown, Red, Blue, White
• Tank Size: 20-30 gallon
• Tank Water Temperature: 65.75 °F (18.33-23.88 °C)

As per its name, the protruding eyes of this fish are just like a telescope round and bulging. This Japanese fish is also known as Demekin. However, this fish looks cute and adorable but aquarists need to take special care of the eyes of this poor-sighted fish.

If the water condition of the tank is not good then this fish has a high tendency of getting infected and falling sick. So, if you are a beginner aquarist then try to take guidance from experts before you set tank for Telescope Eye Goldfish.      

Quick Details

• Lifespan: 10-15 years
• Size: 3-4” (7-10 cm)
• Color: Blue, Chocolate, Red, and Calico
• Tank Size: 20-30 gallons
• Tank Water Temperature: 65.0 – 72.0° F (18.3 – 22.2° C)

This fish has the strangest pair of eyes which is different from other Goldfish. The eyes of this fish are like water bubbles. These sac-like eyes grow with the size of the fish when it turns adult.

Bubble Eye Goldfish needs special attention because it is prone to various diseases. You must use a prefilter sponge to clean its tank because poor water quality is the reason why this fish is affected by different infectious diseases. Moreover, never keep this fish with other breeds because it is a slow-moving fish and it cannot survive with active fish breeds.

Quick Details

• Lifespan: 10-15 years
• Size: 7” (18 cm)
• Color: Red, Orange, and Metallic White  
• Tank Size: 10 gallons
• Tank Water Temperature: 65.0 to 72.0° F (18.3 – 22.2° C)

You will find a fleshy mass on the head of this fancy Goldfish. However, it is adaptable to other egg-shaped fancy Goldfish. Try to keep fewer fish in the aquarium of an Oranda Goldfish because they don’t like an overcrowded tank. Also, avoid ornamenting the tank of this fish because the mass of this fish can be harmed by the gravels and other adornments of the tank.

Quick Details

• Lifespan: 10-15 years
• Size: 5-6” (12.7-15.24cm)
• Color: White, Black, Orange, and Calico
• Tank Size: 20-30 gallons
• Tank Water Temperature: 60 °F (15 °C)

This fish is similar to the Telescope Eye Goldfish, but its eyes are not as large as the eyes of Telescope Eye Goldfish. Celestial Eye Goldfish is active but beginners are recommended to pet this fish because of its picky eating habit and low immunity power.

Don’t keep any sharp objects or gravels in the tank of this fish, as this fish may get harmed by the sharp gravels.

Quick Details

• Lifespan: 15 years
• Size: 7.0” (17.78 cm)
• Color: Calico and Orange  
• Tank Size: 22 gallons
• Tank Water Temperature: 65-72 °F (18-22 °C)

The tail of this fish floats like a long veil, so the fish is known as Veiltail Fish. However, this fish is beautiful but it is not fit for a beginner’s tank. The feather-dressed long fins of the fish are quite admiring which is one of the reasons that Veiltail Goldfish is liked by the fishkeepers.

Try to keep this fish away from fin nippers, otherwise, they can be harmed by those fish.    

Quick Details

• Lifespan: 10-15 years
• Size: 5-8” (12-20 cm)
• Color: Yellow-Orange, Red, and White
• Tank Size: 20-30 gallons
• Tank Water Temperature: 65-72 °F (18-23 °C)

This is the oldest Japanese Goldfish that has a small tail and fins. The body shape of this fish is similar to Oranda Fish. It has a broad back tail which is flattened and slightly vertical in shape.

These fish do not grow more than 5” (12.7 cm), so it does not need much space to live which is completely fine for fishkeepers.  

Quick Details

• Lifespan: 10-15 years
• Size: 5” (12.7 cm)
• Color: Red, Black, Calico, and White
• Tank Size: 20-30 gallons
• Tank Water Temperature: 65-72 °F (18-22 °C)

This Chinese Goldfish is fancy and it has a soft plumy head which makes it adorable to the fishkeepers. Their cute appearance and colors mesmerize people but they are not hardy and adaptable. So, you need to learn details about the care guide of this fancy fish for taking care of the fish.

Quick Details

• Lifespan: 15 years
• Size: 12” (30.48 cm)
• Color: Red and White
• Tank Size: 75 gallons
• Tank Water Temperature:75 °F (24 °C)

Native to Japan, this Goldfish is also known as Sabao, and the structure of this fish is somehow similar to Ryukin Goldfish. It is a large breed that has flowery fins and the shape of the fish is oval. The flowing single tail of this fish is like mackerel, which is one of the reasons that this fish is known as Mackerel Tail Goldfish.

Quick Details

• Lifespan: 10-15 years
• Size: 6-8” (15.24-20 32 cm)
• Color: Black and Gray
• Tank Size: 20-30 gallons
• Tank Water Temperature: 65-72 °F (18-22 °C)

This velvety black-shaded fish can sometimes change its color from black to dark gray. It also has telescopic eyes like Telescope Goldfish. This fancy Goldfish is also prone to eye infections, so change about 15% of the water of its tank every week.

Quick Details

• Lifespan: 10-15 years
• Size: 4-6” (10-15 cm)
• Color: Pink, Silver, Orange, Black, Yellow, and White
• Tank Size: 20 gallons
• Tank Water Temperature: 65-78°F (25°C)

The red fleshy nose of this fish is just like pom-pom balls, so it is known as Pom-Pom Goldfish. The metal-shaded scales on the body of this Goldfish adds shimmer in the water of the tank. Moreover, this fish is found in different colors.

This is a slow-moving fish that prefers living in shallow water, so don’t add an artificial current filter in the tank of Pom-Pom Goldfish.

Quick Details

• Lifespan: 10-15 years
• Size: 4-8”
• Color: Variegated colors, Calico and Orange 
• Tank Size: 15-20 gallons
• Tank Water Temperature: 65-78 °F (18-25 °C)

Another name of Tosakin Goldfish is Curly-Fantail Goldfish, as it has curly fins. It is difficult to take care of this fancy fish because it has a high tendency to get affected with multiple fungal and bacterial diseases. They are inactive fish which swims very slow. Don’t keep them with slender Goldfish who are active.

Bottom Line

The name Goldfish is very common and known to us but there are various species in its community as we have discussed here. Just know about various types of Goldfish completely before you keep them in your fish tank.

More about Other Types of Fish

We have discussed different types of Goldfish here. There are various fish breeds that have different categories. You need to go through the entire article to know about them.