Goldfish

 Goldfish

The Goldfish, Carassius auratus auratus, is one of the two most popular pets in the world. Goldfish were also one of the first fish to be domesticated. They came originally from China. Much selective breeding has been done in many countries, notably Japan. The wild Goldfish was a bronzy colour. It is a very tough fish. There are now well over 100 different varieties of Goldfish. One of the first things done by selective breeders was to breed from the occasional gold coloured wild goldfish.

Goldfish are bred in huge quantities in many countries. Naturally the ones best suited to the conditions of any country will be one bred in that country rather than imported.

Comets Goldfish

The Comet Goldfish is of a similar shape to the wild Goldfish but with a longer tail. Comets can be of a wide range of colours although the most common is gold.

In the United States of America, where this variety of Goldfish was developed, they are often referred to as Comets Goldfish or Comet tailed Goldfish In Australia they are normally called Comet Goldfish.  They were developed in the 1880's, probably by Hugo Mulertt, from the common Goldfish. The Comet is generally slimmer than the common Goldfish and has a longer and more deeply forked tail. On some comets, the tail can be as long as the body, and can be up to 12 inches long.

The Comet is probably the best variety of Goldfish for ponds although the ones with extremely long tails may be more delicate.

Shubunkins

The Shubunkin Goldfish is the same shape as a Comet Goldfish but has many colours on a blue background. The colours may include black, red and white and the appearance is often mottled. They should be a hardy fish and and usually are. They are suitable for either aquariums or ponds.

Some of the imported Shubunkins available from some wholesalers are not as hardy as they should be.

Origin

The Shubunkin was developed by Kichigoro Akiyama in Japan in about 1890 from a complex cross involving a Calico Telescope Goldfish, a Common Goldfish and a Wakin with a single tail. There is some doubt about the exact ancestors used. 

The name Shubunkin was given to this variety by Mr. Shinnosuke Matsubara of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan and was announced in 1892. It means something like a Goldfish with bright colours, including red and blue.

The Bristol Shubunkin was developed in Britain and has a heart shaped tail.