A Complete Guide to Goldfish Variety Classification and Keeping Requirements

Goldfish are a type of ornamental fish kept in many modern households, and the Chinese goldfish, praised as the "queen of the water," is known for its simple, unadorned natural beauty and is called one of the world's two most famous ornamental fish. So how exactly are goldfish varieties classified?

1. Goldfish varieties

Based on differences and similarities in external form and the closeness of kinship relations, goldfish are generally grouped into four major categories: grass goldfish, dragon-eye goldfish, wen goldfish and egg goldfish.

1. Grass goldfish

Its body shape resembles the crucian carp, and it is the oldest category of goldfish, directly descended from the golden crucian carp. Its body color is orange-red or fiery red, and it has paired anal fins and tail fins. The grass goldfish has a spindle-shaped body, an unforked tail fin, and normal dorsal, pelvic, pectoral and anal fins. It has a robust constitution, strong adaptability and is easy to keep. Besides red, its body color also includes red-and-white, calico glass and multicolored patterns. It is sensitive to falling fish food and can swim in formation to the rhythm of a person's clapping. It is suitable for large-scale keeping in parks and natural waters, and can also be kept in courtyards, tanks, ponds and aquariums.

2. Dragon-eye goldfish

It is the representative goldfish. Its two eyes are large and protruding, with the eye sockets located on both sides of the head, left-right symmetrical, and the eyeballs are pitch-black and bright. The scales are round and large, the dorsal fin is elongated, and the anal and tail fins are paired and elongated. The most common body colors are red, black and red-and-white mottled patches. Representative varieties include: calico dragon-eye, skyward dragon-eye, butterfly-tail dragon-eye, black dragon-eye and others.

3. Wen goldfish

Its body shape is short and round, with a flat and narrow head, and paired, long anal and tail fins. Its body color is mostly red, red-black, red-white, purple and five-colored mottled patterns. The high-head and pearlscale are the two main varieties of wen goldfish.

4. Egg goldfish

It is another major category among Chinese goldfish. Its body is short and plump, with a flat head, and it has normal scales and eyes. Egg goldfish have no dorsal fin, and the tail fin and anal fin are both paired. The main varieties include: bubble-eye, curled gill, tiger head, red head, calico phoenix tail, pompon and others.

2. Goldfish keeping requirements

1. Water quality: Goldfish are highly tolerant of changes in pH value and can survive within a pH range of 6.0 to 9.5, with the optimal range being pH 7.5 to 8.5. When the pH value is too low, goldfish move slowly and their appetite decreases; in severe cases they stop growing, and even if the dissolved oxygen content is not low, they are prone to gasping at the surface. Conversely, a pH value that is too high can also kill goldfish.

2. Water temperature: Goldfish can survive in water from 0 to 38°C, but the water temperature affects the fish's metabolism. Within the suitable temperature range, the higher the water temperature, the more vigorous the metabolism and the faster the growth and development. However, goldfish have poor adaptability to water temperature; if the water temperature suddenly rises or drops by 7 to 8°C, goldfish are prone to illness or even death. Juvenile fish in particular are more sensitive to temperature changes.

3. Feeding habits: Goldfish are omnivorous fish and can feed on aquatic plants, plant seeds, wheat bran, bread crumbs, as well as zooplankton, minced fish and shrimp, animal offal, fish meal and so on. Juvenile fish feed by filtering small zooplankton such as rotifers and paramecia from the water with their gill rakers. To keep goldfish healthy, lively and brightly colored, nutrient-rich food should be given in appropriate amounts, such as: fish worms, aquatic earthworms, artificial synthetic bait and others. They all contain nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates and trace elements.

In summary, do you now know which category the goldfish you keep at home belongs to? The editor kept many goldfish at home as a child, but because the specific keeping requirements were unknown, the survival rate was not high. Now, if you are also not very clear about them, you can come and learn.

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