Goldfish varietiesCommon Goldfish
This is the age-old staple of fish-keeping history, the common goldfish. Sturdy and easy to care for, they can be identified by their single caudal (tail) and anal fins. The tail fin is relatively short with somewhat rounded tips. Commons come in a variety of colors, including orange, yellow, red, brown, and black.
Comet Goldfish
Comets are very similar to Common goldfish, but have much longer fins and a more slender body. Most notable is the long caudal (tail) fin that is deeply forked and has pointed tips.
Fantail
The ever popular fantail goldfish has a caudal (tail) fin that is both divided and forked (meaning it is split into two portions, each of which has a fork in it). The tail is held straight out when swimming, and if viewed from the top resembles a fan.
Veil Tail
Veil tailed goldfish has a long full tail that is not forked. The pelvic and pectoral fins are also long, and complete the flowing appearance of the fish.
Black Moor
This species of goldfish is not only very popular, but very recognizable. Moors sport the large protruding eyes that are seen in telescope-eye varieties of goldfish. They are always black, although with age they take on a distinctive golden-black hue.
Shubunkin
Shubunkins are one of the single-tailed varieties of goldfish. This specimen shows the typical calico colors that ideally include red, orange yellow, blue and violet, in addition to a sprinkling of black spots. The long flowing tail is indicative of the Bristol variety of Shubunkin. London varieties have a shorter tail (or caudal) fin.
Ryukin
The Ryukin is a Japanese import, named after the Ryukyu Islands. One of the larger Goldfish, it can be distinguished by the steeply sloping back from the dorsal (top) fin to the head. Red and silver Ryukin, such as this pair, are highly prized by the Japanese.
Bubble-eye
This variety of goldfish shares the absence of a dorsal (top) fish, with the Lionhead, Oranda, and Celestial goldfish. What sets these fish apart are the large fluid filled sacs around the eyes. This specimen is a calico, the color extending right onto the eye bubbles!
Oranda - Bronze
Orandas were developed by crossing the lionhead with the veil tail. This Oranda is showing only slight hood development, quite common in bronze colored Orandas. The long slim pelvic fins and flowing tail are typical of a veil tail.
Lionhead
Lionheads, Orandas and Ranchu all have hoods, and a bumpy growth on the top of the head that can extend around the eyes and over the gill covers. How can you tell the three varieties apart? Orandas are the only one that possesses a dorsal (top) fin. Both the Lionhead and Ranchu have no top fin.
What's different between the Lionhead and the Ranchu? The back of the Ranchuthat curves sharply and points down by the time it reaches the tail.
Ranchu
Like the Lionhead, Ranchu lack a dorsal (top) fin and develop a hood that can grow on the top of the head, as well as around the eyes and gill covers. However they are readily distinguished by a steeply arched back, most noticeable near the caudal (tail) fin. The arch can be sufficient to cause the tail to point downward when at rest. This Ranchu has calico coloration coupled with black spots, similar to the Shubunkin.
Pearlscale
Pearlscale refers to a type of scale that is curved, like the surface of a pearl. Deposits of calcium carbonate in the center of the scales give them their doomed shape, as seen in the insert in the upper left corner of this photo.
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