12 Types of Goldfish: From Comets To Fantails

Looking to add a goldfish to a new aquarium in your home? Well, you'll have plenty to choose from—starting with these 12 breeds.

Some need more space than others—and some goldfish don't fit any of these breeds. It's very common for breeders to cross various varieties of goldfish, so you might get one that's a mix of characteristics from these various breeds.

No matter which type of fish you're adding, either to a tank or pond, you should quarantine all new additions to ensure they don't pass anything along to your established aquarium.

Comet Goldfish

The most common and recognizable goldfish variety is the standard comet goldfish. These long body goldfish come in a variety of white, brown, gold, and red colorations and grow very large very quickly. It is not uncommon for this variety to live in large, outdoor ponds as well as large indoor aquariums.

Shubunkin Goldfish

Very similar to the comet goldfish is the Shubunkin goldfish. They have the same long body as a comet, but their fins are longer and display a calico coloration with a mix of black, red, white, and blue pigments. This breed can also be kept in an outside pond as well as inside an aquarium. This color pattern can be mixed with one of the fancy body-type goldfish to create a unique presentation.

Sarasa Goldfish

Also known as "painted goldfish," Sarasa goldfish closely resemble the kohaku koi with vibrant red and white patterns. The Sarasa goldfish has a long body and fins, making them an appropriate species for both indoor and outdoor aquatic systems.

Fantail Goldfish

Starting with the fancy goldfish varieties is the fantail goldfish. This variety has been bred to have a double tail, fused along the dorsal edge. The fantail has a medium to short body profile, giving it some swimming difficulties. This variety should only be kept indoors because the exertion of outdoor swimming would be too much for them. Their slow swimming makes it hard for them to compete for food against fast-swimming fish and makes them easy prey for predators if kept in an outdoor pond.

Oranda Goldfish

Oranda Goldfish have a double tail like the fantail goldfish, but also they are known for their wen on top of their heads. This is a benign growth of the skin tissue that can overgrow with improper diet and wonky genetics. An overgrown wen requires trimming by your veterinarian. Do not attempt to trim this yourself or you may severely damage their delicate eye tissue, rendering your fish blind.

Ryukin Goldfish

Ryukin goldfish are distinguished by their very short body and protruding hump behind their heads. This variety comes in red, black, white, or a combination of colors, but they are very poor swimmers, so your aquarium can be smaller in order to accommodate their lack of vigorous motion. Many poor-swimming goldfish need to be fed more in order to satiate their high caloric burn from swimming exertion.

Ranchu Goldfish

Ranchu goldfish have round, hunched bodies and lack a dorsal fin. Their tail peduncle points downward, making it difficult to swim for long periods, so smaller tanks are appropriate for these fish. Your Ranchu may or may not have a partial wen on his head, cheeks or operculum (gill cover). A lack of dorsal fin makes it even harder to swim.

Pearlscale Goldfish

Very similar to a golf ball with fins, the pearlscale goldfish has a severely shortened, rounded body with raised scales that have the appearance of tiny pearls. They may have a remnant of a wen on their head and come in a wide variety of colors. This breed has severe swimming difficulties and will require easily accessible food types to compensate for their lack of movement.

Black or Red Moor Goldfish

The black or red Moor goldfish, also known as the telescope eye goldfish, are known for their short bodies and protruding eyeballs. Given their presentation, these fish do not see very well, so they take a little bit longer to eat and are prone to cuts and tears on their delicate eye conjunctiva. Be sure to choose your tank décor carefully with this fish to limit eye injuries.

Bubble Eye Goldfish

Similar to the black or red Moor goldfish, the bubble eye goldfish has severely enlarged ventral protrusions under both eyes, giving it a unique appearance. These bubbles are filled with neutrally buoyant fluid, so they don't affect the fish's buoyancy. Bubble eye goldfish are prone to injuries in these areas and tank decorations should be carefully selected. They should not be kept with aggressive fish that may damage their eyes.

Veiltail Goldfish

The veiltail goldfish is a variety of the fantail goldfish, but they can present in any goldfish variety with an eccentrically elongated tail fin. This variety also typically has elongated fins elsewhere on its body, including the pectorals, dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins. They should not be kept with fish that might damage their long finnage, and they should only have soft décor in the aquarium.

Celestial Eye Goldfish

Very similar to the telescope and bubble eye goldfish, the celestial eye goldfish has protruding eyes that stare skyward. These fish need lots of extra time to eat. Be sure to place decorations low in the tank to prevent your fish from colliding with things they cannot see. They should not be kept with fish that might damage their protruding eyes and should only have smooth or soft décor in the aquarium.