13 Types Of Goldfish With Pictures

Goldfish are one of the most popular and diverse aquarium fish, loved for their beautiful colors, unique shapes, and playful personalities. From the classic Common Goldfish to the fancy Oranda and Ranchu, each type has its own charm and care needs.

In this guide, you’ll discover 13 different types of goldfish, complete with pictures and key care tips. Whether you’re looking for a hardy beginner-friendly fish or a rare fancy breed, this list will help you choose the perfect goldfish for your aquarium. Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

1.Oranda Goldfish

The Oranda Goldfish is a stunning fancy goldfish known for its unique wen, a fleshy growth on its head. With a round body and flowing fins, it moves gracefully in the water. Orandas come in various colors, including red, white, black, and blue, with the Red Cap Oranda being a popular variety.

They require a spacious tank (at least 20 gallons per fish) with good filtration to keep the water clean. The ideal temperature ranges between 65-75°F (18-24°C). Orandas are peaceful and best kept with other fancy goldfish.

They thrive on a balanced diet of pellets, vegetables like peas, and occasional treats like bloodworms. Due to their round shape, feeding soaked food helps prevent digestive issues.

Fun Fact: Originally bred in China, Orandas later became a prized fish in Japan, admired for their elegance.

2.Common Goldfish

The Common Goldfish is the most recognizable type, often seen in ponds and aquariums. It has a sleek, streamlined body and comes in shades of orange, red, yellow, and white.

These fish are hardy and active, making them great for beginners. They need a 30-gallon tank per fish or a pond, as they can grow over 12 inches. They thrive in cool water (60-72°F or 15-22°C) and require strong filtration.

Common goldfish eat pellets, flakes, vegetables, and live foods. They are fast swimmers, so they should be kept with other active goldfish.

Fun Fact: Common goldfish can live 10-20 years with proper care, and some even reach over 40 years!

3.Black Moor Goldfish

The Black Moor Goldfish is famous for its velvety black color and protruding eyes. It has a round body and flowing fins, giving it a graceful appearance.

They need at least a 20-gallon tank with smooth decorations, as their poor eyesight makes them prone to injury. The water temperature should be 65-75°F (18-24°C). They do best with other fancy goldfish that swim slowly.

Their diet includes pellets, leafy greens, and protein-rich foods like bloodworms. Since they have poor vision, food should be easy to find.

Fun Fact: Black Moors are born bronze and develop their deep black color as they grow!

4.Fantail Goldfish

The Fantail Goldfish is known for its beautiful, double tail fin, which spreads out like a fan when it swims. It has a round body and comes in various colors, including orange, red, white, and calico.

Fantails need a 20-gallon tank with gentle filtration, as strong currents can make swimming difficult. They thrive in 65-75°F (18-24°C) water and do well with other fancy goldfish.

They eat pellets, vegetables, and occasional protein treats. Since they are slow swimmers, they should not be kept with faster goldfish like the Common or Comet goldfish.

Fun Fact: Fantail goldfish are one of the oldest fancy goldfish breeds, dating back to China’s Ming Dynasty!

5.Comet Goldfish

The Comet Goldfish looks similar to the Common Goldfish but has a long, flowing tail that gives it a sleek appearance. It is usually bright orange, but some have white, yellow, or red markings.

Comets are fast swimmers and need a 40-gallon tank or a pond. They do well in cool water (60-72°F or 15-22°C) and require strong filtration. They are best kept with other active goldfish, as slow swimmers may struggle to compete for food.

Their diet includes flakes, pellets, fresh veggies, and live foods. Since they are very active, they need regular feeding to stay healthy.

Fun Fact: The Comet Goldfish was first bred in the United States in the late 1800s!

6.Shubunkin Goldfish

The Shubunkin Goldfish is a colorful, fast-swimming goldfish with a calico pattern of orange, black, blue, and white. Its body is sleek, and its tail is long and flowing.

They need at least a 40-gallon tank or a pond with plenty of swimming space. They do well in cool water (60-72°F or 15-22°C) and can live with other active goldfish.

Shubunkins eat pellets, flakes, vegetables, and live food. Their energetic nature means they need a balanced diet for good health.

Fun Fact: Shubunkins are known as “the koi of the goldfish world” because of their beautiful, multi-colored scales!

7.Ryukin Goldfish

The Ryukin Goldfish is a fancy goldfish with a high, humped back and a deep, rounded body. It has a flowing double tail and comes in colors like red, white, calico, and orange.

They need a 20-gallon tank with gentle water flow. The ideal temperature is 65-75°F (18-24°C). They are active swimmers but should only be kept with other fancy goldfish.

Ryukins eat pellets, vegetables, and occasional protein treats. Since they have a deep body, overfeeding can cause swim bladder problems.

Fun Fact: Ryukins originated in Japan and are named after the Ryukyu Islands!

8.Telescope Goldfish

The Telescope Goldfish is known for its large, protruding eyes and rounded body. It comes in colors like black, red, and calico.

They need at least a 20-gallon tank with smooth decorations, as their delicate eyes can get injured. The water should be kept at 65-75°F (18-24°C). They do best with other fancy goldfish that swim at a similar speed.

Their diet includes pellets, soft vegetables, and frozen foods. Because of their poor eyesight, food should be easy to find.

Fun Fact: Telescope Goldfish are also called Dragon Eye Goldfish in China!

9.Lionhead Goldfish

The Lionhead Goldfish has a rounded body, no dorsal fin, and a thick head growth (wen), giving it a lion-like appearance. It comes in colors like red, orange, white, and calico.

They need a 20-gallon tank with low water currents, as they are slow swimmers. The ideal temperature is 65-75°F (18-24°C). They should be kept with other slow-moving fancy goldfish.

Their diet includes pellets, leafy greens, and frozen foods. Care should be taken to keep their wen clean to prevent infections.

Fun Fact: Lionhead Goldfish were developed in China and are one of the oldest fancy goldfish breeds!

10.Bubble Eye Goldfish

The Bubble Eye Goldfish is one of the most unique goldfish breeds, known for its fluid-filled eye sacs that hang below its eyes. It has a rounded body and no dorsal fin.

They need a 20-gallon tank with no sharp decorations, as their bubbles can easily burst. The water should be 65-75°F (18-24°C). They do best in tanks with other slow-moving goldfish.

Their diet includes soft pellets, leafy greens, and protein-rich foods. Their eyesight is poor, so food should be easy to reach.

Fun Fact: The eye bubbles of a Bubble Eye Goldfish regrow if damaged, though it can take time!

11.Pearlscale Goldfish

The Pearlscale Goldfish is known for its round, golf ball-shaped body and pearl-like scales that give it a unique textured look. It comes in colors like orange, white, red, and calico.

They need a 20-gallon tank with gentle water flow, as their round shape makes swimming harder. The ideal temperature is 65-75°F (18-24°C). They should only be kept with other slow-moving fancy goldfish.

Their diet includes pellets, vegetables, and occasional protein treats. Since they are prone to swim bladder issues, feeding small, frequent meals helps digestion.

Fun Fact: Pearlscale Goldfish develop their bumpy, pearl-like scales as they mature!

12.Butterfly Telescope Goldfish

The Butterfly Telescope Goldfish is famous for its butterfly-shaped tail that spreads beautifully when viewed from above. It has large, protruding eyes and comes in red, black, white, calico, and panda varieties.

They need a 20-gallon tank with soft decorations, as their delicate eyes are easily injured. The water should be 65-75°F (18-24°C). They do best with other gentle, fancy goldfish.

Their diet includes pellets, leafy greens, and frozen foods. Since they have poor eyesight, they need easy access to food.

Fun Fact: Butterfly Telescope Goldfish are especially popular in top-view aquariums, where their tail shape can be fully appreciated!

13.Panda Telescope Goldfish

The Panda Telescope Goldfish is a black-and-white fancy goldfish with large, protruding eyes. Its unique panda-like coloration makes it one of the most striking goldfish varieties.

They need a 20-gallon tank with calm tankmates, as their eyesight is poor. The ideal temperature is 65-75°F (18-24°C). Decorations should be soft and smooth to prevent injuries.

Their diet includes pellets, soft vegetables, and frozen protein-rich foods like bloodworms. They should be fed slowly and in small amounts to avoid digestive problems.

Fun Fact: Panda Telescope Goldfish can change color over time, sometimes losing their black markings as they age!