COMMON GOLDFISH
Breed Characteristic: bright red orange or red and white color on short, single-tail finned, long-bodied, carp-type fish.
Head: when viewed from above, the head should have a narrow, triangular shaped, and end at the month in a rounded fashion.
Scale type: metallic only.
Color: red orange, red and white.
Finnage:
Caudal fin (1): short, rounded lobes with moderate forking between the lobes. The caudal fin should be approximately ¼ the body length, carried erect, and well-spread.
Dorsal fin: the length of the leading edge of the dorsal fin should be approximately ¼ to 3/8 of the body depth. First ray of the dorsal fin should start near the highest portion along the arched back.
Anal fin (1): the single, anal fin should be short and rounded in appearance.
Pectoral fins: the paired pectoral fins should be well-matched, short and rounded in appearance with no major bends or breaks.
Pelvic fins (Ventral fins): the paired pelvic fins should be well-matched, short and rounded in appearance.
Sub-Breeds: none
Culture Hints: the Common Goldfish is one of the largest of all the goldfish breeds. Given optimum conditions, it can grow to twenty inches in length during its long life span of twenty years or more. The Common Goldfish is very hardy and is at its best in a pond environment where it can be left year-round. If the pond is deep enough to prevent freeze ups.
COMET
Breed Characteristics: long, slim body with a very high dorsal fin. Long, pointed, tail-fin lobes and exceptionally long anal, pelvic and pectoral fins.
Body: the body is very slim with a shallow arching of the back and abdomen. The depth of the body should be slightly less than 7/8 of the body depth.
Head: When viewed from above, the head should have a narrow triangular shape and end at the mouth in a round fashion.
Scale Type: metallic only.
Color: Red orange or red and white.
Finnage:
Caudal fin (1): deeply forked with long narrow lobes that end with a point. The caudal fin should be as long or longer than the body and it should be carried erect and well spread.
Dorsal fin: the length of the leading edge of the dorsal fin should be as high or higher than the body depth. The leading edge of the dorsal fin should start near the highest portion of the arched back.
Anal Fins (1): the single, anal fin should be long, well-shaped and end in a pointed
fashion.
Pectoral Fins: the paired pectoral fins should be well-matched, long and pointed with no major bends or breaks.
Pelvic Fins (Ventral Fins): the paired pelvic fins should be well-matched, long and pointed.
Sub-Breeds: none
Culture Hints: The Comet really shines in a pond environment. Due to its very long finnage, water quality must be carefully watched to prevent damage. Due to the large water volume in a properly designed pond, poor water quality is usually not a problem. A well maintained pond allows the Comet to reach its full potential.
AMERICAN SHUBUNKIN
Breed Characteristics: Calico coloring is sky blue, brilliant red, dense black and pure silvery white. Finnage very long and pointed.
Body: the body is very slim with a shallow arching of the back and abdomen. The depth of the body should be slightly less than 7/8 of the body length.
Head: When viewed from above, the head should have a narrow, triangular shape and end at the mouth in a rounded fashion. The eyes should be irised.
Scale Type: Nacreous, with or without spangle scales.
Color:
Body: large areas of sky blue, followed by smaller areas of brilliant red, silvery white and dense black.
Finnage: dense black streaking on an otherwise uncolored fin.
Finnage:
Caudal fin (1): deeply forked with long narrow lobes that end with a point. The caudal fin should be as long or longer than the body and it should be carried erect and well spread.
Dorsal fin: the length of the leading edge of the dorsal fin should be as high or higher than the body depth.
Anal Fins (1): the single, anal fin should be long, well-shaped and pointed.
Pectoral Fins: the paired pectoral fins should be well-matched, long and pointed with no major bends or breaks.
Pelvic Fins (Ventral Fins): the paired pelvic fins should be well-matched, long and pointed.
Sub-Breeds: none
Culture Hints: The American Shubunkin is a calico-colored version of the Comet. Like the Comet it is best kept in a pond. The higher water quality of a well maintained pond, the availability of sunlight and natural foods add to the general good health and color of this Shubunkin goldfish breed.
BRISTOL SHUBUNKIN
Breed Characteristics: Calico coloring is sky blue, brilliant red, dense black and pure silvery white. Long finnage with very broad rounded tail fin lobes.
Body: the back and abdomen should be moderately arched. The depth of the body should be
approximately 7/8 or slightly more of the body length.
Head: When viewed from above, the head should have a narrow, triangular shape and end at the mouth in a rounded fashion. The eyes should be irised.
Scale Type: Nacreous, with or without spangle scales.
Color:
Body: large areas of sky blue, followed by smaller areas of brilliant red, silvery white and dense black.
Finnage: dense black streaking on an otherwise uncolored fin.
Finnage:
Caudal fin (1): deeply forked with long narrow lobes that end with a point. The caudal fin should be as long or longer than the body and it should be carried erect and well spread.
Dorsal fin: the length of the leading edge of the dorsal fin should be as high or higher than the body depth.
Anal Fins (1): the single, anal fin should be long, well-shaped and pointed.
Pectoral Fins: the paired pectoral fins should be well-matched, long and pointed with no major bends or breaks.
Pelvic Fins (Ventral Fins): the paired pelvic fins should be well-matched, long and pointed.
Sub-Breeds: none
Culture Hints: The American Shubunkin is a calico-colored version of the Comet. Like the Comet it is best kept in a pond. The higher water quality of a well maintained pond, the availability of sunlight and natural foods add to the general good health and color of this Shubunkin goldfish breed.
LONDON SHUBUNKIN
Breed Characteristics: Calico coloring is sky blue, brilliant red, dense black and pure silvery white.
Body: the back and abdomen should be moderately arched. The depth of the body should be approximately 3/8 or slightly more of the body length.
Head: When viewed from above, the head should have a narrow, triangular shape and end at the mouth in a rounded fashion. The eyes should be irised.
Scale Type: Nacreous, with or without spangle scales.
Color:
Body: large areas of sky blue, followed by smaller areas of brilliant red, silvery white and dense black.
Finnage: dense black streaking on an otherwise uncolored fin.
Finnage:
Caudal fin (1): short rounded lobes with moderate forking between the lobes. The caudal fin should be approximately ¼ the body length and carried erect and well-spread.
Dorsal fin: the length of the leading edge of the dorsal fin should start neat the highest point of the arched back and be approximately ¼ to 3/8 of the body depth. First ray of the dorsal fin should start near the highest point along the arched back.
Anal Fins (1): the single, anal fin should be short and well rounded in appearance.
Pectoral Fins: the paired pectoral fins should be well-matched, short and rounded in appearance with no major bends or breaks.
Pelvic Fins (Ventral Fins): the paired pelvic fins should well-matched, short and round in appearance.
Sub-Breeds: none
Culture Hints: The calico coloration of the London Shubunkins is at its best in an outdoor pond environment. The sunlight and natural foods (algae, insects, etc) produce an intensity of color not possible when the fish is kept indoors.
FANTAIL
Breed Characteristics: Egg-shaped body with double caudal fins.
Body: long egg-shaped to egg-shaped body. Body depth approximately ½ to ¾ the body length.
Head: When viewed from above, the head should have a broad, triangular shape ending at the mouth in a rounded fashion. The eyes should be irised.
Scale Type: Metallic, nacreous and matt.
Color:
Metallics: orange, red and white, and white.
Nacreous: bi-color; tri-color; solid red, calico with or without spangle scales. The eyes should be irised.
Matt: pink, bi-colored; tri-colored. The eyes must be non-irised.
Finnage:
Caudal fin (2): the double caudal fins should be well-matched, approximately ¼ to ½ the body length and 90% or more divided from each other. The lobes should be short, rounded and moderately forked.
Dorsal fin: the length of the leading edge of the dorsal fin should start be approximately 1/3 to ½ of the body depth. First ray of the dorsal fin should start just forward of the highest point along the back arch.
Anal Fins (2): the paired anal fins should be short, rounded, well-matched and carried between the caudal fins.
Pectoral Fins: the paired pectoral fins should be short, rounded and well-matched free of major bends or breaks.
Pelvic Fins (Ventral Fins): the paired pelvic fins should be short, round well-matched.
Sub-Breeds: none
Culture Hints: The Fantail is a large goldfish breed with some specimens reaching ten or more inches in length. Due to its hardy and active nature it is one of the best of the double tail-finned breeds to maintain in a pond. The Fantail is one of the easiest for the fancy goldfish to keep and its highly recommended for the beginner in the goldfish hobby.
FRINGETAIL
Breed Characteristics: Very long, forked double caudal fins.
Body: long egg-shaped to egg-shaped. Body depth approximately ½ to 3/8 the length of the body.
Head: When viewed from above, the head will have a broad triangular shape ending at the mouth
in a rounded fashion.
Scale Type: Metallic, nacreous and matt.
Color:
Metallics: orange, red and white, blue scale and white.
Nacreous: bi-color; tri-color; solid red, calico with or without spangle scales. The eyes should be irised.
Matt: pink, bi-colored; tri-colored. The eyes must be non-irised.
Finnage:
Caudal fin (2): the double caudal fins should be well-matched, approximately as long to twice as long as the body length and 90% or more divided from each other. The caudal fins can be moderately or deeply forked.
Dorsal fin: the length of the leading edge of the dorsal fin should start be approximately ½ to ¾ the depth of the body. The first ray of the dorsal fin should start just forward of the highest point along the arched back.
Anal Fins (2): the paired anal fins should be very long, well-matched and carried between the caudal fins.
Pectoral Fins: the paired pectoral fins should be long, well-matched with no major bends or breaks.
Pelvic Fins (Ventral Fins): the paired pelvic fins should be very long and well-matched.
Sub-Breeds: none
Culture Hints: Due to the very long finnage of the Fringetail, the hobbyist must pay special attention to maintaining high water quality at all times. The Fringetail, given good water quality, is hardy enough for a pond environment. However, it must be protected from predators due to its slow, graceful swimming manner.
VEILTAIL
Breed Characteristics: very high dorsal fin, medium length to very long and broad caudal fins with little to no forking of the caudal fins.
Body: short egg-shaped to almost spherical in appearance. Body depth of 5/8 to as deep (1:1) the body length.
Head: When viewed from above, the head should have a short, broad triangular shape ending at the mouth in a rounded fashion.
Scale Type: Metallic, nacreous and matt.
Color:
Metallics: orange, red and white, blue scale and white.
Nacreous: bi-color; tri-color; solid red, calico, with or without spangle scales. The eyes should be irised.
Matt: pink, bi-colored; tri-colored. The eyes must be non-irised.
Finnage:
Caudal fin (2): the double caudal fins should be well-matched, ¾ to twice the body length, broad 90% or more divided from each other and the trailing edge should have little to no forking between the top and bottom tail fin lobes.
Dorsal fin: the length of the leading edge of the dorsal fin should be approximately 3/4 the depth of the body or more. The first ray of the dorsal fin should start just forward of
the highest portion along the back arch.
Anal Fins (2): the paired anal fins should be long, well-matched with no bends or breaks.
Pectoral Fins: the paired pectoral fins should be long and carried between the caudal fins.
Pelvic Fins (Ventral Fins): the paired pelvic fins should approximately as long as the dorsal fin, well-matched, broad lobed and carried between the caudal fins.
Sub-Breeds: the finnage of the Veiltail can be crossed into any double, caudal-finned goldfish breed. These cross breeds are commonly called Broadtails to differentiate them from pure Veiltails. Some examples of Broadtails are: Broadtail Moors; Broadtail Oranda; Broadtail Pearlscale; and Broadtail Ryukin.
Culture Hints: The long, heavy finnage of the Veiltail means it must have water of the highest quality at all times. To prevent damaging the finnage, use a bowl or your (wet) hands when catching this goldfish breed.
ORANDA
Breed Characteristics: head growth on a normal-eyed, dorsal finned body.
Body: long egg-shaped to very short egg-shaped. Body depth approximately ½ to ¾ the body length.
Head: When viewed from above, the head appears squarish in shape with a wide space between the eyes and is covered with one of three types of head growth: (1) Hi-Cap head growth limited to the top of the head including the area between the eyes; (2) Cap and Check head growth limited to the top of the head and check area (between eye and mouth); (3) Full head growth covers the top of the head, check and gill covers in a more or less even manner.
Scale Type: Metallic, nacreous and matt.
Color:
Metallics: all solid goldfish colors and bi-color.
Nacreous: bi-color; tri-color; solid red, calico, with or without spangle scales. The eyes should be irised.
Matt: pink, bi-colored; tri-colored. The eyes must be non-irised.
Finnage:
Caudal fin (2): the double caudal fins should be well-matched, ½ to 1½ times the body length and 90% or more divided from each other. The rounded lobes should be moderately to deeply forked. They may be carried erect and well spread or the long fins may hang (droop) from the caudal peduncle.
Dorsal fin: the length of the leading edge of the dorsal fin should start be approximately 1/3 to ½ the body depth. The first ray of the dorsal fin should start just forward of the highest point along the arched back.
Anal Fins (2): the paired anal fins should be of medium to long length to match the caudal fins, rounded and well-matched and carried between the caudal fins.
Pectoral Fins: the paired pectoral fins should be of medium length to long to match the caudal fin, rounded and well-matched and free of major bends or breaks.
Pelvic Fins (Ventral Fins): the paired pelvic fins should be medium to long length to match the caudal fins, rounded and well-matched.
Sub-Breeds: many
Culture Hints: Orandas with large head growths need water that is rich in dissolved oxygen.
Moderate water circulation, a large uncrowded aquarium or a predator-protected pond are the best means to insure a high oxygen content.
LIONTAIL
Breed Characteristics: short, egg-shaped, dorsal fin less body with a large head growth covering the entire head.
Body: short egg-shaped body. Body depth approximately 5/8 the length of the body. The body contour should be smoothly arched from back of head to caudal peduncle.
Head: When viewed from above, the head will be squarish in shape with a wide space between the eyes. The head growth should be heavy and cover the gill covers cheeks and cap in an even fashion.
Scale Type: Metallic.
Color: orange, red and white, black and white.
Finnage:
Caudal fins (2): the double caudal fins should be well-matched, approximately ¼ to ¾ the length of the body and 25% or more divided from each other. The lobes should be short, rounded and moderately forked. The caudal fins can be held erect or the top lobes can follow the arched contour of the back.
Dorsal fin: completely lacking.
Anal Fins (2): the paired anal fins should be short, rounded, well-matched and carried between the caudal fins.
Pectoral Fins: the paired pectoral fins should be short, rounded, well-matched and free of major bends or breaks.
Pelvic Fins (Ventral Fins): the paired pelvic fins should be short, round well-matched.
Sub-Breeds: Hi-Cap Lionheads, Head and Cheek Lionheads.
Culture Hints: Due to the lack of a dorsal fin, the Lionhead is a poor swimming and cannot complete successfully with the many of the normal-finned goldfish breeds. The large head growth restricts the flow of water over the gills so the Lionhead’s water must be rich in oxygen. For proper head growth development, a food high in protein fed three to four times a week is helpful.
RANCHU
Breed Characteristics: short, egg-shaped, dorsal fin less body with a head growth covering the entire head.
Body: short egg-shaped to very short egg-shaped body. Body depth approximately 5/8 to ¾ length of the body. The back contour should be smoothly arched with a sharp downward angle change of the back in the area of the tail.
Head: When viewed from above, the head will be squarish in shape with a wide space between the eyes. The head growth should cover the gill covers cheeks and cap in an even fashion.
Scale Type: Metallic.
Color:
Metallics: orange, red and white, and white.
Finnage:
Caudal fins (2): the double caudal fins should be well-matched, ¼ to 3/8 the length of the body and 25% or more divided from each other. The lobes should be short, rounded and moderately forked. The caudal fins should be held erect and well spread.
Dorsal fin: completely lacking.
Anal Fins (2): the paired anal fins should be short, rounded, well-matched and carried between the caudal fins.
Pectoral Fins: the paired pectoral fins should be short, rounded, well-matched and free of major bends or breaks.
Pelvic Fins (Ventral Fins): the paired pelvic fins should be short, round well-matched.
Sub-Breeds: Edonishiki (Calico Ranchu)
Culture Hints: The Ranchu can reach a length of ten inches in some varieties. Most will grow to a length of six inches. Due to its large size, the Ranchu will need an adequately sized aquarium or a predator-protected pond. Its water needs to have a high oxygen content and must be of the highest quality. Food high in protein will aid in head growth development.
RYUKIN
Breed Characteristics: very short egg-shaped to a humpback body style.
Body: very short egg-shaped to humpback. Body depth to body length ¾:1 very short egg-shaped; 1:1 humpback. Humpback body style rises sharply behind the head, arches smooth in the dorsal fin region and drops quickly along the tail. The abdomen is very round and full. Approximately 1/3 (or more) of the bulk of the body is above a line from the eye to the caudal peduncle.
Head: When viewed from above, the head should have a broad, triangular shape ending at the mouth in a rounded fashion.
Scale Type: Metallic, nacreous and matt.
Color:
Metallics: orange, red and white, and white.
Nacreous: bi-color; tri-color; solid red, calico; with or without spangle scales. The eyes should be irised.
Matt: pink, bi-colored; tri-colored. The eyes must be non-irised.
Finnage:
Caudal fins (2): the double caudal fins should be well-matched, approximately ¾ to 1½ the body length and 90% or more divided from each other. The rounded lobes should be moderately forked.
Dorsal fin: the length of the leading edge of the dorsal fin should start be approximately 1/3 the depth of the body. The first ray of the dorsal fin should start just forward of the highest point along the arched back.
Anal Fins (2): the paired anal fins should be of moderate length, rounded, well-matched and carried between the caudal fins.
Pectoral Fins: the paired pectoral fins should be of moderate length, rounded and well-matched with no major bends or breaks.
Pelvic Fins (Ventral Fins): the paired pelvic fins should be of moderate length, rounded and well-matched.
Sub-Breeds: Broadtail Ryukin
Culture Hints: The Ryukin develops its best body shape when fed a diet containing large amounts of carbohydrates and roughage. Very short, round-bodied, female Ryukins may be prone to egg binding during the spawning season. A pre-spawning and spawning season diet containing chopped red worms and duckweed, or other easy-to-digest, high liquid food will help to prevent this problem. Given protection from predators, the Ryukin is hardy enough for a pond environment.
TELESCOPE
Breed Characteristics: large eyes that protrude from the head.
Body: short egg-shaped to nearly round in appearance. Body depth 5/8 to almost as deep as the body is long.
Head: When viewed from above, the head should appear oval with the protruding eyes giving the overall appearance of a “T” shape. The eyes should be larger, of equal size and shape, and protrude from the head at the same angle.
Scale Type: Metallic, nacreous and matt.
Color:
Metallics: orange, red and white, black, blue scale, white, pink and bi-colour.
Nacreous: bi-color; tri-color; solid red, calico; with or without spangle scales. The eyes should be irised.
Matt: pink, bi-colored; tri-colored. The eyes must be non-irised.
Finnage:
Caudal fins (2): the double caudal fins should be well-matched, approximately 5/8 to 1½ times the body length and 90% or more divided from each other. The rounded lobes should be moderately to deeply forked.
Dorsal fin: the length of the leading edge of the dorsal fin should start be approximately 1/3 to 1/2 the depth of the body. The first ray of the dorsal fin should start just forward of the highest point along the arched back.
Anal Fins (2): the paired anal fins should be of medium length to long to match the caudal fins, rounded, well-matched and carried between the caudal fins.
Pectoral Fins: the paired pectoral fins should be of medium to long length to match the caudal fins and well-matched with no major bends or breaks.
Pelvic Fins (Ventral Fins): the paired pelvic fins should be of medium to long length to match the caudal fins, rounded and well-matched.
Sub-Breeds: Broadtail Moor; Butterfly Telescopes; Oranda Telescope (Dragonhead).
Culture Hints: Dues to its large eyes, the Telescope has less than perfect vision. It should not be kept with normal-eyed goldfish because it will have a hard time competing for food. Telescopes can be successfully kept with other eye-type goldfish breeds as well as sight-impaired head growth breeds. Sharp or rough decorations should be removed from their aquariums to prevent eye damage. Poor water quality can also damage the eyes of a Telescope.
BUBBLE-EYE
Breed Characteristics: the liquid filled bubble below the eye.
Body: long egg-shaped to short egg-shaped without a dorsal fin. Body depth approximately ½ to 5/8 the length of the body. The back contour should be smoothly arched from the back of the head to the caudal peduncle.
Head: When viewed from above, the head should have a broad, ending at the mouth in a blunt fashion.
Scale Type: Metallic, nacreous and matt.
Color:
Metallics: orange, red and white, white, black, ancient bronze and bluescale.
Nacreous: bi-color; tri-color; solid red, calico; with or without spangle scales. The eyes should be irised.
Matt: pink, bi-colored; tri-colored. The eyes must be non-irised.
Finnage:
Caudal fins (2): the double caudal fins should be well-matched, 1/3 to ¾ the length of the body and 90% or more divided from each other. The lobes should be rounded, carried erect and well spread with moderate forking.
Dorsal fin: completely lacking.
Anal Fins (2): the paired anal fins should be of medium to short length to match the caudal fins, rounded, well-matched and carried between the caudal fins.
Pectoral Fins: the paired pectoral fins should be of medium to short length at match the caudal fins, rounded and well-matched and free of major bends or breaks.
Pelvic Fins (Ventral Fins): the paired pelvic fins should be of medium to short length to match the caudal fins, rounded and well-matched.
Sub-Breeds: Bubble-eyed Oranda
Culture Hints: The bubbles of a Bubble-Eye are very easily damaged by rough gravel and other sharp items. If a bubble is ruptured and the tear in the membrane is small, the bubble will heal and refill. When catching and transporting Bubble-Eyes use a bowl or plastic fish bag because the bubbles are very easily damaged.
CELESTIAL
Breed Characteristics: large eyes that protrude from the head with the pupils looking directly upward or slightly cross-eyed.
Body: long egg-shaped without a dorsal fin. Body depth approximately 1/3 to ½ the length of he body. The back contour should be smoothly arched from the back of the head to the caudal peduncle.
Head: When viewed from above, the head should be broad, ending at the mouth in a blunt fashion. The spherical eyes should protrude from the head to a large degree. The eyes should be well matched with both pupils looking upward in the same direction or slightly cross-eyed.
Scale Type: metallic.
Color:
Metallics: orange, red and white, and white.
Finnage:
Caudal fins (2): the double caudal fins should be well-matched, approximately ½ to as long as the body length and 90% or more divided from each other. The lobes should be rounded, carried erect and well spread with moderate forking.
Dorsal fin: completely lacking.
Anal Fins (2): the paired anal fins should be of medium length, rounded, well-matched and carried between the caudal fins.
Pectoral Fins: the paired pectoral fins should be of medium length, rounded and well-matched and free of major bends. Long, egg-shaped to short, egg-shaped without a dorsal fin. Body depth approximately 1/3 to 5/8 the length of he body. The back contour should be smoothly arched from the back of the head to the caudal peduncle.
Pelvic Fins (Ventral Fins): the paired pelvic fins should be of medium length, rounded and well-matched.
Sub-Breeds: none
Culture Hints: The upward looking eyes of the Celestial allows no side or bottom vision. In order to prevent damage to its eyes, body and finnage, all rough or sharp object should be removed from its aquarium. The Celestial is most attractive when viewed from above, so a predator-protected pond or low-level aquarium is best for viewing this unique goldfish breed.
POMPOM
Breed Characteristics: an enlarged nasal septa that is ruffled and folded many times, forming a ball-shaped growth over each nostril.
Body: short egg-shaped, dorsal-less body. Body depth approximately 5/8 the length of he body. The back contour should be smoothly arched from the back of the head to the caudal peduncle.
Head: When viewed from above, the head should be broad, ending at the mouth in a blunt manner with little or no head growth. The paired nasal septa should be large, well matched, colorful and ball-shaped.
Scale Type: metallic, nacreous and matt.
Color:
Metallics: orange, red and white, and white.
Nacreous: bi-color; tri-color; solid red, calico; with or without spangle scales. The eyes should be irised.
Matt: pink, bi-colored; tri-colored. The eyes must be non-irised.
Finnage:
Caudal fins (2): the double caudal fins should be well-matched, ¼ to 3/8 the body length and 25% or more divided from each other. The lobes should be short, rounded and moderately forked. The caudal fins can be held erect or the top lobes can follow the arched contour of the back.
Dorsal fin: completely lacking.
Anal Fins (2): the paired anal fins should be short, rounded, well-matched and carried between the caudal fins.
Pectoral Fins: the paired pectoral fins should be short, rounded and well-matched and free
of major bends and breaks
Pelvic Fins (Ventral Fins): the paired pelvic fins should be short, rounded and well-matched.
Sub-Breeds: Pompom Oranda; Pompom Lionhead; Hanafusa (Dorsaled Pompom)
Culture Hints: The dorsal-less Pompom should only be caught using a bowl or wet hands. The Pompoms are very delicate and can be torn off very easily when using a net.
PEARLSCALE
Breed Characteristics: each scale has a raised dome near the center.
Body: round in appearance. Body depth approximately ¾ to as deep as (1:1) as the length of the body.
Head: When viewed from above, the head will have a broad, triangular shape ending at the mouth in a round fashion.
Scale Type: metallic, nacreous and matt.
Color:
Metallics: orange, red and white, back, brown, blue scale or white.
Nacreous: bi-color; tri-color; solid red, calico; with or without spangle scales. The eyes should be irised.
Matt: pink, bi-colored; tri-colored. The eyes must be non-irised.
Finnage:
Caudal fins (2): the double caudal fins should be well-matched, approximately ¼ to 1¼ times the body length and 90% or more divided from each other. The caudal fins should have little to no forking between the lobes in the short finned varieties, to shallow forking in the long caudal finned varieties.
Dorsal fin: the length of the leading edge of he dorsal fin should be approximately 1/3 the depth of the body. The first ray of the dorsal fin should start just forward the highest point along the arched back.
Anal Fins (2): the paired anal fins should be rounded, short or long to match the caudal fin, well-matched and carried between the caudal fins.
Pectoral Fins: the paired pectoral fins should be rounded, short or long to match the caudal fin, well-matched with no major bends or breaks.
Pelvic Fins (Ventral Fins): the paired pelvic fins should be rounded, short or long to match the caudal fin and well-matched.
Sub-Breeds: Broadtail Pearlscale; Oranda Pearlscale
Culture Hints: The Pearlscale diet should contain large amounts of carbohydrates and roughage in order for it to develop the proper body shape. Use your wet hands or a bowl when catching a Pearlscale since its scales are easily damaged.