Shubunkins are generally considered more suitable for life in a garden pond than a tank unless you have a very large aquarium. However, during the spring, when the weather becomes warmer, and spawning is imminent, you can tell the difference between them.įemale fish are generally plumper when viewed from above, whereas males develop white spots over their heads and gill covers, commonly known as breeding stars or tubercles. Unfortunately, both sexes are much the same in appearance. If you want to breed your fish, you’ll need to make sure you have a mix of males and females. The Bristol Shubunkin has a similar body shape to the Comet goldfish but has rounder, shorter finnage. Sometimes called the Japanese Shubunkin, this variant has the classic Shubunkin body shape, but their tails are very deeply forked and much longer than the other forms. American ShubunkinĪmerican Shubunkins are thought to be the original form of these fish. The London Shubunkin has a more slender body and noticeably more rounded fins than the other types. So, if you buy one of these beauties, you’ll know that you have one of a kind! Varieties of Shubunkin GoldfishĪlthough all three types of Shubunkins have the same calico coloration superimposed on a blue background, they are quite different in form. Blue is rarely seen in goldfish, so the more blue the fish has, the greater its value, and the more sought-after it will be. Shubunkins are generally described as calico, meaning they have a random mixture of many colors, including:įor the fish to be a true Shubunkin, the base color must be blue. The fins are upright, and the edge of the dorsal is slightly concave.īut it’s the fish’s coloration that makes them so popular. Shubunkins have short, broad heads and a long, flat body that tapers to a deeply forked tail. They have the scientific name Carassius auratus auratus and have several common names, including:īut, thanks to the Shubunkin’s rare blue color, these beautiful fish are generally regarded as more valuable than other varieties. Like all goldfish, Shubunkins are members of the Cyprinidae family of fishes. The Shubunkin GoldfishĪccording to some records, Shubunkins were first produced by Japanese breeders in the late 1800s. In the 1600s, goldfish arrived in Europe and reached the U.S. Soon, more and more color morphs and forms were produced through crossbreeding, and by the 14th century, goldfish were being traded between China and Japan. The fish bred readily, producing more attractive colors, which captured the imagination of early fishkeepers. These attractive novelties were removed from the wild population and added to ornamental fish ponds, it’s thought by Buddhist monks. The Prussian carp were once a common food source, known locally as “chi.” These wild fish are a dull silver-gray in color, although a genetic quirk occasionally produces a brightly colored orange, yellow, or red specimen. The origins of all goldfish can be traced back around 1,000 years to a species of wild carp that’s still found today in parts of Asia, specifically in Siberia. With the massive amount of information available online, you can gather all the info you need on any fish rather quickly.Shubunkins are just one of around 200 varieties of goldfish. The point is, while a knowledgeable employee can be a big help, you don’t need to rely on these folks to tell you what is best for your tank. In my opinion, those kinds of stores should not be selling fish. In some stores, the same staff member that sells fish might also work in automotive or sporting goods. Some are very knowledgeable, but others are not. Never make choices solely based on what the staff at the pet store tells you. Find out what kind of water and space they require, whether they are territorial, if they will try to eat other fish, or if they are simply too aggressive to keep in a community setting. As I always say in these articles, the most important thing you can do to make sure all of your fish get along is to do research before you bring them home.
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