| The Goldfish of today originates from wild Asian | | | | coloration to survive, and mutations that cause |
| carps, and all the different Goldfish variations are | | | | unusual color variations are not common since |
| considered to be the same species: Carassius | | | | those fishes rapidly become eaten. |
| auratus auratus. | | | | The early Chinese carp keepers appreciated the |
| The Goldfish was one of the first fish species | | | | rare color mutations, and used these fishes for |
| kept in ponds by man. In China, wild caught carps | | | | selective breeding. In the protected pond, the |
| were kept in outdoor ponds as ornamental fishes | | | | carps did not need to stay camouflaged. |
| and selectively bred until the eventually turned into | | | | The modern goldfish can therefore be obtained in |
| the first type of goldfish. | | | | several color variations that would not be |
| The ancestor of our modern goldfish is believed | | | | successful in the wild, including orange, lemon |
| to be the Crucian Carp, Carassius carassius. | | | | yellow, white, black and naturally golden. |
| You can find a wide range of different goldfish | | | | Wen goldfish |
| types, commonly divided into four main groups. | | | | Eventually, the breeders managed to produce |
| The first group consists of the so called "Ce | | | | goldfish with long and flowing tails. Just like the |
| goldfish" or "Grass goldfish", the second group | | | | mutated color variations described above, a long |
| contains the fancy "Wen goldfish", the third group | | | | and flowing tail would be a problem for the wild |
| is where you find "Dragon Eye goldfish" with large | | | | carp, but in a protected pond the tail configuration |
| and protruding eyes, and the fourth group is | | | | didn't really matter. |
| made up by the "Egg goldfish" that lacks a dorsal | | | | One example of a popular Wen goldfish is the |
| fin. | | | | aptly named Fantail goldfish. This fish is decorated |
| Keeping goldfish in ponds is still very popular, but | | | | with a dual-lobed tail that can grow up to 3 inches |
| goldfish are also kept in aquariums. Some of the | | | | (7.6 centimeters) in length. A Wen goldfish is |
| fancy goldfishes have anatomical features that | | | | always equipped with a fancy tail and a dorsal fin. |
| make life in pond risky for them. | | | | Dragon Eye goldfish |
| They might for instance have a hard time | | | | A Dragon Eye goldfish has eyes that protrude |
| catching food since their eyes are deformed. | | | | from its head. Two examples of popular Dragon |
| When you keep goldfish in an aquarium, it is easier | | | | Eye goldfishes are the Telescope Eye goldfish and |
| for you to make sure that the fish really eats. | | | | the Bubble Eye goldfish. |
| Ce goldfish / Grass goldfish | | | | Egg goldfish |
| In this group, you will find the original type of | | | | Unlike the other forms of goldfish, the Egg |
| goldfish. They are quite similar to their wild | | | | goldfish is without dorsal fin. The Japanese Ranchu |
| ancestors and do not have any fancy features. | | | | goldfish is one example of a commonly kept Egg |
| One of the biggest differences between a wild | | | | goldfish. Sometimes a Bubble Eye goldfish will have |
| Crucian Carp and a Goldfish from this group is the | | | | no dorsal fin, and thereby be considered an Egg |
| coloration. Wild carps need a camouflaging | | | | goldfish rather than a Dragon Eye goldfish. |