Fantail Goldfish (Golden)

The Fantail Goldfish (Carassius auratus) is the quintessential “golden” fish, beloved for its shimmering metallic scales and elegant, split caudal fin that creates a graceful trailing effect. Reaching an adult size of 15–20 cm, they feature the classic egg-shaped body of the fancy varieties and a vibrant, deep orange-to-gold colouration. Originally bred from wild carp in East Asia, these hardy and long-lived companions are an excellent “entry-level” fancy goldfish for beginners wanting more flair than a standard comet.

Fantail Goldfish are active foragers, so prioritise water volume and oxygenation; we strongly suggest a tank of at least 75–100 litres for a single specimen to manage their high bio-load. They are social fish that enjoy the company of other fancy varieties like Black Moors or Orandas. They thrive in temperate water with a pH of 7.0–8.0 and are quite adaptable to varying water hardness, provided the aquarium is equipped with good filtration.

Avoid keeping them with aggressive species, tiny tank mates, or single-tail goldfish, which swim much faster and may outcompete them for food during mealtime. Fantail Goldfish are enthusiastic bottom-scavengers that constantly sift through the substrate; try feeding sinking pellets to encourage natural foraging and prevent the ingestion of excess air. Their favourite meals include high-quality goldfish sinking granules, frozen bloodworms, and fresh blanched greens like peas or duckweed to aid in healthy digestion.