Calico Goldfish

The Calico Goldfish (Carassius auratus) is a vibrant and highly decorative variety of fancy goldfish, with a unique tri-colour pattern of red, orange, white, and black “ink” spots over a shimmering nacreous background. Growing to an impressive 15–20 cm, these fish are easily recognised by their deep, rounded bodies and elegant, flowing fins. Calico goldfish refers to a specific colour morph rather than a body shape, and this striking “shubunkin” style colouration can be found in several varieties, including the popular Fantail and Ryukin.

Provide your Calico Goldfish with high water volume and good-quality filtration; we strongly suggest a tank of at least 75–100 litres for the first fish to maintain stable water parameters. They are exceptionally social animals that thrive when kept with other similar-sized fancy goldfish. Calico goldfish are quite hardy and adapt well to a wide range of temperatures, making them suitable for indoor aquariums or well-maintained temperate setups with a pH of 7.0–8.0.

Avoid housing them with fast-swimming “single-tail” goldfish varieties, like Comets, which may outcompete them for food, or aggressive fin-nippers that could damage their trailing fins, or any fish small enough to fit in their mouth. Since they are enthusiastic foragers that spend their time scanning the substrate, try feeding high-quality sinking pellets to prevent them from swallowing air at the surface. Their favourite meals include protein-rich sinking granules, frozen bloodworms, and fresh vegetable supplements like blanched peas to support healthy digestion.