Description

Fantail goldfish typically have a rounder  egg shaped body with a tail that fans out from the body.

The ancient Chinese kept goldfish some 1600 years ago. The original wild, drab coloured fish were selectively bred until the beautiful clear bright colours of today’s fish were developed.

The Japanese obtained some of these fish about 500 years ago and have developed some of the more unusual types of goldfish. Today there are dozens of different types.

Even though they are different colours and have different body, tail and eye shapes, they are all the one species, Carassius auratus auratus.

Goldfish are capable of reaching the grand old age of 20 years and attain a length of between 12 to 30cm, depending on variety.