Shubunkin Goldfish

Carassius auratus

Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii

Variety of Common Goldfish · shubunkin

📍 Japan

A single-tailed goldfish variety with a calico coloration pattern of red, orange, yellow, white, and black patches over a nacreous (semi-transparent) scale base, often with a distinctive blue background color prized by collectors. Fast and active like the common goldfish, it is best kept in ponds or very large aquariums and does well with other single-tailed varieties.

Size12"

Min Tank40g

peaceful

Zonemid

Care Guide

Diet

Shubunkins are omnivorous and should be fed high-quality goldfish pellets as a staple, supplemented 2-3 times weekly with blanched vegetables like peas and spinach. Offer live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp and daphnia 2-3 times per week. Feed once daily, only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes, as overfeeding causes water quality issues.

Behavior

Shubunkins are active, fast swimmers that spend most of their time in mid-water zones searching for food. They are peaceful and social, thriving best in groups or with other single-tailed goldfish varieties. They may uproot plants and stir substrate while foraging, so secure vegetation and use larger gravel.

Breeding

Breeding Shubunkins in captivity is possible but requires large tanks (75+ gallons) and cooler winter conditioning followed by gradual temperature increases to trigger spawning. Females scatter thousands of adhesive eggs on plants; remove adults after spawning as they will eat eggs and fry. Fry are difficult to raise and require infusoria and microscopic foods initially.

Tank Mates

Fancy Goldfish

Compatible single-tailed goldfish variety with similar care requirements and temperament

excellent

Comet Goldfish

Another single-tailed variety that shares identical water parameters and activity levels

excellent

Common Goldfish

Hardy single-tailed goldfish with matching temperature and dietary needs

excellent

Gold Mystery Snail

Helps with algae control and tolerates goldfish water conditions; may be eaten if snail is small

good

Ramshorn Snail

Provides cleanup but goldfish may nibble at snails; use only in larger tanks with hiding spots

caution

Common Diseases

Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)

Symptoms

White spots on body and fins, flashing against objects, labored breathing, loss of appetite

Treatment

Raise temperature gradually to 74-76°F, increase aeration, perform 25% water changes daily, and treat with aquarium salt (1 tablespoon per 5 gallons) or commercial ich medication for 7-10 days

Fin Rot

Symptoms

Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy

Treatment

Improve water quality with frequent partial water changes, reduce tank density, treat with antibacterial medication, and ensure adequate filtration

Dropsy

Symptoms

Bloated body, pinecone-like raised scales, loss of appetite, lethargy

Treatment

Isolate affected fish, perform frequent water changes, feed high-quality foods sparingly, and treat with antibiotics if bacterial; prognosis is often poor