The Shubunkin Goldfish

A Shubunkin is a beautiful, exotic-looking, freshwater fish that can literally come in all colors of the rainbow. The proper term to describe their unique color scheme is a "Calico goldfish" and they're actually a mutation of the telescope eye goldfish that occurred in the early 1900's in Japan. Not only does the Shubunkin have an interesting array of colors, but they also have a mixture of shiny metallic flakes in their scales and fins that make them dazzling in the light.



They truly are a remarkable goldfish, reaching almost 1 1/2 feet if they're raised in a pond and 6 - 8 inches when raised in a tank environment. They take close to 3 years to reach full adult maturity and will live 15 years or more when properly cared for.



Although they look completely different from Common goldfish, they do share plenty of traits with their underwater cousins: A Shubunkin produces a lot of waste and needs to have their tank cleaned very regularly to prevent bacteria and parasites from infecting their environment. Aside from regular feeding, your Calico goldfish will need to have a good aquarium filter and tank cleaning 1 - 2 times per week.



They're sometimes referred to as the "Speckled Goldfish" or "Harlequin Goldfish". Regardless of the name, they are highly sought after, readily available and while costs do fluctuate -- they do tend to cost more due to their elegant coloring. Surprisingly, there aren't any commercial organizations dedicated to showing or competing with these beautiful specimens.



The Shubunkin is a very fast swimmer and owners need to take care that they don't overwhelm other breeds of goldfish around them. If allowed they'll steal every morsel of food for themselves. This resiliency makes them perfect for beginner goldfish enthusiasts, since they aren't a sensitive variety by any standard.



Find out more on shubunkin and read many interesting articles on pet health.