The Fancy Fan Tail Goldfish

The fantail goldfish is a normal “fancy” goldfish. It is characterized by dual lobed, paired fins. These normally range from one to three inches in length for an adult fantail goldfish. These fish come in a variety of colors, from bronze (often called "chocolate"), orange, red, calico and mixes of colors. If properly cared for, a twenty year lifespan isn’t impossible, and the record is forty nine years.

This is a hardy breed for a fancy goldfish and can reach up to seven inches long if given sufficient tank space and food. They require a three-gallon tank but ten gallons is a better size. The tank should have a filter, but goldfish are cold-water fish and seldom need a heater. Room temperature is sufficient. Fantail goldfish can also live in ponds. Goldfish require a good supply of oxygen, so each goldfish requires at least thirty square inches of surface to ensure enough oxygen in the water for them. For this reason, goldfish in bowls have much shorter lifespans than properly cared for goldfish. Goldfish need at least eight hours of light a day, and any gravel must be either too small to get stuck in the goldfishes throat or too large for them to pick up.

Goldfish are very dirty fish and require at least partial water replacement often. Goldfish also prefer a slightly alkaline tank, with a pH of 7.2 or even higher. Goldfish also need between a third and half of the water in the tank replaced each week. It is best for the water to be added to sit overnight before adding to the tank to allow excess chlorine to bleed away. Use of detoxifiers and electrolyte replacements is also good.

Goldfish like to play and are happier if they are not alone. However, in a small tank it is preferably for the goldfish to be alone than to be overcrowded.

Goldfish in ponds will get torpid and stay near the bottom in winter. This is normal, and they can even survive limited freezing if the water stays sufficiently oxygenated. The depth does need to be at least thirty inches to provide sufficient protection against changes in temperature.

Fantail goldfish can live on fish flakes, but should be given a greater variety. Occasional shrimp and lettuce are good, as are peas, sliced carrots, bloodworms and special goldfish food. Lettuce should be frozen and then warmed before feeding to the goldfish to make it easier to digest. Goldfish love to eat, but one a day or every two days is best to minimize the effects on water cleanliness. It is easy to kill goldfish by overfeeding. Goldfish can recognize the person who regularly feeds them and will respond by swimming back and forth rapidly or even splashing. Goldfish can also be shy if other people approach the tank.