Types of goldfish that have long tails

There are many breeds of goldfish that exist that have long tails. Most of them are part of the fancy variety and a few are hardy goldfish. The species of hardy goldfish include the Fantail Goldfish, Comet Goldfish, The American and Bristol Shubunkin Goldfish, and Tamasaba Goldfish breeds. In the fancy category include the Veiltail Goldfish, Ryunkin Goldfish, Watoinai Goldfish, Phoenix (egg fish) Goldfish, and Oranda Goldfish. They each have their own needs in an aquarium that should be addressed prior to getting one.

Fantail Goldfish

            These fish are the most common fancy goldfish and very hardy. They can grow up to six inches and have a docile and social personality. Their bodies are egg shaped. They come in orange, black, yellow, and calico coloring.

Comet Goldfish

            These fish are the only goldfish breed that the United States has contributed. They are slim bodied, hardy, and grow up to 12 inches. They can have a tail with pointed tips that is almost as long as their body. They have an active personality. The most popular colors they are seen with include metallic red or red and white.

American and Bristol Shubunkin Goldfish

            There are two types of Shubunkin Goldfish that have long fins. The American and the Bristol, the Bristol have a taller fuller tail. These fish are athletic and playful, can grow 12-14 inches in size, and are very hardy. The tails of these fish will lengthen as the fish ages. They come in several color varieties. Calico (red, black, and white), Midnight (predominately black body with a small amount of white), Ghost Bristol (entirely white with pink gills, also known as “pinkies”), Imperial (solid red), Sanke Gold (bright white base with spots of red and black), Sky Blue (a very rare color with matte base and some metallic scales). These fish can modify the size of their body depending on the amount of freshwater they are living in.

Tamasaba Goldfish

            An uncommon Japanese variety of fish with a round body and arched back. This breed has a single long flowing tail and can grow up to 10 inches in length. They can withstand the cold well which means they are suited to live in an aquarium or a pond alongside koi. They are hardy but not very fast swimmers so they should be housed with other fish similar to them. They are seen in a solid red color or deep red and white. 

Veiltail Goldfish

            This species of fish is fairly hard to find. They have a rounder body, extremely long tail fins, and can get 6-7 inches long. They have a peaceful personality. There are many color varieties such as solid red, calico, orange, or variegated colors. They are delicate due to the long tails and this also makes them slow swimmers. Their long fins can get caught on items in the aquarium so it is recommended to ensure that they have plenty of space to swim around and any objects in the aquarium should be smooth edged.

Ryunkin Goldfish

            These fish have a large dorsal hump, large round belly, and a potential for short or long finned varieties. They can grow up to 6-8 inches in size and live 10-15 years old. They are a hardy breed but can be semi-aggressive. They are seen with a double finned four lobed tail. The coloring they can be seen in includes red, white, calico, or chocolate. These are active fish and will easily uproot plants in the aquarium, so it is best to use caution when choosing what types of plants to include in their aquarium.

Watonai Goldfish

            These fish are a cross between a ryunkin and fantailed. They have a long double tail, are hardy, and can live up to 20 years old. They have a usual size of 10-13 inches but have been seen up to sizes of 19 inches. They have a peaceful and curious behavior. Due to their curiosity, they can uproot plants that are in the aquarium. These fish need a large tank due to their potential size and long tail.

Phoenix (egg fish) Goldfish

            This fish lacks a dorsal fin and has an egg-shaped body. They are a hard-to-find breed that can grow up to 6-8 inches in length. They have long flowing fins and can be seen with a blue grey color. They are a large fish that is alert and active.

Oranda Goldfish

            This fish breed has a head growth called a wen, which is a bumpy growth on the top of the head. They can live up to 5-10 years, grow over 12 inches in length, and are somewhat hardy. They can have multiple types of tails such as, ribbon tailed, broad tail, or fantail. The most popular color seen is a white body with an orange wen, but they can be seen in various color patterns. They have a gentle personality and enjoy a community tank.

            There are many breeds of goldfish that have long tails and depending on what you are looking for, there is one for your aquarium or tank. They each have slightly different needs but most need to have a large tank to accommodate their long tails, so they don’t get damaged. You can choose between a hardy breed or fancy breed. A hardy breed will be easier to maintain and can have less maintenance. A fancy breed requires more dedication and monitoring to ensure a long and healthy life.