{"product_id":"calico-fantail-carassius-auratus","title":"Calico Fantail | Carassius auratus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Calico Fantail is the easiest and hardiest of the fancy goldfish, here in soft watercolour blues, reds and blacks over a pearly base. A gentle coldwater favourite and a superb first fancy, it pairs a robust constitution with a pretty twin tail. Adults reach around 15–18cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFancy goldfish are fully domesticated forms of Carassius auratus, a hardy cyprinid from East Asia. They occur only in captivity, selectively bred over centuries for body shape, colour and fin form. The Fantail is one of the oldest and most forgiving fancy strains, well suited to cool aquaria and ponds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn egg-shaped body with a divided, flowing double (fan) tail. The calico form shows a mottled patchwork of blue-grey, red, orange, black and white over a nacreous (matte-and-metallic) base, so no two fish are alike. Its fins are shorter and sturdier than the more delicate high-finned fancies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and slow. Best kept with other fancy goldfish of similar swimming ability; faster single-tail goldfish will outcompete it at feeding time. Not suited to tropical community fish or fin-nippers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore. Feed a good sinking goldfish pellet or gel food as the staple, with blanched vegetables and occasional frozen treats. Sinking foods help reduce the air-gulping that leads to buoyancy issues. Avoid overfeeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide a large, cool (18–24°C), well-filtered tank with plenty of surface area; goldfish are heavy waste producers and need frequent water changes to control ammonia and nitrate. No heater is required. Round-bodied fancies appreciate smooth décor and gentle flow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEgg-scatterers that spawn in spring as water warms, laying adhesive eggs over plants and surfaces. They give no parental care and readily eat their eggs, so raising fry requires a dedicated tank and ongoing selection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarassius auratus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCalico Fantail\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEast Asia (domesticated fancy strain)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 15–18cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–15 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (slow)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 litres for one, plus ~40 litres per extra fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e110 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18–24°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.0–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–20 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eColdwater fancy goldfish tanks, beginners\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo (nibbles and uproots soft plants)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther fancy goldfish of similar body type and swimming speed, such as Ryukins, Orandas, Ranchu and other Fantails.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFast single-tail goldfish (common, comet, shubunkin), tropical community fish, fin-nippers, and warm-water species.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232823165219,"sku":"AA3778","price":12.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232823197987,"sku":"AA3581","price":18.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232823230755,"sku":"AA3581-L","price":23.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/calico-fantail-carassius-aur-43091449741603.webp?v=1790306577","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/calico-fantail-carassius-auratus","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}