{"product_id":"shubunkin-goldfish-carassius-auratus","title":"Shubunkin Goldfish | Carassius auratus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Shubunkin is the classic hardy \"calico\" goldfish — a single-tailed, streamlined swimmer speckled in blue, red, orange, black and white beneath a pearly overlay. Tough, long-lived and cool-water loving, it grows large (commonly 15 cm in a tank and 25–30 cm or more in a pond) and is one of the best fish for beginners and for garden ponds alike.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Shubunkin is a domesticated ornamental form of Carassius auratus, developed in Japan and not found in the wild. Its wild ancestors are hardy temperate cyprinids of slow rivers, lakes and ponds across East Asia, adapted to cool, still to gently flowing, hard and well-oxygenated water.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA single, well-developed tail and a torpedo-shaped body distinguish the Shubunkin from fancy twin-tailed goldfish. The prized \"calico\" pattern is a mottled wash of blue, violet, red, orange, black and white with fine dark speckling, ideally with plenty of sought-after blue. Colour deepens with age and good conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeaceful, sociable and very active. It is happiest in a group and mixes well with other single-tailed goldfish such as Common and Comet goldfish, which share its speed and appetite. It is too fast and too large for most small tropical community fish, and its cool-water needs make it a poor match for warm-water tropicals.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn omnivore with a big appetite. Feed a quality goldfish flake, pellet or gel food as a staple and supplement with blanched vegetables, peas, and frozen or live foods such as daphnia and bloodworm. Avoid overfeeding, as goldfish are messy and produce a heavy waste load.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eGoldfish are large, long-lived and produce a lot of waste, so generous space and strong filtration are essential. Provide around 150 L for a single fish, with 200 L or larger — or better still, a garden pond — for a group. They prefer cool water at 10–22 °C (and tolerate more), pH 6.5–8.0 and neutral to hard water. Note that they will nibble and uproot soft plants, so they are not fully plant safe; use hardy or artificial plants.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn egg-scattering species. In spring, a rise in temperature triggers spawning, with males chasing gravid females to release adhesive eggs among plants or spawning mops. Eggs receive no parental care and hatch in a few days; fry are reared on infusoria and fine foods. Ponds often produce fry naturally.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarassius auratus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShubunkin Goldfish, Calico Goldfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDomesticated ornamental (developed in Japan; ancestor from East Asia)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 15 cm in aquaria; 25–30 cm or more in ponds\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–15 years or more (can exceed 20 in ponds)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (active)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 L for one fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 L or larger, or a garden pond\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore: goldfish flake\/pellet, vegetables, frozen and live foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–22 °C (cool water)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerately hard to hard, around 8–20 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge cool-water aquariums and garden ponds\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo (nibbles and uproots soft plants)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other single-tailed goldfish (Common, Comet), other Shubunkins, and other hardy, cool-water pond fish of similar size such as orfe and rosy barbs in a pond setting.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with warm-water tropical fish, small fish that may be eaten, slow fancy goldfish that cannot compete for food, and fin-nippers. Their cool-water requirement makes them incompatible with most tropical community set-ups.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232821952803,"sku":null,"price":9.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232821985571,"sku":"AA1382","price":12.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232822018339,"sku":null,"price":17.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-30cm)","offer_id":55351969546531,"sku":null,"price":22.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Shubunkin_Goldfish_60963642-e1a8-413d-b42e-9a2089ee4cd8.jpg?v=1781697593","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/shubunkin-goldfish-carassius-auratus","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}