| Shubunkin goldfish is a very popular pet fish in | | | | The Shubunkins are constant eaters and they will |
| America because it is the toughest amongst the | | | | accept most of the food which is offered to |
| goldfish variety. It has a smart, slender body. It | | | | them. You can feed them flakes or pellets which |
| comes in many colors - brown, orange, red and | | | | are vegetable based. They need vegetables also |
| yellow. It has black spots on its body. Its colors | | | | for keeping their health. You should consult your |
| are bright and they will be spread all over the | | | | pet shop for deciding on the quantity of food to |
| body including the fins. These colors are displayed | | | | be offered to them. Their food needs to be |
| on the silver blue or violet background. The blue | | | | adjusted according to the seasons. Their diet also |
| background is much more in demand amongst the | | | | depends on the temperatures of water they are |
| fish keepers. Shubunkin goldfish has transparent | | | | living in. |
| scales. | | | | Shubunkins were developed in Japan by the |
| Usually Shubunkins are kept in ponds. You can also | | | | beginning of 20th century. As on date, there are |
| keep them in aquarium. However the aquarium | | | | three main varieties of Shubunkins available in the |
| should provide a large space for them to swim | | | | market - the Japanese/American variety, the |
| around. They grow very large and need a huge | | | | London variety and the Bristol variety. The colors |
| quantity of water. A well-grown Shubunkin will | | | | for all of these varieties are almost similar but the |
| require at least 40 gallons of water while the small | | | | difference lies in the configuration of their tails. |
| babies will require a minimum of 15 gallons. | | | | Japanese/American variety - this goldfish is |
| Wherever you keep them, in aquariums or in | | | | considered to be the original variety. It has a |
| ponds, you should provide heavy plantations there | | | | caudal fin which is deeply forked. This fin comes |
| and create appropriate decorations which will | | | | with long and narrow lobes which end as a point. |
| enable them to adjust to the pond or tank | | | | This fin is quite long - it is almost equal in length to |
| conditions. | | | | the body of the fish! |
| Usually, Shubunkins are not to be kept with other | | | | London variety - their caudal fin is shorter - |
| varieties of goldfish. The reason is -they are big in | | | | almost 25 per cent of their body. The fin has a |
| size, they swim very fast and the will try to eat | | | | moderate forking. |
| everything which is offered in the aquarium. The | | | | Bristol variety - This variety is a bit different than |
| smaller fish will be starved. If you want to keep | | | | the other two varieties. Here, the fish has longer |
| some companions for them at all, you can keep | | | | fins and rounded caudal fin. When this fish grows |
| koi fish. | | | | old, its lobes collapse. |