Fantail Goldfish

Fantail goldfish are an old Chinese breed, dating back to the 1400s. With their egg-shaped body and distinctive tail, fantails are one of the most popular breeds.

Snapshot

Maintenance

Spacious (50-90L) tank with good filtration.

Sociability

Able to co-exist with other goldfish breeds, but care must be taken that they get their share of food.

Ego

Good for a shoal, so long as they're not sharing with fish who'd be likely to nip their fins.

Greed

They'll race all other fish to the food, and win.

Celebrity doppelgänger

Mick Hucknall

Pimp my tank

So long as they've nothing to get caught on they'll be happy.

Popular names

Goldie, Kenneth

Health & Care

Goldfish create a lot of waste and are messy, so tanks or ponds need proper filters – at least ten times the water in the tank per hour.

Key Facts

AVERAGE LIFESPAN
10 - 15 years
AVERAGE SIZE
15cm +

Common Conditions

Velvet

Velvet is a parasitic infection that manifests as a very fine dusting over the fish, and can spread to other fish in the tank very easily. Infected fish should be quarantined as soon as possible, and the tank should be treated as well, with over the counter medicine. It’s a difficult disease to get rid of and has a high mortality rate.

Average vet fees: £5 +

Buoyancy Problems

Fish can have various issues causing buoyancy problems, particular with some fancy goldfish breeds. Internal issues such as bacterial infections, constipation and gas can all cause it; bacterial infections can be cleared up with medication, and constipation can be cured with a high-fibre food such as peas. Veterinary intervention may be needed in severe cases.

Average vet fees: £5 - 150

Tip for first-time owners

A hardy fish, Fantails make a good option for beginner fishkeepers.

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