Shubunkin Goldfish (Carassius auratus)

Shubunkin Goldfish Carassius auratus
Name	Shubunkin Goldfish
Name Lat.	Carassius auratus
Family	Carps
Family lat.	Cyprinidae
Order	Carps
Order lat.	Cypriniformes
Origin	Asia (breeding variety)
Habitat	Ponds
Diet	Omnivore
pH	6.0-9.0
Behavior	Peaceful
Keeping	Group
Care Level	Easy
Reproduction	Egg scatterer
Breeding	Moderately difficult
Life Span	10-20 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	20 cm
Temperature	4-30 °C
Hardness	10-30 °dH
Aquarium	~ 200 l or pond
US Units
Size	8"
Temperature	39-86 °F
Hardness	178-534 ppm
Aquarium	~ 50 gal or pond

Distribution and habitat

Already in the 11th century in China from red-gold color morphs of the silver crucian carp, according to other sources from the gable, the goldfish was bred out. Via Japan, the goldfish bred in many different varieties spread worldwide. The colorful spotted shubunkin goldfish have long extended fins and a deeply forked tail fin.

Maintenance

The pond should be furnished with pond, floating and oxygenating underwater plants (milfoil, waterweed, hornwort, etc.), large river pebbles, and a substrate of sand and round-grained gravel and provide free swimming space.

When maintaining in a cold water aquarium (from 100 cm / 200 l), care should be taken to provide sufficient swimming space in addition to robust marginal planting and numerous hiding places (roots, stones). A substrate of fine, round-grained gravel or aquarium sand and slightly shaded light (floating plants) is ideal.

No ammonia, ammonium or nitrite should be detectable in the water, and the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content should not be missing a filter adapted to the water volume.

Diet

They are easy to feed. The food supply consists mainly of commercially available special dry food for goldfish, such as flakes, sticks or granules with low protein content (below 30%). In addition, they require plant food, such as aquatic plants (Elodea densa, Cabomba caroliniana, Rizzia flutians, etc.) or dry food with high plant content (Spirulina). Occasionally live food such as daphnia, cyclops, tubifex and mosquito larvae should be offered, which is also accepted without problems in frozen form.

Behaviour and compatibility

They are calm, peaceful and sociable fish that do not exhibit any aggressive or incompatible behaviors. At least 5 goldfish should be kept together.

In principle, only mutually compatible fish species with similar requirements for water quality and water temperature may be socialized.

Reproduction and breeding

The sexes are difficult to distinguish, males are slightly more slender and have a concave (indented) anal opening.

After a pronounced courtship behavior, up to 1,000 and often more eggs are laid. The larvae hatch after five days.

Important

If they are overwintered in the pond, ensure sufficient depth and oxygen supply (filter, oxygen dispenser, ice free holder).

At temperatures below 10 °C the metabolism of the goldfish slows down and no more food is accepted, accordingly feeding must be stopped. If the temperature drops further, they burrow into the mud and go into hibernation. In spring, with rising temperatures, feeding can slowly be resumed. Feeding may also be necessary during prolonged warm periods in winter.

The well-being of the fish should be monitored regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the contaminant level has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium or pond.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: petdata; Image: petdata

Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2006): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische; Harri Deutsch Verlag

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF