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Goldfish Questions
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Posted by mare2 5bSt.Louis (My Page) on Sat, Oct 25, 08 at 19:07
Hello, Goldfish Experts!
I suffered the most tragic loss this year. My most truly beloved goldfish (about 4 years old) died and I'd like to find one that looks as much like him as I can, but I don't know what kind he was. He (?) looked different from the others even though they were all marked "Fancy Goldfish." Sorry this is a bad picture, but he's the one at the top, facing the camera. His eyes were far apart and his head was larger and rounder than the others. I would think Red Cap, but there was no wen on his head that I could detect. Just a different shape. Could he be a cross?
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2542365470044331939RPoQBQ
If I replace him with a Red Cap, are they as hardy as more common goldfish? My fish spend winter in a friend's bigger pond (that doesn't freeze) and then summer in my small one.
Also, if I got a Red Cap now, would it be cruel to keep it in a 2 1/2 gallon aquarium just until spring? This aquarium is specifically marked for goldfish. This would only be until spring, though, and then it would live in a pond for the rest of its life.
I appreciate any thoughts you may have!
'Mare |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Goldfish Questions
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| The fish looks like a Sarassa Comet. I have two and I'm very fond of them. Check the photo in Web page below. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Goldfish
RE: Goldfish Questions
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| I think John is probably right. From the picture, it looks like a Sarassa Comet. They are excellent pond fish, quite hardy and very pretty. I don't have any, but I've always liked the looks of them. I can see why he was your favorite. However, to get a better idea of this specific fish, I was unable to tell from the picture if he has a single or a double tail. Comets have single tails, Red Caps have double tails. I'm sure the two species can cross, but I can't imagine a pet store selling crosses like that, unless it was labeled as a feeder fish. |
RE: Goldfish Questions
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| The tail looks like a fantail in the picture to me. Almost like a Wakin. But I can't visualize a pet store selling a Wakin either. I'm sure it is not a Red Cap Oranda, too much red for a redcap. Very possibly a cross between a Sarassa and a fantail. Glenda |
RE: Goldfish Questions
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- Posted by mare2 5bSt.Louis (My Page) on
Mon, Oct 27, 08 at 18:30
| Definitely fan tail. Here's another shot from above before his tail grew. It trailed out from a short body like a long dancing veil. I had no idea there were so many kinds! And you're all right--he looked a little like all of the ones you've mentioned, which makes me think some sort of cross. Oddly enough, he came from the fantail tank at Wally World! Thank you all so much! http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2220015800044331939CuKhWP |
RE: Goldfish Questions
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| Yup, that's a fantail. A nice one too. Sorry you lost it. After seeing this latest picture of him, I don't think he's a Red Cap cross; just a nice red and white fantail. Keep checking the fantail tanks; you'll probably find a similar one eventually. |
RE: Goldfish Questions
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| I have one big fantail goldfish (got him from a friend when he was 2 years old - about 5 inches long). I have had 1 fantail/sarassa baby and 1 fantail/shunbunkin baby (that survived) in the past 3 years. So I would guess cross too. Unfortunately mine were slower swimmers due to their tails - I assume that's why more of the fry don't survive. Beautiful fish. S |
RE: Goldfish Questions
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| I don't think it is a Sarassa. Usually they don't have the piebald markings your fish has. I have several like yours that are off-spring of long finned comets and a hybrid koi/comet with those markings. Often these are sterile and can be found in tanks of culls, usually in late winter. It is hard to be sure you have the right markings because the markings can change as the fish grow. The pet store owner gave the koi/comet to me for a dollar even though it was 5 inches long. He thought it would be sterile and didn't want it in the tanks. I liked the markings and long tail and didn't really care if I didn't get babies. Obviously he was wrong and I have piebald fishies from three different hatchings now. Not all of them have the long tails. Sandy |
RE: Goldfish Questions
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| Here is an example IMO of a Redcap fantail. Not a Redcap oranda because it has no Wen. My first baby spawned in my pond summer 2007. Or perhaps she"s a Tancho Fantail..Glenda 
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RE: Goldfish Questions
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- Posted by mare2 5bSt.Louis (My Page) on
Thu, Oct 30, 08 at 19:58
| Oh! What a lovely fish!!! That does look like mine, but possibly prettier. Love the lips. You folks are amazing--this has been fun and educational! I didn't even know there was such a thing as long-tailed comets, but I do think that's in there due to another from the same batch with a different look (tail is like a partial fan). And they undoubtedly were born in late winter. You've all been so helpful! Must be the pond karma that makes people pleasant...LOL!! |
RE: Goldfish Questions
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| I have four large goldfish and one is a fan tail. I am having fun feeding them to see all the babies come to the surface. None of the babies are fan tails. Is this recessive, are fan tails not as fertile or do you think the slow fan tail babies were eaten? I don't know what I will do with all these babies. I think they will be fine in cold weather but next summer I am going to have to do something. This is so much fun. My flowers and tomatoes were killed by frost, but now I have gold fish to play with. |
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