shubunkin

Shubunkin
Country of origin
Japan
Type
Single tailed
Breed standards
BAS

Shubunkins (朱文金, Shubunkins^?) are an attractive, hardy and single-tailed fancy goldfish with nacreous scales, a pattern known as calico. The shubunkins are of Japanese origin.^[1][2]

Description

Shubunkins are similar to the common goldfish and comet goldfish in appearance. They have streamlined bodies with well-developed and even fins. However, the shubunkins are calico goldfish; they possess nacreous scales (a mix of metallic and transparent scales that are pearly in appearance). This overlapping patches of red, white, grey and black (along with dark speckles) on a blue background normally extends to the finnage of shubunkins. It may take several months for the nacreous coloration to develop on a young fry but darker colored fish can maintain their colors with age. Shubunkins are excellent pond fish because they can reach an overall length ranging from 6 to 9 inches (15 to 22.86 centimeters).^{[1] [2]}

Jaws - The exception that proves the rule - Shubunkin 7 yrs old 26cm (just over 10 inches).

.^{[1] [2]}

Variants

A Japanese painting of a shubunkin.

Although shubunkins originated from Japan, three distinct types of shubunkins have been categorized in the West, namely: the American shubunkins, the Bristol shubunkins, and the London shubunkins. ^{[1] [2]}

• London shubunkins have bodies and finnage that are similar to the common goldfish.^{[1] [2]}

• American shubunkins (pictured in infobox) have long, pointed and forked tails, and long finnage. ^[2]

• Bristol shubunkins are slim nacreous goldfish with well-developed finnage. The tail fin is larged, moderately forked and with round-lobed ends that are similar to the shape of the capitalized letter "B". ^{[1] [2]}

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f} "An Interpet Guide to Fancy Goldfish" by Dr. Chris Andrews, Interpet Publishing, 2002. - ISBN 1-902389-64-6
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} "Fancy Goldfish: A Complete Guide to Care and Collecting" by Dr. Erik L. Johnson, D.V.M. and Richard E. Hess, Weatherhill, Shambala Publications, Inc., 2006. - ISBN 0-8348-0448-4

External links and further readings

• Shubunkin at the Open Directory Project

See also

Main article: Goldfish

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