Fantail Goldfish Care: Size, Lifespan, Diet, Tank Mates, Tank Size & More..

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The Fantail Goldfish is a popular freshwater fish that is great for beginners as well as experienced owners. They have fantastic looks such as long flowing fins that are simply a wonder to see.

They do not require much maintenance when it comes to taking care of them. However, there are certain aspects of caring for the Fancy Fantail Goldfish that are quite tricky and require that you are well informed to handle them.

In the following sections, we will be delving deeper into details about the Fancy Fantail Goldfish and how you can take care of it. We will cover much information about this species of fish and what you should keep in mind to keep them healthy and well-fed.

Quick Facts:
Common Names :	Fantail Goldfish
Origin :	Japan and China
Family :	Cyprinidae
Scientific Name :	Carassius auratus
Care Level :	Easy
Temperament :	Peaceful
Social :	Community fish
Diet :	Omnivores
Size (average) :	6 - 8 inches
Lifespan :	8 - 10 years
Breeding :	Egg layer
Minimum Tank Size:	10 gallons
Tank Environment :	Freshwater. Sand or gravel substrate. Driftwood and smooth rocks decorations. Silk or plastic plants. Must avoid sharpie objects.
Temperature :	65 – 80 °F (18 – 26 °C)
Water pH Level :	6.0 – 8.0 pH
Water Hardness :	4 – 20 dKH

Table of Contents

Species Overview

The Fancy Fantail Goldfish is known for its elegant fins and regal appearance. It can do well in the right conditions and are also quite hardy. These Fancy Goldfish species cannot be found in the wild.

They are a Fancy Goldfish that is a product of selective breeding from thousands of years ago. Their closest relative that is still alive is the Carp, and they are quite a distinct species.

Breeding the Fancy Fantail Goldfish is very easy, and they have pretty rare features. They are a unique kind of Goldfish that cannot be easily found in the wild but can also be kept as a pet without much hassle.

Fantail Goldfish Size

Typical a full grown Fantail Goldfish size is between 6 and 8 inches in length. This measurement is taken from their noses to the tip of their tail fin. A considerable portion of their size comes from their massive fins.

Their bodies are usually smaller, meaning that a Fantail Goldfish can easily fit into the palm of your hand. When you need reasonably sized Fancy Fantail Goldfish, you should opt for a seller that uses reliable, innovative breeding practices.

As such, you will be able to get Fantail Goldfish size on the large end of the scale, which means that it will be much easier to keep and take care of.

Fantail Goldfish Lifespan

When it comes to the Fantail Goldfish lifespan, they usually live anywhere between five to ten years. Giving them the best kind of care is the only way you can ensure that your fantail can reach the upper end of this longevity range.

As mentioned earlier, their body shape limits their space for their internal organs, which makes them more likely to catch diseases. They can experience health issues that are likely to shorten Fantail Goldfish lifespan.

When you give them the best care and maintain their tank correctly, you will be able to avoid most health problems.

Behavior & Temperament

The Fantail Goldfish are peaceful and mellow, and you will not need to worry about any aggression from the fish. All through the day, you will find the Fantail swimming around your tank, taking care of their own business.

They will try to squeeze in between plants, interact with others and even dig for food in the substrate. They are also very social fish and will always try to group up and explore their habitat together.

When you keep several in the same tank, you will find them exploring the tank as a group, reflecting their social nature.

Appearance And Colors

Fantail Goldfish have several physical traits that contribute to their popularity. The very first one that you will notice is their egg-shaped body.

As opposed to the standard goldfish with a slim torpedo-shaped body, these have a rounded body that is the work of years of breeding and a selective combination of different features and traits in the fish.

The Fantail Goldfish have a bulbous body which causes their appearance to be somewhat bloated. This shape limits the space for their organs and, as a result, makes them more prone to certain diseases.

Another unique feature of the Fantail Goldfish is the double tail fins and double anal fin. They have a singular dorsal fin which is tall and stretches down to the base of the tail.

Their scales can appear metallic or nacreous. Fantail Goldfish colors are available in orange, red, and yellow. However, you can still find Fantail Goldfish in pure white, black, calico, and metallic blue.

Fantail Goldfish Care

The Fantail Goldfish will not be able to survive the same water conditions as tropical fish. As such, you need to have more relaxed environments built around them to ensure their safety. If you are thinking about getting this fish for yourself, then there is a lot of fun waiting for you.

The Fancy Fantail Goldfish require cool environmental conditions and are usually peaceful creatures. They need adequate care to prevent them from falling sick and to ensure a longer lifespan.

– Fantail Goldfish Tank Size

Even though the Fantail Goldfish can grow to a large size, they are not powerful swimmers. For this reason, you will not necessarily require a large or oversized tank to keep them healthy.

For the Fantail Goldfish tank size, you should have to provide at least 10 gallons of water per single fish. Outdoor ponds are also another place that is recommended for these fish.

– Fantail Goldfish Tank Setup

It would help if you placed your tank in an ideal location where there is natural sunlight. Natural sunlight does not mean that your tank should be directly in front of a sunny window, as direct sunlight can cause your tank to heat up.

You should consistently maintain the temperature for your tank between 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 26 degrees Celsius). If you have an aquarium light, it should be turned off during the night so that the fish can get some rest.

When you do not have enough light in the tank, the Fantail Goldfish colors will fade. The tank is usually weighty, and you will need a tank stand to support the tank’s weight.

You should also have a robust filtration system in place and several inches of gravel at the bottom of the tank. Finally, decorate your tank with rock and scenery to make it appear colorful and appealing to the fish.

– Water Conditions And Parameters

Fantail Goldfish are not typically found naturally in the wild, and as such, the water parameters will need to be designed locally. You can run a test on your aquarium to determine whether it is conducive to the fish.

Get a freshwater master test kit and an ammonia test kit for your fish tank. Add a bit of ammonia to the tank to build up the good bacteria. Add a few drops each day and some fish food that should be left to decompose in the aquarium.

Test for nitrites and ammonia with the master test kit, as well as the concentration of each in your tank. If nitrite levels and ammonia levels are entirely depleted, but there is still some nitrate in your tank, then you are ready to start populating your tank with fish.

Water Temperature: 65°F – 80°F (18 to 26 degrees Celsius)
Acidity: 6.0 to 8.0
Hardness: 4 to 20 dKH

– Suitable Plants

You can have a wide range of aquarium plants such as:

Java Moss
Pothos
Water Sprite
Anubias
Amazon Sword
Java Fern
Anacharis Plant

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Possible Diseases And Prevention

Goldfish will be susceptible to parasites, fungal diseases, and bacterial infections if kept in poor water conditions. If you catch the disease early and treat them quickly, you will ensure they live longer.

When there is an infection, quarantine the sick goldfish and place them in a separate tank. This will make the treatment much more straightforward.

Possible diseases that the Fantail Goldfish will likely get include; white spot disease, swim bladder disease, fin rot, fungal infection, gold dust disease, anchor worm, and fish lice.

Fantail Goldfish Diet And Feeding

Fantail Goldfish are not choosy when it concerns food and will consume just about everything they can find. However, feeding them is trickier than you can imagine since they tend to develop digestive problems.

Ensure that you provide them with high-quality foods that are full of nutrients. The food should also be easy to digest to prevent indigestion. Live foods like blood-worms are also more exciting and ensure that your fish get active when they need to feed.

How Often Should You Feed Fantail Goldfish?

It would help if you fed your Fantail Goldfish two small meals each day. Only provide as much food as they can be able to consume in two minutes. Even if the fish still look hungry, these meals will be more than enough to keep them healthy.

Gender Differences

It can be pretty tricky to determine the sex of the Fantail Goldfish. The male goldfish will have an anal opening that is more oval and much smaller than that of the female goldfish.

For the female goldfish, the anal opening projects slightly from the body. These differences might be hidden at first, but they are more evident during breeding time.

The females get plump with an asymmetrical swelling, while the males develop a small light-colored bump on the first ray of their gill covers and pectoral fins.

Fantail Goldfish Breeding

Mature Fantail Goldfish will want to lay eggs and breed. By providing the correct nutrition and ideal environment, you will be helping the spawning process.

The goldfish require cold water, and you should raise this slightly during the breeding season. You can also separate the male fish from the female fish for a while to increase their fondness.

It is also essential to add spawning mops to the aquarium, which helps the eggs stick to them. These can easily be found at the fish store. The female lays their eggs which will adhere to all kinds of surfaces inside the aquarium.

The male then fertilizes them with a spray known as milt, and the little ones start developing.

Fantail Goldfish Tank Mates

Though Fantail Goldfish are not aggressive, they can quickly become the target of bullies. For this reason, you must keep them with peaceful fish species as Fantail Goldfish tank mates.

Do not put them in the company of fin-nipping species that could cause damage to their fins. Some of the fish species that will live peacefully as Fantail Goldfish tank mates include:

Origin And Distribution

The Goldfish that we know today are the descendants of a Wild Carp species known as the Prussian Carp. Described by Bloch in 1782, the wild Carp originated in Central Asia (Siberia).

They inhabited the stagnant and slow-flowing waters of lakes, rivers, ditches, and ponds. They mainly feed on insects, small crustaceans, and plants.

Many people have held the belief that goldfish originated from the Crucian Carp Carassius carassius. It is found in different water bodies in the European continent and can be found in England, Russia, Central France right up to the Black Sea.

The goldfish was initially developed in China and were being traded to Japan by the 1500s. By the 1600s, they had reached Europe and America in the 1800s.

The fancy Fantail Goldfish were developed by Asian breeders, which is evident in today’s Goldfish’s shapes and colors.

FAQs

How Big Do Fantail Goldfish Get?

A full grown Fantail Goldfish will be 8 inches long maximum from its head to the tip of its tail.

Do Fantail Goldfish Need A Heater?

Fantail Goldfish are fans of cold water in their tanks. Unless the room temperature in your house has dropped below freezing point, you will not require a heater. It is a must to have an aquarium water heater if the temperature drops the room temperature.

Additionally, ensure that your tank is not exposed to direct sunlight as the goldfish tend to become very stressed when they are above 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

How Long Do Fantail Goldfish Live?

Fantail Goldfish will typically live between five and ten years. This is their average lifespan, and you can ensure that your fish lives longer by giving them the best quality of care.

Many health issues can shorten their lifespan, and when you can give them the best care, they will be more likely to live longer.

Do Fantail Goldfish Get Lonely?

It can be hard to tell if fish get lonely. Besides, their social interactions are not the same as ours, and they do not possess the same capacity to long for companionship or get bored.

Some of the longest-living goldfish have been kept alone and have not had any harm to their well-being.

Why Is My Fantail Goldfish Laying On The Bottom Of The Tank?

When the water in your tanks gets too hot or too cold, then it could be the reason your goldfish is lying at the borrow of the tank. A full swim bladder can also be a reason for the fish to remain at the bottom of the tank.

You can remedy this by fishing the goldfish peas, which help improve constipation and problems with their swimming bladder. If you have any aggressive fish in the tank, remove them to ensure that they are left in a friendly, peaceful, and conducive environment.

The aggressive fish could be the reason your Fantail Goldfish is lying at the bottom of the tank as it might have been bullied and tries to hide to keep itself safe.

Where Is Fantail Goldfish For Sale?

The best and easiest way to find Fantail Goldfish for sale near you is by looking online. The internet is an easy way to find stores where you can find the Fantail Goldfish within your vicinity.

You can make inquiries and get more information from the store website before visiting the store or making your purchase over the internet. Your local aquarium store can also be an ideal place to find Fantail Goldfish for sale.

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How Much do Fantail Goldfish Cost?

In many stores, the Fantail Goldfish will cost an average of $7 to $10 per fish. As such, you can easily buy several of them to keep in your tank. Before purchasing the Fantail Goldfish, ensure that you have enough space in your tank.

Remember, this is only the cost of the Fantail goldfish and does not include the filtration system de-chlorinator and the fish food.

Final Thoughts

The Fantail Goldfish is a unique species of Fancy Goldfish that are different from all other species.

They have special features and are known to live long when given the right conditions to live in. When you understand the intricate details involved in taking care of the Fantail Goldfish, you will adequately care for them and give them the attention they require.

Additionally, you will be able to manage any health issues and other problems, such as the fish staying at the bottom of the fish tank.

With this guide, you have a starting point for Fantail Goldfish as well as enough information to get you going on this beautiful and fascinating journey of keeping the goldfish as pets.