{"id":9041,"date":"2021-12-13T13:38:33","date_gmt":"2021-12-13T18:38:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.earthworksjax.com\/?p=9041"},"modified":"2023-05-25T08:57:07","modified_gmt":"2023-05-25T08:57:07","slug":"florida_pond_goldfish_varieties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.earthworksjax.com\/gardencenter\/florida_pond_goldfish_varieties\/","title":{"rendered":"Florida Pond Goldfish Varieties"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Earth Works of Jacksonville consistently stocks a high-quality mix of 3-4\u201d and 6-8\u201d shubunkins, comets, wakins, and hibuna Florida pond goldfish varieties. Goldfish, Carassius auratus, although in the same family as koi, will not grow as large. Domestication of goldfish from crucian carp dates back to 200 AD in China. \u201cDuring the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 to 907), goldfish with preferred phenotypes were selected to be raised in ornamental ponds and water gardens,\u201d according to The evolutionary origin and domestication history of goldfish.<\/a> \u201cThe goldfish was introduced into Japan and Europe at the beginning of the 17th century and introduced to North America \u223c1850 where it quickly became popular.\u201d

An advantage of growing goldfish in a pond includes a greater likelihood of reaching their genetic growth potential. In contrast, aquarium-grown fish often become stunted due to a lack of space to grow. Goldfish are bottom feeders that will eat a wide variety of flake and pellet foods along with plants, snails, and other invertebrates.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

We only stock fish from Blackwater Creek Koi Farms for consistent, high-quality fish and biosecurity. Mixing fish from different suppliers increases the risk of illness and disease and the need for quarantining new fish. Stocking from only one high-quality vendor eliminates the need for quarantining new fish.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Available Florida Pond Goldfish Varieties<\/strong>
Shubunkin<\/strong> goldfish are calico patterned orange, red, and black speckled over bluish base color and have heart-shaped tails. There are three varieties of Shubunkins, including the American (that we sell), London, and Bristol. Shubunkins grow to a maximum length of 12 inches.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Comet <\/strong>goldfish have bright red patterns over a white base color, often looking like small koi. Comet goldfish originated in the United States. Comets grow to a maximum length of 14 inches.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Wakin<\/strong> goldfish are principally distinguished by a double-tail with varied color patterns with several sub-varieties, including Calico and Red & White. Wakins grow to a maximum length of 12 – 14 inches.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Red Hibuna<\/strong> goldfish, also called common goldfish are solid reddish-orange or a mix of red patterns on white and grow to a maximum length of 12 inches. These are hardy fish and a likely feature for the average backyard pond.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Watonai <\/strong>goldfish are a double-tail variety genetically crossing humped-back Ryukin and fantail Wakin goldfish exhibiting longer flowing tails than wakins. \u201cWatonai have the long slender body of the Wakin, but with a much larger tail which it carries spread horizontally,\u201d according to Blackwater Creek Koi Farms<\/a>. \u201cThe width of the tail fin should equal the length of the body. They can get fairly large, but the maximum body length is just slightly smaller than these other hardy varieties.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Goldfish and koi can be trained to eat from your hand. Biology Teacher Gara Leen demonstrates (in the video below) a hand-feeding training technique for koi and goldfish using feeding rings in her pond.<\/p>\r\n