What Kind of Fish Can Shubunkins Live With?

Shubunkins (Carassius auratus) are sturdy goldfish that hail from Japan, where they emerged in 1900. These creatures from the Cyprinidae family are common as pond fish, and are, essentially, calico goldfish. Outside of ponds, they are also occasionally kept in spacious aquariums. Shubunkins possess clear scales, single tails, long fins and coloration that combines elements of orange, blue, black, white and brown.

  1. Basic Information

    • Shubunkins are capable of growing to upward of 14 inches in maturity. These lithe goldfish often remain much smaller than that, however. Shubunkins are sexually dimorphic, which means that the genders don't look exactly alike. In times of reproduction, you might notice blotting on the males' heads. Males' rear areas also turn in an inward direction, unlike those of females. These omnivorous goldfish typically display serene and easy temperaments. "Harlequin goldfish" is another common name for them.

    Fish That Shubunkins Can Live With

    • When determining a suitable living environment for shubunkins, or for any pet fish, tank mates are always an extremely important consideration. Shubunkins tend to thrive when they live alongside koi fish and comet goldfish, another type of fancy goldfish. Avoid keeping them around fish that are significantly bigger or smaller than they are.

    Interbreeding

    • Although shubunkins might not look exactly the same as other kinds of goldfish, they are, at the end of the day, still all goldfish. This means that they are capable of interbreeding. If you don't want your shubunkins to reproduce with any other kinds of goldfish, never place them in the same tanks or ponds.

    Shubunkins Are Speedy Fish

    • Like comet goldfish, shubunkins are notable for being highly speedy swimmers, thanks to their trim and svelte physiques. Because they are such rapid swimmers, never put them together with tank mates that are a lot slower and more sluggish in movement. Their speed could result in the slower guys -- like veiltail and lionhead goldfish -- missing out at feeding time.