Is A Shubunkin A Goldfish?

Shubunkins belong to the same genus as goldfish. Like the common goldfish they grow to about 38 centimetres provided that the environment and population levels allow it. The final size of the fish depends on the size of the pool and the fish population but shubunkin introduced to more space will grow rapidly even long after reaching maturity. The shubunkin differs from the goldfish in developing in a much wider range of colours and markings. This is what makes them so highly prized as ornamental fish. They have a pearlescent look about their scales and can be bred in colours as diverse as violet, black and almost white. Most are a wide mixture of colours. They are fairly hardy although some varieties will survive best in a mild climate. The hardiest varieties include the calico fantail, the calico telescope and the calico comet. More unusual colours often signal less hardiness as with the Cambridge Blue which has a powder blue underbelly and the bright blue London.