Goldfish Standard - Shubunkin

The Shubunkin, classified as a single-tail fish with a dorsal fin, is similar to the common goldfish and the comet. The fish has a “torpedo” shaped body, and a fully grown fish can attain the length of 12 to 20 inches.

The primary differencebetween the common goldfish or the comet, and the Shubunkin is scale group or type and its color. The Shubunkin goldfish is a calico fish; it can be nacreous or matte. “Nacreous” means the fish can have scales that look like mother-of-pearl—also called nacre, which appears iridescent—instead of having a metallic sheen. “Matte” means the fish does not have the metallic sheen but rather a pearly luster.

A characteristic that might be interesting is the caudal or tail fin of the Shubunkin which can be found in three distant types. The short tail—often seen on common goldfish is called the London tail. The elongated tail—typically seen on comet goldfish is known as the Japanese tail. The very beautiful, upright spread or letter B tail —found only on the Shubunkin is named “Bristol”, hence the Bristol tail.

Judging for these fish is similar to that of the common goldfish; being calico fish, the emphasis when judging these fish is on coloration, and the tail fin.

When other characteristics are equal, the fin types are ranked as follows:

o Bristol tail
o Japanese tail
o London tail

As coloration is very important in this fish, it is essential that the fish has three primary colors on the body: black, red, and blue. Black should appear not only on the body, but also on the fins in streaks. Red, the second primary color, should be as deep as possible, the intense vermillion is the color preferred, ON AT LEAST 25% OF THE FISH. Blue, the third primary color, should be as intense as possible. Shubukins often have the most intense blue color among the goldfish, whose blue color is so intense it often appears purple.

Other colors are acceptable on the fish, provided that the three primary colors are present. Other possible colors on Shubunkin are: pink, yellow, white and orange. The “Midnight {NO Blue}” Shubunkin, without the red color, is the exception. It has black, blue, and white on its body.

Pic required.. Please PM me for the pic of standard common goldfish. Thanks