- Shubunkin
nihongo|Shubunkins|朱文金 (translated literally as "red brocade") are a hardy, single-tailed fancy
goldfish with [http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/nacreous nacreous] scales, and a pattern known as calico. The shubunkins are of Japanese origin."An Interpet Guide to Fancy Goldfish" by Dr. Chris Andrews, Interpet Publishing, 2002. - ISBN 1-902389-64-6] "Fancy Goldfish: A Complete Guide to Care and Collecting" by Dr. Erik L. Johnson, D.V.M. and Richard E. Hess, Weatherhill, Shambala Publications, Inc., 2006. - ISBN 0-8348-0448-4]Description
The shubunkin, nicknamed "Poor Mans Koi", are similar to the
common goldfish andcomet goldfish in appearance. They have streamlined bodies with well-developed and even fins. However, the shubunkins are calico goldfish; they possess nacreous scales (a mix of metallic and transparent scales that are pearly in appearance). The overlapping patches of red, white, grey and black (along with dark speckles) normally extend to the finnage of shubunkins. It may take several months for the nacreous coloration to develop on a young fry(baby fish). Shubunkins are excellent pond fish because they reach a length of 9 to 16 inches (22.86 to 40.6 centimeters) at adulthood. A shubunkin goldfish is considered an adult at 2 to 3 years of age.Variants
Although shubunkins originated from Japan, three distinct types of shubunkins have been categorized in the
West , namely: the American shubunkins, the [http://www.bristol-aquarists.org.uk/goldfish/bshub/bshub.htm Bristol shubunkins] , and the "' [http://www.goldfishpages.com/new_page_241.htm London shubunkins] .*London shubunkins have stout bodies and short, rounded finnage that is similar to the common goldfish.
*American shubunkins "(pictured in infobox)" have a slimmer body shape than the london shubunkin with deeply forked, pointed tail fins, and longer finnage all around.
*Bristol shubunkins are slim bodied goldfish with well-developed finnage possessing a tail that is large, moderately forked, and rounded at the end making a shape similar to that of the capitalized letter "B".References
External links and further readings
*dmoz|Recreation/Pets/Fish_and_Aquaria/Freshwater/Species/Goldfish/
ee also
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