Veiltail Goldfish Care Guide
The Veiltail is a fancy ornamental strain of the goldfish (Carassius auratus) with a long, flowing double tail and a slow, delicate swimming style.
Overview
The Veiltail is an ornamental strain of the goldfish, Carassius auratus. It originated in the United States in the 1890s, when Franklin Barrett of Philadelphia crossed a Japanese-bred fringetail ryukin with a telescope-eye goldfish. The breed is defined by an extra-long, flowing double tail and a high, well-developed dorsal fin.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cyprinidae
- Genus: Carassius
- Scientific name: Carassius auratus var. Veiltail
- Strain: selectively bred fancy form
Habitat
The wild goldfish is native to East Asia, China and Japan, and has been introduced worldwide. It inhabits rivers, lakes, ponds and ditches with stagnant or slow-flowing water, favouring eutrophic, well-vegetated environments. The Veiltail is a domesticated form maintained in ponds and aquaria.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L
- Temperature: 10-22 °C (50-72 °F)
- pH: 6.5-8.0
- GH: 5-18 °dGH
- Lifespan: 10-15 years
Diet
The goldfish is an omnivore, feeding on plankton, benthic invertebrates, plant material and detritus. Telescope-eyed and similar fancy variants can struggle to compete for food with faster fish, so feeding should ensure all individuals receive a share.
Compatibility
Veiltails are not strong swimmers and are best kept with other slow fancy goldfish rather than fast, active species. The long, delicate tail can be easily damaged, and the breed is susceptible to low water temperatures, requiring water above about 13 °C (55 °F).
Conservation status
According to FishBase, the wild form of Carassius auratus is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List (assessed 2010).