The Most Beautiful Goldfish, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the goldfish you think is the most beautiful!

Updated on Apr 25, 2024 06:18

In the serene world of aquatics, the beauty of goldfish often captivates enthusiasts and casual observers alike. These shimmering creatures glide through the water, flaunting a variety of colors and patterns that can transform an ordinary aquarium into a stunning display. Ranking the most beautiful goldfish provides a fun and engaging way for everyone to appreciate the subtle differences and unique traits that make each one special. By participating in the ranking process, you contribute to a dynamic and interactive experience where your preferences matter. This continuous engagement helps to highlight the most admired specimens and encourages a broader appreciation of goldfish diversity. So, cast your vote and see how your favorite compares in the constantly updating list of the most beautiful goldfish.

What Is the Most Beautiful Goldfish?

1

74
votes
Ranchu Goldfish

Known for their round chubby bodies and unique head shape, the Ranchu Goldfish has been referred to as the "king of goldfish." They are highly sought after by collectors and breeders.
The Ranchu Goldfish is a highly valued breed known for its unique body shape and striking colors. It is often regarded as one of the most beautiful and elegant goldfish varieties.

Body Shape: Short, egg-shaped body with a deep belly

Head Shape: Prominent, bulging head

Eye Placement: Eyes are positioned more towards the top of the head

Dorsal Fin: Single large dorsal fin, without any fanning or splits

Tail Shape: Tail can be divided into several variations (ribbon, forked, pointed)
2

41
votes
Oranda Goldfish

This type of goldfish has a unique head growth or "wen" that resembles a hood. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, including calico, red, black and white.
The Oranda Goldfish is a popular fancy goldfish breed known for its distinct and impressive appearance. It is characterized by a prominent and unique head growth called the 'wen', which covers the entire head and extends over the gills. With its vibrant colors and flowing fins, the Oranda Goldfish is a true beauty often sought after by aquarium enthusiasts.

Size: Can grow up to 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) in length

Color: Available in a wide range of colors including red, orange, white, black, and blue

Body Shape: Distinguished by a rounded and egg-shaped body

Head Growth: Prominent 'wen' growth covering the entire head

Fins: Long and flowing, with a delicate appearance
3

18
votes
Ryukin Goldfish

Originating from Japan, the Ryukin Goldfish has a high back and a round body. They come in a variety of colors, including red, white, black, and blue.
The Ryukin Goldfish is a stunning and elegant fancy goldfish variety with a distinctive body shape and vibrant colors. Originally developed in Japan, it is highly sought after by aquarium enthusiasts for its unique appearance.

Body Shape: Spherical, egg-like with a high, arched back

Size: Can reach up to 6-8 inches in length

Fins: Long, flowing double anal and caudal fins

Coloration: Varies widely, including shades of red, orange, white, blue, black, and metallic

Eye Placement: Prominent and positioned high on the head
4

16
votes
Roderick Santos · CC BY 2.5

Lionhead Goldfish

The Lionhead Goldfish has a head growth that resembles a lion's mane, which is where it gets its name. They come in a variety of colors and patterns and are known for their cute and unique appearance.
The Lionhead Goldfish is a variety of fancy goldfish known for its distinctive appearance. It is characterized by a fleshy growth on its head, resembling a lion's mane, which gives it its name. This variety of goldfish is highly coveted for its unique and ornamental features.

Size: Small to medium, typically reaching 5 to 7 inches (12 to 18 cm) in length

Body Shape: Egg-shaped, short and deep-bodied

Head Growth: Prominent and well-developed growth on the head

Coloration: Varies widely, including red, orange, white, black, and multicolored variations

Fins: Flowing and delicate, often paired with long finnage
5

21
votes
Bubble Eye Goldfish

This type of goldfish is known for its unique appearance, as it has two fluid-filled sacs underneath its eyes, giving it the appearance of bubbles. They are usually kept as a pet fish due to their delicate nature.
The Bubble Eye Goldfish is an exquisite and unique variety of goldfish known for its distinct physical features. It is cherished for its large and delicate looking fluid-filled sacs under each eye, which give it a captivating appearance. These sacs resemble bubbles, hence its name. The Bubble Eye Goldfish is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating and striking breeds of goldfish.

Size: On average, the Bubble Eye Goldfish can reach a size of about 5-6 inches (12-15 cm).

Body Shape: It has an oval-shaped body with a slightly pointed head.

Color: Bubble Eye Goldfish can come in various vibrant colors such as orange, red, black, white, and more.

Bubble Sac Formation: The fluid-filled sacs, called eye sacs, develop gradually as the fish grows. These sacs are delicate and prone to damage, so special care must be taken.

Swim Bladder: Like other goldfish, the Bubble Eye Goldfish has a swim bladder that helps it regulate buoyancy.
6

14
votes
Lawrencekhoo · CC BY-SA 4.0

Telescope Goldfish

This type of goldfish has large, protruding eyes that resemble a telescope. They come in a variety of colors and are known for their unique and charming appearance.
The Telescope Goldfish is a majestic and eye-catching breed renowned for its unique appearance. Its most distinctive feature is its large, protruding eyes that project sideways, resembling the shape of a telescope. The body of the Telescope Goldfish is short and stubby, with a slightly arched back and a deep, wide belly. Its scales come in various vibrant colors, including red, orange, white, black, and calico, adding to its overall allure.

Size: 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm)

Lifespan: 10 to 15 years

Eye Size: Approximately 1/3 of its body length

Shape: Short, stubby body with a slightly arched back and deep belly

Eye Position: Protruding sideways
7

7
votes
Pearlscale Goldfish

The Pearlscale Goldfish has a round, chubby body and a unique texture on its scales that resembles pearls. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, including red, white, black, and blue.
The Pearlscale Goldfish is a stunning variety of goldfish characterized by its unique spherical body shape and its distinct scales that resemble clusters of pearls. The scales are raised and protrude prominently from the fish's body, creating an attractive texture. This goldfish is highly sought after for its ornamental appeal and is a favorite among goldfish enthusiasts.

Size: Small to medium, reaching about 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) in length

Body Shape: Spherical or round

Coloration: Available in a variety of colors including red, orange, white, black, and calico

Scale Appearance: Dome-shaped scales that resemble clusters of pearls

Finnage: Double, short and rounded fins
8

2
votes
Black Moor Goldfish

This type of goldfish has a unique appearance, as it has black scales and protruding eyes. They are easy to care for and are popular as pet fish.
The Black Moor Goldfish is a unique and fascinating variety of goldfish with a distinct black coloration and strikingly bulging eyes. This fancy goldfish is known for its elegant and graceful swimming patterns, captivating enthusiasts with its captivating appearance.

Color: Deep black body

Body Shape: Egg-shaped or round

Fins: Long flowing fins

Eyes: Large, bulging and often telescopic

Size: Grows up to 6 inches (15 cm)
9

7
votes
FreudianSlap at English Wikipedia · CC BY 3.0

Shubunkin Goldfish

The Shubunkin Goldfish has a unique color pattern that resembles a calico cat. They come in a variety of colors, including red, white, black, and blue.
The Shubunkin Goldfish is a type of fancy goldfish known for its mesmerizing colors and unique pattern. It is a graceful and elegant fish that adds a touch of vibrancy to any aquarium. The Shubunkin Goldfish is highly prized by enthusiasts for its stunning appearance.

Coloration: Multi-colored with a base of blue, red, black, and white

Pattern: Calico pattern with speckles and patches of various colors

Body Shape: Streamlined body with a dorsal fin that stands upright

Size: Can reach up to 6-8 inches in length

Shape of Tail Fin: Forked, resembling a swallowtail
10

7
votes
Fantail Goldfish

The Fantail Goldfish has a unique tail shape that resembles a fan. They come in a variety of colors and are known for their graceful and elegant swimming.
The Fantail Goldfish is a visually stunning goldfish variety known for its distinct double tail fin and elegant body shape. It is one of the most popular and recognized types of goldfish worldwide. The Fantail Goldfish is often described as graceful and captivating, making it a favorite among fish enthusiasts and collectors.

Body shape: The Fantail Goldfish features a round and slightly compressed body with a deep, well-rounded belly.

Coloration: It comes in a wide range of colors, such as red, orange, calico, black, and white. The body coloration can be solid or variegated.

Tail fin: The Fantail Goldfish has a prominent double tail fin that forms a beautiful fan shape. This tail fin is often long and flowing.

Dorsal fin: It possesses a single dorsal fin that stands upright and adds to its elegant appearance.

Size: The Fantail Goldfish typically grows to a length of 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm), although larger specimens can be found.

Missing your favorite goldfish?

Graphs

Discussion

Ranking factors for beautiful goldfish

Color

The vibrancy and even distribution of colors are important aspects of a goldfish's beauty. Look for fish with bright, vivid colors and avoid those with washed-out or patchy patterns.
Body shape

A well-proportioned body is crucial for a goldfish's beauty. The shape should be symmetrical, with a smooth contour and no lumps or abnormalities.
Size

In general, larger goldfish are considered more desirable and impressive. However, size needs to be evaluated in relation to the specific breed, as some breeds are meant to be smaller.
Fins

A beautiful goldfish has long, flowing, and symmetrical fins. The fins should be well-formed, without tears or deformities, and should complement the body shape.
Eye placement

The eyes should be clear and bright, and well-aligned with each other. Avoid goldfish with cloudy eyes, or eyes that bulge outwards or appear misaligned.
Scale pattern

An attractive goldfish will have a regular and even scale pattern. Look for fish with a consistent arrangement of scales and avoid those with irregularities or missing scales.
Health

A beautiful goldfish is a healthy goldfish. Look for signs of good health like clear eyes, vibrant colors, and active swimming behavior. Avoid fish with signs of illness, such as lethargy, damaged fins, or white spots.
Rarity

Some goldfish enthusiasts may consider the rarity of a breed or coloration to be a factor in beauty, with rarer varieties being perceived as more beautiful or valuable.
Breeding

If you're ranking goldfish for their potential as breeding stock, you must also consider factors such as genetic traits, compatibility with other fish in your collection, and their overall ability to produce healthy offspring.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most beautiful goldfish. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Goldfish is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2303 views
201 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Goldfish once every 24 hours. The rank of each Goldfish is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

Trendings topics

Don't miss out on the currently trending topics of StrawPoll Rankings!

Aquatic Pets

Fish Species

Pet Care

The Most Fun Game on ABCya: Discovering Hours of Entertainment

Animal Kingdom

The Most Fun Game on Coolmath Games: Ranking the Top Picks

More information on most beautiful goldfish

Goldfish have been kept as pets for hundreds of years, and their beauty has captivated fish enthusiasts around the world. These colorful fish come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, making them a popular choice for aquariums and outdoor ponds. The most beautiful goldfish are often those with striking colors and unique patterns, such as the metallic gold or orange Ryukin or the calico-patterned Shubunkin. However, beauty is subjective, and what one person finds beautiful may not be the same for someone else. Ultimately, the most beautiful goldfish is a matter of personal preference, and there are countless varieties to choose from.