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Types of Goldfish
There are two basic types of goldfish -- scaleless and scaled. The scaled fish include the common goldfish, Fantails and Comets. These fish stay silvery olive-grey for three to six months, after which they develop their scaled color. Some fish never color up and these are usually sold as bait fish.
The scaleless fish are not scaleless at all, rather they have transparent scales that look like skin. This feature creates a glowing quality to them, which can be seen in some forms of Shubunkins and Calicos. The scaleless fish look white at first but eventually color up much the same way as the scaled fish. Like human fingerprints, no two fish are exactly alike.
Age, Breeding and Hatching
Determining a goldfish's age by size is not an exact science, as different fish grow at different rates. However, a rough rule can be applied: a fish of 1-2 inches is around six months old while one of 3-4 inches is around two years old. After that, growth slows and really depends on their surroundings. Outdoor fish generally grow faster than aquarium fish. An exact determination of age can be made by a scientist using a microscope to examine the rings in the scales.
While the average water gardener does not need to make special provisions for goldfish breeding, it is important to know the basics of their breeding cycle. Healthy goldfish breed from about one year old and outdoor fish usually breed in the spring and early summer. The female will be swollen with eggs brushing up against plants in order to deposit them. The male can be distinguished by white spots near the gills during breeding season and also because he will be following the female around to fertilize the eggs. Most eggs are eaten by baby fish but those that drop into secluded places will usually hatch and be left alone by the adult fish.
If you want your goldfish to actually breed from the laid eggs, you need to give them a helping hand. Remove the plants that have the eggs attached and place them in a 70 degree tub of water. The fish, usually around 300 or so, will hatch in about five to six days.
Powdery rice flour makes excellent food for the babies when sprinkled lightly on top of the water, although for the first few days the goldfish should be fed hard-cooked egg yolk forced through cheese cloth. Add snails once the fish have hatched to consume excess food.
To get the best goldfish, eliminate the weakest and smallest. By the middle of summer you will have twenty or so of the strongest fish left and these can be moved into the pool by late summer. The older goldfish should leave them alone as they are of a large enough size to take care of themselves.