
However, their unique biology does open them up to some health problems. There are some reports of these fish living up to 15 years, but those instances are few and far between.įor the most part, Pearlscales are quite hardy. On average, the lifespan of a Pearlscale goldfish is about 5 to 10 years. Calico and bi-colored fish are popular as well. Chocolate brown fish are also becoming more prevalent. You can see solid-colored specimens covered in orange, red, white, black, or blue. When it comes to color, there’s a lot of variation with the Pearlscale goldfish. They have the iconic wen growth, which is bubbly and textured. Wen Pearlscales are similar to species like the Oranda goldfish. They’re sometimes called Hooded Pearlscales, High-Headed Pearlscales, or Hamanishiki. Crowned Pearlscale are sporting large rounded bubbles on the head. The tailfin, in particular, has split lobes to create a beautiful forked appearance.Īuthor Note: There are a couple of special varieties of Pearlscale goldfish. The dorsal fin is single, but the rest of the fins are all paired. To accompany that golfball-shaped belly are some beautiful flowing fins. Juveniles look like normal fancy goldfish by comparison. The rounded belly and scales develop as the fish gets older. But, they have a translucent and reflective finish that’s similar to pearls, which is how they get their common trade name. They’re actually made out of calcium carbonate deposits. These scales are nacreous in nature and arranged in rows. When you take a look at the Pearlscale goldfish, the first thing you’ll notice is its deep round belly! Mature adults can have a perfectly rounded belly that’s similar in shape to the orange fruit.Ĭovering the belly are raised bead-like scales. For both aquarists and onlookers alike, this is a species that people just seem to love! Appearance Perfect for well-decorated tanks and ponds, Pearlscale goldfish are always bound to turn heads. These fish are thought to originate in China before developing more in Japan. This particular species is relatively new, popping up around the turn of the 20th century. Like other fancy goldfish, Pearlscales were developed in captivity. Pearlscales are one of many species belonging to the “fancy goldfish” category. Sometimes referred to as the Golfball Pearlscale or Ping-Pong goldfish, these freshwater fish have a signature body shape and distinct scales you won’t find in other types of goldfish. The Pearlscale goldfish is one of the quirkiest and whimsical-looking fish species around.
