Goldfish Ancestry
The Goldfish images shown on our Web Site were taken at recent UK Open Shows and GSGB Events. They depict a number of the more established varieties and indicate the range of beautiful colours and unique special characteristics that can be currently found in the UK.
Most of the Goldfish illustrated were also actually bred in the UK.
All of the Varieties shown share their ancestry with a drab olive/grey river fish from China, known as Carassius Auratus.
Over many years colour variations and then other mutations naturally appeared in the wild. It was noted that through selective breeding these characteristics could be inherited. Goldfish were first `domesticated' in the T'ang Dynasty (616-907), and by 1200 were being commercially bred in Peking. Chinese Goldfish were first introduced into Japan around 1500, which led to the development of further new varieties.
Varieties such as: Common Goldfish, London Shubunkin, Bristol Shubunkin and Comet are known as `single tails'. Fantail, Pearlscale, Veiltail, Broadtail Moor, Oranda and Redcap, Lionhead, Ranchu, Bubbleeye, Celestial, Pom-Pon, Tosakin, Ryukin and Jikin are all known as `twin tails'. Many of our Members are committed to the further development of these varieties and are also striving to meet the very exacting Nationwide Goldfish Standards of Great Britain.
All of the Varieties shown share their ancestry with a drab olive/grey river fish from China, known as Carassius Auratus.
Over many years colour variations and then other mutations naturally appeared in the wild. It was noted that through selective breeding these characteristics could be inherited. Goldfish were first `domesticated' in the T'ang Dynasty (616-907), and by 1200 were being commercially bred in Peking. Chinese Goldfish were first introduced into Japan around 1500, which led to the development of further new varieties.
Varieties such as: Common Goldfish, London Shubunkin, Bristol Shubunkin and Comet are known as `single tails'. Fantail, Pearlscale, Veiltail, Broadtail Moor, Oranda and Redcap, Lionhead, Ranchu, Bubbleeye, Celestial, Pom-Pon, Tosakin, Ryukin and Jikin are all known as `twin tails'. Many of our Members are committed to the further development of these varieties and are also striving to meet the very exacting Nationwide Goldfish Standards of Great Britain.
