This is my new Black and Red. His markings are so perfect, almost like they were painted on. Both sides are the same. He is a really pretty fish, but I have a question. His tail fins are smaller, and his body longer and thinner than my other Orandas. Is it because he is young, or is he perhaps a mix or Oranda and another type. What do you think?

Oooh! Thats a good question! He does have quite a long body and a stubby tail. Very preatty though. Hes very cute and I love his coloring. Hope he keeps his black, as most loose it.

Man Yu and d_golem are very good at telling what type of fish are when its questioned, hope they see this thread!

It is really hard to tell, not knowing his age or breeding. If I had to guess, I would guess that he is full blooded Oranda. You must remember that within even a single spawning, you can have dozens and dozens of combinations of expressions of the breed.

He may fill out - or he may simply be a more long-bodied Oranda than you are used to seeing. I have had a few like that. They are splendid fish - but never develop the really deep body depth commonly seen in a more modern body conformation.

Remember, also, that black is a very unstable color in a goldfish. The black on a juvenile fish tends to be transient. They are a consistant kalidescopes of color - keeping you guessing as to what they will decide to wear next month!

Or daryl can answer I'm nothing compared to her with goldfish knowledge.

I do agree on her statement below:


I also agree that he's a full-blooded Oranda. In my opinion, Oranda is the term that describes a fancy goldfish with the full complement of fins and wen growth on the head, regardless of fin length, body size, body type, wen type, colour, etc. Simply there are many types of Oranda, yours is one of them.