Q1. I have browsed the koko site and the forums and cannot seem to locate a list of compatible goldfish for comets. I gather that compatible ones maybe fantails, but then I seem to have read a concern that comets will tear at fantail fins.

Q2. If I introduce other types of goldfish, will different species/varieties inter-breed and thus, lose their own characteristics? Or will each variety/species stick to their own?

I would be grateful for any advice.

- - - - - my situational details below - - - - -

My outdoor pond is 200gallons approx. and my fish have been in for just over 12 months.

I have 3 mature Comets (or at least I think they are) - from their behaviour during this spring/summer season and their relative sizes, I have figured that I have 2 males and 1 female. I definitely know that there are males and females because I now also have approx 13 juveniles - which range in size, suggesting that there may have been two (possibly three) hatchings.

The three adults must be very happy nowadays because they used to live in a bird bath. Yes, BIRD BATH. Approx 3, maybe 4 gallons. They are approx 4 years old.

Comets ARE goldfish. they're the same species, just bred to have different physical traits.

It's just like if you get two dogs of different breeds. As long as they're a male and a female, they'll mate for sure.

As for the question as o whether the different breeds you plan to keep together will exclusively mingle with only their kindred type... they're not even aware there's differences among them. Just faster and slower swimmers.

I don't think that there seemed to be any confusion regarding the fact that comets are goldfish.

Comets can be kept with any other single tailed goldfish variety, which would be most commonly shubunkins and commons.

However, there is a problem with the idea of introducing more goldfish to your pond at this point. Single tailed goldfish require a minimum of 20 gallons each. Right now with your 3 adults and 13 fry, you might be doing okay, but in a very short period of time, you're going to be overstocked, even with adequate filtration.

The different varieties will inter-breed. But they will lose their own characteristics. There genetics will try to revert back to their natural form. If you breed a fancy with a comet all your babies will most likely be comets.

Thanks everybody. I should have realised goldfish are just like different breeds of dogs/cats.

Given that comets are pretty happy (and yes, I do realise possibility of overcrowding when fry get bigger), I might just stick with them. They provide some colour and movement in the pond.

I spend a fair few hours just staring into and at the pond...mainly because our kitchen window looks out into the pond. It is waist-level and sits outside a window behind the stovetop. (I should post a photo for all to see.)

Please do post some pics We love to see pics here at kokos!

The other type of goldfish that is ideal for ponds, and compatible with comets, are wakin. These are twin-tailed goldfish that don't have rounded bodies.

The reason that comets may not mingle well with fancies is not tail nipping (although that could be a problem if you have an aggressive fish). The issue is that the faster swimmers (comets, commons, shubunkins, and wakin) will outcompete the more slowly swimming fancies for available food. This assumes that you don't overfeed them, in which case everyone has enough. The problem with the slower swimmers is that you will likely see that they are not getting enough food and will have a tendency to overfeed them, leading to water quality issues.

This is a generalization, as you might get a very smart and food aggressive fancy who may just hold his/her ground, particularly in a small pond (but not recommended, nonetheless).

Dennis