Here is my fishie Spangles. I think he is a fantail, but I have seen pics of Ryukins and now I'm not sure. Maybe he is a Ryukin. Need confirmation. I got him from a specialty fish store and was told he was not domestic bred, but imported from China. Opinions? He's the Calico on the left.

It may be too early to tell. I think ryukin get their hump later on when they are a little bigger. Someone know about that? He's very pretty

He is about 3 inches, right? In most cases, a "classical" ryukin at that size would be showing a bit shorter body, deeper chest, and the beginnings of a hump. He may be a late developer. He may be a longer bodied Ryukin. Or he may be a cross between a ryukin and fantail.....

Either way, I love calicos. I am eager to see how he develops. I never cease to be amazed at how spectacularly fish can develop given a little time. A little, apparently misshappen ryukin at 3 inches can become a show stopping, eye catching adult in a year or two!

I'm really thinking he is a Fantail. But I thought I would ask as I am not really familiar with how a Ruykin should look at this size, which you are correct is about 3 inches. He does have nice Spangles though, hense..his name.

Whoa daryl, it's not like you to be unsure about what breed Spangles is. Of course as u said he could be a cross or anything, but based on body shape alone he's clearly a fantail.

Hm. I was actually surprised when one of my fish I was convinced was a fantail suddenly developed a hump over a course of two weeks. You can't really tell for sure till the fish has grown considerably.

In general, I would say it is a fantail. But..... as ManYu has stated, I have seen some Ryukins come into their own in rather quick fashion after languishing away in the "poor quality" fish tank...... Under about 3 inches body length, I would give the fish a bit of leeway in development...... you just might be suprised....