I went to my local pet co yesterday and they actually had quite a few little baby crowned pearlscales. I almost bought one, but I know absolutely nothing about them. Some of them had eyes that were completely black or one normal eye and the other completely black. Is this normal? I really didn't know what to think of that. Also, is it usual for a chain store to actually carry them? All I usually see around here are Oranda and telescopes.

In my area it is not normal for a chain store to have pearlscales. The eye things can be considered normal for calico colored ones. Often the calocos will have one or both eyes black.

If you want to get a pearlie their care is about the same as other varities. Apparently they can get slow when they get really big and round, but my guy is a fast little pig

He's also a calico and has black eyes, it's absolutely normal.

Pearlscales are, perhaps, one of the "smaller" goldies - they get more "Round" than "Long". They are slower moving and often have some problems swimming. The REALLY round ones are somewhat handicaped when swimming.

PEarlies do not do well with much current - they need more "sweet spots" in a tank to rest. With all that side area for a current to hit and a reletively small tail, they can be easily bowled over.

Because of this round body shape, Pearls are also inclined to more floating issues than many fish. I would even go so far as to say that a Pearlscale would do best fed on gel food only. Make your own - put in all the good stuff - but keep to the gel.

The "pearls" on the fish do not usually grow back as "pearls". So if your fish becomes injured or scrapes off some scales, do not expect it to still look "pearlie" when it heals.

I love a pearlscale. But they are not excellent "community" fish - the bigger fish can bowl them around - and require a bit more care. They do well in short, taller tanks, by the way - and excellent choise of fish for that!

Well, I'm still considering going back, but I do have a very strong swimming Oranda and they were very small and clumsy. I'll probably hold off on getting one until I have room for a second tank. They were just so adorable, it was very hard to resist bringing one home. I'll just have to keep looking for the best tankmate possible for the little guy I already have. Thank you for the info.