Nanking

This variety of Goldfish was bred between 1748 and 1750 in the Izumo region, present-day Shimane Prefecture, Japan. Despite its origin, the name has Chinese roots. There is an opinion that the fish got its name from the port city of Nanjing, the former capital of China. In those days, all the concoctions supplied from this port were designated by the collective word “Nanjing”. The goldfish from which this variety originated was also delivered as one of the merchandise.

In 1982, Nanjing was registered as a protected species in Shimane Prefecture, which significantly limited its export. It is practically not found in free sale outside of Japan.

A characteristic feature of the species is a large body with a rounded abdomen, shaped like an egg. The dorsal fin is absent. The relatively short tail is split in two and looks like an inverted “V”. coloration consists of a combination of red and white.

Features of the structure determine some of the difficulties in the content. The Nanjing goldfish is not known for its speed of movement, therefore it is not able to compete for food with other more mobile species. Breeding is also problematic. Choosing a partner requires great care, otherwise there is a high risk of getting hybrid offspring, which will quickly lose their main features.

More about keeping a common Goldfish