Shubunkin

Physical Description
The bodies of the Shubunkin varieties are slightly shorter than those of the Common Goldfish, but they are similarly rounded. Shubunkin coloration depends very much on strain and on scale formation: the popular strains tend to show blacks, reds, purples, blues, and browns beneath pearly matte scales. The strain shown at right is the Bristol Shubunkin, which features an extravagant caudal fin. Its pronounced rounded lobes are carried without drooping on a good specimen.

Another popular strain, the London Shubunkin, is the same shape as the Common Goldfish, but it is multi-colored and lacks the metallic scales. Its fins are not artificially developed.

History
The Shubunkin was first bred from mutations in Moor goldfish in the 1900's in Japan. They are commonly referred to as "poor mans Koi", due to the similar coloration and body shape.

In the aqaurium
The Shubunkin behaves much like the Koi, in that it does better outdoors than in an aquarium. Shubunkin are very hardy, and will eat all the foods of typical goldfish.