Pearlscale

Pearlscale goldfish are fancy Carassius auratus bred for a compact, rounded body and raised, bead-like scales. Each pearled scale has a domed center of deposited calcium, giving the flanks a texture quite different from the smooth scales of most goldfish. The body is often almost golf-ball shaped, with a paired tail and a small head; some lines, such as crown pearlscales or Hamanishiki, also carry a soft headgrowth. Colors include red, red-and-white, calico, black, chocolate, and other metallic or nacreous forms.

The same traits that define pearlscales make them less rugged than long-bodied goldfish. They are clumsy swimmers, so tanks and tubs should have calm areas, rounded furnishings, and tankmates that do not race them to food. Lost or damaged scales may heal, but they often do not return with the same pearled look, which makes careful netting and transport important. Their short bodies can be associated with digestive and buoyancy problems; small measured feeds and stable, clean water help reduce stress. Breeders select hard for even scale rows and a round body while avoiding fish so extreme that swimming is compromised.

Colors: Black, Black and Orange, Black and White, Blue, Blue-Gray, Brown, Calico, Chocolate, Gold, Lavender, Matte, Metallic, Nacreous, Orange, Panda, Red, Red and White, Red & White, White, Yellow