What?

[Jayy]

Thats sad, the poor thing can't even swim.

[Curlyfatbottom]

Seem like these days the freak win the show.
In fish,dog and cat

[tpocicat]

I prefer normal fantail goldfish. The "fancy" ones look freakish to me.

[Bombalurina]

A fantail is a type of fancy. Just not one that's been munted beyond all reason like that.

The non-fancies are comets and commons.

[MaisyDawgThirteen]

Is a shubikubin (spelling?) a fancy?

[thekoimaiden]

No, shubunkins are grouped in with comets and commons due to their shape. Fancy goldfish have double tails and chubby (sometimes more in the case of the pearlscale and sometimes less) bodies. This article has some good descriptions and pictures of goldfish breeds: Fish Profiles: Overview of Goldfish Types

[MaisyDawgThirteen]

What size tanks do shubunkins need?

[Olympia]

The photo of the pearlskin on that website actually looks really nice. Doesn't look like he has too hard a time living either.

[thekoimaiden]

Originally Posted by MaisyDawgThirteen

What size tanks do shubunkins need?

They need around 100 gal per fish and grow close to a foot long. Shubunkins are best suited to pond life along with comets and commons. If you want a calico goldfish your best bet is to go with a ryukin or fantail as they stay small enough to live in a 55 gal tank.

Originally Posted by Olympia

The photo of the pearlskin on that website actually looks really nice. Doesn't look like he has too hard a time living either.

That is one of the member's fish. I can't remember whose, tho. It wasn't a show-winning fish, tho. Just your average pet-store fish. There is another really adorable picture of a pearlscale that I've been able to find again, too.

Maybe this is the reason I like show koi better. The body shapes are the same as their wild ancestors and the only thing changed is the coloring. If you scroll down here: The 24th All Japan Combined Young Nishikigoi Show you'll see some show-winning koi.