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Butterfly telescope goldfish
Prominent eyes and a divided tail spread nearly horizontally
The defining butterfly-shaped spread is clearest from above. A side illustration can show near-horizontal tail carriage but cannot prove the full spread. Eye traits overlap with telescope forms; tail division also differs from tosakin.
- Adult length
- About 10 cm
- Lifespan
- Up to 30 years
- pH
- 7–8.4
- Hardness
- 5–19 dGH
- Natural habitat
- Wild habitats include rivers, lakes, ponds and ditches, often in vegetated still or slow water; ornamental goldfish are domesticated forms.
Protect protruding eyes and broad fins from sharp decor and strong feeding competition. Swimming and feeding ability vary among forms. Provide filtration, oxygenation and maintenance.
Appearance and identification
Compared with an ordinary long-forked telescope tail, butterfly forms emphasize broad horizontal spread. Eyes or colour alone are insufficient.
Same-species behaviour
Assess individual swimming and feeding.
Space requirements
Avoid small, unfiltered containers.
Diet and feeding
Use an appropriate goldfish diet with varied foods, adjusting to condition and water quality.
Compatibility limits
Active single-tailed fish may outcompete slower double-tailed forms. Avoid fin nippers and overly competitive companions.
Aquarium environment
Goldfish may eat or uproot plants.
Goldfish
Sources
www.aqueon.com ↗ 2026-10-22
www.fishbase.se ↗ 2026-10-25
www.bristol-aquarists.org.uk ↗ 2026-10-22
www.goldfish-types.info ↗ 2026-10-22
www.goldfish-types.info ↗ 2026-10-22
www.goldfish-types.info ↗ 2026-10-22
www.goldfish-types.info ↗ 2026-10-22