The comet is the variety of goldfish that is producet in the greatest number. The humble comet is always readily available, very hard and fares well in every situation from goldfish bowl to the outdoor pond. This truly beautiful American breed is slim and lean and needs plenty of swimming space. The single tail fin is as long or longer than the body in high quality fish and each lobe comes to a point. All the other fins of the Comet are much longer than the normal single tailed breeds. Avaiable in a range of colours from yellow through to orange, and intense reds nearing scarlet.

The Fantail is the common commercial double tailed breed of the retail market. Its body is longer than the Oranda but shorter than the single tailed breeds. the head of the Fantail comes to a point and has no head growth. the tail Finnage should be long and flowing. They are tough and do equally well in a pond or aquarium.

This should be the first double tailed breed of the beginner as they are very easy to care for. Both red-metallic and calico types are available in a wide range of colours including white, blue, chocolate and orange. A telescopic-eyed version is also available.

There are two types of this single tailed breed. One has a long tail fin with broad tail fin lobes that are rounded on the end. the other has a short tail fin like the common goldfish. What makes these fish a particular breed is that they are of the nacreous scale group (calico) which are primarily bred for their beautiful colors. Red, black, and sky blue are the perfect colors of the calico breeds and the Shubunkins come closer than any other breed to these ideals.

This in another dorsal less breed that has the same general characteristics as the Ranchu. this Chinese breed has much larger head growth and this breed has the largest head growth of any breed. A double tail propels the short boxy body. View this tail from above and the tail looks like butterfly wings, which is very attractive. the back outline is straighter than found in the Ranchu, but it still has a gentle, even curve, which is carried right to the caudal peduncle.

Several colours available, red/white, black, red, calico

This is an all-black veiltail with telescopic eyes, by which is meant that the eyes are on the end of the fleshy growth. These "telescopes" take two to three years to develop fully. This fish is of the metallic scale type. Ideally, it should be black all over, but often-and with age-a bronze hue will appear on the underside and the fins. this breed is very popular in the fishkeeping hobby and sought after as a bowl specimen - probably because of its bizarre apperance.

Golden Orfe are schooling fish which grow to around 18" in length. These yellowish-orange colored fish are quick moving and will be seen darting around the surface of the pond as a school. Golden Orfes are many times more sensitive to water conditions than goldfish or koi. This is the biggest reason most people avoid them. If keeping Golden Orfes in your pond, you must pay very close attention to the quality of water. If you are considering the Orfe as a fish for your pond never introduce fewer than 3 as without a complete school the fish will not survive.

Rudd, or Scardinus erythrophthalmus, are interesting additions to ponds. They come in wild (greenish black) and man-made golden colors (the Golden Rudd). They cruise the surface fast but at a slower speed than golden orfe. They are peaceful surface shoalers (shoal especially when young) who get along well with orfe. Rudd grow to about 16 inches long and like water in the 50's and 60's usually. Rudd are omnivores.

Ordinary rudd can survive in iced-over ponds. While they are reported to be hardy, some also say that they are more sensitive to chemicals (especially potassium permanganate) than other pond fish, even orfe.

One of the prettiest of our freshwater fishes, easily identifiable by its distinctive shape and colour.

It has a short, sturdy thick-set body with a layer of silky smooth slime, the tiny scales are deeply embedded in the skin. It has a short pair of barbules on the yellowish-orange upper lip. The dorsal fin is high and convex, the caudal fin is wide and squarish, rather like a paint brush. Pectoral and pelvic fins are thick and strong, in the mature male, pelvic fins are almost joined together and cover the vent.

The back can vary from almost black to olive green in colour, graduating to a creamy or white belly. There are lots of colour variations and ornamentals: golden, yellow, orange with black spots, etc.

The grass carp is a long slender member of the minnow family. It resembles the common carp because of its large size and scales. Grass carp differ from the common carp with the lack of a sucker-like mouth, and the absence of barbels on the mouth. Furthermore, grass carp are usually silvery-white, rather than the brownish-yellow of the common carp.

Grass carp are usually stocked when they reach 8 to 12 inches.

Sturgeon, any of the numerous fishes of the family Acipenseridae, sturgeons have five longitudinal rows of bony plates(scutes) on the body,an unequally lobed tail fin, and a long snout with a toothless mouth and four sensitive barbels on the underside of the snout. The barbels are dragged over the bottom in search of invertebrates, small fishes, and other food.
Sturgeons may attain great size and age (possibly 200-300 years in the beluga).

The eggs are small, sticky and numerous. The young grow rapidly until maturity,after which growth continues slowly for several years.

The Sterlet ( acipenser ruthenus ) is the smallest European sturgeon seen for sale. A maximum size of 4ft and 16 kg , but this is very rare and 2ft ans 1.5 to 2kg is the normal size
The Diamond sturgeon ( acipenser gueldenstaedti ) is the second fastest growing European sturgeon and can grow in excess of 8ft. but 4 ft is about the maximum
The Siberian sturgeon ( acipenser baeri ) is a quick grower and can reach 5 ft but 3-4 ft is more normal.