Comet goldfish
If you want an elegant goldfish that’s as tough as it is pretty, the Comet Goldfish is for you. Sort of a halfway house between the Common goldfish and the Fantail, the Comet has a sleek, elongated body that ends in a single scissor-like tail.
Indeed, it’s called the Swallowtail goldfish in the Far East, which we think really suits it.
Comets come in several different colours, with gold and metallic fish and the orange-and-red Sarasa Comet amongst the most popular. In prize-winning fish, the colour of the body extends right into the tail; even everyday specimens in the pet shop should show deep, rich colours over most of the body. All Comets start life silvery green, however, which makes buying very young fish rather hit-and-miss.
In ideal conditions Comets can reach nearly a foot in length. Although their growth will be restricted in smaller quarters, it’s only right to give them as much space as you can spare.
Comet goldfish tips:
- As ever when buying goldfish, look for bright, clear-eyed specimens that take an interest in their surroundings.
- The tail shouldn’t droop at all.
- Comets are fast-moving fish that need a large indoor aquarium (ideally at least four-foot in length), or better yet a pond.
- They are pretty hardy fellows, and will happily live outside in most regions, provided their pond is deep enough for over-wintering.
- Comets love to shoal, so try to keep 4-6 fish together.
Comet goldfish seem to have been rather overshadowed in recent years by their fancier counterparts, which is a shame. Even purists who worry that man has tampered too much with some varieties of goldfish have to admit that the comet is a splendid creation.
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Filed in: Varieties
May 14th, 2008 at 3:12 am
Hi i have a comet goldfish (still a baby) in a foot long tank , i wasnt told they get that big !!!
how long have i got until he does??
Oct 4th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
how about if the tank is 1 gallon
Nov 15th, 2008 at 7:38 am
@Rachel - Goldfish will grow far more slowly in small tanks than in ponds, but a foot long tank is not going to be a good home for more than a few months. Long-term you’ll need to get a 4-foot aquarium to really give your fish the home he deserves, or a pond. Fancier varieties such as fantails are better for small tanks.
Nov 15th, 2008 at 7:39 am
@Ryan - I’m afraid I don’t think a 1 gallon aquarium is suitable for goldfish for more than emergency quarters.
Feb 2nd, 2009 at 3:26 pm
i have several of the very small comets. do they stay this little or do they really get big enough to need a 4 foot tank?
Feb 15th, 2009 at 5:45 am
@Becka - your comet goldfish are babies. They will definitely grow larger with good care. In captive aquariums goldfish size does seem to be limited a bit by the size of the tank, but in my view they’re eventually going to need a four-foot aquarium to be happy.
May 27th, 2009 at 6:24 am
i have my goldfish in a 4 gallon tank.. is this going to be enough for him for now? until i can afford- and have space for- a larger tank as i’m moving in about 4 months.
Aug 4th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
Can someone please help me?!? I’m planning on getting my first goldfish soon and I was just wondering, does a comet goldfish need to live with other fishes like a Fantail?
Aug 7th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
I have one comet and 2 shurbunkins together in a 30 gallon tank. They get on really well because they are all fast swimmers - in fact, they seem to play “tag” together.
I did have a comet with a fantail but the fantails are much slower. Pretty, but not as interesting to watch as comets.
For sure, have at least 2, so they are not bored. But remember, they do grow. My comet is 6 months old (well, plus whatever age it was when I bought it) and is already 4 inches long. And at 2 months, the shurbunkins are about 3 inches, including tails.
Oct 23rd, 2009 at 1:04 am
I HAVE A COMET GOLDFISH ALL OF A SUDDEN ONE MY FISH HAS GAINED ALOT OF WEIGHT HE’S NOT NOT EATING AS MUCH AS SHE USE TO.CAN SHE BE PREGNANT?
Nov 18th, 2009 at 10:14 am
Hi i used to have a Common Goldfish and a Comet but the Common Goldfish died 1 month ago. They got on really well i think he died of age. I still have my Comet, he is 1 year old and he’s in a 12 gallon fish tank but i’m going to save up to get a 60 gallon one!
Apr 24th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
Hi! I have a Comet Goldfish! His name is Nemo! I am looking forward to giving him the best care he needs.
May 10th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
i had a comet goldfish that was 8 inches and probably 10 with the tail in a 55 g thats why it greww that much