Goldfish Anatomy Lesson

1. Dorsal Fin

- it helps the goldfish have stability in the water. The dorsal fin's height ca vary depending on the type of fish you have. Goldfish like Ranchu and Lionhead do not have a dorsal fin. On the other hand, fish like the Veiltail variety have a long dorsal fin. You can easily tell if you goldfish is healthy if you see it has an upright dorsal fin. Fancy fish with longer dorsal fin it's regular to have a bend.

2. Caudal Fin (Tail Fin)

- helps the fish to move forward. There are 2 types of tail fin: single tail and double tail. Single tail fin helps Common and Comet goldfish to swim faster, while double tailed goldfish, like most fancy varieties, swim slower than the single tail.

3. Gills

- helps fish breath. Once the water enters the gills, the fish extracts the oxygen from the water an into their blood. They are located on both sides of the fish.

4. Pelvic Fin

- goldfish use these fins for stability and steering. The pelvic fins are located on both sides of the fish, between the anal and the pectoral fins.

5. Anal Fin

- this helps the fish keep stability and go upright. It is located before the tail fin.

6. Lateral Line

- the lateral line helps the fish detect movement in the water, be aware of obstacles and avoid danger.

7. Pectoral Fin

- with the pectoral fin the fish moves forward and backward. Like the gills, they are located on both sides of the fish, under and behind the gills.

8. Eyes

- like most fish, goldfish have a pair of eyes they use to see. Most of them can see very good, but fish like the Black Moor, Telescope and Bubble Eye goldfish can't see too far away. Be careful when you feed these two fish because they might miss the food.

9. Mouth

- helps goldfish eat and take water.

10. Wen

- it is the skin that grows on top of their head. Fish that have the wen are: Oranda, Lionhead and Lionchu. Don't worry, it normal for these varieties to have this beautiful colored "hat" on their head.

Love to you,
Flo