Neptun
Shubunkin is a variety of goldfish bred in Japan. In Japanese pronunciation its name sounds like shibunkin. And the sound familiar to us today – shubunkin is the result of passing the word through European languages. In Europe, the fish first appeared after the First World War, from where it was imported to Russia and the Slavic countries.
Description of the goldfish subspecies – Shubunkin
In body shape, the shubunkin is a common goldfish.The fins resemble another species of goldfish, the comet. Body length up to 16 – 18 centimeters. The caudal fin, as a rule, is not bifurcated, fork-shaped. One of the main distinguishing features of this breed is transparent scales, so it is sometimes called scaleless. And mottled coloration, in which red, yellow, black and blue colors predominate. The most valuable specimens of shubunkin have a coloration in which blue colors predominate. Blue color in the coloration is manifested only in the second – third year of life.
Shubunkin aquarium conditions
To the conditions of maintenance shubunkin as a form close to the natural species is not very demanding. Water hardness up to 15 °dH. Active reaction pH 7 – 8. Temperature 15 – 25 ° C. Due to the ability to withstand sufficiently low temperatures shubunkin is suitable for keeping in ornamental ponds in greenhouses. Much more trouble, like all goldfish, it can bring him July heat. Aquarium is desirable spacious – at least 70 liters for two fish.
It is highly desirable artificial aeration of water and installation in the aquarium filter with a capacity of at least two and a half volumes per hour. Since the fish, like all their relatives, like to dig in the soil, raising a large amount of mud. The soil is desirable fine and medium fractional. Plants are desirable fast-growing or with a very stiff leaf plate. Otherwise voracious shubunkin will quickly leave his reservoir without vegetation. Keep better with other species of goldfish.
Feed shubunkina, as well as other goldfish can be moths, earthworms, porridge, vegetable feedings – chopped lettuce leaves, scalded with boiling water and shredded cabbage leaf.
Shubunkin breeding in the aquarium
Differences between male and female
The male shubunkin has a more slender body than the female and has saw-like serrations on the first ray of the pectoral fins. And also in the pre spawning and spawning periods on the gill covers appear “pearl scatterings” of small, the size of flour, white growths. The female has a fuller abdomen filled with eggs.
The spawning area is about 100 liters.
Otherwise, the content, feeding and breeding of shubunkin does not differ from goldfish.
