Koi get most of the attention, and for good reason. But they aren't the only fish that can bring color and movement to a backyard pond. Several hardy relatives of the goldfish, plus the lively golden orfe, can be a great fit, especially for smaller ponds or first-time fish keepers. Here's a quick guide to the most popular options and what each one needs.
Common Goldfish and Comets
Goldfish are often thought of as bowl pets, but an outdoor pond gives them room to grow and show off. They tolerate a wide range of water conditions and tend to do best in cooler water, which makes them a forgiving choice if you're new to keeping pond fish.
Single-tailed varieties such as comets, with their familiar orange and white coloring, are the sturdiest. With good care, pond goldfish commonly live for many years and can grow well beyond the size most people expect. Because of that, avoid mixing very small goldfish with much larger fish or other animals that could injure them.
Feed a quality pond fish food in small amounts they can finish quickly. Overfeeding is one of the most common causes of water-quality problems. You can browse food and fish health supplies in our Fish Care collection.
Fancy Goldfish: Beautiful, but Less Hardy
Fancy goldfish include orandas, lionheads, ryukins, ranchus, telescopes and black moors. Most share a short, rounded body shape, and that compact build is part of what makes them more delicate outdoors.
Fancy varieties generally handle cold poorly. Winter can upset their balance and buoyancy, and adult fish are especially at risk. If you keep fancy goldfish in an outdoor pond, plan to move them to a suitable indoor tank before cold weather arrives, then return them to the pond once spring water temperatures settle. If a fish shows signs of illness, a qualified aquatic veterinarian or experienced fish specialist is the best source of advice. Our Winter Fish Care article covers more cold-season basics.
Shubunkins
Shubunkins are single-tailed goldfish with a longer body, prized for their calico coloring: patches of blue, red, orange, white and black. Some have a long, flowing tail with rounded lobes, while others have a shorter tail similar to a common goldfish. Fish with strong blue coloring accented with red and white are usually the most sought after.
A colorful shubunkin can look a bit like a young koi, but there are easy ways to tell them apart. Shubunkins stay smaller, have different patterns, and lack the barbels (the small whisker-like feelers) found near a koi's mouth.
Shubunkins are among the toughest goldfish and cope well with both hot summers and cold winters. Given plenty of space, they can reach over a foot long, so they're best suited to a pond with generous water volume rather than a small container.
Sarasa Comets
Sarasa comets share the shubunkin's sleek shape but usually stay a little smaller. They're known for a crisp white body with bold red markings, a look that has earned them the nickname "poor man's koi." That red-and-white coloring typically holds up well over the fish's life.
One thing to know: if sarasa breed freely in your pond, many of the offspring may lose the striking pattern and trend toward plain or dull-colored goldfish over generations. If keeping the color matters to you, keep an eye on your population.
Golden Orfe
For activity and personality, golden orfe are hard to beat. These bright orange fish like to cruise near the surface in groups, so they're easy to watch, and their surface activity can encourage koi and goldfish to come up and feed too.
Plan ahead before adding orfe. They grow quickly, and a small fish from the store can eventually reach two feet or more, so they need a large pond with plenty of swimming room. Orfe naturally eat insects and larvae but readily accept quality fish food. They're social fish, so keep at least two together. They generally get along well with other pond fish.
Before You Add New Fish
Whatever you choose, match your fish to your pond's size and depth, and avoid overcrowding. These guides can help:
The Bottom Line
Common goldfish and comets are an easy, resilient starting point. Shubunkins and sarasa comets add koi-like color in a smaller package. Golden orfe bring energy to the surface but need lots of room. Fancy goldfish are lovely but need an indoor home for winter. Pick the fish that suit your pond, and you'll enjoy them for years.
Browse the PondScape Learning Center for more pond and fish care guides.