Carassius auratus auratus

The Shubunkin Goldfish are beautiful fish that are almost always speckled or have a variegated color pattern. The unique characteristic of the Shubunkin Goldfish is not their wild calico patterning, but that its pattern is set on a blue background. This is a color which is quite rare in goldfish. They are called Chuwen-chin in China. But in Japan, where they were probably developed in about 1900, they are called Shubunkin and this is the name that has stuck with them throughout the western world.
A Shubunkin Goldfish can have so many colors to its pattern it is often referred to as the Calico Goldfish. These colors include yellows, oranges, reds, browns, blacks, purples, grays, and whites; and they are set on a blue background. Other descriptive names for this fish are Speckled Goldfish, Coronation Fish, and Harlequin Goldfish. The color blue is quite rare, which makes the Shubunkin a more valuable goldfish.
There are two types of Shubunkins, the London type and the Bristol type. The London type is much more common than the Bristol type and is usually what you will find at pet stores. Both types of Shubunkin Goldfish, especially the London type, as seen above, are recommended as a beginner fish.
These fancy goldfish are one of the hardiest of the gold fish varieties. They are an easy fish to keep as they are not picky and will readily eat what is offered. They are active and strong swimmers. They are also very social and thrive well in a community. Other goldfish recommended for beginners include the Fantail Goldfish, Common Goldfish, and the Comet Goldfish.

The goldfish of today are descendants of a wild carp fish, known as the Prussian Carp, Silver Prussian carp, or Gibel Carp Carassius gibelio (syn: Carassius auratus gibelio) which was described by Bloch in 1782. For many years it was believed that goldfish had originated from the Crucian Carp or Golden Carp Carassius auratus auratus described by Linnaeus in 1758, but more recent research is pointing toward the former.
These wild carp originated in Asia; Central Asia (siberia). They inhabit the slow moving and stagnant waters of rivers, lakes, ponds, and ditches feeding on plants, detritus, small crustaceans, and insects. In the early 1500's these fish were exported first to Japan and then to Europe and were developed into the wonderful colors and forms of gold fish we see today.