Bubble Eye Goldfish (Carassius auratus)
Native Location: China
Climate: Coldwater
Size: (5 inches)
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Breeding: Beginner
Temperature Range: 18 – 21℃ (65 – 70℉)
Preferred pH Range: 6 – 8
Minimum Aquarium Size: 200L (50 gallons)
Potential Tankmates: Freshwater aquarium snails and other bubble eys
Care Level: Intermediate
Bubble Eye Goldfish are popular for their unique appearance. Their bubble eyes are fluid-filled sacs that jiggle when they move, giving them a squishy look. But keeping this fish is not as simple as it may appear. Experienced aquarists would suit these fish best.
Bubble Eyes are not picky eaters and love to scavenge around your tank for the hidden treasure of leftover food. As they are omnivores, they will try eating everything you drop into the water. High-quality dried foods are best. Use sinking pellets instead of floating flakes as Bubble Eyes are known to take on a lot of air when eating. Feed them bloodworms for some extra protein. Bubble eyes will need additional time to eat their food as they are not fast swimmers, meaning they need more time to reach all the food. Feed them several times a day. Bubble Eyes are social fishes that enjoy the company of their kind, who have the same clumsy swimming nature and poor eyesight.
As a delicate breed, Bubble Eyes are not suitable for beginners. They have a low tolerance for tank pollution; while also producing a lot of waste. You will need an effective filtration system. Keep water flows slow and add a sponge to cover intake valves. For every Bubble Eye added to your tank, you will need to add an extra 37L (10 gallons). Though Goldfish are known to work well in outdoor ponds, Bubble Eyes are an exception. As they are smaller and delicate, they are suited to indoor aquariums. Avoid sharp decorations and allow Bubble Eyes to have plenty of open spaces.
Bubble Eyes, eye sacs are as delicate as they look. Big sacs can obstruct their vision and make it difficult for the fish to swim. They can also pop and deflate, and although they will eventually repair, they will not return to the same size. Bubble Eye’s also do not have dorsal fins but make up for that by having a double tail. It splits into four points to help maintain balance. When Bubble Eye have matured, females will appear plumper, and males will develop small tubercles on their heads. If the conditions are right, Bubble Eyes can be eager to breed. Set up a separate tank for breeding as the mature fish, and remove adults once egg fertilisation has occurred. Fill the tank with fine-leafed plants or breeding mops for the eggs to have adhesive surfaces.
