Wakin Goldfish
The Wakin is a Japanese pond goldfish with a slim single body and a double tail; it swims almost as strongly as a Comet.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Species guide: Goldfish · Goldfish and koi, breed by breed
AI illustration Overview
The Wakin is a Japanese pond goldfish with a slim single body and a double tail; it swims almost as strongly as a Comet. The traditional goldfish of Japanese ponds, it bridges the single/fancy divide: hardy, fast, pond-proof, yet fancy-tailed.
Natural History
Descended from the first goldfish to reach Japan from China (1500s); 'Wakin' means simply 'Japanese goldfish' - the default fish of temple ponds and garden tubs for centuries.
Appearance
Elongated hardy body to 25-30 cm with a double (sometimes triple/quad-lobed) tail; classic red, red-white (prized in bold patterns), and calico-adjacent forms.
Tank Size & Setup
Pond-first like Comets - or 200+ liter tanks; strong swimmers needing space, oxygen and filtration. Hardy in temperate ponds year-round.
Water Parameters
10-24°C cold-water, robust filtration, generous changes - single-tail rules despite the fancy tail.
Diet
Goldfish staples plus greens; pond Wakins forage happily and grow impressively.
Health & Lifespan
Average lifespan is 10-15 years. 10-15 years, often more in ponds; hardy as their single-tail cousins with none of the egg-body fragilities.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Pond-hardy AND double-tailed
- Fast, robust, long-lived
- Beautiful from above (pond view)
- Bridges both goldfish worlds
Cons
- Too big/active for small tanks
- Outcompetes fancies - house apart
- Less common in western shops
- Plain-bodied vs exotic fancies
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Wakin Goldfish - frequently asked questions
Wakin or Comet for my pond?
Both excellent: Comet streams a long single tail, Wakin flies a double one and reads beautifully from above - the traditional Japanese pond choice.
Can Wakins live with fancy goldfish?
No - they're too quick at dinner. House them with Comets, Shubunkins and koi-adjacent company instead.
Are they rare?
Common in Asia, less so in western pet trade - pond-keeper circles and specialist breeders are the reliable source.
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