1. Introduction
【Child】: Professor, I’ve seen a living, swirling canvas of colors in the school of fish world. It reminds me of Van Gogh’s Starry Night. What are these extraordinary creatures?
【Professor】: Ah, you must be talking about the Jikin! They are a very unique and artistically captivating type of goldfish. In this article, we will discuss their characteristics, habitat, husbandry requirements, behavior, breeding, and coexisting with other fish species.
2. Characteristics
【Child】: These Jikin have a marvelous color pattern, as if an impressionist painted their scales. Can you this artistic masterpiece?
【Professor】: Hahaha, I agree that their colors are reminiscent of an impressionist painting. Jikin are known for their distinctive coloration, with their red and white patched bodies. The shape of their bodies is elongated and somewhat compressed, similar to a comet goldfish. The adults can grow up to 8 inches long. Their most iconic feature is the eight-lobed caudal fin, which resembles a peacock’s tail.
3. Habitat
【Child】: So where do these living art pieces come from? Can I create my own “Garden of Earthly Delights” for them in my aquarium at home?
【Professor】: Jikin goldfish are native to Japan, particularly the Wakayama region. In their natural environment, they live in slow-moving rivers, ponds, and lakes. You can certainly create a suitable environment for them in your aquarium. They thrive in clean water with gentle filtration and a temperature range of 64-72°F. As for their role in the ecosystem, they are primarily grazers, helping to control algae growth and serving as prey for larger fish.
4. Husbandry Requirements
【Child】: Creating a little utopia for my Jikin friends sounds wonderful. What should I prepare to ensure their happiness?
【Professor】: To keep Jikin goldfish happy, maintain a water temperature between 64-72°F, with a pH range of 6.5-8.0 and moderate hardness. A tank size of at least 30 gallons is ideal for two Jikin goldfish. As for feeding, they enjoy a balanced diet consisting of high-quality flakes, pellets, brine shrimp, bloodworms, and vegetables such as lettuce.
5. Behavior
【Child】: Every masterpiece has a story. What kind of drama unfolds in the lives of these Jikin?
【Professor】: Jikin goldfish are generally peaceful and social creatures. While they are active swimmers, their delicate, split tails make them slower than other goldfish varieties. They tend to gather in groups called shoals, feeding on algae and small invertebrates found in their environment.
6. Breeding
【Child】: The next generation of Jikin artistry must be a beautiful sight. How do they bring their vibrant progeny into the world?
【Professor】: Breeding Jikin goldfish is a matter of providing the right conditions. They are egg scatterers, and will usually spawn in the early morning hours. To encourage breeding, ensure a consistent water temperature, gradually reduce the pH to around 6.5, and increase overall water quality. Adding a spawning mop or floating plants will give the eggs a place to adhere to.
7. Cautions
【Child】: Are there any warnings necessary for housing Jikin with other aquatic creatures? I wouldn’t want them to clash like the Montagues and Capulets.
【Professor】: Jikin goldfish are generally peaceful, but they should not be kept with aggressive or very fast-moving fish. Their delicate split tails may be damaged by overly assertive tank mates. It’s best to keep Jikin with other goldfish of similar size and temperament, ensuring harmony in your aquatic family.
8. Conclusion
To summarize, Jikin goldfish are a magnificent, unique breed with their red and white coloration and intriguing split tails. With proper care in an appropriate environment, these living works of art can thrive and enrich your home aquarium. Just remember to maintain proper water conditions, provide a balanced diet, and choose suitable tank mates.