Bubble Eye Goldfish: A Variety That Needs Extra Care

In this guide

Overview

The bubble eye is among the most distinctive and most fragile of the fancy goldfish, recognisable by the large fluid-filled sacs beneath each eye. It also lacks a dorsal fin, which affects its balance, and grows to a similar size as the fantail, around fifteen centimetres.

This is not a beginner's fish, and Indian hobbyists considering one should be honest with themselves about the extra care involved before buying.

Tank requirements

A bare or very lightly decorated tank of at least sixty litres per fish is safest, since the eye sacs can tear on sharp decor, rocks, or even rough filter intakes. A sponge filter is a common choice for exactly this reason.

Tankmates should be limited to other slow, gentle fancy goldfish, never fin nippers or fast swimmers that might bump or nip at the fragile eye sacs.

Diet and care

Sinking pellets suit the bubble eye better than surface feeding, both because of its poor eyesight around the enlarged sacs and its weaker swimming ability without a dorsal fin.

A torn eye sac usually heals over time in clean water, but the fish is more vulnerable to infection until it does, so pristine water quality matters even more here than with other goldfish.

Buying tips

• Less commonly stocked in Indian shops than common or fantail goldfish, and priced higher, often two hundred to five hundred rupees
• Check both eye sacs are even in size and free of visible tears or cloudiness before buying
• Not a suitable fish for a busy community tank or for first-time goldfish keepers

Article content © Ravi Teja. All rights reserved.