Bubble Eye Goldfish

Like their fellow exotic goldfish, bubble eye goldfish will never be found in the wild. The red and white bubble eye goldfish have distinctive fluid-filled sacs beneath the eyes. If a sac should rupture, it will grow back, but please keep sharp objects and aggressive fish away from these poor creatures. Bubble eye goldfish are not good swimmers and should be kept with slower-moving fish to make sure they get their food.

Quick Facts

Care Guide

Tank setup: Bubble eye goldfish produce a lot of waste, so give them plenty of room and a strong filter. Change 25–30% of the water every week. Use smooth decorations and live or silk plants, and keep the water current gentle.

Feeding: Feed small amounts once or twice a day, only as much as they eat in about two minutes. Mix a quality sinking pellet or flake with frozen or live foods like brine shrimp and bloodworms, plus blanched peas or other vegetables now and then. Sinking foods are easier for them to find than floating ones.

Tankmates: Keep them only with other slow-swimming fancy goldfish, such as telescopes, black moors, celestials, bubble eyes, lionheads and ranchus. Avoid faster goldfish like comets, shubunkins and even lively ryukins, which will outcompete them for food. Also avoid tropical fish and fin-nippers.

Ponds: Bubble eye goldfish can live in ponds in mild climates, but they are less cold-hardy than comets and shubunkins. Bring them indoors where winters are harsh, and keep them away from fast, aggressive pond fish.

Good to know: Cover filter intakes with a sponge so the delicate eye sacs can't be pulled in or damaged.