The Bubble Eye Goldfish is a freshwater species that is extremely unique in appearance. They almost look like cartoons!
Because of this, Bubble Eyes are one of the most popular goldfish out there. It seems that everyone wants to have a fish that looks so interesting.
But most don’t realize that keeping these fish is not as simple as it seems. Unlike many of its relatives, Bubble- eyed goldfish require a bit of experience and knowledge to stay healthy.
This guide will teach you the basics of Bubble Eye Goldfish care, so you’ll be prepared if you decide to get one for yourself.
SUMMARY OF SPECIES
Bubble Eye goldfish is a member of the growing «Fancy Goldfish» family. This particular species has a unique identifying feature that you can’t miss: their bubble eyes!
These fluid-filled sacs make these fish a quirky and unique addition to home aquariums.
Like all fancy goldfish, the Bubble Eye was first developed in China. It is believed that it comes from a careful crossbreeding of the Prussian carp.
You will not find these fish swimming in the wild. They are exclusive captive bred and can be found in aquariums around the world.
While most types of goldfish are considered good choices for novice aquarists, that is not the case with the Bubble Eye. These fish have a few different needs that you need to address. Fortunately, learning how to care for these unique goldfish isn’t too difficult with the right preparation.
LIFE EXPECTANCY
The typical lifespan of a Bubble Eye goldfish is around 10-15 years!Most goldfish can live much longer than other freshwater fish, and the bubbleeye is no different.
However, it is important to give them the best possible care if you want them to reach this age. The lifespan of Bubble Eyes Goldfish is influenced by several factors, the main ones being water conditions and diet.
Author’s Note: With proper care, these fish are fully capable of living beyond the average lifespan. Some have even lived more than 20 years!
APPEARANCE
The most identifying feature of Bubble Eye Goldfish is the sacs under the eyes. Contrary to popular belief, these are not filled with air. They contain fluid, which causes the bubbles to move as the fish swim. Some scientists believe that the liquid can stimulate the growth of human cells!
But be careful, these bags are as delicate as they look.
They can easily burst and deflate. Fortunately, the sacs can heal on their own and fill with fluids. However, sacs that have regrown do not usually return to the same size. This can result in an unbalanced appearance of the fish.
The size of the bags can vary from sample to sample. In some fish, they are still manageable. In others, they can become so large that they make swimming difficult.
In addition to that, the sacs affect the vision of the fish. They are located directly below the eyes, which point upwards. The bulbous shape of the sacs along with the direction of their eyes makes it difficult for the fish to see where they are going.
Beyond their bubble eyes, these fish have other unique physical characteristics. For one thing, they have no dorsal fin! Their backs are completely smooth. Unfortunately, the lack of a dorsal fin can lead to some swimming problems.
To compensate for that, the fish have a double tail. The tail fin splits, creating four points. The caudal fin is quite long, which helps provide some balance against their bodies.
The body of the fish is round and egg-shaped. They have some pectoral fins and an anal fin. However, its shape somewhat limits its movement.
But what about their colors?
Coloration can vary drastically with Bubble Eyes Goldfish. You’ll find solid fish covered in gold, orange, red, brown, or white. Some specimens also have various colors. You may see fish with red and white spots, red and black spots, or a group of colors to create a percale pattern.
When it comes to sexing fish, there aren’t many differences to keep in mind. In most cases, it is impossible to sex younger fish. It’s not until they become full adults that are ready for breeding that you can start to see the differences.
The females will take on a more plump shape, while the males will develop very small tubercles on their heads.
SIZE
When fully grown, the average size of Bubble Eyes Goldfish is usually about 5 inches long.
Unlike other species of goldfish, these fish will not continue to grow beyond this point. This makes them a fairly manageable fish to keep in smaller aquariums.
GOLDFISH bubble eyes CARE
Bubble Eye Goldfish care is not very suitable for beginners. Due to their delicate bubbles, they need a specialized environment to stay safe. Not only that, but they require some stringent water conditions to really thrive.
All of this being said, caring for Bubble-Eyed Goldfish is manageable if you know what to do and have a bit of experience. All you need to do is stick to some strict care guidelines.
TANK SIZE
First things first, you need a tank size of at least 10 gallons.
However, we personally recommend starting with 20 gallons if you can.While they are not the strongest swimmers, that extra space will be greatly appreciated.
If you plan to keep a group together, plan on 10 gallons of space for each display.
Whatever you do, don’t keep these fish in small bowls! Bubble Eye Goldfish need much more space than a simple bowl. Also, they produce a lot of waste that could easily affect the water in a small habitat like that.
WATER PARAMETERS
Like other goldfish, the Bubble Eye is a cold water fish. They do not like warmer temperatures like many other tropical species.
These fish prefer relatively neutral, clean and balanced water. Regular water changes are important. Bubble Eye Goldfish are quite sensitive to poor water conditions.
We recommend replacing a quarter of the water every week. This will keep ammonia and nitrate levels relatively low. You’ll also need an effective filtration system, but more on that later.
For now, here are some important water parameters to stick to:
- Water temperature: 65°F to 80°F (around 72°F is best)
- pH levels: 6.0 to 8.0
- Water hardness: 5 to 19 dKH
PREPARING YOUR TANK
This is where things can get a bit tricky.
It is important that you spend some extra time planning the habitat of your Bubble Eyes Goldfish. As we mentioned earlier, the fluid-filled sacs under your eyes are very delicate.
You need to make sure your tank does not have any rough elements or uneven surfaces that could break or burst.
Starting at the bottom, use medium-sized plain gravel as a substrate. Make sure the gravel is relatively smooth. These fish often forage for food on the bottom of the tank (although they are not the classic bottom feeders), so the sacks may touch the substrate from time to time.
You can decorate the tank with smooth stones and plastic decorations. Stick to items that are completely soft to the touch. We recommend running your finger along the edges to test for potential spots.
You can implement some live plants like Anacharis or Java Fern. They are excellent for oxygenating the water. However, these fish are notorious for eating and uprooting plants, so be careful.
Artificial plants are a great alternative. However, be sure to use synthetic silk plants instead of plastic ones. Plastic plants are known to be very rough and spiky.
Lastly, you’ll need to think about the type of filtration you plan to use.
Filtration is another thing to consider. Many Bubble Eye Goldfish owners have reported that these fish are sucked in by powerful filter intake valves. In most of those cases, it has caused damage to the eye sacs.
If you plan to use a powerful canister filter (such as the fluval FX4), equip it with some foam to prevent damage.
Better yet, use an under gravel system if you can. This is actually the preferred filtration method for Bubble Eyes Goldfish.
This type of filter sits under the gravel and works to remove debris from the substrate. Gravel and decoration will be placed on top of the filter as usual. Therefore, there are no exposed dangerous components that could harm your fish.
POSSIBLE COMMON DISEASES
Bubble Eye Goldfish are susceptible to the same diseases as other freshwater fish. This includes things like Ich, Dropsy, Swim Bladder Disease, Skin Flukes, and more. While not common, they can even start to turn white (and sometimes black) when affected.
Most of these conditions can be easily prevented by staying aware of water conditions. If one of your goldfish experiences an illness, you can quarantine them for treatment and prevent them from spreading throughout the ecosystem.
One possible unique problem with Bubble Eyes Goldfish is that their risk of bacterial infections is significantly increased if their sacs break.
The inner lining of the sac is sensitive, so when it is exposed to water, it may become infected. This is why it is so important to make sure there are no objects in your tank that could cause injury.
FOOD AND DIET
Bubble Eye Goldfish are omnivores that will eat just about anything. They do well with high quality flakes.We recommend sinking pellets instead of floating flakes, as these fish are known to take in a lot of air when they eat.
You can also provide daphnia, bloodworms, tubifex worms, or brine shrimp. They do well with some protein.
These fish are also scavengers and love to search for small things to eat in the aquarium. You can appeal to that behavior by leaving some fruits and vegetables in the tank as well.
When feeding your Bubble Eyes Goldfish, give them a little more time to eat than normal. These are not powerful swimmers, which means they cannot gobble up food instantly like other fish.
Author’s Note: Feed them several times a day to ensure they are getting all the nutrients they need. Two to four times a day is ideal if your schedule can handle it. You can get more details by reading this guide.
BEHAVIOR AND TEMPERAMENT
When it comes to temperament, Bubble Eyes Goldfish are one of the most laid back fish you can have. They get along with all other peaceful species. They won’t even attack snails.
Throughout the day, your fish will swim around the tank looking for food. They will go to the bottom area of the tank, swim through the plant leaves and explore their habitat.
Don’t expect to see these fish darting all over the tank. Thanks to their unique shape, large eye bubbles, and lack of a dorsal fin, they are relatively slow.
GOLDFISH Bubble Eyes TANK MATES
Finding suitable tankmates for Bubble Eyes Goldfish is not easy. There are many reasons for this. First, their eye sacs are easily damaged by aggressive fish or even playful species.
Second, their slow swimming makes it difficult for them to eat regularly. Fast-swimming fish will compete for food, leaving nothing for the Bubble-Eyes Goldfish.
They do very well in groups of the same species. But if you are planning to create a community tank, stick with fish that have a similar handicap to the Bubble Eyes Goldfish. Here are some good tankmates to consider.
- goldfish telescope
- heavenly goldfish
- black moors
- lion head goldfish
Author’s Note: Consider combining this fish with freshwater aquarium snails. As long as your Bubble Eyes feed regularly, it should ignore most types of snails.
BREEDING
Bubble Eye Goldfish are very eager to breed if conditions are right. They can be bred in large groups, which eliminates the need to worry about distinguishing the sex.
Many breeders will create a separate tank that they can use to raise the fry. These fish will almost immediately try to eat your eggs, so having a separate tank is always a good idea. Fill the tank with soft plants or brood mops for the eggs to attach to.
To start the spawning process, bring the breeding tank temperature to about 60 degrees. Then slowly heat it about 3 degrees every day. Around 68 to 74 degrees, the males will begin to chase the females.
Then it will spin and release eggs. Then the male will quickly fertilize them. The eggs will stick to plants or the brood mop.
The process can take several hours. Depending on how many fish you have in the group, you could end up with thousands of eggs.
After all of your fish have spawned, remove them from the breeding tank. The eggs take between 4 and 7 days to hatch. The fry will generally be a dark brown color, but that will change as they age.
You can feed the fry infusoria and other powdered foods until they are ready to flake. You will notice that babies do not have the iconic eye sacs. These will begin to develop around 6 months of age.
ENDING
As you can see, there is more to Bubble Eye Goldfish care than meets the eye. Due to its unique characteristics, you need to be very careful when it comes to setting up its habitat.
If you’re up for the challenge and committed to following care guidelines to the letter, we highly recommend this species. They are some of the most unique looking freshwater fish you can find.
Watching them move is fascinating and will give you a chance to see their personalities emerge over time.
If you have any images or information you would like to share about your Bubble Eyes Goldfish, please contact us on Facebook or through the contact page on our site. We could include it in this care guide!
