18 Rare & Expensive Goldfish (With Pictures)

Goldfish can make great, low-maintenance pets that look stunning, require very little work, and they're readily available in most areas. Even most “pet-resistant” landlords will allow a fish tank. Goldfish can also offer an affordable way to keep pets. But that is not true of all varieties, with some unique examples of especially rare goldfish having sold for several thousand dollars and some rare species regularly fetching a few hundred dollars a time. Generally, the most expensive breeds are those that grow large, have beautiful adornments and colors, and are rare and difficult to find.

Below we have listed 18 of the rarest and most expensive goldfish species for the aquarium owner looking to really spice up their collection.

The 18 Rare & Expensive Goldfish

1. Tosakin

Tosakins have plump bodies and long, beautiful fins. They are typically only found in Japan although a small number can be found in the U.S. It is this rarity that means they can cost as much as $300 or more to buy, although they will cost less in Japan.

2. Giant Oranda

As well as rarity, factors that can influence the price of a goldfish include the size they grow to and their lifespan. The Giant Oranda can live as long as 20 years and grow up to 18 inches. As well as pushing up the price of the fish itself, the size of this species means that you will need a sizeable aquarium to house it.

3. Red Cap Oranda

With a lifespan of 15 years and a maximum length of around a foot, the Red Cap Oranda is certainly no small fish, and it is its unique look that makes this fish stand out. Its white body is offset by a bubbled red head. A healthy, decent-quality Red Cap will cost around $150, although you can pay double this for a top-quality example.

4. Red and White Short-Tail Ryukin Goldfish

Growing to 8 inches and living 10 years, the Red and White Short-Tail Ryukin Goldfish is not especially big or long-lived but its short body and red and white colors make it popular with collectors. It is considered an easy fish to care for, so is ideal for those starting out and looking for a rare fish centerpiece for their tank.

5. Panda Oranda

The Panda Oranda is another relatively small goldfish, at least compared to others near the top of this list. It grows to around 9 inches long but it still stands out in a collection thanks to its black and white panda-like markings. It is a good choice for a variety of water conditions and types and is known to be a hardy fish.

6. Ryukin

The Ryukin is an elegant fish with long fins. Some common examples can be picked up for relatively small amounts of money, but better examples cost upwards of $100 and will grow to approximately 10 inches while living for 20 years. It is a beautiful-looking fish and is another species that is thought of as hardy.

7. Giant Thai Lionchu

The Giant Thai Lionchu is a peculiar-looking goldfish so while it only grows to approximately 6 inches in length, it makes a bold addition to a tank thanks to its overall size. It combines the Ranchu and the Lionhead to create the Lionchu.

8. Red Oranda

The Red Oranda might look quite plain compared to the Panda and the Red-Capped Oranda, but its deep red color makes it an appealing species. It can be kept by beginners, as well as more experienced goldfish keepers, and will live approximately 15 years with the right conditions.

9. Butterfly Tail

The Butterfly Tail’s most obvious feature is its incredible tail, which really does look like a butterfly when viewed from above. This species can be tricky to care for, but the fish is beautiful to look at and is a peaceful addition to most tanks.

10. Shubunkin

The Shubunkin is quite a common find in a lot of tanks. It comes in a great variety of colors which makes it fun trying to find the ones that you like the best. You can pick them up cheaper, especially when they are young, but you should expect to pay around $75 for a particularly good-looking example.

11. Panda Ranchu

The Panda Ranchu is another that gets its name from the distinctive black and white colorings. It also has an unusual body shape which only serves to make the face of the fish look even more like a Panda. These black and white fish can look especially effective in a school of brightly colored fish, where it provides contrast.

12. Panda Moor

The Panda Moor is more black and pink than it is black and white but it does have more than a passing resemblance to the giant black and white mammal. The Moor is easy to care for and adds contrast to a tank full of gold and brightly colored fish.

13. Chocolate Pompom

The Chocolate Pompom gets its name from its color and its shape. It has a chocolate brown body and a pompom-shaped wen, which is the name given to the growth at the front of the head. The fish is resistant to disease but can be difficult to spot in some setups thanks to its body color.

14. Pearlscale

The Pearlscale Goldfish is quite unusual because it has prominent scales that are made of calcium carbonate. The large scales are pearl shaped, giving this orange-and-white fish its name. Give this species a big tank and it can live 10 years while being really easy to care for.

15. Fantail Goldfish

If you are into beautiful, elegant fins and want a fish that is easy to care for and will live as long as 10 years, the Fantail Goldfish is a good choice. It is also at the cheaper end of prices for fish on this list, costing around $40 each. And, because it grows to around 7 inches, it can be kept in a smaller setup.

16. Lionhead

The Lionhead has a large, prominent wen, that's said to resemble the mane of a lion. Resistant to disease and hardy, this species will live up to 10 years and is considered a good choice for beginner fishkeepers as well as those with more experience.

17. Ranchu

The Ranchu has a round body and comes in a wide array of colors, although red is the most commonly seen. The fish is relatively easy to care for so is suitable for beginners, and its $25 price tag means it is a real bargain for those that are hunting for unusual and rare breeds on a budget.

18. Black Telescope

Black scales are caused by a recessive gene, which occurs rarely, and the Black Telescope has been created by careful breeding across generations of the fish. It is this dedication that has led to the $25 price tag for this fish, although that actually puts it at the bottom of our list of expensive goldfish breeds.

Conclusion

Goldfish are a great hobby. They don't require too much care and through careful selection, you can develop a stunning-looking collection in a beautiful tank. While goldfish can cost a few bucks each, there are some species, such as the 18 above, that will stretch your budget further but that also provide greater variety in your tank.

While rarity is the factor most likely to push the price of a goldfish variety up, factors like the size of the fish and any unusual markings also make a difference. So, too, does the expected lifespan of the fish.

Featured Image Credit: JuanCarlosPalauDiaz, Shutterstock