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The celestial eye goldfish is an unusual goldfish breed named for its skyward gaze. They’re cute and unique fish that are more difficult to care for than many other goldfish breeds, making them unsuitable for every home and goldfish tank. Special considerations must be applied to these delicate fish to allow them to live a long and healthy life.
Quick Facts About Celestial Eye Goldfish
| Species Name: | Carassius auratus |
| Family: | Cyprinidae |
| Care Level: | Moderate |
| Temperature: | 65–72°F |
| Temperament: | Peaceful |
| Color Form: | Gold, white, red, bicolor |
| Lifespan: | 10–15 years |
| Size: | 5–6 inches |
| Diet: | Omnivorous |
| Minimum Tank Size: | 10 gallons |
| Tank Setup: | Freshwater |
| Compatibility: | Other fancy goldfish; peaceful tank mates not prone to fin nipping |
Celestial Eye Goldfish Overview
Celestial eye goldfish are odd goldfish, as it is evident by their appearance. They originated in Asia from the wild carp ancestors of all goldfish. This breed is believed to have originated in Japan, sometime around the end of the 1800s to the beginning of the 1900s, shortly before they made their first appearance in the U.S.
They are interesting goldfish that can add a striking look to your tank. However, their delicate eyes and long fins mean they are not suitable for tanks with rough objects and nipping tank mates. With proper care and a suitable tank environment, though, these goldfish can live for 10–15 years, so they are not as short-lived as some fancy goldfish breeds can be.
How Much Do Celestial Eye Goldfish Cost?
Like many fancy goldfish, the celestial eye will cost you more than the average feeder goldfish. You may be lucky enough to find one for as little as $10, but you’re more likely to spend $15–30 on a single fish.
On top of this, you will also likely have to pay shipping fees since these goldfish may be difficult to find in an aquarium shop. Most online retailers ship live fish overnight or have 2-day shipping, so you should expect to spend $20–50 or more on these fees alone.
Typical Behavior & Temperament
The celestial eye goldfish is a peaceful fish that shouldn’t cause any trouble in your tank. They spend most of the day scavenging for food at the bottom of the tank, but they may be spotted uprooting or eating plants.
Some celestial eye goldfish may interact with people when they notice them, especially the person who feeds them. They may show excitement by swimming back and forth or approaching the wall of the tank in anticipation of food.
Appearance & Varieties
The appearance of the celestial eye goldfish is distinct due to their telescope eyes that face upward. These are similar in appearance and shape to those of the bubble-eye goldfish, but the major difference is the orientation of the eyes.
Their body is an elongated egg shape, and they lack a dorsal fin. They have a fan-shaped tail that can vary from half to the full length of the fish. They are generally only found in gold, white, or red but may also be orange and white or red and white.
How to Take Care of Celestial Eye Goldfish
Habitat, Tank Conditions & Setup
Tank Size
Goldfish tend to be high waste producers, so many people believe that they need a large tank. Celestial eye goldfish stay small enough to happily live in a 10–20-gallon tank with proper filtration. If adequate filtration or a commitment to water changes multiple times per month is difficult for you, it’s best to invest in a 20–40-gallon tank or larger for celestial eye goldfish.
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Water Quality & Conditions
Goldfish require high water quality with no ammonia or nitrites. The latter are a normal part of the nitrogen cycle, but most people aim to keep their nitrate levels below 20–40 ppm. The pH is best kept around neutral, with these fish thriving in a range from 6.0 to 8.0. They prefer water temperatures between 65°F and 72°F but can do well in water as cool as 60°F and as warm as 75°F.
Substrate
There are a lot of schools of thought regarding the best substrate for goldfish. For celestial eye goldfish, you should avoid any substrate with sharp edges that may cause injuries to the eyes, like rocks, and substrate that is small enough to be consumed but large enough to be lodged in the mouth, like gravel.
Some people prefer bare-bottom tanks for goldfish because of the ease of cleanup and safety of the fish. Sand and other fine, soft substrates are ideal for goldfish and allow you to plant plants in the tank. Large, smooth rocks, like river rocks, are also good options, though they can be difficult to clean around.
Plants
Goldfish are prone to eating plants in their tank, and celestial eye goldfish are no different. Plants that can be attached to surfaces, like Java ferns, are best. Other suitable plants that aren’t likely to be eaten include water sprite and hornwort, both of which can be planted in substrate or allowed to float.
Lighting
Celestial eye goldfish do not have specific lighting needs outside of normal day/night lighting. This can be achieved with a tank light or natural lighting in the room. However, they can be sensitive to bright lighting since their eyes face upward. To protect their sensitive eyes, you should try to prevent your direct tank lamp from running at a high level.
Filtration
Your tank’s filtration needs will depend on its size, the number of fish in it, and the regularity with which you perform water changes. You cannot overfilter your tank, but you can underfilter it. When in doubt, go for a filter that is rated for a tank larger than yours.
Sponge filters are great additions to a goldfish tank, but they are not suitable as the only source of filtration. External, canister, and internal filters are all good options.
Are Celestial Eye Goldfish Good Tank Mates?
Due to their peaceful nature, celestial eye goldfish can be great tank mates in the right aquarium. However, it’s important to pair them with other peaceful fish that will not nip at their fins or eyes. They tend to be slow swimmers, so their ideal tank mates are also slow-swimming fish that will not outcompete them for food.
Make sure to quarantine new goldfish before adding them to your tank. The general recommendation is to quarantine your new fish for 4–8 weeks before adding them to your aquarium population to prevent the spread of disease. Once introduced to the general population, keep a close eye on things to ensure that no bullying is occurring. Celestial eye goldfish are unlikely to be bullies, but they can easily be injured by others.
What to Feed Your Celestial Eye Goldfish
Celestial eye goldfish are omnivores that should be fed a high-quality diet. It’s recommended that they be fed pellets, as these tend to be of higher quality than flake foods, though this is not always the case. Fancy goldfish food is likely to meet their nutritional needs.
A varied diet is a good way to ensure that your fish’s nutritional needs are met and provide enrichment to their environment. Many fruits and veggies are safe for goldfish, including lettuce, spinach, green beans, bananas, and squashes. You can also offer frozen and gel foods to provide more variety.
Keeping Your Celestial Eye Goldfish Healthy
The best ways to keep your celestial eye goldfish healthy are to provide good water quality and a safe environment. These fish are prone to injuries due to the exposed nature of their eyes, and they can easily lose an eye due to an injury caused by tank décor or a tank mate. Ensure that your celestial eye is not being bullied, and remove anything pointy or sharp. Even objects with a dull point can injure or remove an eye.
Maintain high water quality with adequate filtration, and perform routine water changes to help keep your celestial eye goldfish healthy. Test your water regularly, even after the tank is fully cycled, to ensure that it’s being properly maintained and managing the waste in the tank.
Breeding
Breeding celestial eye goldfish is not any more difficult than breeding any other type of goldfish. By keeping a male and female together, you are likely to have the fish attempt to spawn at some point. To stimulate spawning, you can slowly increase the tank’s water temperature by a few degrees. This can simulate the natural temperature change that would lead to spawning in the wild, when the water begins to warm in the spring.
Once the fish spawn, you will see the eggs in the tank. A spawning mop or plants can be used to make the eggs easier to find and retrieve. By moving the eggs to a separate tank or a breeder box, you will keep them safe from being consumed by the parents or their tank mates.
Are Celestial Eye Goldfish Suitable for Your Aquarium?
The celestial eye goldfish is fascinating but not suitable for all aquariums. They are easily injured by rough tank mates and pointed objects, and they may even lose an eye in the wrong environment. They can live a long, full life with the right care, though.
They may cost more than the average goldfish, but they are far from the most expensive breed. However, a celestial eye goldfish is a commitment of time and money to provide a proper environment to ensure that they are happy and healthy for as long as possible.
Conclusion
We hope that this guide has given you some insight into the celestial eye goldfish. These are incredible fish to own and can make wonderful additions to a home aquarium. As with any pet, just ensure that you have the right environment and time to tend to them.
Featured Image Credit: Dan Olsen, Shutterstock
