Fantail (Metallic and Calico, English, Japanese and American)
Origin
The Fantail is generally thought to be Japanese in origin. It is a cross between the Wakin and the Ryukin. In the 1940’s the English have promoted improvements to Fantails, making them stockier. In North America, a small group of people breed these hardy specimens. In the United States these fish are commercially bred. Some of the more vigorous fish in North America are short tailed offspring of Veiltail crosses.
© Merlin Cunliffe 2016, Fantail
Breed Development
The fantail is fairly common starting point for aquarium hobbyist in North America. It is available in metallic and calico forms. The metallic form as shown below is most common but they do occasionally come to the market in blue, chocolate and yellow.
Fantails have these features;
Matched pectoral, caudal and anal fins.
Dorsal fin is smooth with a prominent lead fin ray on most fish.
Height of dorsal fin is about 50% the body depth.
Tail is lobed and 1/3 to ½ the body length.
Nariel flares are sometimes present.
The is no hump, but a slight rise in the back.
No headgrowth or wen is acceptable.
Peduncle is thick.
Judging is based on a 100-point scale.Color20Fins20Body and face20Condition20Deportment20100
ColorMetallic must be shiny and bright,
Calicoes much be at least two colors and some speckling is preferred.20Metallic colors are faded, calico fish have white over 50% of the body15Fin color is not matched15
FinsFins are matched and and have no splits20Fins do not match0-5Only one anal fin10
Body and FaceBody has in line scaling and is deep, about 2/3 to ¾ the length, head is slightly rounded20Head has head growth0-10Fish is too thin or too fat.10
Condition
Fish must be an active swimmer, body sitting or head standing deduct up to 20 points based on severity.
Deportment
Fish must not lean to one side. When at rest, dorsal fin must be at rest, deduction up to 20 points judge’s decision.