Pearlscale
Origin
The Pearlscales continue to be very popular. One is more fantail in shape, one is much like an orange or ping pong ball in shape and the third is an Oranda / Crown Pearlscale (Hamanishiki). This unique scale type and modified chest size was developed in China. The recessive trait is in both nacreous and metallic fish in a variety of colors. While common with importers, there are very few line breeders in North America. Presently the ping pong ball shape is currently most common.
© Merlin Cunliffe 2016, Fantail/Broadtail Variety
© Merlin Cunliffe 2016, Crown Pearlscale
Breed Development
These fish are best described as a large chested fish with a unique pearl colored raised scale. The breed includes fish with and without a wen. Fish with a developed wen are called a Crown Pearlscale. The wen is uniquely different than Orandas as it is typically one or two lobes. Some exhibitors put these into the Oranda class, body shape of a Crown Pearlscale is rounder and shorter than an Oranda. This is acceptable and some people also exhibit in the Pearlscale and Oranda class concurrently.
Pearlscales have more than one tail type available, the classic scalloped tail as a Oranda or Fantail and also the Broadtail.
Maximum points awards are as follows;Fin development and shape20Body Shape20Scales30Fin and body color10Overall Condition10Deportment10100
Fin Development and ShapeFins are all matched and has two anal fins20Fins are all matched and has one anal fin15Fins are all matched and has no anal finsDisqualified
Body ShapeBody is 2/3 the body length. Ping Pong variety has a ratio of depth to length ration of 0.9 to 1.20Body shape (length) is disproportionally long10-15Body so short fish fails to swim properly1-15
Scales Unique Pearlscale covers the entire body surface, and scales are perfectly aligned.30A few scales Pearlscales are missing20-25Scales are irregular in large areas, or missing0-15
Fin and body color*Fin and body colors are intense and not muddy, fins may have color or be clear, but should consistent10Fin and body color is faded or even muddy1-10Body color is not shiny but more like a satin finish1-10
*Prominent colors are red, orange white, while black, blue and bronze do exist.
Overall ConditionFish has balance and swims correctly, not bottom sitting10Fish has balance and swims correctly, but bottom sitting1-10Fish lists to one side1-3
DeportmentFish exhibits balance while oaring with pectoral fins10Fish is head up or Head down when resting1-6Fish lists to one side when stationary1-6
Crown Pearlscales have a wen that is comprised of one or two lobes. Wens that are more like Orandas are not allowed.