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The Pearlscale
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| Messageboard _ Goldfish Breeding> Goldfish Of The Month December: |
| Posted by: Ranchugirl Dec 2 2004, 11:14 AM |
History
The pearlscale's first mentioning happened around the 1900s, and he is not considered one of the "normal" goldfish. A bit extravagant, his distinctive scales are worth a second glance. Although because of this feature some people might call him a "freak of nature". However, in my case, he is one of my favorite fish.
Features
The pearlscale is the only goldfish variety with differently shaped scales, which have a hard raised area in the center of each scale, usually white, which gives them the appearance of a pearl, hence the name. The pearlscale is a very plump and roundbodied fish (therefore being nicknamed "Golfball" sometimes), with all the finnage being in pairs, except of course for the dorsal fin.The body depth should be greater than 2/3 of the body length, the caudal fin should be evenly forked and divided. A webbed tail is not very desirable.
Varieties and colors
Pearlscales are one of those goldfish varieties that come in all kinds of colors - red, red/white, calico, blue, black, even in chocolate. There are two major groups of pearlscales - with and without headgrowth. Yes, a pearlscale can have headgrowth, and in this case its called a Hamanishiki. The most desired headgrowth should be all in one piece, round and even, with no little growth behind the dominant headgrowth. This is very hard to achive, and most commonly hamanishiki have a flaw in their headgrowth one way or the other. A crowned pearlscale with the perfect wen is highly desirable and priced accordingly.
(Courtesy of http://dandyorandas.com/)
Food
Belonging into the group of goldfish, there is only one thing to say when it comes to food - if it fits into his mouth, it will be eaten. There is however one thing that needs to be looked at before feeding a pearlscale - his body shape. Being extremely round and plump, one can only imagine how cramped his internal organs are, and therefore precautions need to be taken when feeding the pearlscale. If fed unsoaked pellets and flakes, the dry food will soak up water from the intestines and will expand inside the fish, which can be a very dangerous thing when feeding like this is practiced on a regular basis. Expanding food will cause pressure on the surrounding organs, and over time causes damage to the swim bladder, exposing the pearlscale to constipation and swim bladder problems down the road.
So, go ahead folks, and soak those pellets and flakes, and otherwise feed the fish a variety of other foods as well - frozen food like brine shrimp, bloodworms, daphnia, as well as a variety of vegetable like lettuce, cucumber, thawed and deshelled peas. The latter one is an excellent remedy for mild cases of constipation, and should be in a pearlscale diet at least once a week.
Housing
Well, what can I say - it's a goldfish. Big and messy, 10 gl is the absolute minimum a pearlscale should be kept. Remember, the bigger the better. He does well with most other goldfish varieties, as long as he doesn't have to compete with faster fish for his food. So, comets and shubunkins, as well as wakin, are not a good idea with pearlscales. He is a big round fish, and winning a swimming marathon is just not the first thing on his priority list.
What else is there?
Being a fish with such extraordinary scales, it should be taken care that he keeps as many of those scales as possible. Reason being, once the scale falls of due to breeding damage or sharp objects in the tank, it will not grow back to its original shape. In its place is the usual flat scale that we see on all the other goldfish breeds. So, you wonna keep those beautiful scales, watch them!
There is the precautionary statement going around that those delicate scales need more calcium in the water than the "usual" goldfish. That might or might not be a factor, all I can say is that I have kept pearlscales for quite a few years now, and don't own a calcium test kit.
So, anybody getting a golfball today?
Posted by: Fantail Dec 3 2004, 03:03 PM
I love pearlscales, although i've never had one. But i would get one if i had a bigger tank.
Posted by: jcohrs Dec 3 2004, 04:18 PM
I would love to find one! I don't know of any place in Indianapolis or Chicago that would sell them! Anybody know?
Posted by: mailboxck Dec 3 2004, 05:57 PM
Here's a pic a got from another site.
Posted by: Tanya_woz_ere Dec 4 2004, 02:43 AM
ive got a pearlscale i did have 2 but lost one to dropsy  nice info.. ill get some pictures of mine later. love your pics amy 
Posted by: MaudlinBlithe Dec 9 2004, 08:34 AM
OH!!!! I have one! I have a pearlscale!
I rescued herfrom Walmarts.... what a sick lil fish!
She is much healthier now though. she's orange and white with two black beady eyes.....
Posted by: Ranchugirl Dec 9 2004, 01:51 PM
Great fish everybody!! Mailbox, its funny to see those golfballs in with the pearlies!! 
Tanya, found some pictures of yours yet? There gotta be more pearlies out there, folks!!
Posted by: mailboxck Dec 10 2004, 02:05 AM
That pic of those pearlies with the golfballs is actually the winner in a goldfish set up contest. Those are AAA grade pearlies from singapore.
Posted by: selena685 Dec 10 2004, 02:37 AM
Here's a cute pic of one of my pearscales"Sookie":
Pearscales are one of my favourite goldfish besides ranchus 
Posted by: rosedawson318 Dec 11 2004, 01:40 PM
realy nice fish !!!!
Posted by: fugly Dec 13 2004, 06:21 AM
Oh, now i really miss my pearlscale, Fugly (see, I liked him so much I stole his name)
He was a lovely example, nice and round, with pointed face, and perfect scales, plus a nice divided tail, and a dorsal fin like a little flag. I tried to photo him so many times, but they never did him justice. he was orange and white.
They're such comdey swimmers; so fat that they waddle rather than paddle, fugly often found it easier to go backwards. He used to get stuck in the air jets too, and fired acorss the tank- when he escaped, he'd shoot me really evil looks, as if to say- you put that there on purpose- and sulk for a while, then go and do it all over again!
I don't feel up to getting any more fish- I'm too busy trying to look after what I've got left, but if and when I have the space and the inclinatuion, a pearlscale will be top of my must have list. And this time, I'll look after it better
Posted by: LaurieP Dec 22 2004, 06:34 PM
Thanks Andrea I loved learning about those little guys. They have always caught my eye, but I would think it was bloating before my eyes every time I looked at it.
Maybe someday I will break down and get one.
Love that picture from Dandyorandas.........what a wen!!!
Posted by: PearlscaleFan Jan 3 2005, 02:25 AM
I lost one to dropsy aswell Tanya 
I love pearlscales
Im gonna get my own pearlscale factory when im older!
hehehe......
Posted by: JessicaandMarshall Jan 7 2005, 08:23 PM
Thanks for the great Pearl Scale article, Andrea =o)
I have a baby pearlie named Moochie. She was under 1/2" when I bought her. I was hoping for an uncrowned Pearlscale LOL, but if you look at her closely in person, you can see what may be the beginning of a wen.
She is still very small, but has grown a lot since I've had her. I hope she is a big beautiful fat fish one day 
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