Shubunkin goldfish are omnivores. A good staple goldfish pellet or flake, plus fresh vegetables and an occasional protein treat, covers what they need. Feed small amounts once or twice a day and take away anything they do not finish.
The best staple food
Shubunkins are a single-tail goldfish bred from common goldfish, and they have the same basic needs. Use a high-quality goldfish food as the main diet. Sinking pellets or pellets that you soak for a minute first are a good choice, because goldfish that gulp air at the surface while eating floating flakes can end up with swim bladder trouble. Look for a food made for goldfish, since it has less protein and more plant matter than tropical fish food.
Vegetables and greens
Give vegetables a few times a week:
- Peas with the skin removed (cooked and cooled)
- Blanched spinach, romaine or lettuce
- Cooked zucchini or cucumber slices
- Duckweed or other safe aquatic plants in a pond
Cut everything small and remove leftovers after a few hours.
Protein treats
Once or twice a week, offer frozen or freeze-dried bloodworms, brine shrimp or daphnia. In a pond, shubunkins also pick at insects and larvae. Treats are extras, not the main meal. Too much rich food leads to constipation and dirty water.
How much and how often
- Feed only what your fish finish in about two minutes.
- Most adult shubunkins do well with one or two small feedings a day.
- In an outdoor pond, feed less as the water cools. Below roughly 60°F (15°C) switch to a wheat germ based food, and stop feeding when the water stays near 50°F (10°C) or colder. See when to stop feeding goldfish in outdoor ponds for more.
- Goldfish have no true stomach, so they never feel full and will beg. Overfeeding is the most common mistake.
What not to feed
- Bread, crackers or human snacks
- Tropical flakes as a daily food, which are too rich in protein
- Large amounts of live food from unknown sources, which can bring in parasites
Tank and pond basics that affect feeding
Shubunkins can reach 10 to 12 inches and make a lot of waste. In an aquarium they need a large tank (at least 30 gallons for the first fish is a common guideline) and strong filtration, and a pond suits them even better. Small tank mates such as shrimp and snails may end up as snacks, so keep that in mind. For more on color and pellet choices, see our guide to food for comet goldfish, which have very similar needs.
Bottom line
A goldfish pellet staple, vegetables a few times a week and a small protein treat now and then keeps a shubunkin healthy and colorful. Feed less, not more, and keep the water clean.
This is general information. If your fish stops eating or looks sick, ask an aquatic veterinarian.
