Characteristics of Tosakin and how to keep it

The Tosa goldfish is a representative domestic goldfish produced in Kochi Prefecture and is a natural treasure of Kochi Prefecture. Its most distinctive feature is its uniquely shaped tail fins. In this article, we would like to explain in detail the characteristics of the Tosakin and how to keep it.

What is Tosakin?

Tosa gold is,This goldfish was created by crossing the Osaka Ranchu with the Ryukin. And the Tosa goldfish is also a natural treasure of Kochi Prefecture.The body shape is similar to that of the Ryukin, but the tip of the tail fin faces backward in the normal Ryukin, while in the Tosakin the tip of the tail fin faces toward the head. Therefore, compared to the Ryukin, the Tosakin has a more open tail fin structure, giving it the greatest presence among Ryukin-type goldfish. The Tosakin, as its name suggests, is a representative of pure domestic goldfish produced in Kochi Prefecture. Tosakin is sometimes referred to as "Tosa Nishikigyo (Tosa brocade fish)" by enthusiasts and goldfish fairs. In this website, we use the name "Tosa Kin" to unify the two.

Origin of Tosakin

Tosa gold was produced around 1845 by Kametaro Suga, the eldest son of Katsusaburo Suga of the Suga family in Kochi, after much breeding.Mr. Kametaro Suga crossed the narrow-mouthed Osaka Ranchu with the Ryukin with its strong tail fins. This can be seen from the characteristics of the Osaka Ranchu, which has a flattened three-tailed tail, the common loss of the dorsal fin during the breeding process of the Tosakin, and the similarity of the Tosakin's body characteristics to those of the Ryukin.Tosa gold has been in danger of extinction. During World War II, the number of Tosa gold breeders decreased drastically due to the hardships of living caused by the war. Then, in July 1945, there was a major air raid in Kochi. The Nankai Earthquake of 1946 followed, and it was thought that Tosakin had become extinct. However, Mr. Hiroe Tamura, a friend of Mr. Kametaro Suga, discovered a total of six Tosa gold pieces: two three-year-old Tosa gold pieces and four two-year-old Tosa gold pieces. The present Tosakin are descendants of these six.

How to enjoy Tosakin

The best way to enjoy Tosa goldfish is to appreciate the beauty of their distinctive tail fins (sleigh tail). To enjoy the sleek tail, it is recommended to view it from above in a bowl or other container (top view) rather than from the side (side view) in an aquarium or other container.The characteristic of a sleigh tail is that the tip of the tail is aligned with the head. Therefore, by looking at them from the top, you can compare the characteristics of the tail of each individual fish in detail, and you can also check the angle at which the tail is aligned from left to right. When viewing from the side, it is the best way to compare Tosa goldenseal's tail by mixing them with regular Ryukinas.

Points to keep in mind when mixing swimmers

When mixing goldfish with other goldfish and other species, there is sometimes uncertainty as to what species is good and what species is not. First,There is no general prohibition against this or that when mixing goldfish with other species.Therefore, depending on the personality and environment of the goldfish you keep, even species that are said to be bad for each other may get along well with each other. However, there is also the matter of compatibility between goldfish. If you put incompatible goldfish together, there is a high possibility that they will fight or that only one of them will monopolize the food. However, as explained in the beginning, there is no prohibition for goldfish, so if you want to mix them, it may be OK to do so. Now, let us explain which goldfish are compatible with Japanese goldfish and which are not.

Compatible goldfish

The goldfish that are most compatible with Tosakin are Ryukin-type goldfish such as Ryukin and Demekin.Ryukin-type goldfish are characterized by their tail fins, so it is a pleasure to mix various species and compare their tail fins.
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About Ryukyu Mold

Incompatible goldfish

Goldfish that are incompatible with Tosa goldfish are Japanese goldfish of the Wagane type, such as Wakin (Japanese goldfish) and Comet.Many Japanese goldfish are agile and grow large in a short period of time. If they are mixed with Japanese goldfish, please be aware that the Tosakin may be eaten by other Japanese goldfish, such as food, and the difference in body size may cause them to move apart.
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Points to keep in mind when keeping Tosakin

The Tosakin is one of the most difficult goldfish to keep. Its digestive system is weaker than that of other goldfish, and its special tail fin (sled tail) makes it a poor swimmer, making it a difficult goldfish to keep. The most important thing to keep in mind is to keep them in a sunny place. The Tosakin is born in Kochi Prefecture, which is known as one of the prefectures with the highest percentage of sunny days. It is better to keep Tosa goldfish in a round pot such as a water lily bowl than in an aquarium tank.The aquarium is rectangular in shape when viewed from above. This makes it difficult for water to flow in a certain direction due to the water hitting the four corners, which is a very inconvenient environment for Tosakin, which are not good swimmers. When raising Tosakin fry, it is better to keep them in a round pot. When keeping fry in an aquarium, the tail fins tend to be unevenly shaped as they grow up. However, it is possible to keep non-fry Tosakin (two-year-old and three-year-old fish) in an aquarium as long as you are careful with the water flow. Tosakin is one of the most difficult species of goldfish to keep, but recently they are becoming more and more common outside of Kochi Prefecture. If you have a chance to see one, please enjoy its unique beauty.