The toughest of them all?

[HNLim]

What variety of goldfish in your view is the most difficult to keep and groom well?

[bekko]

TVR, because they have the most exacting standards. They are easy to keep alive, but difficult to breed and groom to the ideal body shape.

Bubble-Eye, because the bubbles are so delicate and prone to both mechanical damage and infection.

Pearlscale, because the best of them (golf ball shape) have a high degree of inherent genetic weakness.

-steve

[small_ranchu]

Tosakin? I guess since it requires special tank w/ no filter

[flaringshutter]

I would think tosakin as well, because of the tank requirements. Or bubble-eye.

[Fishdork]

I agree with previous posts. I'd add that I think of Pearls and Bubbles as the least cold tolerant. Tosas voted most likely to float upside down. I can't remember having any really old Orandas (7 yrs.+). They seem sensitive to poor water quality (O2 & nitrates) and cold.
Based mostly on Gary's experience, Jikins seem hard to induce spawning, then have very high cull rate and most likely to fall over dead as a group due to parasites.

Most expensive varieties are that way for a reason. I no longer dream of getting rich quick off a single pair of Jikins.

Norm

[bekko]

There is nothing wrong with filtration on a Tosakin tank if it does not create a current. For the tail to develop properly, they do need shallow water when young. And, you would not want to mix tosa with other varieties. They are whimps and will be bullied. There are goldfish for ponds, there are goldfish for aquaria, then there are tosakin.

There is a lot of variability in oranda - even within coherts. The trend is towards the short-body form like NHLim's prize specimen. The long-body form is considered primitive. However, the long-body form will live longer, grow larger and rarely has swim bladder issues. In a water garden they will easily reach twelve inches. But, with that said, I don't think any oranda looks good for the top view.

That's the truth Norm. Expensive varieties are expensive for a reason.

-steve