Bubble Eye

{{Short description|Breed of goldfish}} {{Infobox goldfish breed | name = Bubble Eye Goldfish | image = Extra flotation devices.jpg | country = China | type = Bubble eye | bas = https://www.goldfish-types.info/goldfish-types/bubble_eye/bubble_eye.htm }}

The '''Bubble Eye''' is a small variety of fancy goldfish with upward-pointing eyes that are accompanied by two large fluid-filled sacs. It is a dorsal-less fish{{snd}}good specimens will have a clean back and eye bubbles that match in color and size. Their bubbles are quite delicate, so the fish should be kept separately from boisterous types, as well as sharp tank decor. Although the bubbles will regrow if punctured, an injury could leave the fish prone to infections. The bubbles can disadvantage the fish as it is not a strong swimmer, with a seemingly low bobbing head at times; bubbles are infamous for being sucked into filters and siphons in an aquarium.<ref name="Johnson">"Fancy Goldfish: A Complete Guide to Care and Collecting" by Dr. Erik L. Johnson, D.V.M. and Richard E. Hess, Weatherhill, Shambala Publications, Inc., 2006 - {{ISBN|0-8348-0448-4}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hagen.com/usa/aquatic/more.cfm |title=Nutrafin Aquatic News: Goldfishes, Issue #4, 2004, Rolf C. Hagen (U.S.A,) Inc. and Rolf C. Hagen Corp.(Montreal, Canada) |access-date=2007-05-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111121090523/http://hagen.com/usa/aquatic/more.cfm |archive-date=2011-11-21 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Description == thumb|A bubble eye goldfish (with a dorsal fin) seen from the top The Bubble Eye normally has an evenly curved back that lacks a dorsal fin. The pair of large pouches of skin attached under its eyes jiggle as it swims.<ref name="Johnson"/> Bubble Eyes have metallic scales, and they are similar to the celestial eye goldfish.<ref name="Andrews">"An Interpret Guide to Fancy Goldfish" by Dr. Chris Andrews, Interpret Publishing, 2002. - {{ISBN|1-902389-64-6}}</ref> The eyes of the Bubble Eye goldfish are normal in the young fry but will start to develop eye bladders three months after hatching.<ref name="Andrews"/> Like ranchu, the bubble eye goldfish lacks a dorsal fin and has a double tail.<ref>"The Goldfish Guide" by Yoshichi Matsui and Herbert Axelrod, 1991.</ref> They normally grow up to 3 to 4 inches in length. If one of their "Bubbles" pop due to pressure or collision with a sharp object, there is a risk of infection where the inside of the sac has been exposed.<ref name="petcaretips.net">[http://petcaretips.net/bubble-eye-goldfish.html Free Information Keeping Bubble Eye Goldfish]</ref>

== Variants == The precursor to the Bubble Eye, known as the '''Toadhead''' or hama-tou, had upturned eyes and very small, bladder-like sacs.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.solidgoldfish.com/2013/01/goldfish-varieties-standards.html |title=Goldfish variants |access-date=2017-10-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007021323/http://www.solidgoldfish.com/2013/01/goldfish-varieties-standards.html |archive-date=2017-10-07 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xWUf2IxQqpQC&q=toadhead%20goldfish&pg=PA64|title=Goldfish Varieties and Genetics: Handbook for Breeders|last=Smartt|first=Joseph|date=2008-04-15|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=9780470999783|language=en}}</ref> Through selective breeding, the bubble eye is currently available with either a long or more rounded body and the choice between matte, metallic or nacreous scales.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.solidgoldfish.com/2013/01/goldfish-varieties-standards.html |title=Solid goldfish |access-date=2017-10-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007021323/http://www.solidgoldfish.com/2013/01/goldfish-varieties-standards.html |archive-date=2017-10-07 |url-status=dead }}</ref> A recent development of the bubble eye has four eye sacs rather than the usual two.<ref>[https://www.buzzfeed.com/ashleybaccam/20-funny-pictures-of-bubble-eye-goldfish See photo number 6]</ref> Desirable colors for these fish include red, calico, orange, red and white, and the rare black.<ref>[https://puregoldfish.com/types/ Pure Goldfish types]</ref>

== Care == Due to the delicate eye sacs, enthusiasts must ensure that their bubble eye is kept in aquariums free from sharp objects. Due to the fish's visual impairment, it is recommended that they are kept with other bubble eyes, black moors, demekins and celestial goldfish to ensure fair competition for food.<ref>"Goldfish", by Paul Paradise. 1979.</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Bubble Eye Goldfish Comprehensive Care Guide |date=21 April 2021 |url=https://tankquarium.com/bubble-eye-goldfish/|publisher=Tankquarium}}</ref>

==Medical uses== Researchers in Japan have theorized that the liquid in the bubble eye's sacs could be a stimulant to cell growth.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite journal|last1=Sawatari |title=Cell growth promoting activity from the eyes of the bubble eye |journal=Zoological Science |volume=26 |issue=4 |pages=254–8 |pmid=19798918 |year=2009 |doi=10.2108/zsj.26.254 |s2cid=21952691 }}</ref> Due to the eye sac's ability to quickly regenerate and refill itself, scientists can milk the same fish every few months with a syringe.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="Japan Times">{{cite web |title=Japanese goldfish experts explore use of bubble eye in medicine |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/10/11/national/japanese-goldfish-experts-explore-use-bubble-eyes-medicine/#.W4qbfehKjIU |website=Japan Times |date=11 October 2016 |accessdate=1 September 2018}}</ref>

== See also == {{Main|Goldfish}} *Celestial Eye *Telescope (goldfish)

== References == <references/>

== External links == * [https://www.goldfish-types.info/goldfish-types/bubble_eye/bubble_eye.htm Bristol Aquarist's Society] - Describes the appearance of the standard, show-quality Bubble Eye * [https://web.archive.org/web/20050408090743/http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/ponds/Wilkinson_2Goldfish.html Goldfish, Part 2] - An excellent article on keeping Bubble Eyes, as well as fancy goldfish in general * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OAE0m2mePM Happy bubble fish video!] - A video showing some Bubble Eye fish in action. * [http://www.samurai-goldfish.net/kingyocatalog/suihougan.html Varieties of Goldfish] - About Bubble Eye