Ranchu Goldfish Care 101: Size, Lifespan, Food, Tank Mates & Tank Size
Ranchu Goldfish is one of the highly demanded fish by aquarium fish keepers. This egg-shaped, and chubby-looking Goldfish breed is a common sight in many aquariums, despite being one of the scarce Goldfish breeds available.
While this fish is generally easy to care for, proper grooming is needed to improve its top view. In addition to proper placement in an aquarium, it brings out a charming look that’s hard to go unnoticed.
This Ranchu Goldfish care guide will explore the requirements to care for this fish species. If you’re looking to add this fish to your fish tank, this will form a perfect information resource.
| Quick Facts: | |
|---|---|
| Common Names : | Ranchu Goldfish, Buffalo Head Ranchu, Korean Goldfish, Maruko, King of Goldfish |
| Origin : | Japan |
| Family : | Cyprinidae |
| Scientific Name : | Carassius auratus |
| Care Level : | Easy |
| Temperament : | Peaceful |
| Social : | Community fish |
| Diet : | Omnivores |
| Size (average) : | Up to 9 inches |
| Lifespan : | 10 - 15 years |
| Breeding : | Egg layer |
| Minimum Tank Size: | 20 gallons |
| Tank Environment : | Freshwater Sandy substrate or pebbles, Driftwood, Smooth Rocks, Silk or plastic plants, Avoid sharpy objects |
| Temperature : | 68 – 72 °F (20 – 22 °C) |
| Water Hardness : | 4 - 20 dGH |
| Water pH Level : | 6 - 8 |
Species Overview
Ranchu Goldfish is an adorable, medium-sized fish known to create a sightly look when kept in a medium-sized tank with other contrasting fish. This fish is one of the oldest but most easily recognizable Goldfish in the Aquarium fish market.
This Goldfish breed is endemic to China and Japan. They require often groomed and provided with special treatments to attain certain body proportions, especially those focused on the head region.
Due to its big-budget nature, the Ranchu Goldfish is also referred to as the king of Goldfish. The typical price of a good quality Ranchu Goldfish for sale ranges in the hundreds of dollars mark.
This fish originated from China and then was distributed to Japan, where most of the modification occurred. The art of grooming the fish, which is done to achieve certain body proportions, originated in Japan.
It is advisable to purchase your fish from an online shop where you’re more likely to get a true breed. This is even more crucial if this fish is not well distributed in your region.
While this fish will do well in a wide variety of water conditions, extreme conditions can shock it. When it comes to recommended tank size, a 20 gallons tank is enough for one adult fish in indoor conditions.
Proper care and feeding (a lot of vegetables and live foods) of this fish guarantees an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years. It can grow up to 6 to 8 inches hence the adequate tank size requirement mentioned above.
Currently, the fish is pretty hard to find, but a dedicated hobbyist can still get a true brand from a reputable online shop or breeder. Depending on the size, quality, age, and breeder of this fish, the price will range from tens to a few hundred dollars.
Ranchu Goldfish Size
Ranchu Goldfish size depends on the special treatments done to alter the various body proportions of the fish. If little is done to tone this fish’s body size, it can grow up to 8 inches.
Note that this size threshold also depends on how well you feed and generally take care of your fish.
Ranchu Goldfish Lifespan
The average Ranchu Goldfish lifespan is about 10 to 15 years. With some properly cared living up to 20 years. However, due to the rigorous breeding that this fish had gone through, its lifespan has reduced considerably to even less than 10 years.
Appearance, Colors, And Special Markings
The Ranchu Goldfish is a medium-sized fish with an egg-shaped body, a chubby face, a long-arched back, and stubby fins.
The fish has a large, round head. This feature is the origin of its other name Buffalo Head Ranchu. The head, especially of a quality breed, is entirely covered by wen.
An interesting appearance feature that’s quite atypical for in-tank fish. A prominent wen is actually one of the crucial indicators of a healthy breed.
Like the Oranda Goldfish, the head wen of the Ranchu Goldfish can overgrow to cover the eyes affecting the fish’s sight.
Another unique feature of this Goldfish species is that it lacks a dorsal fin. Dorsal-less fish always look smooth and definitely rounded. The tail of this fish is also very distinctive. It’s deep and tucked, quite an atypical feature in indoor-kept fish.
The primary colors of this fish vary from red, white, and blue, to black. Most of the Ranchu Goldfish comes with a mix of two or more colors.
The scales of the Ranchu Goldfish have a metallic finish that reflects light creating a very stunning look in a well-lighted display tank.
Behavior & Temperament
This fish breed is one of the most impressive tank fish when it comes to behavior and temperament. The fish is calm and non-aggressive, but this does not mean that it’s deprived of energy.
The fish’s swimming ability is not great, a factor that, in addition to its relatively small size, can make it an easy target by large and more aggressive fish. The perfect tank mates for the Ranchus are slower swimming and laid-back varieties.
Since this fish’s eyesight is poor (mainly due to the head overgrowth), the fish is fond of running into objects. For this reason, sharp objects should not be added to this fish’s tank. Their poor eyesight is also connected to their slower feeding behavior.
This goldfish species are also known to recognize its owners and respond by showing bursts of energy, such as swimming in circles.
Ranchu Goldfish Care And Habitat
This Goldfish is generally easy to care for unless you decide to indulge in the relatively delicate part- grooming.
Special treatments include altering aspects such as water changes, water levels, and feeding. These are done to achieve various body proportions, specifically the top sections.
Even if you don’t get into the process of grooming this fish, you’ll still need to maintain some basic care conditions. Let’s explore them below.
– Ranchu Goldfish Tank Size
They get quite big as they can grow up to 8 inches, of course, depending on species, diet, sex, and genetics. Thus, it would help if you had a large tank to house it. A perfect tank size for a fully grown Ranchu Goldfish is a 20 gallons tank of fresh water.
Essentially, 10 gallons sized tank is enough for a single juvenile Ranchu goldfish, but a bigger tank is always preferred to accommodate the fish as they grow, increasing their size.
You are required to add 5 gallons for each tank mate; hence, the tank’s size greatly depends on the number of fish you’re planning to keep.
You should also consider the shape of the tank to increase the surface area. A large surface area minimizes the possibility of the Ranchu Goldfish suffering from a lack of oxygen. An elongated tank offers more surface area compared to a square tank.
This Goldfish breed likes to uproot the plants, creating a lot of mess, and hence you should have a big tank to maintain the quality of water.
– Ranchu Goldfish Tank Setup
Substrate
Bare tank bottoms are not ideal for them in the long run. You should put sand or gravel as the substrate and these should be large enough not to choke the fish.
Gravels tend to have a neater appearance for a long time compared to sand when disturbed by the playful Ranchu Goldfish.
Decorations
For decorations, you need to avoid sharp objects as due to the poor eyesight of these fish, they may run into them, injuring their delicate bodies. If you have large, round stones, you may still add them to the tank’s bottom, followed by smaller stones and pebbles.
Most of the decorations should be in form of live and synthetic plants, as discussed in the suitable aquarium plants section. All in all, make sure that most of your decorations are localized at the bottom of the tank.
There should still be ample swimming space for the fish in the tank even after adding the decorations.
Filter
For proper water aeration, a filtration system is also needed. The size and power of the filter should correspond to the size of the tank. Ranchu Goldfish can work with hang-on, internal and external filters.
However, very powerful filters should be avoided as they may induce strong currents that are not suitable for a slow swimmer like the Ranchu.
Lighting
These fish species require moderate to normal lighting. Lighting is very beneficial to Ranchu Goldfish as its absence may cause their color to turn pale.
It also helps them regulate their wake/sleep cycle, which can be a good motivation to eat. This can also prevent them from developing behavior problems caused by an unnatural and predictable environment.
Ideally, the aquarium should be kept lit for at least 6 hours, but it’s recommended for 12 hours to mimic the natural environment. You may reduce the amount of lighting if algae start to grow.
The Ranchu Goldfish need light time off, especially at night, for them to sleep comfortably. Ranchu Goldfish don’t require heated light as they survive well in cooler temperatures.
– Water Conditions And Parameters
Temperature
The moderate temperature range at which they can survive is 68 to 72 °F (20 to 22 °C). This fish shouldn’t be kept in warmer water than the above range, but cooler temperatures are always acceptable.
This fish can survive in winter, even under the ice.
However, these fish prefer being kept at room temperature, especially because they find it hard to adjust to outdoor conditions when raised in stable tropical conditions.
Water Acidity
Ranchu Goldfish require a stable pH of 7.0 to 8.0 to survive. This type of Goldfish isn’t quite picky when it comes to water quality, as it can also survive in slightly acidic water.
Water Hardness
The range of the water hardness should be 5 to 19 dGH.
Salinity
Ranchu Goldfish survive in freshwater, but they may tolerate slightly saline water. The salinity should be kept low below 10% with a specific gravity of less than 1.002.
– Suitable Aquarium Plants
It is often hard to get the perfect aquarium plants to plant in the aquarium or container ponds for your fish. Ranchu Goldfish like to dig up plants and feed on them, preventing growth. Growing soft plants such as Cabomba and Elodea may be impossible for this fish.
Hard plants are the best to use for this situation. You can go for epiphytes such as Java Moss, Java Fern, and Anubias as they’re ideal for such aquariums.
These plants are hard to destroy since they don’t root on gravel, but they attach to hard surfaces such as driftwood and rocks. Your fish do not like to feed on them since they’re bitter.
If you decide to keep your Ranchus in outdoor conditions in a container pond, you can opt for fast-growing plants such as Cabomba or Hornwort. These plants grow quite fast and are able to withstand any nibbling and disturbance.
They also float and continue growing when uprooted, making them ideal for Rancho goldfish. Silk plants are ideal to use at the bottom for decoration purposes.
– Possible Diseases And Prevention
Lack of diversity leaves Ranchu Goldfish weak and susceptible to diseases. Even though it’s possible to avoid most diseases by maintaining a healthy environment for your fish, they may still contract some illnesses.
The common illnesses for this fish and prevention ideas are discussed below.
White Spot Disease (Ich): This is a contagious disease caused by a parasite that attaches to the fish skin, where it feeds until maturity. This parasite is caused by changes in environmental conditions such as temperature fluctuations or from infected fish or pond equipment.
Signs and symptoms:
- Presence of white spots all over the body
- Inactivity
- Loss of appetite
- Scratching against objects
- Abnormal hiding
You can stop the parasites from getting released using zinc-free malachite. Salt bath treatment is also recommended using non-iodized water. You should also quarantine new fish for two weeks before mixing them with the rest.
Swim Bladder Disease: This is also known as gas bladder or air bladder disease and it develops during the embryonic stage from the digestive tract. The gas bladder helps in swimming and maintaining buoyancy and hence this disease affects the fish’s swimming pattern.
Signs and symptoms
- Struggling to maintain a stable position
- Sinking to the bottom
- Floating upside down
You should contact your veterinarian immediately you see these signs and symptoms.
Fin rot: Fin rot disease is caused by a bacterial infection due to dirty water conditions.
Signs and symptoms
- White fin edges
- Ragged and split fins
- Rotten fins
- Inflamed fins
This disease is prevented by changing water and filters regularly. When infected, use a suitable treatment such as aquarium salt.
Origin, Distribution, And Availability
The first Goldfish that looks more like the modern Ranchu Goldfish originated from china. After initial development in China, the fish was introduced to Japan by the Dutch in 1603, where it continued to be improved.
A man named Kameyoshi Ishikawa did most of the work of modifying this fish species. The works continued up to the 19th century. The art of grooming this fish also originated in Japan.
Although the Ranchu Goldfish entered the international market, especially in the 20th century, it’s today considered as one of the most exotic and rare fish to find. If you’re lucky to find a true breed, you should be ready to spend hundreds of dollars.
Where Can We Find Ranchu Goldfish For Sale?
For this fish species, it’s advisable to do the purchase online because the chance of getting a real Ranchu Goldfish online is always higher. One great online store to acquire your Ranchu Goldfish is eBay.
Here, you’ll get the chance to compare various breeds and select the one you want. Additionally, you should follow the seller’s terms and conditions to ensure your fish is safely delivered to your destination.
Before buying a fish from an online outlet, it’s recommended that you conduct enough research to clearly understand the individual seller. Only buy from a reputable seller with positive reviews on the selling platform.
While it’s still possible to buy Ranchu Goldfish from your local store, it’s not recommended as most likely, it’ll not be a true breed. The Ranchu Goldfish is a rare fish, so you can easily be sold another similar species such as Lionhead Goldfish if you’re not careful.
All in all, you can leverage our appearance guide to know if you’re acquiring a real deal or not.
Average Ranchu Goldfish Price
Thither Ranchu Goldfish is a pricey freshwater fish breed due to its rare nature. While you can still get this fish in the tens of dollars range, the high-quality individuals are most likely in the hundreds of dollars range.
The most important considerations when it comes to the pricing of this fish are quality, age, size, and the reputability of the breeder or seller.
Ranchu Goldfish Food And Feeding
Feeding the Ranchu Goldfish is easy, considering that it’s omnivorous. The main meal should have plenty of veggies and live foods such as brine shrimp, insects, daphnia, and bloodworms.
Since proteins help in the development of the wen (the appearance statement of this goldfish breed), they should be present in every meal. Even with this recommendation, the proteins should not be too much as they can be unhealthy.
It’s also very important to acquire live foods from a reputable source to prevent the spread of diseases.
Due to poor eyesight, the fish feeds slowly, but it can easily overfeed. In this regard, you should give the fish many, small portions of the available food. High-quality dry foods such as flakes are also perfect for this adorable fish.
With good quality foods and proper feeding, your Ranchu Goldfish will live for a long and you’ll be able to enjoy its charm for an extended period.
Ranchu Goldfish Tank Mates
This fish species is a peaceful but sociable fish that prefers to stay with calm and similar-sized fish species.
Some good tank mates for this fish include:
- Butterfly Tail Goldfish
- Telescope Eye Goldfish
- Lionhead Goldfish
- Fantail Goldfish
- Bubble Eye Goldfish
- Celestial Eye Goldfish
Keeping Ranchu Goldfish with their own companion is never a good idea. Male Ranchu Goldfish can actually fight to the death, hence keeping two in a tank should be avoided at all costs.
Ranchu Goldfish Breeding
This Goldfish species is one of the fish that’s hard to breed in the home aquarium settings due to the sexing problem. However, it’s not all impossible.
The fish is mature in at least one year. When the male and female are ready for spawning and finding a suitable spot, the female scatters her sticky eggs on any near platform. Males later release their sperm in the water to fertilize the eggs.
In most cases, Ranchu Goldfish spawn on plants. Since the parents aren’t dedicated breeders, it’s recommended to transfer the plants and the eggs to another tank or outdoor pond.
The eggs hatch within 2 to 3 days and the fry sink to the bottom where they completely absorb their yolk sac. After a few days, you may introduce to them infusoria then brine shrimp when they’re large enough.
Gender Differences
There’re no distinct features to differentiate male and female Ranchu Goldfish. However, you can still get lucky with sexing if you note the following appearance and behavioral differences:
Male Ranchus often develop tubercles when they’re ready to spawn, a feature that’s rare in females. Despite the fish being round in general, the females may be rounder and plumper during breeding.
Males chase females when they are up for breeding
Frequently Asked Questions
We have to find the answers to the following questions before we decided, they might help you as well.
– Are Ranchu Goldfish Aggressive?
This Ranchu is non-aggressive but not completely laid back. Even with this impressive behavior, keeping Ranchu Goldfish, especially the males, with their own companion is not recommended. Males are fond of fighting to the point that it can even get chaotic.
– Do Goldfish Attack Other Fish?
It is very rare for a Ranchu Goldfish to attack other fish species regardless of the size difference. In most cases, other fish (especially the larger and more aggressive ones will) will pick on your adorable Ranchu Goldfish.
– Is It Hard To Take Care Of Ranchu Goldfish?
This Goldfish is generally easy to care for. As long as the water is clean and the standard parameters are maintained at constant levels, the fish will live happily and easily.
Since it’s optional to choose if you’ll groom your Ranchu Goldfish or not, the care level needed will depend on what you want for your fish.
– Do Ranchu Goldfish Get Lonely?
If kept in a tank alone, this fish can get lonely. Since the fish is social despite being an enemy of its own companion, you should keep it with compatible tank mates.
Choosing other non-aggressive and similar-sized fish as tank mates will make the life of your Ranchu Goldfish smooth.
– How Can You Tell If A Goldfish Is Happy?
A happy Ranchu will swim frequently rather than just sink or float. The fish should also eat and eliminate waste regularly. To ensure that your Ranchu is always happy, keep it with non-bothersome tank mates and be creative and versatile on the foods you give it.
– Do Goldfish Recognize Their Owners?
The Ranchu Goldfish can spot their owners from a crowd. The fish is scientifically known to remember and recognize the faces of people they’re used to. The fish exhibits the recognition aspect by getting excited, often swimming in circles.
Final Thoughts
The Ranchu Goldfish is a special Goldfish breed that you have to keep in an indoor aquarium. It’s everything from beautiful to charming and well-behaved. The fish is not highly demanding and will delight all kinds of tank fish keepers.
If you want to be successful in keeping a Ranchu Goldfish, you need to pay a little more attention when it comes to the water conditions, feeding, and tank mates. The fish will thrive in constant water conditions with high-quality, versatile foods, and laid-back tank mates.
Now that you understand most of the Ranchu Goldfish care tips to keep this fish indoors. So, you just need to find a reputable online supplier that has Ranchu Goldfish for sale.
A good quality Ranchu Goldfish will not be cheap to acquire, but you’ll be well-pleased to have added the king of Goldfish to your tank fish family.
