Ranchu Fish - Learn about appearance, habits, and how to raise them from AZ
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Ranchu fish (Ranchu goldfish), a super adorable ornamental fish with a chubby body, slow and gentle demeanor, is known as the "King of goldfish".
Ranchu fish (Ranchu goldfish, Ranchu goldfish) is an old Japanese ornamental fish breed, possessing a special appearance with a large fleshy lump on the head, a lovely chubby body, and no dorsal fin. This fish is very famous in the ornamental fish village because it not only has a cute appearance but also creates a feeling of relaxation and gentleness.
Let's go deeper with Nice Fish to learn more about Ranchu fish to find out why it is so famous and attractive to aquarium fish players!
Information about Ranchu fish :
Common name | Buffalo Head Goldfish |
Gender | Animal - Animal |
Branch | Chordata - Chordata |
Class | Actinopterygii - Ray-finned fishes |
Set | Cypriniformes - Order of Carp |
Spend | Carassius |
Native species | Carassius auratus - Goldfish |
Lifespan | Over 20 years |
Where does Ranchu fish come from?
Ranchu goldfish originated in Japan.
Ranchu fish, also known as Lan Tho goldfish or Ranchu goldfish, originated in Japan, but their ancestors originated in China. Specifically as follows:
- Around the 17th century, Chinese lion goldfish were introduced to Japan.
- In Japan, people have bred and selected from those goldfish to create the Ranchu breed with a special shape: no dorsal fin, large head, round body and slightly curved back.
This fish has a very long life span, can live more than 20 years if cared for in suitable conditions. Ranchu goldfish is also known as "King of Goldfish". Currently, due to its impressive and quite lovely appearance, this fish has become popular in the Vietnamese ornamental fish community.
Ranchu fish classification
Currently, based on color, people divide Ranchu goldfish into many types such as dairy cow Ranchu, black Ranchu, white, Kirin, Sakura,... Specifically as follows
Red Ranchu
Red Ranchu goldfish picture.
Red Ranchu is the most popular Ranchu fish line, their whole body is orange-red or dark red. This fish is easy to raise, easy to color and suitable for East Asian culture because red symbolizes luck and fortune.
Red and white Ranchu
Red and white orchid goldfish.
Ranchu red white is a unique color variation that is no less popular than red. With the contrasting combination of bright red and pure white, it brings a beautiful, harmonious look.
Dairy cattle ranch
A Ranchu goldfish is black and white like a dairy cow.
Ranchu cow is the affectionate name that the Vietnam Aquarium Association gives to ranchu fish with black and white color that looks like a dairy cow. With this color, this fish looks more lovely and special than ever.
White Ranchu
Ranchu goldfish are pure white.
Not as bright as the red Ranchu, the white Ranchu has an elegant and extremely delicate beauty with a milky white or pearl white color. However, this pure white color will easily turn yellow if not properly cared for.
Black Ranchu
A beautiful jet black goldfish.
Black Ranchu is a rare and unique variant of this fish. Their entire body will be covered in a jet black, a mysterious blue-black color. Normally, Black Ranchu has a quite high price and is sought after by many "fish enthusiasts" because of its uniqueness.
Ranchu green - gray
Super unique Ranchu blue image.
Green-gray Ranchu is the rarest Ranchu fish because they have a strange color with very special moss green, smoky green or smoky gray scales.
Ranchu Calico - color gradient
Eye-catching Ranchu color scheme.
Ranchu Calico or Ranchu goldfish, this is one of the Ranchu variants that is loved because of its extremely diverse and unique colors and no two fish are alike.
Ranchu Sakura
A Ranchu sakura with gentle, sweet colors.
This is a line of Lan Tho goldfish that is highly appreciated by aquarium hobbyists because it possesses extremely gentle and delicate colors with a combination of pink - white - light orange that looks very "cherry blossom".
Ranchu fish physical characteristics
The Orchid goldfish has no fins and a fleshy bump on its head.
Ranchu goldfish has a very unique and impressive appearance, completely different from many other types of goldfish in that it has no dorsal fin, a large head with a fleshy hump, specifically as follows:
- Size : Commonly 12 - 15 cm in adult fish, however there are some that reach 25 - 35 cm in length.
- No dorsal fin : This is the most distinctive feature of the Orchid goldfish.
- Round body, curved back : The fish body is round, short, the belly is big like a ball, the curved back looks slightly humped, the belly is big, symmetrical to the back.
- Large head, with a hump (wen) : The head of the fish has a developed fleshy lump, also known as "wen". When viewed from above, a beautiful Ranchu fish's head must be square, forming a rectangular shape.
- Flared tail : Double or completely attached tail, slightly rounded and raised, very large base.
- Double anal fin : The anal fin is always double, this is the standard for evaluating a beautiful Ranchu.
- Color : Mainly dark red, orange red or red - white, in addition there are some other color variations such as cow, sakura, white, black, mottled,...
- Swimming posture : Graceful, soft.
Comparing Ranchu and Lionhead fish
In general, Ranchu goldfish and lion goldfish look quite similar, especially with large heads and no dorsal fins. However, if you look closely, you will see that they have many distinct differences, specifically as follows:
Characteristic | Ranchu Goldfish | Lionfish |
Back shape | Curved, soft, rounded very naturally | The back is straighter. The junction between the back and the head is slightly broken, not smooth. |
Head | The tumor grows evenly around the top of the head, cheeks and gills. | The tumor grows larger and thicker on the forehead. |
Body | Small, compact, round, symmetrical, slightly short body | Longer, larger, rougher looking body than Ranchu |
Swimming position | Graceful, gentle | Heavier than Ranchu fish. |
Ranchu fish behavior
Ranchu goldfish like to congregate in small groups.
In addition to having a round, adorable appearance, Ranchu goldfish also have many interesting and unique habits, specifically as follows:
gentle, friendly
Ranchu is a super friendly aquarium fish, it lives peacefully with other fish, without fighting or chasing. It also likes to live in small schools of 2 - 6 fish.
Swim gently and slowly
Because they have no dorsal fin and a round body, Ranchu swims very slowly, gliding gracefully, giving a very relaxed feeling. Even when faced with unexpected or panic situations, this fish reacts slowly.
Like to forage at the bottom of the tank
Goldfish often swim at the bottom of the tank to look for crumbs, soft algae or sinking bran because they are not good at fighting for floating food, so if you raise this type of fish, you should use sinking food or know how to divide food evenly with other types of fish.
Tend to swim with the school
Ranchu are mildly social, preferring to gather close together or even swim in groups of 4-5 or alongside each other.
Reproductive behavior
Ranchu can reproduce in captivity. Let's learn about the reproductive habits of Ranchu goldfish:
- Breeding season usually runs from late spring to early summer, if you want to stimulate breeding you can adjust the temperature, light and diet accordingly.
- The male will chase the female around the tank to stimulate ovulation, this behavior can last from several hours to several days.
- After the female fish lays eggs, the male fish will spray sperm on the eggs, then the eggs will stick to aquatic plants and substrates. A female fish can lay from 500 to 1000 eggs.
- After spawning, the male or female fish will eat the eggs or fry, so you need to separate the eggs from the parents immediately.
Guide to raising Ranchu fish to have beautiful heads
A simple, beautiful Ranchu goldfish tank.
If you are a first-time Ranchu goldfish owner and do not know how to care for your Ranchu so that it can grow well and have a beautiful head, please refer to the instructions below.
Prepare Ranchu tank
The tank for raising Orchid goldfish needs to meet the following basic standards:
- Tank size : Minimum 40L of water for a tank with 1 - 2 fish, height from 30 - 40 cm, the tank needs to have a wide bottom because Ranchu fish like to be active at the bottom of the tank.
- Water filtration : Use a light filtration system because Ranchu swim quite weakly, and oxygen also needs to be gently and continuously aerated.
- Light : Use natural light or LED lights for fish, lighting for 8 - 10 hours per day.
- Decoration : Leave the bottom bare or spread a layer of fine gravel, plant soft aquatic plants.
Suitable water parameters for Ranchu
To help Ranchu goldfish stay healthy and live long, you need to maintain the water quality in the tank at the following levels:
- Temperature : 22 - 26 degrees Celsius.
- pH : 6.5 - 7.5
- Ammonia/Nitrite : Near 0
- Change water : Change 20 - 30% of water every 2 - 3 days.
- Tap water : Can be used after 24 hours or dechlorinated.
What do Ranchu fish eat?
Diet is an important factor that helps Ranchu fish form the characteristic "wen" lump. If you want this fish to have a beautiful head, prioritize the following foods:
- Live food : Earthworms, vermicompost, water worm, shrimp, prawn...
- Green vegetables : Broccoli, carrots, peas
- Pellet food : Choose pellets specifically for Ranchu fish, rich in protein and nutrition.
Note :
- If you want Ranchu's tumors to grow fastest, increase the amount of protein in the food to 40 - 60%.
- Ranchu are prone to constipation so should be fed extra boiled vegetables or good quality bran.
Common diseases in Ranchu fish and how to treat them
Ranchu is a fish species that is quite sensitive to the water environment, if there is a sudden change or an unreasonable diet, they are very susceptible to disease. Below are some common diseases in Ranchu fish, please learn more to know the causes, signs and the most effective treatment.
Sick | Reason | Token | How to handle |
Constipation | Due to unbalanced diet | Fish swim sideways, long sticky droppings | Balance the diet, add boiled vegetables. |
Fungi, parasites |
Because fresh food has not been processed thoroughly. Due to dirty water environment |
Fish appear white spots, blurred fins. |
Isolate sick fish. Use antifungal and anti-fungal drugs such as Tetra, BioKnock,... |
Flatulence, bloating | Due to overeating, lack of oxygen | Fish lost balance |
Change water regularly. Reduce food intake. Oxygen supplementation |
How much is Ranchu fish?
Currently, the price of goldfish in Vietnam fluctuates quite widely because it depends on many factors such as size, color, origin... If you want to raise this fish, please refer to the price list below.
Characteristic | Price (reference) VND/child | Note |
Small Ranchu (About 1 finger) | 20,000 - 50,000 | Depends on the color. |
Medium Ranchu (2 - 3 fingers) | 100,000 - 500,000 | Depending on color and shape |
Adult Ranchu | 1,000,000 - 5,000,000 | Beautiful appearance, large size, rare color. |
Ranchu Fish FAQ
Do Ranchu fish eat baby fish?
The answer is yes, Ranchu can eat eggs and baby fish, so after laying eggs, you need to separate the male and female fish from the eggs immediately.
Is it normal for Ranchu fish to swim sideways?
It's not normal at all because it might be constipated, which is why it's swimming sideways.
What causes Ranchu goldfish to bloat?
It could be due to overeating or parasites from raw, unprocessed food.
How long does it take for Ranchu fish to grow?
It takes 6 months to 1 year for a baby Ranchu to mature and reach its full size.
Can Ranchu goldfish be kept in an aquarium?
Absolutely possible, because Ranchu is quite gentle and sociable.
Is it normal for Ranchu fish to molt?
This is a normal phenomenon, because this fish tends to change color in the first years, when it is more stable, it will not change color anymore.
How long does it take for Ranchu fish eggs to hatch?
After fertilization, Ranchu eggs will hatch within 5 - 6 days.
Beautiful and cute Ranchu fish pictures
Let's take a look at the super adorable and cute moments of Ranchu goldfish, the fish that makes so many people fascinated.
Super cute mini Ranchu fish.
A Ranchu Calico fish with super impressive variegated colors.
A super beautiful Ranchu three tail fish.
Close-up of the cute face of Ranchu goldfish.
Hopefully, the content that nicefish.net shares above will help you better understand the Ranchu fish . It is not only a beautiful, lovely ornamental fish but also brings a feeling of relaxation with its slow style. If you like the cute appearance of this fish, try it now.
Don't forget to visit our Blog section to learn more interesting knowledge as well as experience in raising other beautiful ornamental fish!