{"product_id":"assorted-ranchu-carassius-auratus","title":"Assorted Ranchu | Carassius auratus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA mixed pick of dorsal-less Ranchu in assorted colours — grow them on for that prized curved back and hood. Known as the 'king of goldfish' in Japan, the Ranchu is a gentle, slow-swimming fancy for a clean, cool tank. Reaching around 15–18 cm and living well over a decade, it is a characterful coldwater centrepiece.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Ranchu is a domesticated form of the goldfish, Carassius auratus, and does not occur in the wild. Its wild ancestors are carp of cool, slow, weedy waters of East Asia. Because the Ranchu's rounded body and lack of a dorsal fin make it a poor swimmer, it needs calm, clean water with gentle flow and smooth décor.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Ranchu has a deep, egg-shaped body with a smoothly arched back and no dorsal fin, a downturned tail and a developing head-growth or 'wen'. This assorted group comes in red, red-and-white, calico and other colours. The signature curved back and hood develop as the fish matures, and quality is judged on this form.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeaceful, gentle and slow-moving. Because it swims poorly and cannot compete for food, it is best kept only with other slow, rounded fancy goldfish such as other ranchu, lionheads and orandas. Faster single-tailed goldfish or lively tropical fish will outcompete it and may nip its fins.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn omnivore best fed a quality sinking goldfish pellet or gel food, with blanched vegetables, peas and occasional frozen foods. Sinking foods are important, as gulping air at the surface can cause buoyancy trouble in round-bodied fancies. Feed small amounts once or twice daily and avoid overfeeding.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 75 L for the first fish, adding roughly 40 L per additional goldfish, with strong filtration for this heavy waste producer. Keep the water cool at 18–22 °C, pH 7.0–8.0 and moderately hard water, around GH 8–20. Use smooth substrate and rounded décor to protect the body and wen. It tends to nibble and uproot soft plants, so choose hardy species.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBreeding follows the goldfish pattern: warming water in spring triggers spawning, with males chasing females that scatter sticky eggs among plants or spawning mops. Adults eat the eggs, so move the spawning medium to a separate tank. Ranchu fry are culled and selected carefully over months to develop the prized body shape.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarassius auratus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRanchu Goldfish (assorted)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDomesticated (East Asia)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 15–18 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–15 years or more with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (slow)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner to intermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 L (plus ~40 L per additional fish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 L or larger for a group\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore: sinking goldfish pellets, gel food, vegetables, frozen foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18–22 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.0–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate to hard, around 8–20 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge, cool, well-filtered aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo (tends to nibble and uproot soft plants; use hardy species)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other slow, round-bodied fancy goldfish such as orandas, lionheads and other ranchu, chosen to match their gentle pace.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with fast single-tailed goldfish, tropical species needing heat, fin-nippers, and small fish or shrimp that may be eaten. Avoid strong flow and sharp décor.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232822280483,"sku":"AA1378","price":31.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232822313251,"sku":"AA1378-M","price":36.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232822346019,"sku":"AA1378-L","price":41.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-18cm)","offer_id":55351969612067,"sku":"AA1378-XL","price":46.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/assorted-ranchu-10266493813027-sp.webp?v=1790313951","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/assorted-ranchu-carassius-auratus","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}