{"product_id":"calico-ranchu-carassius-auratus","title":"Calico Ranchu | Carassius auratus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Calico Ranchu is the \"king of goldfish\" — a dorsal-less fancy with a deeply arched back, tucked tail and, in mature fish, a raspberry-like head growth. Splashed in calico blue, red and black, it is a prized, gentle coldwater fish for the dedicated keeper. Adults reach around 15–18cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike all fancy goldfish, the Ranchu is a fully domesticated form of Carassius auratus, a hardy East Asian cyprinid. It exists only in captivity, refined especially in Japan for its rounded back and top-view form. It has no wild habitat; keep it in cool, clean, well-filtered water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA short, egg-shaped body with a smoothly curved back and no dorsal fin, ending in a downturned twin tail. Mature fish develop a \"wen\" head growth. The calico pattern combines blue-grey, red, orange, black and white over a nacreous base. It is bred to be admired from above.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and slow-swimming — even more so than most fancies because the missing dorsal fin makes it a poor swimmer. Keep only with other slow, round-bodied fancies (Ranchu, Lionheads, Ryukins) that will not outpace it at feeding time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore. Feed a sinking goldfish pellet or gel food, plus blanched vegetables and occasional frozen treats. Sinking foods are especially important for this round-bodied, buoyancy-prone shape. Feed modestly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBe candid: the Ranchu is a little more demanding than a Fantail. Its poor swimming and deep body make pristine, cool (18–24°C), well-filtered water and gentle flow essential, with frequent water changes to keep waste low. Smooth décor prevents damage to the body and tail. No heater is needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEgg-scatterers that spawn in spring as water warms, laying adhesive eggs over surfaces. They give no parental care and eat their eggs, so raising fry requires a dedicated tank and careful, ongoing selection for body and back shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarassius auratus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCalico Ranchu\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEast Asia \/ Japan (domesticated fancy strain)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 15–18cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–15 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (slow)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 litres for one, plus ~40 litres per extra fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e110 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18–24°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.0–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–20 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eColdwater fancy goldfish tanks, top-view displays\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo (nibbles and uproots soft plants)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnly other slow, round-bodied fancy goldfish such as Lionheads, other Ranchu, and calmer Ryukins and Orandas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFast single-tail goldfish, tropical community fish, fin-nippers, and any warm-water or boisterous species.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232822640931,"sku":null,"price":24.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232822673699,"sku":"AA2672","price":29.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232822706467,"sku":null,"price":34.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-18cm)","offer_id":55351969644835,"sku":null,"price":39.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Calico_Ranchu_Goldfish_9c36ce4d-be54-4b87-905a-9858f9d48f64.jpg?v=1781697549","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/calico-ranchu-carassius-auratus","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}