{"product_id":"lion-head-goldfish-carassius-auratus","title":"Lion Head Goldfish | Carassius auratus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Lionhead is the Ranchu's close cousin — a hooded, raspberry-textured head growth, no dorsal fin and a smooth, rounded back. A slow, gentle fancy goldfish that reaches 15–18 cm, it needs calm tankmates and clean, cool water. Charming and characterful, but a little more delicate than its hardy single-tailed relatives.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe goldfish, \u003cem\u003eCarassius auratus\u003c\/em\u003e, is a domesticated species descended from wild carp of East Asia. The Lionhead is a fancy strain developed entirely in captivity; it has no wild habitat, but its ancestry means it prefers cool, well-oxygenated freshwater.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn egg-shaped body with a distinctive fleshy \"wen\" hood over the head, no dorsal fin, and a short, divided tail carried level. The wen develops with age. Colours include red, red-and-white, calico and chocolate. Its shape makes it a slow, ponderous swimmer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and slow-moving. Because of its impaired swimming and vision (the wen can grow over the eyes), it should only be kept with other slow fancy goldfish. Fast single-tailed goldfish or boisterous fish will outcompete it at feeding time.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore. Feed a quality sinking goldfish pellet (floating foods can cause it to gulp air and develop buoyancy problems), supplemented with blanched vegetables, deshelled peas and occasional frozen foods. Feed modest amounts to avoid swim-bladder and water-quality issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCool, clean, well-filtered water with gentle flow and high oxygen. Fancy goldfish are messy and less pollution-tolerant than commons, so generous filtration and regular water changes are essential (keep nitrate low). Avoid sharp décor that could damage the wen. Keep the wen clean and watch for eye or fungal issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn egg-scattering species. In cool water with a spring warming trigger, males chase females who scatter adhesive eggs over plants or spawning mops. The adults eat the eggs, so remove them. Fry are easy to raise but sorting for good body and wen takes patience.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\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\u003eLionhead Goldfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDomesticated fancy strain (East Asian origin)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 15–18 cm\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-swimming\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate (delicate fancy)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e115 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (sinking foods and vegetables)\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\u003e6.5–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–19 dGH (neutral to hard)\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\u003eKeepers wanting a cool-water fancy goldfish; single-species tanks\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 — goldfish nibble and uproot soft plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther slow, round-bodied fancy goldfish — Ranchu, Oranda, Ryukin, Bubble Eye and similar. Best kept only with its own kind or comparably slow fancies.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFast single-tailed (common\/comet\/shubunkin) goldfish, tropical community fish that need warmth, and any fin-nippers. Avoid strong currents and cramped tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232820248867,"sku":"AA2971-S","price":16.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232820281635,"sku":"AA2971","price":21.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232820314403,"sku":"AA2971-L","price":26.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-18cm)","offer_id":55351969317155,"sku":"AA2971-XL","price":31.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/lion-head-goldfish-carassius-auratus","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}