{"product_id":"ranchu-carassius-auratus","title":"Ranchu | Carassius auratus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOften called the 'king of goldfish', the Ranchu has no dorsal fin, a deeply arched back and a chunky, hooded head that develops a raspberry-like growth with age. It is a prized, gentle fancy that swims slowly and is best kept with its own kind. A living work of art for the dedicated coldwater keeper, reaching around 15–20cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ranchu does not exist in the wild — it is a centuries-old ornamental strain of the goldfish, Carassius auratus, developed in Japan from Chinese lionhead stock. Wild goldfish ancestors come from slow, cool, weedy waters of East Asia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEgg-shaped and dorsal-less, with a smoothly curved back, tucked twin tail and a fleshy 'wen' hood over the head and cheeks. It comes in red, white, red-and-white, calico and other colours. The lack of a dorsal fin and the hooded head are the defining Ranchu features.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful, sociable and slow-moving. Because it cannot compete for food with fast fish, it should only be kept with other slow fancy goldfish such as Orandas, Ryukins and Lionheads. Single-tail goldfish and active fish will outcompete and stress it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore prone to swim-bladder trouble if fed poorly. Use a quality sinking fancy-goldfish pellet or gel food, pre-soaked, plus blanched vegetables and occasional frozen foods. Avoid floating flake that encourages gulping air.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide a large, cool, well-filtered tank — goldfish are messy and need excellent water quality and volume. Keep temperatures cool and avoid sharp decor that could tear the delicate wen or fins. Robust filtration and regular water changes are essential to keep nitrate low.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBred commercially by specialist breeders, usually in ponds, where males chase females to release eggs onto plants or spawning mops. Serious Ranchu breeding is an exacting art focused on body shape and finnage, and is uncommon in the home aquarium.\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\u003eRanchu Goldfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrnamental strain (developed in Japan)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 15–20cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–15 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\u003eBeginner–Intermediate\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\u003e150 litres or larger for a group\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 (coldwater)\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 (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\u003eColdwater fancy-goldfish keepers\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 — grazes 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-moving fancy goldfish such as Orandas, Ryukins, Lionheads and other Ranchu. White Cloud Mountain minnows can suit temporarily in cool tanks, but a fancy-only setup is best.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSingle-tailed goldfish (Commons, Comets, Shubunkins), fast or tropical fish, fin-nippers, and any warm-water species — goldfish are coldwater fish.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232822116643,"sku":"AA1385-S","price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232822149411,"sku":"AA1385-M","price":24.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232822182179,"sku":"AA1385","price":29.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-18cm)","offer_id":55351969579299,"sku":"AA1385-XL","price":34.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/ranchu-carassius-auratus-43091450593571.webp?v=1790306576","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/ranchu-carassius-auratus","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}