Ranchu Goldfish: Quick Facts, Behavior, & Care Guide

Introduction

Ranchu Goldfish have a unique appearance and come in many sizes, shapes, colors, and colors. If given the right care, they can grow to be large and long-lived. Ranchus are great additions to slow-moving fancy goldfish tanks. They can be decorated with the appropriate filter and aerator. We will now discuss the care requirements for ranchus and provide information about caring for them.

Ranchu Goldfish Quick Facts:

Species Name:	Carrassius auratus
Family:	Minnows and Carps
Care Level	Moderately difficult
Temperature:	65deg-77degFahrenheit
Temperament:	A tankmate who is a good match will be a great help to your social and peaceful goldfish
Color Form:	Red, calico, and combinations of red, white, or gold and white
Lifespan:	About 10-15 years
Size:	5″-8″
Diet:	Omnivores eat both meat and vegetables in order to maintain good health.
Minimum Tank Size:	For one adult Ranchu, 10 gallons, and for each additional tankmate, 5 gallons.
Tank setup:	Safe and smooth decorations that prevent injury, but still provide security inside the tank
Compatibility:	This is suitable for most fancy, slow-moving goldfish. It is not recommended for other fish species or slim-bodied, fast-moving goldfish.

Ranchu Goldfish Overview

One of the most interesting features in identifying these fish is their lack of a dorsal fin. Instead, they grow a wen which is a large head growth. This affects their ability to control their bodies while swimming, making them slower-moving and sometimes requiring them to rest throughout the day in order to recover energy.

Because of their anatomy, they are among the most tranquil but handicapped goldfish. Due to their large and stocky bodies, they are more likely to develop swim bladder disorder than other slim-bodied goldfish.

They are not common in pet shops and should be ordered from a reliable breeder who breeds healthy genetic lines. To thrive, they need at least one compatible tankmate. They will feel more secure and social in a well-stocked and decorated tank.

Due to Ranchu’s delicate nature and body, extra care should be taken. They can become stressed if kept in an unfiltered and understocked tank. To avoid any health problems, these fish require a well-planned diet.

What is the cost of Ranchu Goldfish?

Non-competing fish can be purchased for between 5 and 25 dollars. Prices will vary depending on the source, availability, size, age, and source. Due to the high shipping cost of delivering live animals, buying from a pet shop will usually be more affordable.

The Typical Behavior and Temperament

They are peaceful and social fish that are slow-moving. You may see them foraging on the substrate looking for leftover food. They may also be seen hovering in the water or sitting down at the bottom. They love to investigate and are curious. Their charming swimming behavior, which includes wiggling around in the tank and an apparent eagerness to explore, will be obvious.

Appearance and Varieties

They come in many colors, with each one being unique and colored with metallic scales. Their colors can change over time. They can be multi-colored but they are more likely to be bi-colored with red, white, and gold, as well as white and white.

You may notice a raspberry-shaped growth on their head. Sometimes, it can cover their eyes and contribute to their inability to move.

Ranchu Goldfish Care

Habitat, Tank Conditions, and Setup

• Aquarium/Tank Size: A Ranchu fully grown Ranchu requires a minimum tank of 10 gallons. Each tankmate should have 5 gallons. Remember that the size of your tank will vary depending on the size and number of goldfish you have.
• Water Temperature and pH. Goldfish can tolerate a wide range of water temperatures, but it is not ideal. For goldfish, the best temperatures are between 65 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit. They need a pH of 7.2 to 7.6.
• Substrate: You can use sand or a suitable-sized gravel to fill your tank. As Ranchu like to forage for food, it is important that the gravel is not too large. It is essential to provide a safe and stable substrate for enrichment. Long-term, bare-bottom tanks are not the best.
• Plants can add variety and ornament to your aquarium. They can help maintain good water quality and enrich a fish’s diet. Ranchus will eat soft edible plants. If you don’t want Ranchus to eat these plants, then choose thick-leaved plants which are difficult to eat.
• Lighting: An aquarium light can be a great option if your aquarium is located in an area that doesn’t get enough light. Ranchu Goldfish require a night and day cycle. Make sure that they have at least 8-12 hours of darkness before going to sleep.
• Filtration: A suitable-sized filter is essential to maintain the tank’s water. It should be able to filter at least a few gallons more than the tank’s current capacity. Also, it should conduct water changes in accordance with the bioload and other parameters.

Are Ranchu Goldfish Good Tank Mates?

Ranchus aren’t the best tankmates for most fish, even fast-moving goldfish. Ranchus have difficulty moving due to their compromised body. Their wen can grow on their eyes, causing problems with their vision. This can make them unable to find food quickly, which can lead to stress and malnutrition.

They are not good community fish. They should not be paired up with any other fish species or slim-bodied fish due to bullying, fin nibbling, or competition for resources within the tank. They are good friends and can co-exist with similar-sized, slow-moving goldfish. This allows them to share food without being in danger of getting fin nipped.

How to feed Ranchu Goldfish

To be in good health, Ranchus need a varied diet. Ranchus are susceptible to swim bladder disorder. Avoid floating food as it may absorb too much air at the surface.

To maintain a healthy digestive system, and good body function, you should feed your pet good quality flakes, sinking pellets, or gel food.

Many goldfish die from poor nutrition, improper diets, and/or excessive portion sizes. This can easily be prevented with proper education.

We recommend The Truth About Goldfish as a best-selling book. It covers everything you need to know about goldfish nutrition, tank care, and illnesses. You can find it on Amazon.

To avoid rotten food and fouling the water, make sure you remove all unfinished food. This will prevent ammonia spikes. You should not give Ranchu too many calories, but ensure that each Ranchu has enough food. Limit the amount of food they consume in a matter of seconds.

Keeping Your Ranchu Healthy

Good water conditions are key to keeping your Ranchu healthy and happy. You need to keep the tank cyclic and have a good filter, and good aeration. Only make partial water changes if absolutely necessary.

A healthy fish will thrive on a well-balanced, high-quality diet. To avoid stress, keep them away from noisy noises, tank jostling, and frequent rapid movements. Your Ranchu should be kept in a peaceful, happy environment with compatible tank mates. Stress-free Ranchu means a happy and healthy one. This is possible only if you take the right care.

Breeding

Ranchu are wild breeders when the weather is warm and they have the right mates. If they are well cared for, goldfish can be bred between 1 and 2 years of age.

Males will display breeding stars to show that they are ready to breed. You’ll also see males following females and displaying goldfish breeding behavior.

The males should not be constantly chasing and stressing out the females. It’s best to put a tank divider in place and separate the genders if this happens. To avoid stress from mating behavior, ensure your tank is equipped with enough visual barriers.

Is Ranchu Goldfish suitable for your aquarium?

A Ranchu is a good choice if you have a tank that is the right size and has a steady stocking rate. You will enjoy Ranchu Goldfish as long as you maintain a tank with the right size and stocking rate, have smooth decorations and provide a healthy diet.

Once you’ve read and followed the care guidelines, you can now get your Ranchu Goldfish. It is important to have compatible tank mates, decorations that are smooth, and openings large enough for Ranchu to use.