Black Ranchu 12 cm (japan)

The beautiful Ranchu Goldfish is popular throughout the world. It originated in China and was further developed in Japan in the late 1800s. With its round, broad body and large bulbous head, it is also known as the Buffalo-head Goldfish, especially in Asia.

The Ranchu Fancy Goldfish are much prized in Asia, where they are bred for highly competitive shows. In Chinese shows, they are judged from the side while in Japanese shows, they are placed in shallow bowls and judged from the top. Though they are impressive viewed from either direction, from above you can see their broad back.

Rather than having the long slender body of the Common Goldfish or the Shubunkins, the Ranchu Goldfish is one of the more rounded or egg-shaped fancy goldfish. They closely resemble the Lionhead Goldfish with a compact, broad body and short fins. Like the Lionhead, the Ranchu lack a dorsal fin and will develop the fleshy 'raspberry' head growth. The Ranchu can be distinguished from the Lionhead by its much higher, curved contour shape to its back. Also, its caudal (tail) fin splays out to the sides, often being almost horizontal, and may have three or four lobes, while the Lionhead's caudal fin is quite similar to that of the Fantail Goldfish.

These fish come in a variety of colors but are most commonly bi-colored, as in the Gold and White Ranchu Goldfish or the Red and White Ranchu Goldfish. There is a Calico Ranchu Goldfish, which is called Edonishiki in Japan. They can also be anything from a deep red overall to a reddish yellow-orange, or they can have red scales edged in white. In some cases, they can be found completely white or even black.

The Ranchu Goldfish is a rather delicate fish and not recommended for beginners. Its swimming ability is encumbered by its rounded body and further diminished by the lack of a stabilizing dorsal fin. This is a trait that is also seen in the Lionhead, Bubble Eye, and Celestial Eye Goldfish.

Many of the elongated goldfish varieties like the the Common and Comet Goldfish, or the Shubunkins, are not really good companions for the Ranchu because they are fast swimmers and too competitive during feeding time. Better tankmates would be the other similarly handicapped dorsal-less goldfish, or the less hardy Telescope and Celestial Goldfish. The Ranchu won't win any races, but if kept with other slow-moving varieties, it should get plenty to eat and do well.

• Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate
• Size of fish - inches: 5.0 inches (12.70 cm)
• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gal (38 L)
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately Difficult
• Temperature: 65.0 to 72.0° F (18.3 to 22.2° C)