Ranchu Goldfish

Hail the King of Goldfish! Known as ranchu to their mothers, they are considered royalty among the larger fancy breeds.

Snapshot

Maintenance

More delicate than other goldfish varieties, requires a spacious and well-oxygenated tank.

Sociability

Sociable, and good in a tank with other slow-swimming goldfish.

Ego

They're the king.

Greed

Happy to tuck into any size of banquet, it's important not to overfeed them.

Celebrity doppelgänger

Val Kilmer

Pimp my tank

Nothing too sharp, ideally a nicely cushioned throne.

Popular names

Henry, James, Richard

Health & Care

Like most goldfish, ranchus love a varied diet, and care must be taken to make sure they’re not over-fed.

Key Facts

AVERAGE LIFESPAN
10 - 15 years
AVERAGE SIZE
15cm - 20cm+

Common Conditions

Buoyancy Problems

Fish can have various issues causing buoyancy problems, particular with some fancy goldfish breeds. Internal issues such as bacterial infections, constipation and gas can all cause it; bacterial infections can be cleared up with medication, and constipation can be cured with a high-fibre food such as peas. Veterinary intervention may be needed in severe cases.

Average vet fees: £5 - 150

Popeye

Exopthalmia can have a variety of causes, from gas embolism manifesting in the eye, internal bacterial infections or as a secondary symptom from injury, or even stress. It’s hard to treat until the cause is identified.

Average vet fees: £5 - 100

Tumours

Tumours in fish can be hard to spot initially, but become progressively more obvious. Internal tumours on organs can cause one side of the fish to become distended. Tumours may be benign or malignant. It’s important to try to spot them as soon as possible; vets can remove benign tumours from fish, but there’s always the potential for it to regrow.

Average vet fees: £200 - 500+

Tip for first-time owners

Don’t mix them in a tank with single-tailed goldfish – they’ll be at the back of the queue come feeding time.

Related articles VISIT THE FISHBOWL

More Breeds

Comet Goldfish

Comets are an American breed of goldfish, similar to the common goldfish but more elegant, smaller and with a deeply forked tail.

Fantail Goldfish

Fantail goldfish are an old Chinese breed, dating back to the 1400s. With their egg-shaped body and distinctive tail, fantails are one of the most popular breeds.

Bubble Eye Goldfish

Bubble Eye goldfish are unique-looking fish, their cartoony big cheeks growing to enormous size as they get older.

Ryukin Goldfish

Popular in Japan and America, Ryukins are a breed dating back to the 1700s. Their humped deep body and double fins give them a distinctive look.

Shubunkin Goldfish

London.. America.. Bristol? The shubunkin comes in these three varieties, although it is yet to be determined if they have accents to match the differences in shape.

Betta

Siamese fighting fish, also known as Bettas, are Asian freshwater fish which have been bred in a variety of bright colours.

Molly

Mollies are fish from coastal streams and inlets around Mexico, often bred into interesting shapes and colours, particularly with black, speckled, and golden varieties.

Achilles Tang

Achilles Tangs are beautiful marine surgeonfish, originally from the Pacific. Although difficult to keep, they are one of the most rewarding marine fish around.

Angelfish

Angelfish are Amazonian fish with a distinctive triangular shape and stripes on their body. They are the most commonly kept cichlid, and have been bred into a variety of colours.

Goldfish

Much more than a prize in a country fair, the lowly goldfish is anything but. It's one of the most common aquarium fish and is a member of the carp family.