How to choose a Japanese Ranchu Goldfish

Japanese Ranchu goldfish are growing in popularity. As a result they are increasingly being offered for sale online. Here are a few tips to help you select a good specimen.

A good Ranchu will have a rounded back with no dorsal fin or even remnants of a dorsal fin.  The tail should be at a 45 degree downward angle. The head should be round and broad. Bubbling on the head should be heavy but not cover the eye. The body must be round or egg-shaped. A good Ranchu goldfish will have a short stumpy tail. The tail should splay out to the sides and become almost horizontal.

The Ranchu’s colour, whether orange, red, white, red-and-white, blue, black, black-and-white, black-and-red, natural, and chocolate colouration should be clean.

Make sure your Ranchu are active and look healthy with no obvious signs of disease or injury.

Ranchu goldfish can live up to 15 years but will need a moderately experienced aquarium keeper. They do not swim very fast and can struggle in the race for food against faster swimming species. Ranchu are also less tolerant of toxins in their water than other goldfish.

Price will be determined by the size and grade of the fish. Small fish can start from as little as $29 while a good 15 cm Japanese Ranchu goldfish can cost as much as $200. Show grade fish can easily reach in excess of $1000.