Black Ranchu Goldfish

The Ranchu goldfish was created through selective breeding in Japan and is named "ranchu," or "hooded," for the pebbly head. The ranchu goldfish is considered the top of its class by Japanese breeders. The black ranchu displays the hooded features in a unique fashion.

Quick Facts

Care Guide

Tank setup: Ranchus produce a lot of waste, so give them plenty of room and a strong filter. Use smooth decorations and live or silk plants, and keep the water current gentle.

Feeding: Feed small amounts of a quality sinking pellet or flake once or twice a day, only as much as they eat in a couple of minutes. Sinking foods are easier for them to find than floating ones. They also enjoy frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp.

Tankmates: Keep them only with other slow-swimming fancy goldfish, such as telescopes, black moors, celestials, bubble eyes, lionheads and ranchus. Avoid faster goldfish like comets, shubunkins and even lively ryukins, which will outcompete them for food. Also avoid tropical fish and fin-nippers.

Ponds: Ranchus can live in ponds in mild climates, but they are less cold-hardy than comets and shubunkins. Bring them indoors where winters are harsh, and keep them away from fast, aggressive pond fish.

Good to know: With no dorsal fin, they are slow, wobbly swimmers. Keep the water very clean, since the wen (head growth) can trap debris.