Page 341 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

GOLDFISH 339

Carassius auratus
Ranchu
Sporting a hood similar to the Lionhead’s, the
Ranchu is the Japanese counterpart of that ancient
Chinese breed. The Ranchu can be differentiated
from the Lionhead by its shorter, more steeply
curved body. As with Lionheads, not all Ranchus
display smooth body curvature from head to tail,
and an individual with slight humps along its back
is considered to be seriously flawed. The double Relatively small,
caudal fin may be only partially divided. In Ranchus symmetrical
of the highest quality, the top edge of the caudal caudal fin
fin should ideally form an angle of 90 degrees with
the caudal peduncle. Ranchus, which are also Black Ranchu This is the darkest variety.
known as Buffaloheads, are the most popular Short, broad body Ranchus are not hardy and need to
gives an impression
Japanese goldfish. Four principal founding lines of strength overwinter in aquariums in temperate areas.
are recognized, each of which is named after its
creator. The dominant variety is the Ishikawa
lineage; the others are Sakuri, Uno, and Takahashi.
All these forms display a hood, but some less-
common varieties lack this feature. They include
the Osaka Ranchu, named after its city of origin,
which also has a more rounded body. Another
hoodless variety is the Nankin Ranchu, from the
Shimane area of Japan, a silvery-white fish with red
gill covers, lips, and fins. In addition, there is the Red-and-White Ranchu A mature individual with hood Red Ranchu All the Ranchu’s fins are relatively short;
rare Nacreous Ranchu, also called the Edonishiki, growth on the side of the face is described as okame (the the caudal fin is carried high. The hood has yet to
in which the hood is poorly developed. name of a Japanese theatrical mask indicating a fat girl). develop in the young specimen shown above.

Carassius auratus
Veiltail The anal fin is paired and relatively long and Enlarged dorsal fin Short caudal
tends to flow vertically when the fish is swimming. peduncle
The elegant fins of the Veiltail are easily damaged, In addition to individuals with normal eyes,
so this goldfish should be housed in a spacious telescope-eye examples of this variety are not
aquarium—free from obstructions such as large uncommon. The breed was developed from
rocks—rather than in a pond. The long caudal Ryukin stock by American breeders around
fin of the Veiltail is fully divided so that it hangs Philadelphia in the late 1800s.
down in folds. The dorsal fin is tall, and in a
well-proportioned Veiltail it should match The dorsal fin should
the height of the body. The overall body start at the highest Bronze Veiltail The Veiltail has been bred in a wide
shape of this variety is rounded rather point on the back range of colors, including bronze, as seen in this
than elongated. young fish. Even the juveniles display elongated fins.

Red-Capped
Veiltail This fish
has a variable
reddish area on
top of its head. Calico Veiltail The nacreous patterning (see p.333)
Its fins are of the Calico Veiltail is highly variable, with darker
semitransparent. streaking usually evident in the fins.
ORIGINS Asia, originally from SIZE Highly variable; often DIET Goldfish food (flakes WATER Temperature 50–77°F TEMPERAMENT Relatively
waterways in southern China. exceeds 12 in (30 cm) in ponds. or pellets) and live foods. (10–25°C) and neutral (pH 7.0). social, but does not shoal.

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