Variety of Goldfish

Oranda

Carassius auratus

One of 12 varieties of Carassius auratus · See all varieties →

Also known as Oranda goldfish, Redcap oranda, Dutch lionhead

FreshwaterFish

Oranda (Carassius auratus) — Noor biology · CC BY-SA 4.0

Varieties · Carassius auratus

See all 12 →

Care at a glance

Temperature: 61–73°F; 16–23°C
pH: 6.5–8.0
Adult size: 9.8 in; 25 cm
Minimum tank: 30 gal; 114 L

Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Tankmates: With caution
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Very common
Family: Cyprinidae
Origin: A selectively bred fancy form of the domesticated goldfish, developed in China and Japan from wild Carassius auratus that live in slow, weedy freshwater across East Asia.

Overview

Give one oranda at least 114 L and add about 40 L per extra fish, since goldfish are heavy waste producers that need strong filtration and weekly water changes. Water should be 16 to 23 C with a pH of 6.5 to 8.0. House them only with other fancy goldfish, never with fast single tails or tropical fish. Feed a sinking goldfish pellet plus blanched vegetables and occasional frozen foods, and avoid floating flakes that make them gulp air and worsen swim bladder problems.

In the wild

The oranda is a round bodied fancy goldfish topped with a fleshy head growth called a wen that thickens with age. Like all fancy goldfish it has a deep, egg shaped body and a paired, flowing tail, which makes it a slow swimmer that cannot compete with fast fish. It does best in a well filtered tank with plenty of open swimming space and smooth decor. Keep the water cool, between 16 and 23 C, since the round body is prone to swim bladder trouble in cold water.

Good to know

Carassius auratus was domesticated from wild crucian type carp in China over a thousand years ago, and the oranda is one of hundreds of ornamental strains bred from it. The wen is an overgrowth of skin tissue that keeps growing through the fish's life and can partly cover the eyes. Fancy strains breed true only with careful selection, and spawns throw many wild colored, single tailed culls.

Did you know

A well grown oranda can carry a wen so large it has to feel around for food, which is why keepers often drop soaked sinking pellets right in front of it.