Fancy Goldfish
Carassius auratus (fancy varieties)
Family: Cyprinidae • Origin: East Asia
Fancy Goldfish (Orandas, Ryukins, Ranchus) are slower, rounder goldfish varieties. Need less space than common goldfish but still cold water only.
Min Tank
20 gal
Max Size
8"
Temperature
65-75°F
pH
7-8
Lifespan
10 years
School Size
2+
Swim Level
all
Hardness
10-20 dGH
peacefulbeginneromnivoreschooling
Care Tips
- • Cold water only — no tropicals
- • Slower than common goldfish
- • Prone to swim bladder issues — soak food
- • 20 gal for first, +10 per additional
- • Do NOT mix with common/comet goldfish
Feeding: Sinking goldfish pellets, blanched peas, bloodworms. Avoid floating food (swim bladder issues).
Compatibility Notes: Cold water only. Cannot keep with common goldfish (they outcompete fancies). Cannot keep with tropicals.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 20 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 40 gallons
- Swimming Level
- all
- Minimum School Size
- 2+ fish
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 65–75°F
- pH Range
- 7–8
- Hardness (dGH)
- 10–20
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Aggression Level
- 1/5
- Schooling
- Yes
- Territorial
- No
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- omnivore
- Growth Rate
- moderate
Cold water only. Cannot keep with common goldfish (they outcompete fancies). Cannot keep with tropicals.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- moderate
- Lifespan
- 10 years
Ideal For
20 galloncold water tank
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Black Skirt Tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
70-82°FpH 6-7.515+ gal
peacefulschooling 5+3"
Endler's Livebearer
Poecilia wingei
72-82°FpH 6.5-85+ gal
peacefulschooling 3+1.5"
Platy
Xiphophorus maculatus
70-80°FpH 7-810+ gal
peacefulschooling 3+3"
Molly
Poecilia sphenops
72-82°FpH 7-8.520+ gal
peacefulschooling 3+4.5"
Swordtail
Xiphophorus hellerii
72-82°FpH 7-8.520+ gal
peacefulschooling 3+5.5"
