Category:
Common Name:
Scientific Name:
Description:
Origin:
Max Size:
Minimum Tank Size:
Swim Area:
Life Span:
Temperature Range (F):
pH:
Hardness (dH):
Diet:
Additional Diet Information:
Gender Difference:
Breeding:
Temperament/Social Behavior:
Common Diseases:
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Additional Information or Photos
Pond Fish
Common Name:
Oranda fancy goldfish
Scientific Name:
Carassius auratus
Description:
The oranda is a fancy goldfish and is classified in the same species as all other breeds of goldfish. Like all goldfish, if breeding is not specialized, they eventually breed back to the Prussian carp native to Asia from which they were originally bred.
Orandas are distinguishable from other fancy goldfish by a raspberry-textured growth on their heads called a wen. Its size is determined by both genetics and nutrition. Unlike lionheads who also have wens, an oranda's wen does not completely cover their heads. Rarely, it can grow so large as to partially or completely cover their eyes, at which point it should be trimmed - a delicate procedure that, if done wrong, is very harmful to the fish. (Note: need info from someone experienced in trimming wens.)
Like some other fancy goldfish, orandas have round bodies that slows their swimming. Also slowing their ability to swim is their "double tails", a tailfin that is divided so it appears as if there are two. Because of these two facts, orandas should generally only be kept with other fancy goldfish who move slowly. Keeping them with faster, more streamlined goldfish like comets makes it more difficult for them to compete for food. There have been some goldfish keepers who have had success with mixing, but this is not recommended for the novice.
Goldfish are notorious for eating plants, limiting your choices when planting a goldfish tank. Look for fast-growing plants like anacharis and frogbit. They also avidly search the substrate for things to eat, so avoid gravel substrates that will fit in their mouths or be swallowed.
Tankmates are also limited. Being a cold water fish, they could only be kept with other fish that do not need a heater. They are very peaceful fish and should not be kept with more aggressive types, but they will also eat any fish that will fit in their mouths. I have heard (and will soon test) that weather loaches and the gold dojo variety are ideal tankmates for goldfish. Among invertebrates I have kept with goldfish are apple and mystery snails, nerite snails and one freshwater clam (mussel). You do not want more than one clam as their breeding may be harmful to the fish.
Goldfish are very friendly and intelligent. Some will allow you to handle them when they get used to you, but this is not a good idea as it harms their slime coating, which is the main part of their immune system. You might consider keeping some sort of decorations, real or otherwise, to keep their environment interesting to them, especially if you're only keeping one. Something to swim through will be used, but be careful that the holes are big enough that the fish will not get stuck in them.
There are various reports as far as tank size needed for fancy goldfish. Most agree that you need at least ten gallons per fish, though it would be better to have twenty for the first and ten for each one after that. However, the more room they have, the healthier and happier they are and the cleaner the tank stays. Fancy varieties of goldfish are not usually suitable for ponds.
Orandas are distinguishable from other fancy goldfish by a raspberry-textured growth on their heads called a wen. Its size is determined by both genetics and nutrition. Unlike lionheads who also have wens, an oranda's wen does not completely cover their heads. Rarely, it can grow so large as to partially or completely cover their eyes, at which point it should be trimmed - a delicate procedure that, if done wrong, is very harmful to the fish. (Note: need info from someone experienced in trimming wens.)
Like some other fancy goldfish, orandas have round bodies that slows their swimming. Also slowing their ability to swim is their "double tails", a tailfin that is divided so it appears as if there are two. Because of these two facts, orandas should generally only be kept with other fancy goldfish who move slowly. Keeping them with faster, more streamlined goldfish like comets makes it more difficult for them to compete for food. There have been some goldfish keepers who have had success with mixing, but this is not recommended for the novice.
Goldfish are notorious for eating plants, limiting your choices when planting a goldfish tank. Look for fast-growing plants like anacharis and frogbit. They also avidly search the substrate for things to eat, so avoid gravel substrates that will fit in their mouths or be swallowed.
Tankmates are also limited. Being a cold water fish, they could only be kept with other fish that do not need a heater. They are very peaceful fish and should not be kept with more aggressive types, but they will also eat any fish that will fit in their mouths. I have heard (and will soon test) that weather loaches and the gold dojo variety are ideal tankmates for goldfish. Among invertebrates I have kept with goldfish are apple and mystery snails, nerite snails and one freshwater clam (mussel). You do not want more than one clam as their breeding may be harmful to the fish.
Goldfish are very friendly and intelligent. Some will allow you to handle them when they get used to you, but this is not a good idea as it harms their slime coating, which is the main part of their immune system. You might consider keeping some sort of decorations, real or otherwise, to keep their environment interesting to them, especially if you're only keeping one. Something to swim through will be used, but be careful that the holes are big enough that the fish will not get stuck in them.
There are various reports as far as tank size needed for fancy goldfish. Most agree that you need at least ten gallons per fish, though it would be better to have twenty for the first and ten for each one after that. However, the more room they have, the healthier and happier they are and the cleaner the tank stays. Fancy varieties of goldfish are not usually suitable for ponds.
Origin:
Asia
Max Size:
10 inches
Minimum Tank Size:
30 gallons
Swim Area:
All Areas
Life Span:
10 Years or more
Temperature Range (F):
65F - 75F
pH:
7.0 - 8.0
Hardness (dH):
3 - 14 dH
Diet:
Omnivore
Additional Diet Information:
Orandas, like all goldfish, are omnivores, but have a lower protein requirement than most fish and a higher carbohydrate requirement. Because of this, their main diet should be flakes or pellets specially made for goldfish. However, it can be supplemented with algae pellets, shelled peas, blanched leafy green vegetables and frozen or live food such as bloodworms and daphnia. It is much preferable to underfeed than overfeed. Goldfish are opportunistic feeders and will overeat to the point of harming themselves if you allow them. They are also messy eaters and produce a lot of waste, requiring powerful filtration for their tank. Over-filtration is a very good idea when keeping goldfish.
Gender Difference:
Monomorphic
During breeding season, the male will develop white prickles on his head and gill covers. The female will appear more round when holding eggs. Otherwise, it's impossible to tell a difference.
Breeding:
Egg Scatterer
Temperament/Social Behavior:
- Peaceful, Active, Docile, Good for community tank
Common Diseases:
Availability:
Easily Obtained
Additional Information or Photos