Fancy goldfish
Carassius auratus · Cyprinidae
Also known as Oranda, Ryukin, Fantail
Intermediate
Cold-water, heavy-waste fish that needs volume and filtration far beyond a bowl.
In short: A fancy goldfish needs at least 150 L (40 US gal), water at 16–23 °C (61–73 °F) and pH 7–8.4. It is peaceful, kept in pairs or more, and rated intermediate to keep.
Updated
- Minimum tank
- 150 L (40 US gal)
- Temperature
- 16–23 °C (61–73 °F)
- pH
- 7–8.4
- Adult size
- 20 cm (7.9 in)
- Group size
- 2+
Care requirements
- Minimum tank volume
- 150 L (40 US gal)
- Temperature
- 16–23 °C (61–73 °F)
- pH
- 7–8.4
- Hardness
- 8–25 dGH
- Lifespan
- 10–15 years
- Diet
- Omnivore — sinking goldfish pellets, blanched vegetables, gel food.
- Care level
- Intermediate
Origin & habitat
- Native region
- Domesticated from East Asian carp
- Water type
- Freshwater
- Biotope
- Cool, slow ponds
- Natural conditions
- Cool, hard, well-filtered still water.
Behaviour & stocking
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Minimum group
- 2 fish
- Swims
- All levels
- Good tank mates
- Other fancy goldfishWhite cloud mountain minnow
- Avoid
- Tropical fishShrimpFin nippers
Breeding & difficulty
- Breeding difficulty
- Intermediate
- Sexing
- Breeding males show white tubercles on gill covers and pectoral fins.
- Notes
- Spring spawner triggered by warming; eggs are scattered on plants.
- Common ailments
- Swim bladder disorderDropsyIchAmmonia burn in small tanks
Will it fit your tank?
Sign in and AquaLog compares Fancy goldfish against every tank you track — volume, water type, temperature and pH — then adds it to your livestock in one tap.
Sign in to check my tanksGuides and lists that mention the fancy goldfish
- How often should you change aquarium water?
- Fishless cycling: ammonia dosing step by step
- How to clean an aquarium filter
- How to lower ammonia in an aquarium
- How to lower nitrate in an aquarium
- Why are my fish gasping at the surface?
- How to cool an aquarium in an Indian summer
- How to keep an aquarium warm in winter in India
- Fish for hard, alkaline water
- Cold-water aquarium fish
- Check the fancy goldfish with your other fish in the stocking checker
