No photo yet
Sign in to submit the first photo
Fancy Goldfish
Carassius auratus (fancy varieties)
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Cyprinidae
📍 China (domesticated)
Fancy goldfish encompass egg-shaped body varieties including Orandas, Ryukins, Telescopes, and Ranchus. Their rounded bodies and ornate finnage are the result of centuries of selective breeding. They are slower than single-tailed goldfish and should not be mixed with them.
Care Guide
Diet
Feed high-quality fancy goldfish pellets as the staple diet once daily, supplemented with blanched vegetables (peas, zucchini, spinach) 2-3 times weekly. Occasional treats of frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp provide enrichment and protein. Avoid overfeeding, as fancy goldfish are prone to constipation and poor water quality.
Behavior
Fancy goldfish are peaceful, slow-moving swimmers that spend most of their time foraging along the bottom and mid-water levels. They are social and do best in pairs or small groups, displaying curious and interactive behavior with their owners. Their poor maneuverability and slower speed make them vulnerable to competition, so they should never be housed with single-tailed goldfish varieties.
Breeding
Breeding fancy goldfish in captivity is possible but requires significant space, patience, and specific conditions including cooler water temperatures (16-18°C) and abundant live plants for egg adhesion. Spawning typically occurs in spring after a winter cooling period. Fry are difficult to raise and require specialized foods; most hobbyists find breeding impractical without dedicated breeding tanks.
Tank Mates
Peaceful scavenger that shares similar water parameters and won't compete aggressively for food
Hardy snail that helps with algae control and poses no threat to fancy goldfish
Same species makes ideal companions; keep 2+ fish with 30+ gallons base plus 10 gallons per additional fish
Algae-eating snail compatible with goldfish water parameters; less likely to reproduce uncontrollably
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, flashing against surfaces, lethargy
Raise temperature gradually to 24-26°C, increase aeration, perform 25% water changes daily, use aquarium salt (1 teaspoon per gallon) or ich-specific medication for 7-10 days
Fin Rot
Frayed or disintegrating fins, white or black edges on fins, lethargy
Perform 50% water change immediately, improve water quality and filtration, treat with antibacterial medication or salt baths; remove any sharp tank decorations
Constipation
Loss of appetite, bloating, difficulty swimming, feces trailing from anus
Feed blanched peas (remove skin) for 2-3 days, fast for one day, ensure adequate fiber in diet; avoid overfeeding and maintain consistent water quality
Anchor Worms
Small red worm-like parasites protruding from body, irritation and scratching behavior, open sores
Remove visible worms with tweezers under anesthesia, treat with antiparasitic medication, perform frequent water changes, quarantine affected fish to prevent spread
Community Photos
0 photosPhotos are added when members log a tank with this species and upload a photo in their tank journal. Add your own tank to contribute.
No photos yet — add a tank with Fancy Goldfish to be the first!
Sign in to vote.
Varieties
Tips from the community 💡
0 tipsReal experiences, care advice, and keeper notes. Finn learns from these too.
Sign in to share your experience.
No community tips yet — be the first to share your knowledge!
Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore – fancy goldfish pellets, peas, blanched vegetables, bloodworms
- lifespan
- 10–20 years
- max size
- 20–30 cm (7.9–11.8 in) depending on variety
- tank size
- 20 gallons for first fish + 10 per additional
- temperament
- Peaceful; poor competitors with single-tailed goldfish
Water it likes
- ph
- 7.0–8.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 8–20 dGH
- temperature
- 61–75°F (16–24°C)