Goldfish Varieties-Ranchu

It’s easy to see why the Ranchu is popularly known as the ‘King of Goldfish’ in Japan. It has a majestic and powerful form that belies it’s graceful movements. The head of the Ranchu, as in it’s close cousin the Lionhead, is covered with raspberry like growth known as the ‘wen’. A good Ranchu should have a balanced growth of ‘wen’ so as to impart a rectangular profile when viewed from the top. The body is very deep with a highly curved back; up to the caudal peduncle. The caudal fins should be held high at a 45O angle to the peduncle. The tail is forked and relatively short.
Ranchus have traditionally been bred to be viewed from the top. However, of late, side-view Ranchus have become popular as well. In Japan however, Ranchus are almost exclusively top-view varieties. Side-view Ranchus have been successfully bred in Thailand in recent years and are becoming more popular as an aquarium fish.
The Ranchu is arguably the most popular breed of goldfish in the Far East and is gaining popularity in the West as well.

Coloration is varied with the Calico and Black varieties especially prized within the side-view category. In it’s top-view form, red, orange and white remain the most popular examples.