Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Live Plant Safe: With Caution
General Description: Red & Black Oranda Goldfish are part of the fancy goldfish group, which do not occur naturally in the wild. Each line within this group have been selectively bred to exhibit specific traits. In the case of Red & black oranda goldfish, their bodies are a combination of red and black and they have a jelly-like mass on their head called a wen. These unique features, in addition to the robust body shape of the Red & black oranda, gives them an extremely charming appearance! Oranda goldfish are relatively easy to care for as long as proper care and environmental conditions are provided (see ‘Care Requirements’ below). These fish are very social, and would do best when kept with other fancy goldfish. Oranda goldfish are sold at various sizes, but consumers should be aware that they can grow up to 8″ in length and live up to 15 years, making this fish a long term commitment.
Diet Requirements: Oranda goldfish are omnivores and will accept most foods that are offered. Some options include goldfish specific flake or pellets, brine shrimp, blood worms, and various plant matter. Supplementing vegetable matter is important in the diet of fancy goldfish. Fresh vegetables such as peas, zucchini slices or leafy greens including lettuce or spinach are encouraged. Variety is the spice of life in order to maintain color, immune function and longevity of your fish. Goldfish are notorious for becoming greedy and will often learn to “beg” for food, but feeding only once a day, or even every other day, should be exercised.
Care Requirements: A minimum 30 to 40 gallon aquarium is ideal for small Red & black oranda goldfish. More adult specimens will require a larger aquarium of 75 gallons or greater, especially to maintain multiple individuals. It is possible to keep a goldfish in smaller aquariums than 30 gallons temporarily, however goldfish in general produce a lot of waste and it can be more difficult in these circumstances to keep the nitrates at a low concentration. Goldfish should not be put into a biologically immature aquarium, as they are sensitive to nitrite and ammonia. Weekly or biweekly water changes are encouraged to keep water parameters up to standard (Nitrates < 20 ppm) for goldfish. Poor water quality can result in your goldfish developing permanent deformities or becoming sick in general. Equipping the aquarium with a canister filter can also be advantageous to maintain a healthier environment for goldfish. The aquarium should have high levels of dissolved oxygen. Oranda goldfish prefer cool water, usually ranging from 60-70°F, but can tolerate temperatures up to 75°F. Because these fish prefer colder water, you may be wondering if a heater is necessary in a goldfish aquarium. We often think it is a good insurance policy to have in order to avoid temperature fluctuations of the aquarium due to external factors, such as heating or cooling of your residence. Heaters act like thermostats and will only turn on when needed. Due to being a coldwater species, Oranda goldfish are best kept with only other goldfish varieties. Aquarium salt can really benefit the health of your fancy goldfish; we recommend adding a tablespoon per 5 gallons of water volume. Recommended water conditions, 60-70° F, KH 4-20, pH 6.8-7.5.
Purchase Size: Medium: 2” to 3”; Large: 3-1/4” to 4-1/4”
Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase size is approximate.
