Laurie - 2011-11-26 Hello My Fellow fish lovers...I have a problem. I have two new red cap orandas that we transfered from our small pond in our backyard-(1st year)-to a 36 gallon indoor tank. We spent alot of $ on a really good filter, everytime we feed our fish-1x daily 4 pellets, one of our orandas seems to get sick and floats upward, stays there and sometimes floats sideways for a day. We panic, put him in a small bucket with water,conditioner, a little salt and oxygen and feed him peas Overnight he recovers slightly but still isn't right. We feed him peas when he acts up again still isn't right. He once got messed up really bad the first time we transfered him after being in pond all summer) , cause we didn't condition the water....since then this floating goes on every time we feed him. Can someone PLEASE help me..I'm afraid we are going to lose him...Thank you...happy Holidays to all
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Charlie Roche - 2011-11-26 I found just two things but either could be the problem. The first is constipation and the symptoms fit. This one is easy cuz you just change the food. It would explain why feeding it a pea would help. The second is gas bubble disease gas bubbles and you might want to check this article out.
Lory - 2011-12-10 Keep feeding him peas for a few days. Then just feed him veggies for a while. if you do give him pellets soak in water till they sink. Than place in tank. Also does his body look okay...no injuries from the transfer- tank from pond?
kelsey - 2011-12-29 i think we have the same problem because my fish bernenne is not swimming.We just cleaned his tank today but he is struggling to move and he wont eat at all.I dont know what kind of fish he is but it looks like what you have. Any suggestions??? I'm afraid I might lose him thank you ....happy hoiladays and im sorry you don't know me I just had to get a answer. Hope your fish gets better! sincerliy kelsey
sheila meredith - 2012-01-19 Dear red cap oranda owner, i too set up a huge tank a few months ago and brought 4 of these fish, one is always sickly, they suffer constpation and get swim bladder problems and cannot swim to the bottom of the tank, i put in florets of brocolli which they love (cooked and softened) also cauli, but they do love broc, i give mine the flake fish food, this time though i do not think i will be successfull, the other thre are doing well, they are a lovely temperament fish, and should not be put with goldfish, who usually bully them, all the best with your poorly fish, i.ve also turned out the lights on the fish tank- these are cold water species and the lights warm the water up. good luck
leah - 2012-05-01 I had a fish that would do this. I read that it is because the fish is constipated and so the swim bladder is pressed on making it hard to swim...I made my fish fast for a day or two and then fed him and it seemed to help clean out his system and he has since stopped with the scary sideways swimming on the top of the tank.
chloe - 2012-04-19 I have 2 red cap oranda fish and others but I was just wondering if any one could tell me do they get white lumps on their head and were do they lay their eggs under water or on the side of the tank? How big are the eggs when first laid? I think they have only been there a sort time. What should the eggs look like?
Joselyne - 2012-02-14 Hi guys!! i just got a redcap oranda goldfish today for valentines day. It's really cute but I have other gold fishes that are bigger than him. I also got the eye black moor or goldfish ((dont remmeber the name)) but they are small too. Should I take the 'babies' out till they are big or leave them with the other bigger goldfishes??
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Jeremy Roche - 2012-02-15 Hello Joselyne. Goldfish are usually not aggressive towards each other if there is enough room for them. May be a little fin nipping but that is usually it. Should be fine; just keep an eye on them and remember to properly get the new fish use to the water in the tank.
tulsi - 2012-01-09 Hi, I had 2 red cap oranda but after few months one fish died. now the other fish has layed eggs in the tank. Pls help me how to take care of it and do I have to keep another red cap oranda with this one which I have and how do I have to keep the tank clean for the fish and its eggs??? Pls do guide me on this???
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Clarice Brough - 2012-01-20 The parent will eat the eggs, you need to remove her. For info to help care for the eggs and fry see Goldfish breeding
Cheyenne - 2011-11-26 I have a 55 gallon hexagonal tank with a medium sized redcap oranda goldfish her name is Puff. And I believe she has a fungal infection, but I'm not sure. I also have a Rexa XP4 Filstar filter. Please help.
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Charlie Roche - 2011-11-28 Try Animal Worlds article on Fish Diseases and Symptoms Symptoms and look at symptoms. Also look at Fungal diseases. Identify which one (if any) your little guy has and the corresponding treatment is listed.
forestkaat - 2010-05-26 As an expert in the field, I strongly urge those that find all goldfish appealing to please keep them in as large an aquarium that you can afford. They really appreciate space & as most of you know, these fish produce more waste than most other "tropical" freshwater fish. As they grow larger, they can be a bit territorial towards other goldfish. Of course, don't keep them with Betta fish unless you want see some ripped fins. Don't forget that they are primarily vegetarians & love Romaine lettuce, zucchini & flat "veggie" discs made for algae eater fish. I have 6 assorted (1 Redcap Oranda, 1 bubble eye Moore, 2 fantail common comets, & 2 calico Ryukins) in a 60 gallon acrylic tank with a Pleco cat, Farlowella & 2 Chinese Anglonema loaches & everyone's happy. Filtration is wedge-shaped under-gravel filter with 4 powerheads & a 2213 Eheim canister filter as backup. I've had this acrylic tank since 1982 & have had all kinds of fish in it. I'm enjoying these goldfish more than the African / South American Cichlid brats I used to keep - even more than when it was an Angelfish/Discus tank (they just hid & stared - even with all of the tall plants). Yes, I've kept saltwater fish & reef systems, too. I know from running tropical fish stores that some hobbyists turn their nose up at these delightful & hardy fish, which is too bad as most of them live longer than most exoctic tropicals, except, of course, for Koi.
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Anonymous - 2010-06-09 Totally agree.
Nance - 2010-07-23 Enjoyed your article & I'm with you they are a beautiful overlooked fish. I have 120 gallon tank & just switched from Oscars to Orandas & other tropicals. Thanks didn't know about the tail nipping of Bettas &was going to buy one today! You saved me a lot of trouble, I wouldn't want problems w/ my fish.
Zak - 2010-07-25 Hi, just seriously thinking about starting my 1st aquarium and want to do it right. I'm interested in a black moor & either a lionhead or redcap, plus loaches &or snails in a 20+ tank. Your comments on feeding (especially the veggie discs) & filtration were very helpful. Thank You.
Aivre - 2010-09-01 Hi, forestkaat. From your post, you seem very knowledgeable when it comes to Redcaps, so I was wondering if I could ask you a quick question. I currently have one Redcap (housed in a 20 gallon tank, carbon filtered, with six or seven live Amazon Sword plants) who I've had for almost four months. He's only about three inches long, including his tail. I've speculated for a while now whether or not he actually IS a Redcap, as he has absolutely no evidence of a wen other than the red coloring. His body is rather similar to that of a Comet Tail, though he has the split caudal fin that is common to fancytail goldfish. His fins also don't appear to be as "flowing" as some other Redcaps. Is this more or less due to the fact that he's still growing? This article states that wens will show within three or four months, though I've had him for about that long and still nothing.
Kiera - 2010-09-06 Goldfish necessarily don't produce a lot of waste unless you overfeed them.
jayzak - 2011-04-02 No offense expert but from my researches your combination of fish would be quiet problematic. First you keep the bubble eye moore with oranda? in addition to that you have a "fantail common comet"? Is that suppose to be veiltail goldfish? or common and/or comet? if it is common or comet dont they get most of the foods first before they other fantails (orand and fantails) get to the food? Further the bubble eye(assumed) will get even less food since it got eye problem does this not make your fish have un unbalance growth when comparing your fishes? Lastly the pleco, most of the time once they(pleco) get used to the tank they will chase goldfish around because they LOVE their (goldfish) slimcoat. Don't you get any of the problem? I am not saying your doing it wrong since you have been keeping fishes for over 29 years. What's your trick on avoiding these problems? Like you I would love to have a well mixed tank of goldfish.
mel - 2011-09-01 hi there, i have about 35 oranda, most white, orange/white, red and black, ever since i got these fish they have had white spots on their wens, nowhere else on them tho (can realy only notice on the orange and black fish, on the black fish it has gotten worse over night)fish however seem fine, have been feeding flake, floating balls but mainly vegies. i have been doin partial water changes like i do every 2 days but still dont know whats wrong with them. last owner said it was a bit of stress from the water changes??? also i have a lemon head with pimple like spots with light red around the bace. they spawned a week ago and the eggs never hatched eather, i was asleep when it happened as i didnt notice the chacing. please could you let me know what you think, here just 1x the black orandas go for $700! last thing i need is to loose them, thanke heaps in advance.
nancy - 2011-11-07 Hi, Have one of these redcap oranda. He is about 5 inches long and chubby...When I got him he was so little...I have him now in a 20 gallon tank. I run two filters that are for 10 gallon. Within one week the tank is so cloudy again. What can I do so I do not have to clean the tank every week..He seems to be very happy lol
saurav - 2011-08-21 I have two red capped oranda fishes so how to feed them? I love them so much that don't want them to die so what types of food should I give to them? Please tell me my email id is mishra.messi@gmail.com send me email on this topic.
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Charlie Roche - 2011-08-22 Here is your link regarding care of the Oranda - http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/goldfish/RedcapOranda.php The article is from Animal World and I believe it will cover all your concerns. If you have any other questions - just write back. OK?
Lauren - 2008-02-01 I have a red cap oranda name Lucky. He is huge and constantly swims upside down which I always thought was strange. But apparently it is normal for his breed. He also wants to be fed at least five times a day!
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manni - 2010-05-25 It's not normal for a fish to swim upside down. The fish has a bladder problem you must not feed it 5 times a day give it a green pea once a day or dnt feed it for 3 days to sort the problem or you can get medication from the pet shop please look after lucky.
chris - 2010-09-10 Hi we have 5 large orandas and they often swim upside down always have and always will do, they're not sick it's just how they get out of tight spots. I feed them peas every now and again and always use sinking food once a day and brine shrimp once a week and about once a month I starve them for a day helps them clean out their digestive system so I'm told.
Victoria - 2011-01-23 Lauren, My red cap had the same problem and I found the solution. Give them peas... buy frozen peas, thaw in water enough to remove the skin from the pea, cut into 4ths and feed it to them. My fish loves the peas and it completely healed him of this. Apparently they take in air when they eat so floating food is not good for them. I use pellets for goldfish, and if he starts to tilt again I just give him the peas, he is upright by nightfall!
Tina - 2011-04-06 I am taking care of my friends Orandas, and he has one male red Oranda that has been swimming upside down for several months now. He is very healthy, active, happy and in perfect condition other than swimming upside down. His hood has grown to pretty much totally cover his eyes so I'm wondering if that may be part of the problem? His diet is peas every day with a bit of sinking pellets. The peas havenn't cured anything, but he loves to eat them. He is fed once a day.
Any ideas?
Sydney - 2011-06-12 Hi I HAVE A FISH NAMED CAPS I FOUND OUT THAT HE IS SUPPOSED TO SWIM UP SIDE DOWN SO NOW I'M OK. I WAS SO SCARED THAT HE WAS DIEING BUT THE WEIRD THING IS THAT I GOT HIM 5 HOURS AGO!!!!!!
cheyenne - 2011-07-07 You shouldn't feed your fish that many times as it can cause water quality to be poor, even for goldfish. Goldfish are always browsing around for food no matter how many times they are being fed. As for the swiming upside down thing, it it is more than likely swim bladder that is caused by him nibbling at the surface of the water for food, all of this air being swallowed, it causes his belly to float, and swimming with his head down. This can be reversed by presoaking you fish food befor you put it in the tank even if it is sinking food because fish will go for it befor it sinks. You can also feed him skined peas preferably frozen, not caned.
Aaron Bolden - 2011-03-05 I just purchased 3 redcap oranda goldfish and I have one white and red one and two totally orange ones but my question is how is the a green red cap oranda goldfish at the petstore weird I know but just wondering how or why it's green and also any fish tank things I should put in there for them?
This pretty little goldfish, the Redcap Oranda Goldfish is totally white except for its cherry red hood!
Hello My Fellow fish lovers...I have a problem. I have two new red cap orandas that we transfered from our small pond in our backyard-(1st year)-to a 36 gallon indoor tank. We spent alot of $ on a really good filter, everytime we feed our fish-1x daily 4 pellets, one of our orandas seems to get sick and floats upward, stays there and sometimes floats sideways for a day. We panic, put him in a small bucket with water,conditioner, a little salt and oxygen and feed him peas Overnight he recovers slightly but still isn't right. We feed him peas when he acts up again still isn't right. He once got messed up really bad the first time we transfered him after being in pond all summer) , cause we didn't condition the water....since then this floating goes on every time we feed him. Can someone PLEASE help me..I'm afraid we are going to lose him...Thank you...happy Holidays to all
I found just two things but either could be the problem. The first is constipation and the symptoms fit. This one is easy cuz you just change the food. It would explain why feeding it a pea would help. The second is gas bubble disease gas bubbles and you might want to check this article out.
Keep feeding him peas for a few days. Then just feed him veggies for a while. if you do give him pellets soak in water till they sink. Than place in tank. Also does his body look okay...no injuries from the transfer- tank from pond?
i think we have the same problem because my fish bernenne is not swimming.We just cleaned his tank today but he is struggling to move and he wont eat at all.I dont know what kind of fish he is but it looks like what you have. Any suggestions??? I'm afraid I might lose him thank you ....happy hoiladays and im sorry you don't know me I just had to get a answer. Hope your fish gets better! sincerliy kelsey
Dear red cap oranda owner, i too set up a huge tank a few months ago and brought 4 of these fish, one is always sickly, they suffer constpation and get swim bladder problems and cannot swim to the bottom of the tank, i put in florets of brocolli which they love (cooked and softened) also cauli, but they do love broc, i give mine the flake fish food, this time though i do not think i will be successfull, the other thre are doing well, they are a lovely temperament fish, and should not be put with goldfish, who usually bully them,
all the best with your poorly fish, i.ve also turned out the lights on the fish tank- these are cold water species and the lights warm the water up.
good luck
I had a fish that would do this. I read that it is because the fish is constipated and so the swim bladder is pressed on making it hard to swim...I made my fish fast for a day or two and then fed him and it seemed to help clean out his system and he has since stopped with the scary sideways swimming on the top of the tank.
I have 2 red cap oranda fish and others but I was just wondering if any one could tell me do they get white lumps on their head and were do they lay their eggs under water or on the side of the tank? How big are the eggs when first laid? I think they have only been there a sort time. What should the eggs look like?
Hi guys!! i just got a redcap oranda goldfish today for valentines day. It's really cute but I have other gold fishes that are bigger than him. I also got the eye black moor or goldfish ((dont remmeber the name)) but they are small too. Should I take the 'babies' out till they are big or leave them with the other bigger goldfishes??
Hello Joselyne. Goldfish are usually not aggressive towards each other if there is enough room for them. May be a little fin nipping but that is usually it. Should be fine; just keep an eye on them and remember to properly get the new fish use to the water in the tank.
Hi,
I had 2 red cap oranda but after few months one fish died. now the other fish has layed eggs in the tank. Pls help me how to take care of it and do I have to keep another red cap oranda with this one which I have and how do I have to keep the tank clean for the fish and its eggs??? Pls do guide me on this???
The parent will eat the eggs, you need to remove her. For info to help care for the eggs and fry see Goldfish breeding
I have a 55 gallon hexagonal tank with a medium sized redcap oranda goldfish her name is Puff. And I believe she has a fungal infection, but I'm not sure. I also have a Rexa XP4 Filstar filter. Please help.
Try Animal Worlds article on Fish Diseases and Symptoms Symptoms and look at symptoms. Also look at Fungal diseases. Identify which one (if any) your little guy has and the corresponding treatment is listed.
As an expert in the field, I strongly urge those that find all goldfish appealing to please keep them in as large an aquarium that you can afford. They really appreciate space & as most of you know, these fish produce more waste than most other "tropical" freshwater fish. As they grow larger, they can be a bit territorial towards other goldfish. Of course, don't keep them with Betta fish unless you want see some ripped fins. Don't forget that they are primarily vegetarians & love Romaine lettuce, zucchini & flat "veggie" discs made for algae eater fish. I have 6 assorted (1 Redcap Oranda, 1 bubble eye Moore, 2 fantail common comets, & 2 calico Ryukins) in a 60 gallon acrylic tank with a Pleco cat, Farlowella & 2 Chinese Anglonema loaches & everyone's happy. Filtration is wedge-shaped under-gravel filter with 4 powerheads & a 2213 Eheim canister filter as backup. I've had this acrylic tank since 1982 & have had all kinds of fish in it. I'm enjoying these goldfish more than the African / South American Cichlid brats I used to keep - even more than when it was an Angelfish/Discus tank (they just hid & stared - even with all of the tall plants). Yes, I've kept saltwater fish & reef systems, too. I know from running tropical fish stores that some hobbyists turn their nose up at these delightful & hardy fish, which is too bad as most of them live longer than most exoctic tropicals, except, of course, for Koi.
Totally agree.
Enjoyed your article & I'm with you they are a beautiful overlooked fish. I have 120 gallon tank & just switched from Oscars to Orandas & other tropicals. Thanks didn't know about the tail nipping of Bettas &was going to buy one today! You saved me a lot of trouble, I wouldn't want problems w/ my fish.
Hi, just seriously thinking about starting my 1st aquarium and want to do it right. I'm interested in a black moor & either a lionhead or redcap, plus loaches &or snails in a 20+ tank. Your comments on feeding (especially the veggie discs) & filtration were very helpful. Thank You.
Hi, forestkaat. From your post, you seem very knowledgeable when it comes to Redcaps, so I was wondering if I could ask you a quick question. I currently have one Redcap (housed in a 20 gallon tank, carbon filtered, with six or seven live Amazon Sword plants) who I've had for almost four months. He's only about three inches long, including his tail. I've speculated for a while now whether or not he actually IS a Redcap, as he has absolutely no evidence of a wen other than the red coloring. His body is rather similar to that of a Comet Tail, though he has the split caudal fin that is common to fancytail goldfish. His fins also don't appear to be as "flowing" as some other Redcaps. Is this more or less due to the fact that he's still growing? This article states that wens will show within three or four months, though I've had him for about that long and still nothing.
Goldfish necessarily don't produce a lot of waste unless you overfeed them.
No offense expert but from my researches your combination of fish would be quiet problematic. First you keep the bubble eye moore with oranda? in addition to that you have a "fantail common comet"? Is that suppose to be veiltail goldfish? or common and/or comet? if it is common or comet dont they get most of the foods first before they other fantails (orand and fantails) get to the food? Further the bubble eye(assumed) will get even less food since it got eye problem does this not make your fish have un unbalance growth when comparing your fishes? Lastly the pleco, most of the time once they(pleco) get used to the tank they will chase goldfish around because they LOVE their (goldfish) slimcoat. Don't you get any of the problem? I am not saying your doing it wrong since you have been keeping fishes for over 29 years. What's your trick on avoiding these problems? Like you I would love to have a well mixed tank of goldfish.
hi there, i have about 35 oranda, most white, orange/white, red and black,
ever since i got these fish they have had white spots on their wens, nowhere else on them tho (can realy only notice on the orange and black fish, on the black fish it has gotten worse over night)fish however seem fine, have been feeding flake, floating balls but mainly vegies. i have been doin partial water changes like i do every 2 days but still dont know whats wrong with them. last owner said it was a bit of stress from the water changes??? also i have a lemon head with pimple like spots with light red around the bace. they spawned a week ago and the eggs never hatched eather, i was asleep when it happened as i didnt notice the chacing. please could you let me know what you think, here just 1x the black orandas go for $700! last thing i need is to loose them, thanke heaps in advance.
Hi, Have one of these redcap oranda. He is about 5 inches long and chubby...When I got him he was so little...I have him now in a 20 gallon tank. I run two filters that are for 10 gallon. Within one week the tank is so cloudy again. What can I do so I do not have to clean the tank every week..He seems to be very happy lol
I have two red capped oranda fishes so how to feed them? I love them so much that don't want them to die so what types of food should I give to them? Please tell me my email id is mishra.messi@gmail.com send me email on this topic.
Here is your link regarding care of the Oranda -
http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/goldfish/RedcapOranda.php The article is from Animal World and I believe it will cover all your concerns. If you have any other questions - just write back. OK?
I've got a huge female flower horn fish.....I want to know what is the procedure for breeding and mating?
I have a red cap oranda name Lucky. He is huge and constantly swims upside down which I always thought was strange. But apparently it is normal for his breed. He also wants to be fed at least five times a day!
It's not normal for a fish to swim upside down. The fish has a bladder problem you must not feed it 5 times a day give it a green pea once a day or dnt feed it for 3 days to sort the problem or you can get medication from the pet shop please look after lucky.
Hi we have 5 large orandas and they often swim upside down always have and always will do, they're not sick it's just how they get out of tight spots. I feed them peas every now and again and always use sinking food once a day and brine shrimp once a week and about once a month I starve them for a day helps them clean out their digestive system so I'm told.
Lauren, My red cap had the same problem and I found the solution. Give them peas... buy frozen peas, thaw in water enough to remove the skin from the pea, cut into 4ths and feed it to them. My fish loves the peas and it completely healed him of this. Apparently they take in air when they eat so floating food is not good for them. I use pellets for goldfish, and if he starts to tilt again I just give him the peas, he is upright by nightfall!
I am taking care of my friends Orandas, and he has one male red Oranda that has been swimming upside down for several months now. He is very healthy, active, happy and in perfect condition other than swimming upside down. His hood has grown to pretty much totally cover his eyes so I'm wondering if that may be part of the problem?
His diet is peas every day with a bit of sinking pellets. The peas havenn't cured anything, but he loves to eat them. He is fed once a day.
Any ideas?
Hi I HAVE A FISH NAMED CAPS I FOUND OUT THAT HE IS SUPPOSED TO SWIM UP SIDE DOWN SO NOW I'M OK. I WAS SO SCARED THAT HE WAS DIEING BUT THE WEIRD THING IS THAT I GOT HIM 5 HOURS AGO!!!!!!
You shouldn't feed your fish that many times as it can cause water quality to be poor, even for goldfish. Goldfish are always browsing around for food no matter how many times they are being fed. As for the swiming upside down thing, it it is more than likely swim bladder that is caused by him nibbling at the surface of the water for food, all of this air being swallowed, it causes his belly to float, and swimming with his head down. This can be reversed by presoaking you fish food befor you put it in the tank even if it is sinking food because fish will go for it befor it sinks. You can also feed him skined peas preferably frozen, not caned.
I just purchased 3 redcap oranda goldfish and I have one white and red one and two totally orange ones but my question is how is the a green red cap oranda goldfish at the petstore weird I know but just wondering how or why it's green and also any fish tank things I should put in there for them?