Animal-World > Freshwater Fish > Goldfish > Ryukin Goldfish

Ryukin Goldfish

Family: Cyprinidae

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Carassius auratus auratus Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   The pretty Ryukin Goldfish shown here is a captivating novelty, with its very round body shape and its calico patterning!

   The Ryukin Goldfish are considered a Japanese version of the Fantail Goldfish*. They differ in that they have an extremely high back and a wider cuadal fin than the fantail. Ryukin Goldfish are recommended as a beginner fish.

   Along with the Black Moor Goldfish*, Fantail Goldfish*, and the Shubunkin Goldfish*, the Ryukin Goldfish can be kept at temperatures close to freezing. Their hardiness and ability to live at colder temperatures makes them ideal for outdoor ponds.

* See Fantail Goldfish.
* See Black Moor Goldfish.
* See Shubunkin Goldfish.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Dream Aquarium Build your own aquarium The Coolest and Funnest Screensaver in the World.

Care and feeding:
   Since they are omnivorous, the Ryukin Goldfish will generally eat all kinds of fresh, frozen, and flake foods. To keep a good balance give them a high quality flake food everyday. Feed brine shrimp (either live or frozen), blood worms, Daphnia, or tubifex worms as a treat.
   It is usually better to feed freeze-dried foods as opposed to live foods to avoid parasites and bacterial infections that could be present in live foods.

Distribution:
   Domesticated goldfish are distributed world-wide but originally came from China.

Size - Weight:
   Both Fantail Goldfish and Ryukin Goldfish grow to about 15 cm (6 inches).

Social Behaviors:
   Goldfish are very social animals and thrive in a community. Not only are they a great community fish but they are great scavengers as well. It is really not necessary to add other scavengers or other bottom feeders to the aquarium when you have goldfish.

Temperatures:
   Recommended temperatures for Goldfish is 65°-72° F (18°-22° C).

Sexual Differences:
   Although is it impossible to sex Goldfish when they are young and not in breeding season, the male is usually smaller and more slender that the female. In the breeding season the male has white prickles, called breeding tubercles, on its gill covers and head. Seen from above the female will have a fatter appearance as she is carrying eggs.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
   These fish will swim in all areas of the aquarium.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   Ryukin Goldfish are egg layers that spawn readily in the right conditions. See Breeding Freshwater Fish - goldfish for more information on breeding Goldfish.

Availability:
   The Ryukin Goldfish is readily available and is inexpensive.

Buy Ryukin Goldfish
From LiveAquaria.com

Comments from people who have kept this fish:

I've had my Ryukin for about three months now, and I love him to death! He's so fun to watch, and always busily looking for food. I had always heard that goldfish were difficult to keep, but as long as the tank is kept clean, I have found they are very low maintenance fish! The only thing I would recommend for a new goldfish owner would be to get a filter rated for up to twice the size of the tank that you have, and to change the carbon cartridge at least once every two weeks or so. Also, siphoning the gravel once a week is an excellent way to keep your fish happy.

I bought my 1 in. ryukin several days ago and already my 1 in. oranda has been trying to spawn with it. :P ....he's so cool

I got three Calico Ryukins this Friday (1-11-08) and I am really starting to enjoy my 42 hex tank! They have really brought it to life! My children all named one so we have: Boo fish (2year olds), Shark bait (10year olds), and Fire or Bubbles (5 year olds). They are really fun to watch and I love that they will eat the food that drops to the bottom. I've always heard negative things about goldfish and was worried about getting them, but went ahead and took the plunge! Apparently goldfish can increase ammonia levels faster than other fish so keep an eye on your water, checking it often. :) Happy fishing everyone!

Hello, I just got what I think might be a ryukin goldfish, It looks alot like the one in the picture but Im not sure! I wish I knew, anyway its doing really good in my octagon tank that has 3 other smaller fish in it! Im really happy with my fish, thanks for the info!

We just got a ryukin calico. We have gotten Tiger a 29 gal. tank, so he can grow big and be happy. He is gorgeous, mostly orange with some black around his eyes and on his back; some black stripes. He has white fins outlined with black. We hope to have him a very long time! Debbie and son Joel

my golfish is beautiful. I have had it for three years. bought when it was about an inch and now it is now about 6 inches long with beautiful silky fins. i enjoy it very much and recommend them to anyone

Back to Goldfish

Author: David Brough. CFS.

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