Oranda

Carassius auratus

Also known as: Oranda goldfish, Redcap oranda

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 16–24°C
• pH: 7–8.4
• Hardness (GH): 89–357 ppm (5–20 dGH)

Values above are general hardness (GH). For carbonate hardness (KH), the buffer that keeps pH stable, see the water parameters guide.

Care Summary

Among the most popular of all fancy goldfish, the oranda is defined by its 'wen', a raspberry-like hood of fleshy growth that develops over the head and cheeks as the fish matures, framing the face. The best-known form is the red-cap oranda, silver-white with a single crimson wen, though red, calico, blue, and chocolate forms are widely sold. It is a moderately robust, egg-bodied fancy reaching 15 to 20cm, kept much like a fantail but with one extra demand: scrupulously clean water, because the wen grows slowly, traps detritus, and can become infected in poor conditions. Given a roomy, well-filtered aquarium, cool stable water, and a sinking diet, the oranda is a hardy, characterful, and strikingly ornate fish, and one of the fancy goldfish most rewarding to grow on from a juvenile.

Tankmates

A fancy goldfish, so it must be kept with other fancies of similar pace, never with single-tailed goldfish (commons, comets, shubunkins), which outcompete it. Orandas pair well with fantails and ryukins. The one special consideration is the fleshy head growth: keep the water very clean, since the wen traps debris and is prone to bacterial infection, and avoid sharp decor that could tear it. Small fish and shrimp are unsuitable, being eaten or outcompeted. Like all fancies, it needs a spacious, well-filtered aquarium and cool but not cold, stable water.

Compatible with

• Fantail Goldfish
• Ryukin

Avoid keeping with

• Common Goldfish
• Comet Goldfish
• Shubunkin
• Bubble Eye
• Cherry Shrimp
• Tropical Warm Water Species

Common Problems

• bacterial or fungal infection of the head growth (wen) in poor water
• the wen growing over the eyes and impairing vision
• swim bladder and buoyancy issues
• heavy bioload demanding strong filtration

Sources: seriouslyfish.com, fishbase.org · Last updated: 2026-06-20