Red Cap Oranda 5cm

Difficulty:Easy Max Growth Size: 15-25cm Temperament: Preferred Water Parameters: Temperature:22-27 degrees celsius pH Level:7.2-7.8 General Hardness: Mod- Hard Diet: Goldfish are primarily herbivores despite what many aquarist feed them. Comets and Common Goldfish will take foods such as Brine Shrimp and shelled peas (which are excellent for constipation). However, “meatier” types of foods should be used sparingly, and very high protein foods such as worms should be avoided altogether.   The Oranda Goldfish is one of the most popular goldfish in the world. It is favored for its hood, a fleshy growth on the top of its head called the wen. The wen starts to show at about 3 – 4 months, but only really begins to form at about 1 – 2 years. The hood is fully developed when the fish gets to be about 2-2 1/2 years old. The Oranda Goldfish in the picture is too young to have a well developed hood. This beautiful goldfish has a large, round shape, shimmering scales, and a long flowing split caudal (tail) fin that fans out when it stops swimming. It is not surprising that the Chinese refer to it as the “flower of the water.” In Japan, it is called Oranda Shishigashiri, and there’s a calico version they call Azuma Nishiki. In Asia, though the common name Oranda is generally applied to these fish, varieties with the fleshy growth covering the entire head are known as Tigerhead or Tiger Goldfish. Rather than having the long, slender body of the Common Goldfish or the Shubunkins, the Oranda Goldfish is one of the more rounded or egg-shaped fancy goldfish. All of their fins are paired except the dorsal fin, and the tail fin is usually split. Lionhead Goldfish They can have metallic or matte scales and are available in a wide variety of colors, including red, black, calico, chocolate, red/white combinations, and a more recently developed blue. A popular variety is the Redcap Oranda, which is totally white except for a cherry red hood, which looks just like a cap. The Oranda Goldfish can be confused with the Lionhead Goldfish when their coloring is very similar. The photo on the right of a Lionhead shows the distinctive differences between the two. The Lionhead is quickly identified by the lack of a dorsal fin, which Orandas have. The Lionhead also has higher arching on the back and more intense bubbly growth around the face. Oranda Goldfish are very popular and are found in collectors’ tanks throughout the world. Although they are widely available, they are delicate and not recommended as a beginner fish. Unlike the flat-bodied types of goldfish, they have a lower tolerance for pollution and cannot tolerate extremely cool temperatures. The hood is subject to infection from debris, bacteria, and fungi that settles in the tiny fold