Black Ranchu
2 Photo Gallery
1 Species Overview
The Black Ranchu is a goldfish variety bred from the Ranchu and the Shouxing (a hooded goldfish), with a very thick head wen and the graceful Ranchu body shape — a favorite among keepers. It is found mainly in Japan, reproduces by laying eggs, shares the habits of other goldfish, and is cold-blooded.
Name: Black Ranchu. English name: Black Ranchu. Alias: Black Ranchu.
2 Morphological Characteristics
Its appearance is very attractive, which is why goldfish hobbyists love it. Although it is a hybrid, its genes are now stable and the variety is commonly seen in the market.
It is all black. Because it was developed from the Ranchu and the Shouxing, it carries the Shouxing’s thick wen and the Ranchu’s elegant body. An ideal Ranchu head has a large ‘crown’ (head cover), a wide ‘eye span’ (distance between the eyes), a long ‘eye-front’ (eye to snout), and a deep ‘gill cover’ that extends backward. Which type is best is a matter of personal taste and current fashion.
3 Habitat & Living Environment
Like many goldfish, the Black Ranchu is fairly easy to keep and not very demanding about water quality or temperature. Watch its condition day to day and treat any problem early, and it will stay healthy.
The best water color is a light emerald green, but you should still be able to see the fish. When the water gets too dark it harms the fish: a high green-algae concentration interferes with gill breathing, and at night the algae respire and consume oxygen, so too much algae can cause hypoxia. Dense algae also leaves a lot of organic debris — mostly dead algae — which raises harmful substances in the water. Therefore, when the water turns deep green or you can no longer see the fish, change the water to lighten the color.
4 Feeding Guidelines
The Black Ranchu is an omnivorous ornamental fish, so it is not fussy about food — it accepts animal feeds, plant feeds, and prepared foods — but the feeding method still matters.
Animal feeds include daphnia, earthworms, yellow mealworms, caterpillars, and beetle grubs; the staples are earthworms and white sesame, and both red and black earthworms are fine. Do not feed cheap commercial goldfish food — it is mostly starch, poorly nutritious, hard to digest, fouls the water, slows growth, and causes illness. A goldfish will not burst from overfeeding if the food is digestible. Feed once in the morning and once in the afternoon, lightly, only as much as it finishes, or the water will spoil.