O R A N D A
Origin - China
Difficulty - Intermediate
Availability - Common (Some variants rare)
Price - Cheap to Moderate
Adult Size - 8 to 12 inches
Scales - Metallic, Matte or Nacreous
History & Background
A Redcap Oranda
Probably the most well known of the exotic goldfish,
Orandas are very common in both America and the far east. They first appeared
in the 1500s, and were likely the first goldfish breed to develop wen (headgrowth).
Orandas normally top out at around 8 to 12 inches, though there is one recorded
fish in china (named after Bruce Lee) that has been measured at 15 inches.
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Special Care
Orandas are not especially delicate, but
are not as hardy as Common goldfish. They are not really suitable for ponds
and should be kept in heated aquariums.
Ideal Characteristics
Ranchus themselves come in two varieties; "Sideview"
and "Topview"
Ideal Orandas should have compact egg-shapped
bodies. The body depth should be equal to 2/3 the body length, and the body
should be wide.
All orandas have Wen. They should have a well developed half-hood covering only the top of their head. Some growth on the cheeks is acceptable and desired. The wen on an Oranda should be heavier on the top, as opposed to a Lionhead which has heavier growth on the cheeks.
The demand for Orandas with well developed wen has lead to the breeding of some specimens with outrageously large headgrowth. It should be well developed, but not overdeveloped. The fish should be able to see, and the wen should not be so large as to cover its eyes. There are Tancho and Goosehead variants with specialized wen.
Orandas come in all major fin types, but the most common seems to be the fringetail or ribbontail. The fins should conform to whatever the standard is for the fin type the Oranda has. As with most other breeds, color saturation of the fins is desirable.
Orandas come in all color and scale combinations.
Known Variants
Example of the Tigerhead variant Tigerheads
are normal Orandas with full hoods...they basically look like Lionheads with
dorsal fins. The wen is more even across the face as opposed to being heavy
on the top, as with regular Orandas. Tigerheads first appeared around the
late 1800s. These are relatively rare in America.
Redcap Orandas (aka Tancho Orandas) are completely white except for a red circle on their head directly above their eyes (the portion of the wen that looks like an exposed brain). Redcap orandas are very popular in America, and high quality specimens are available even in chain stores.
Pom Pom Orandas (also called "hana Fusa") are normal Orandas that also have nasal bouquets like a Pom Pom goldfish.
Dragon Eyes are telescope versions of Orandas.
Goosehead Orandas are like normal Orandas but the wen is very tall (growing directly away from the skull...it does not grow outward over the skull) Back to Top
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