Ranchu
Carassius auratus
What you need to keep a Ranchu
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pH
6.5–8
Temperature
18–23 °C
Where to buy
Compare prices from SA aquarium shops listing Ranchu.
What Ranchu costs in South Africa
3 price points from 2 shops over 90 days
R350
cheapest of 2 shops today
SA median R395 across 2 shops over the last 90 days.
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Overview
What to know before you buy.
Highly prized in Japan, the Ranchu is known as the 'King of Goldfish.' It has a distinctively arched back, no dorsal fin, and a prominent head growth. Their unique body shape makes them clumsy swimmers, requiring specialized care in a bare-bottom tank with gentle filtration to prevent injury.
Key traits
Care guide
Keeping Ranchu healthy in a South African setup.
Tank setup
Size the aquarium to Ranchu's adult size and activity level. Provide hiding spots and stable, well-filtered water; it suits a community setup.
Water parameters
Keep pH 6.5–8 and 18–23°C. Stable parameters matter more than chasing perfect numbers; acclimate new arrivals slowly.
Feeding
Omnivore. Feed small amounts it clears in a couple of minutes, and vary the diet.
Behaviour
Peaceful. Keep it in a group for natural behaviour.
Tankmates
Choose tankmates of similar size and temperament with the same water needs. Avoid fin-nippers and anything large enough to eat it.
Breeding
Breeding success with Ranchu depends on the line and water chemistry; ask your shop about proven pairs.
Keeping goldfish?
Goldfish produce more waste per centimetre than almost anything else in the hobby.
10% off your first order, no code, at checkout
Availability confirmed with the distributor before dispatch · free delivery over r750
Community photos
From hobbyists across SA.
Market intelligence
Price trends and buyer demand — data only FishHub tracks.
Price history — last 90 days
SA price range this month: R345–595 · Average: R456
This data is unique to FishHub
Demand by province
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