Key Characteristics of a Premium Ranchu:
- Body Shape:
- Short and Rounded: The body should be compact, broad across the back, and have a smooth, curved profile from head to tail. There should be no dorsal fin.
- Depth: The body depth should be significant, contributing to a robust appearance.
- Tail Carriage: The tail is crucial. It should be a "butterfly" or "apricot leaf" tail, held downwards at a 45-degree angle to the body. The tail base should be thick and strong, and the individual lobes should be separate and well-rounded, without any drooping or twisting. The tail movement should be graceful and powerful, propelling the fish smoothly.
- Back: The back should be smooth and arch gently without any sharp angles or deformities.
- Headgrowth (Wen):
- Well-Developed: The wen is the fleshy hood on the head and is highly valued in Ranchu. In premium specimens, the wen should be large, covering the top and sides of the head, including the gill plates, but ideally not obscuring the eyes too much.
- Texture and Balance: The wen should have a fine, "velvety" texture and be evenly developed on all sides of the head, creating a balanced and pleasing appearance. The "lionhead" style wen, where it covers almost the entire head, is often preferred.
- Coloration: Premium Ranchu come in various colors and patterns, including solid colors (red, white, black, yellow), bi-colors (red and white, black and white), and calico. The color should be intense and evenly distributed.
- Eyes: The eyes should be bright, clear, and well-set, not sunken or protruding excessively.
- Overall Impression: A premium Ranchu exudes a sense of balance, power, and grace. The combination of body shape, wen, tail carriage, and color should be harmonious and aesthetically pleasing according to judging standards.
Care Requirements (similar to other fancy goldfish, but with extra attention to water quality):
- Tank Size: Due to their body shape and potential size (they can grow to 6-8 inches or more), premium Ranchu require ample space. A minimum of 75 liters (20 gallons) is recommended for a single juvenile, with significantly more space needed as they grow. Many experienced keepers prefer even larger tanks or shallow, wide "Ranchu bowls" specifically designed for them.
- Water Quality: Pristine water quality is absolutely crucial for Ranchu, especially for healthy wen development. Regular and significant water changes (25-50% several times a week) are essential to keep ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels very low.
- Filtration: A powerful and efficient filtration system is necessary. Over-filtration is often recommended.
- Substrate: Smooth sand or bare bottom tanks are preferred to avoid injury and make cleaning easier.
- Decorations: Keep decorations to a minimum and ensure they are smooth to prevent damage to the wen and body.
- Diet: A high-quality, balanced goldfish diet is essential. Supplement with fresh vegetables and occasional live or frozen foods. Be careful not to overfeed, as this can lead to health problems and affect water quality.
- Water Temperature: Maintain a stable temperature, ideally between 18-24°C (65-75°F). Avoid extreme fluctuations.
- Oxygenation: Ranchu, with their compact bodies and lack of a dorsal fin, can sometimes be less efficient swimmers and may require good oxygenation in the water.
