I'm trying to find some input from various keepers of the fancy goldfish species, like ranchus, oranda, lionheads, etc... i do know the basic water parameters etc.. but i wanted to hear from actual keepers of their water quality, temp, ph, types of food, etc... thanks in advance..
fancy ranchus or lionheads info..
- Thread starter saltyreefguy
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Lupin
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- Sep 21, 2006
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All goldfish are coldwater species and will appreciate every food you provide them however they are also heavy waste producers which means you need to feed them sparingly, do plenty of water changes and maximize filtration capacity. Tank conditions often do not matter however it is best the ph is maintained at 7 and above.
A fancy goldfish alone will require a 20g by itself. If your tank is 55g, I'd suggest only 3-4 fancy goldfish depending on the strain you are planning to keep, 3-4 for ranchus or lionheads. Do not mix common and fancy goldfish. While both have very similar requirements, common goldfish are very quick and can outcompete the fancy goldfish in terms of foods.
If you plan to get some tankmates, let us know the tank size and the strains of goldfish you plan to keep. For 55g and bigger though, you can keep rubber-lipped plecos or weather loaches but there are several factors that you should take into consideration before you try them.
It must be noted that any attempt to keep live plants is useless as goldfish also live to consume plants.
A fancy goldfish alone will require a 20g by itself. If your tank is 55g, I'd suggest only 3-4 fancy goldfish depending on the strain you are planning to keep, 3-4 for ranchus or lionheads. Do not mix common and fancy goldfish. While both have very similar requirements, common goldfish are very quick and can outcompete the fancy goldfish in terms of foods.
If you plan to get some tankmates, let us know the tank size and the strains of goldfish you plan to keep. For 55g and bigger though, you can keep rubber-lipped plecos or weather loaches but there are several factors that you should take into consideration before you try them.
It must be noted that any attempt to keep live plants is useless as goldfish also live to consume plants.
The fancier they are the more sensitive they are. So fantails are the hardiest, then telescope eyes, ryukins, orandas, lionhead, ranchu, pearlscale. There is some overlap so it is not always this order, but it gives you an idea. I would start with the hardier type and then move up as you get used to them.
I feed all my fish New Life Spectrum exclusively. This has worked very well for all my fish, including my goldfish. You can check out pics of them all in my Photobucket page in my signature.
I would not recommend a rubberlip pleco. One of my ranchus lost an eye to one. It and another goldfish also lost a lot of scales to the same fish.
Room temp should be fine.
As with all fish, water quality needs to be high , so nitrates should be kept at no more than 20ppm. A stable pH is more important that a precise one. What is your tap's pH?
Live plants don't work with goldfish?
I feed all my fish New Life Spectrum exclusively. This has worked very well for all my fish, including my goldfish. You can check out pics of them all in my Photobucket page in my signature.
I would not recommend a rubberlip pleco. One of my ranchus lost an eye to one. It and another goldfish also lost a lot of scales to the same fish.
Room temp should be fine.
As with all fish, water quality needs to be high , so nitrates should be kept at no more than 20ppm. A stable pH is more important that a precise one. What is your tap's pH?
Live plants don't work with goldfish?