Ryukin Calico Goldfish

• Temperature Range: 18-25C
• pH Range: 6.0-8.0, though 7.5 is ideal
• Compatibility: Peaceful, though best suited to species-only aquariums
• Area Of Origin: China
• Suitable Foods: Variety of flakes or pellets
• Special Requirements: Need a lot of fibre in their diets to combat common digestive problems

What is a Calico Ryukin Goldfish?

There are more than 100 types of Fancy Goldfish, and Ryukins are amongst the most popular. These fish are technically goldfish, Carassius auratus, though they've been specially bred to look very different than their more common cousins.

Ryukins are characterised by their short bodies and protruding humps that sit just behind their heads. They come in many different sizes and colours, from small to giant and calico to chocolate.

As a breed, Ryukins are thought to have originated in China before being brought over to Japan in the late 18th century. They quickly became very popular amongst fancy goldfish breeders and were even mentioned in several historic literary works!

Other popular types of Fancy Goldfish include Ranchus, Orandas, Pearlscales, and Telescopes.

How do I care for Calico Ryukin Goldfish?

Ryukins, just like other types of Fancy Goldfish, require a moderate level of care. They're not quite as hardy as their Common Goldfish cousins and do best in large, heated aquariums, rather than outdoor garden ponds. Some Fancy Goldfish keepers do choose to keep their goldfish outside in large, raised tubs/ponds during the summer months, however.

A single Ryukin needs at least 100 litres of space, though more is always better. They also benefit from a heater, despite being known as coldwater fish. They don't require a lot of heat, but stable temperatures of ~20C will keep them in tip-top health and help their bodies go through all of their natural biological processes. On hotter days where room temperatures exceed 20C, heaters can be switched off to cut down on energy spend.

Like other types of Fancy Goldfish, Ryukins eat a lot of food and produce a lot of waste. For this reason, they need to be kept in an aquarium equipped with a powerful filtration system. The best kind of filters for Fancy Goldfish aquariums are external. These are capable of filtering large aquariums upwards of 150 litres and can process large amounts of waste thanks to the huge amount of mechanical, biological, and chemical media that you can pack into them.