Oranda Goldfish are incredibly beautiful and peaceful at the same time. And even if you are not fond of the regular Goldfish varieties, you might be tempted by the Orandas’ stunning little bodies and unique mannerisms that are just as fascinating as their appearance.
But would they thrive with other popular Goldfish varieties in the same tank? If you’ve been pondering over this and other questions around Oranda Goldfish care, this guide has all the answers.
Here, we discuss the crucial details about Oranda Goldfish care, including size, general appearance, tank size, diet, behavior, breeding, and more.
Species Overview
Oranda Goldfish is a freshwater fish species resulting from crossbreeding experiments involving specific Goldfish varieties. They’ve been kept in captivity for centuries, with their beauty and straightforward care requirements endearing them to aquarists of all levels.
| Category | Rating |
| Family | Cyprinidae |
| Color | Various |
| Lifespan | 15 Years |
| Care Level | Intermediate |
| Behavior & Temperament | Peaceful |
| Compatibility | Peaceful fish community |
| Food and Diet | Omnivores |
| Size | Up to 9 Inches |
| Tank Setup | Freshwater with some plants |
| Tank Size (Minimum) | 30 Gallons |
Over the years, the Oranda Goldfish have been associated with the wild carps, and even though their original habitat remains debatable, many aquarists believe these fish might have originated from China and Japan. Several records have pointed to their existence in the aquarium community from as early as the 15th century.
Today, the beautiful Oranda Goldfish of the Cyprinidae family has become a staple pet in the fishkeeping community, with their ease of care and distinct body appearance making them a popular choice among fish lovers.
Lifespan
Oranda Goldfish can live for up to 15 years with suitable tank water conditions in captivity. But this can stretch to 20 years if you keep them in a backyard pond.
Usually, the most significant aspect of an Oranda Goldfish’s lifespan is the nature of the tank. So, if you give them a small space, they will likely suffer from stress and chronic diseases that will shorten their lives in the long run.
Appearance
Shall we talk about their classic appearance?
Oranda Goldfish are captivating for many reasons. At first sight, their shape will instantly tell you that you are not dealing with an ordinary freshwater Goldfish.
Instead of the slender body shape that’s quite common with many Goldfish varieties, Orandas will be captivating with their egg-shaped bodies and large bellies, almost matching the fish’s length.
Conversely, the Oranda Goldfish have singular, distinct fins, except the paired dorsal. They may not be active swimmers, but their beautiful fins give them a silky look when casually exploring their habitat.
Oh! And we can’t forget the showy head growth, sometimes called the cap or wen. This is an elongated hood right on top of the fish’s head. In some species, the wen may extend all over the face, almost blocking the fish’s vision.
There are multiple color variations within the Oranda Goldfish community. But in the modern fishkeeping community, many aquarists are fond of the orange and yellow Orandas. Still, you can find a suitable single color, bi-color, and tri-color varieties that suit your aquarium.
That being said, all the Oranda Goldfish varieties will have metallic scales regardless of the color pattern.
Types
Now, let’s look at the Oranda Goldfish types.
Red Cap Oranda
The Red Cap Oranda Goldfish is the most common of the three Oranda varieties, and, just as the name suggests, it will have a showy head cap covered in beautiful bright red shades.
However, the fish’s caps are smaller and won’t cover the whole face like the other Oranda varieties. Plus, these fish will have their entire bodies covered in pure white coloration.
Blue Orandas
As you may probably guess, the Blue Oranda Goldfish have bright blue-gray or deep blue coloration. But you shouldn’t be shocked to see the Blue Orandas with white, orange, or black patches perfectly complementing their blue bodies.
Black Oranda Goldfish
Finally, the Black Oranda Goldfish are just what you need to create some odd-looking aquarium that’s beautiful in its way.
Their dark black body coloration is quite rare in the entire fishkeeping community and perhaps will make your home aquarium more alluring. These fish have beautiful orange shades supplementing their entirely dark bodies.
Size
Oranda Goldfish can grow up to 8-9 inches with the right conditions in captivity. This makes them an excellent choice for larger tanks with enough swimming space and ideal water conditions.
Oranda Goldfish Care
Oranda Goldfish care will be manageable if you start on the right foot. See, caring for any fish in the aquarium community will never be a problem if you understand their primary needs and are willing to put in the effort to create an ideal environment.
Like the wild carps, the Orandas are relatively hardy compared to many Goldfish varieties. So, if you keep them at home, your primary objective will be to simplify their lives by providing everything they need for optimum growth and comfort.
The following section will shed more light on what’s involved in Oranda Goldfish care at home.
Tank Size
Let’s begin with the tank size.
Usually, the Oranda Goldfish aren’t recognized as active swimmers. But this shouldn’t be misinterpreted to mean they need small tanks to thrive.
Still, there seems to be an apparent confusion regarding the Oranda Goldfish’s ideal tank size. While some records have claimed that a 20-gallon tank is enough to keep healthy Orandas at home, it is not the most effective option for long-term investment.
In our experience with these fish, aquarists need a 30-gallon tank to keep happy, healthy, and active Oranda Goldfish at home. And that’s only if you keep one fish in a confined setting.
Of course, you will need a larger size if you have multiple fish in the same aquarium. Generally, it is advisable to factor in an additional 10 gallons for every new fish you introduce to the same habitat.
Water Parameters
Like the regular Fancy Goldfish varieties, you won’t find an Oranda Goldfish in the wild these days. So, the wild carps should give you the slightest clue of what to include in an Oranda Goldfish’s habitat.
In captivity, you should maintain the key parameters within the following levels:
- Water Temperature: 65°F-72°F
- Water Hardness: 4-20 dGH
- pH Levels: 5.0-8.0
Of all the three parameters, Oranda Goldfish will be more susceptible to temperature changes. So, you will need to invest in the right thermometer to help monitor the tank water status regularly.
What to Put in Their Tank?
Oranda Goldfish are easy to please if you get it right. They are not fussy characters and will be comfortable with the standard tank decorations in captivity.
Most importantly, the Oranda Goldfish are fond of digging, and for a start, you can use a layer of fine sand as the most suitable substrate. Gravel should be introduced carefully because of the potential injuries the fish may sustain when digging.
After introducing the most befitting substrate, the next step will be to add enough hardy plants as an important part of tank décor.
Smooth flowing leaves should be avoided because they are easily swayed by the water current and may even block the fish’s path during swimming.
Also, the Oranda Goldfish have a strong penchant for digging, and that’s why smooth plants won’t make an excellent choice when creating the fish’s habitat. On that note, the best alternatives to the hardy natural plants would be plastic or silk types.
Aside from tank décor, effective aeration matters just as much to the Oranda Goldfish. And when you think about proper oxygenation, you should think of a high-quality filtration system that works just perfectly to remove unwanted waste while lowering the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels inside the tank.
At this point, you may want to consider powerful air filters if you keep the Oranda buddies in an outdoor pond.
Common Diseases
Oranda Goldfish may be resilient species, but they are not immune to all freshwater diseases.
They will be affected by common ailments like Ich, which has a parasitic origin and causes visible white spots on the fish’s gills and the entire body.
Before thinking about the right medication, you should separate an Ich-infested fish from the primary aquarium to prevent the disease from spreading to the healthy species.
Generally, an Ich outbreak in an Oranda Goldfish community will be associated with the tank water status and diet. So, this means a defective filtration system, pH, and temperature imbalance, are all to blame for widespread disease within the community.
To counter that, be sure to cycle and change at least a quarter of the total tank water every few weeks.
Now, that aside. While the prominent head growth in the Oranda Goldfish is a distinctive feature that sets them apart from the rest, it also exposes these fish to serious health concerns. In some Oranda varieties, the cap may extend to the entire face, almost blocking the fish’s eyesight in the process.
This will make the fish uncomfortable in captivity, with trouble swimming and eating in a confined setup. You can control the cap’s growth using simple medications and give your Oranda friends the best possible care they deserve in captivity.
What Do Oranda Goldfish Eat?
Regarding food choices, the Oranda Goldfish will never be selective in captivity. They are omnivorous species with dried pellets and flakes as their standard meal in home aquariums.
But you can supplement that with blanched vegetables with high nutritional content, such as lettuce and spinach.
In addition, Oranda Goldfish crave high protein foods such as daphnia, tubifex worms, bloodworms, and brine shrimps.
However, overfeeding has become a common issue with Oranda Goldfish, especially with their moderately-sized bodies. So, you can control that by restricting the adult fish to a once-a-day meal to keep them happy and active.
Behavior & Temperament
Like you would expect with most Fancy Goldfish varieties, Oranda Goldfish are peaceful species with a passive demeanor for the better part of the days.
They are not the most active fish in captivity, and this will be evident when you keep them with other species in the same tank.
Oranda Goldfish will spend much of their time casually swimming through the plants or digging the substrate if they feel comfortable at home.
But even with their passive nature, these fish don’t require hiding places to feel secure at home. They will want to spend much of their time in the open, and that’s where their eye-catching look will be even more alluring.
Oranda Goldfish Tank Mates
Oranda Goldfish are peaceful species and introducing the wrong tank mates to their habitat would be one of the biggest mistakes when keeping these fish at home.
Just to be clear, you should never keep the Oranda Goldfish together with small fish, fin nippers, and fast-moving fish that will only create so much stress inside the tank.
Ideally, these fish would do well with fellow Oranda Goldfish or larger species that are equally peaceful and less active in captivity, including the following:
- Pearlscale Goldfish
- Black Moor Goldfish
- Sailfin Pleco
- Pepper Cory Catfish
- Ryukin Goldfish
Can the Oranda Goldfish live together with snails in the same aquarium, then? The simple answer is no. Just like the small fish, the Oranda Goldfish will eat your snails in an instant.
Breeding
Yes! It is possible to breed the Oranda Goldfish in captivity. In fact, it is easier than in many Goldfish varieties if you provide the right conditions.
Usually, Oranda Goldfish enjoy one another’s company. So, they will spend most of their time living in small groups and can easily pair up during the spawning period.
But to be safe, be sure to set up a separate tank with the right spawning conditions as the breeding period approaches. The new tank should have enough spawning elements such as fine leaf plants and spawning mops to enhance breeding.
When breeding begins, the female Orandas will lay as many as 10,000 eggs, and the energetic males will be called into action to fertilize them.
When everything’s done, remove the adult fish from the breeding tank right away to stop them from eating the fresh fry.
Complete hatching is highly variable depending on the actual tank conditions. Typically, the eggs will hatch in as little as 2-3 days. But under rare circumstances, it can take as long as one week.
Once you have a new Oranda community, you can feed the baby fish on liquid food and infusoria for the first few weeks before they are old enough to eat baby brine shrimps and other fish food.
Final Thoughts
So, that’s it. Oranda Goldfish are more than the distinct body appearance and multiple color variations. They are fascinating pets to have at home and unique companions that will keep you entertained all day long.
Be it an advanced hobbyist or a beginner-level aquarist, the Oranda Goldfish is exactly what you need to brighten your home aquarium without spending a fortune.
If you asked us why you should consider these fish for your home aquarium, we would talk about their beauty, unique appearance, peaceful temperament, and above all, straightforward care requirements.
And by the way, having them at home will be just as entertaining as any other pastime. Maybe it’s time to get yours, then!
