Goldfish Variety Comparison Guide | Differences and Selection Guide for Wakin, Ryukin, and Ranchu
Comparison of representative goldfish varieties by body shape, ease of care, and price range. Features of wakin, ryukin, demekin, ranchu, and oranda are summarized for easy selection by beginners.
Key Takeaways
Comparison of representative goldfish varieties by body shape, ease of care, and price range. Features of wakin, ryukin, demekin, ranchu, and oranda are summarized for easy selection by beginners.
Related Species
Goldfish were born in China and came to Japan during the Edo period, developing into today's diverse forms through centuries of selective breeding. Currently, over 30 varieties are recognized in Japan, with each breed having distinct characteristics in body shape, tail fins, presence or absence of headgrowth, and eye shape. For first-time goldfish keepers to breeders searching for specific varieties, correctly understanding the characteristics of each breed is the first step to successful goldfish keeping.
Wakin (Funa-type) -- Exceptionally Hardy Beginner Variety
Wakin has a body shape closest to the funa (crucian carp), its ancestor, and is characterized by a slender silhouette and powerful swimming ability. They are classified as "single tail," "triple tail," "quadruple tail," etc. based on tail fin shape, with single-tail varieties being particularly agile and suitable for outdoor keeping.
- Body shape: Funa-type (body length 10-30cm or more)
- Tail fins: Single tail, triple tail, quadruple tail, six-tail, etc.
- Ease of care: ★★★★★ (extremely hardy)
- Suitable water temperature: Wide range of 5-28℃, outdoor overwintering also possible
Wakin's greatest strength is its vitality. Consuming little oxygen and relatively tolerant of overcrowding, they can be kept in a wide variety of environments including ceramic bowls, planters, and large aquariums. However, because their swimming speed is fast, in mixed-species tanks with ryukin or ranchu, faster-swimming varieties often outcompete slower ones for food, making selecting tankmates with similar swimming speeds the basic rule. Please also refer to the Mixed-species Guide | By Body Type.
Ryukin (Round-type) -- Beautiful Ornamental Appeal
Ryukin's greatest charm lies in its round body shape and lavish tail fins that flow long toward the back. With strong visual presence in the aquarium, it's a popular standard variety for ornamental viewing. The name "ryukin" is said to come from the belief that the variety entered Japan via the Ryukyu Islands (Okinawa).
