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Black Ranchu
AdvancedCarassius auratus var.
A ranchu that shines jet black all over. The combination of a solid black chic body color and typical ranchu body shape has unique appeal. Color can change, so environmental management to maintain black coloration is important.
Difficulty
Advanced
Temperature
15〜28℃
Lifespan
10-15 years
Size
10-18cm
Diet
Omnivore (pellets, bloodworms, daphnia)
About
The Black Ranchu combines the celebrated Ranchu body—often called the "king of goldfish"—with a wholly glossy black coloration. It has no dorsal fin and is traditionally enjoyed from above (the Japanese "uwami" viewing culture), where its head wen and rounded, powerful body are best appreciated; the solid black coloration accentuates the Ranchu's curving lines. Black coloration is difficult to fix in goldfish and many individuals fade as they grow or as water quality and temperature shift, so a stable environment is essential to retain the color. The Ranchu already demands attention to body shape and wen condition, and the added challenge of maintaining black color makes this an advanced variety. Keep it in a container of 60 liters or more with clean water, appropriate feeding, and regular water changes. Shallow tubs or basins for top-down viewing are traditionally favored, and the variety receives its own appreciation at shows.
Lifespan of the Black Ranchu
The Black Ranchu lives 10-15 years.
Size of the Black Ranchu
The Black Ranchu grows to 10-18cm.
Temperature & humidity for the Black Ranchu
The ideal temperature for the Black Ranchu is 15〜28℃.
The ideal water temperature for the Black Ranchu is 18〜23℃.
Basic Info
Origin
Japan
Lifespan
10-15 years
Size
Care Specifications
- pH
- 6–8
- Hardness (GH)
- 5–19 dGH
- Water Temp.
- 18–23℃
PeacefulGroupBreeding: Moderate
Sources: FishBase / Aqueon Goldfish Care Guide
Morphs (Varieties)
Goldfish varieties are line-bred for body shape, tail type, scale type, and coloration. Traits such as protruding eyes, transparent scales (calico), and albinism are single-locus traits.
PolygenicContinuous trait from multiple genes; intensified by selective breeding.
Head growth (wen)
Line-bredEstablished by selective line breeding.
Dorsal-lessEgg-shaped bodyBlack coloration
Sources: Wikipedia - Goldfish (Varieties) / Goldfish — Wikipedia (Japanese edition, varieties)
A curated selection of notable morphs. Inheritance modes are a breeding-planning guide; actual appearance varies with combos.
References & Sources
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Taxonomy & Authority
Accepted name: Carassius auratus var. (Linnaeus, 1758)
Synonyms: Cyprinus auratus Linnaeus, 1758, Carassius auratus auratus (Linnaeus, 1758), Cyprinus thoracatus Valenciennes, 1842, Carassius burgeri Temminck & Schlegel, 1846, Cyprinus chinensis Gronow, 1854
Authority databases: FishBase · GBIF · FishBase: Carassius auratus · GBIF: Carassius auratus · Nihon Ranchu Association (JA)
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
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