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Calico Ranchu
AdvancedCarassius auratus var.
Ranchu with red, white, and black calico pattern. Some have transparent scales revealing internal red. Unique beauty. Shows evaluate pattern balance.
Difficulty
Advanced
Temperature
15〜28℃
Lifespan
10-15 years
Size
15-20cm
Diet
Goldfish pellets, bloodworms, brine shrimp
About
The Calico Ranchu combines the Ranchu body with a calico (tricolor, mosaic nacreous) pattern blending red, white, and black, often with hints of pale blue. Having nacreous scales, some individuals show the internal red glowing through, and the mosaic of colors adds vivid flair to top-down Ranchu viewing. The pattern is unique to each fish, and the balance and placement of color are key judging points at shows. It keeps the Ranchu's defining traits—no dorsal fin, with a head wen and rounded body. Because it demands the usual Ranchu attention to body and wen along with good coloration, raising it is considered advanced work. House it in a container of 60 liters or more with clean water, appropriate feeding, and regular water changes; color-enhancing foods help bring out the pattern.
Basic Info
Origin
Japan
Lifespan
10-15 years
Size
15-20cm
Temperature
15〜28℃
Diet
Goldfish pellets, bloodworms, brine shrimp
Care Guide
Container
60cm+ tank or concrete pond
Pattern
Three-color balance changes with growth
Water
Care Specifications
- pH
- 6–8
- Hardness (GH)
- 5–19 dGH
- Water Temp.
- 18–23℃
PeacefulGroupBreeding: Moderate
Sources: FishBase / Aqueon Goldfish Care Guide
Morphs (Varieties)
金魚品種は体型・尾型・鱗・色の選抜固定(line-bred)。出目・透明鱗(キャリコ)・白子等は単一座。
RecessiveVisual only with two copies; one copy = het (carrier).
Calico (mosaic transparent scale)
PolygenicContinuous trait from multiple genes; intensified by selective breeding.
Head growth (wen)
Line-bredEstablished by selective line breeding.
Dorsal-lessEgg-shaped body
Sources: Wikipedia - Goldfish (Varieties) / 金魚 - Wikipedia (日本語版・品種)
A curated selection of notable morphs. Inheritance modes are a breeding-planning guide; actual appearance varies with combos.
References & Sources
Edited & verified by: br-choku 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 · 日本らんちう協会
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Calico Ranchu Listings
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