Red & White Ryukin Goldfish 5cm

Red & White Ryukin is a stunning, high-backed fancy goldfish known for its deep body shape, graceful fins, and vibrant coloration. They are hardy, personable, and highly sought after in both beginner and advanced goldfish setups.

Appearance

• Body Shape: Deep, rounded body with a pronounced dorsal hump behind the head (signature Ryukin trait)
• Fins: Long, flowing fins; may be short-tail or long-tail variety
• Coloration: Crisp white base with vivid red patches — patterns vary fish to fish
• Adult Size: 6–10 inches typically; some can grow larger in large aquariums or ponds
• Temperament: Peaceful but food-competitive; best with other fancies

Care Requirements

Tank Size

• Minimum: 30 gallons for one
• Add: +20 gallons per additional Ryukin
• Larger tanks greatly improve growth, longevity, and water quality.

Water Parameters

Ryukins are hardy but benefit from stable, clean water:

• Temperature: 18–22°C (65–72°F)
• pH: 7.0–8.0
• Hardness: Moderate–hard
• Ammonia/Nitrite: Always 0
• Nitrates: Preferably < 40 ppm

They are cold-water tolerant but should not be mixed with fast, slim-bodied goldfish like comets or shubunkins.

Filtration & Flow

• Require strong biofiltration due to heavy waste output
• Prefer moderate flow — too much current can stress long-finned varieties
• Double filtration is recommended (e.g., sponge + hang-on-back or canister)

Diet

Ryukins are enthusiastic eaters:

• Staple: High-quality sinking goldfish pellets
• Additional: Gel foods, leafy greens (spinach, kale), blanched peas, bloodworms, daphnia
• Avoid: Excess floating pellets (risk of swim bladder issues)

Feed small meals throughout the day rather than one large feeding.

Tank Mates

Appropriate tank mates:

• Other fancy goldfish (Oranda, Ranchu, Fantail, Pearlscale, etc.)
• Do not mix with slim-bodied or fast-swimming goldfish

Common Issues

• Swim bladder sensitivity (avoid overfeeding & floating foods)
• Fin tears in tanks with sharp décor
• Poor water quality due to high waste

Fun Facts

• Ryukins originated in Japan, believed to have come from the Ryukyu Islands (modern-day Okinawa).
• Their dorsal hump becomes more pronounced as they grow.
• They recognize their keepers and can be trained to hand-feed.