Ranchu Bronze 5cm

Ranchu Bronze

Bronze Ranchu goldfish are adored for their metallic, earthy tones and iconic, lion-like head shape. Their slow movements and rounded bodies make them a cute centrepiece in any coldwater setup. While colourful Ranchu goldfish have been popular for decades, the bronze colour variant adds a unique, antique-like aesthetic to a collector's aquarium. Their muted, reflective colours are especially stunning under soft lighting, giving them an almost statue-like presence.

Bronze Ranchu get their name from the consistent, burnished tones of copper, brown, and gold that coat their entire body. The hallmark of the Ranchu is its missing dorsal fin and the pronounced head growth, or "wen," which gives it a lion-like appearance from above. These fish have a comical, round body shape with bubble growths on the face called a wen. Overall, these are just very adorable and odd-looking fish to keep.

Whilst goldfish are cold-water tolerant and can be kept in outdoor ponds, it is better to keep Ranchus indoors. These fish are not the best swimmers and are bred in tropical countries. They may not be able to hide swiftly from predators outdoors or tolerate the near-freezing temperatures that comet goldfish can survive. Breeding these fish in captivity, however, is possible. Sexing these goldfish is a difficult task, but once males and females reach maturity, they can show some chasing behaviours. Females may also appear larger when filled with eggs and have clear cheek plates, whereas males tend to develop star-shaped bumps.

Tank Recommendations for Bronze Ranchu

The bronze Ranchu goldfish can get fairly big at 15 cm, meaning that an individual would need around 100 litres, but a larger aquarium is always better—because what is better than one bronze Ranchu? Two bronze Ranchus, of course!

The thing to note, however, with bronze Ranchu goldfish is that they are not the best swimmers, so a slower flow is better. A sand substrate is best, as Ranchus will actively sift through the sand. Smooth river stones can be added for further decoration. Sharp materials should be avoided in the aquarium, such as pointy driftwood, as Ranchu goldfish can easily get injured by them. These fish can tolerate plants to an extent; avoiding any fine-leaf plants is best. However, a range of robust species can be considered, like crypts.

Suitable Tank Buddies

Bronze Ranchus are a great fish as they are not aggressive in the slightest and can be kept with tank mates. Common tank mates include active, small, coldwater-tolerant fish. Goldfish, however, might eat fry produced by these smaller fish, but they will be perfectly fine with adults. Fin-nipping species, however, should be avoided entirely, as they will make short work of the slow-moving goldfish's fins.

Usually Compatible:
Medaka ricefish, paradise fish, giant danios, zebra danio, Bronze Cloud Mountain minnows

Sometimes Compatible:
Species that can be fin-nippers, like rosy barbs, and tropical species such as angelfish, dwarf cichlids, mollies, and similar fish.

Rarely Compatible:
Larger cichlids and fish with large mouths, such as oscars and jaguar cichlids.

Feeding Your Bronze Ranchu

Feeding Bronze Ranchus should be a breeze; they should immediately take to any aquarium food within 24 hours of being added to their new home. Slow-sinking foods are best, as Ranchus have been known to develop swim bladder issues after frantically gulping food at the surface. Good-quality pellets or flakes rich in algae or spirulina content are ideal to suit their herbivorous diet.