Ranchu Cow - Select 9cm

Ranchu - Cow Select

When it comes to the world of fancy goldfish there is an absolute sea of different variations to choose from. They range in colours, shapes, and sizes which often makes them lovely fish to keep in a dedicated display. One of these fantastic strains is the Cow Ranchu. Whilst ranchu can be as cheap as a few dollars as juveniles, it's often very hard to know what they will look like when adults, the true fin structure, colours, and body shape are something that changes very frequently through the early stages of the fish's life. This is why dedicated goldfish keepers often get very selective of their fish only letting the most high-quality fish reach full adulthood to ensure the integrity of the Ranchu strain is maintained. As a lot of time, effort,t and resources are put into raising a few show-level fish, this can often result in higher prices.

Cow Ranchu get their name from the beautiful black and white patterning across their body which gives them a classic bovine appearance. To go along with this, these fish are nearly full grown with very full, grown in the body much like a big, well-fed dairy cow. In a dedicated aquarium, watching these fish graze along the bottom really makes them look like underwater cows in a field. To elevate this even further they have mirror-like scales scattered through the body that reflect light like a kaleidoscope.

Whilst goldfish are cold water tolerant and can be kept in outdoor ponds, it is better to keep cow 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 even tolerate the near-freezing temperatures that comet goldfish can live in. 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 to be larger when filled with eggs and have clear cheek plates whereas males tend to develop star-shaped bumps.

Tank Recommendations for Ranchu - Cow Select
The Cow 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 Cow Ranchu? Two Cow Ranchu of course!

The thing to note however with cow ranchu goldfish is that they are not the best swimmers so a slower flow is better. A sand substrate is best as ranchu will actively sift through the sand, smooth river stones can be added for further decoration. Sharp materials should be avoided in the aquarium like pointy driftwood as ranchu goldfish can easily get injured by them. These fish can tolerate plants to an extent as well, avoiding any fine-leaf plants would be best however a range of robust species can be considered like crypts. For this strain of ranchu specifically, a very unique aquascape would be to let some algae grow across the bottom glass to give a grassy green look. Alternatively, a nontoxic artificial turf can also be used to give the same field look which really plays into the cow name.

Suitable Tank Buddies
Ranchu are great fish as they are not aggressive in the slightest and can be kept with tank mates. Common tank mates they can be kept with are active and small coldwater and subtropical fish. The goldfish however might eat fry produced by these smaller fish however 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, White Cloud Mountain minnows.

Sometimes Compatible
Species can be fin nippers like rosy barbs and also tropical species such as angelfish, dwarf cichlids, mollies, and species of a similar sort.

Rarely Compatible
Larger cichlids and fish which have a mouth large such asthe  Oscars, and jaguar cichlids.

Feeding your Cow Ranchu
Feeding Cow Ranchu should be a breeze, they immediately take to any aquarium food practically in 24 hours of being added to their new home. Slow-sinking foods would be best as Ranchu has been known to at times get swim bladder issues after frantically gulping for food at the surface. Good quality pellets or flakes that are rich in algae or spirulina content are best to suit their herbivorous diet.