The Ryukin Goldfish is one of the most distinguished members of the fancy goldfish family.
It is one of the larger and long-lived varieties of goldfish that is also very useful.
It is commonly used for aquaponics where aquatic creatures are grown alongside plants in a
symbiotic system that does not require soil.
Suffice it to say that this fish is quite popular in the aquarium trade.
However, ensuring that Ryukin Goldfish can live for as long as they should, will come
down to how well they are taken care of.
This guide will list out all the requirements of the Ryukin Goldfish in the home aquarium.
Ryukin Goldfish - Combining Beauty And Playfulness
It is generally thought that Goldfish can either be very beautiful or they can be very
active and playful.
Most of the fanciest varieties of goldfish tend to be somewhat lethargic in their movements.
The Ryukin Goldfish offers the perfect middle-ground as it is as stunning to look at as any fancy
goldfish out there but it is still quite active and playful.
These fish have a dorsal hump and that gives them a very high-back appearance.
The caudal or tail fin is split into two and they are usually as tall as they are wide
giving them a very symmetric aesthetic.
Many hobbyists have compared this fish to the pug dog breed.
The accuracy of that comparison is for you to decide but this is one adorable looking
fish of which there is no argument.
How Long Do Ryukin Goldfish Live?
On average, this goldfish variety can live for anywhere between 10-15 years which is
quite normal for a goldfish.
However, there have been multiple reports that these fish can live to well to over 20
years of age if properly taken care of.
While this is great for pet owners as it means that you will have a long and fulfilling association
with your fish, it also has its own unique challenges.
The first is that you have to be ready for such a lengthy commitment.
The second is that these fish never stop growing and they can eventually grow to be more than
9" long.
Some Ryukin Goldfish can grow even larger and they do so quite quickly.
Make sure that your tank can accommodate this rate of growth.
Tank Size, Setup, And Water Parameters For Ryukin Goldfish
Initially, each Ryukin Goldfish should be given at least 20 gallons of water.
As it is best to keep more than one of these fish together, a good starting point is a
30-40 -gallon tank.
However, as alluded to earlier, these fish grow quickly and they can grow to be quite
big.
Add to that their active nature and you will need a tank that is accordingly sized.
Like all goldfish, the Ryukin is a cold-water fish and the tank should be set up accordingly.
The water temperature should be maintained at a stable value between 64°F and 72°F
or 18°C and 22.5°.
They prefer neutral water even though they can tolerate very low levels of acidity or
alkalinity.
The water hardness should be between 5 and 19 dGH.
Another very important factor in the well-being of this fish is the filtration system.
They are messy eaters and produce copious amounts of waste.
The filtration system should be able to keep up with that.
The filter should also have a good flow rate and there should be enough surface dissipation
to ensure that the water is well oxygenated.
As far as the substrate is concerned, the Ryukin Goldfish is not at all picky and will
accept almost anything that isn't sharp or pointed as they do love to dig around.
Medium-sized substrate with rounded edges is your best bet here.
Apart from that, they need a lot of open space to swim.
A few artificial plants or natural ones that are really hardy can also be added to enhance
the way the aquarium looks.
How To Properly Feed Ryukin Goldfish?
This is again another area where these fish aren't demanding at all.
They are omnivorous and will accept almost all types of fish food.
They can become obese if fed improperly though.
They should be fed two to three times a day with just enough food that they can finish
off in a couple of minutes.
As far as the food itself is concerned, a good quality flake or pellet fish food in
combination with dried or frozen bloodworms, Daphnia, and brine shrimp once or twice a
week is good enough.
What Are The Best Tankmates For Ryukin Goldfish?
These are very peaceful fish and very sociable as well.
As such, they should be kept in groups of at least three or four Ryukins.
Apart from that, other goldfish like the Fantail, Black Moor, Oranda, and Lionhead goldfish
all make for excellent tankmates.
Avoid any goldfish which does not have a twin tail as Ryukins can sometimes exhibit aggressive
behavior towards such goldfish.
Other fish should be avoided as well as the ones that are docile enough and have a similar
tank condition as the Ryukin tend to be on the smaller side and these can end up as snacks
for these surprisingly active fancy goldfish.
Ryukin Goldfish Common Diseases
These goldfish can be prone to problems in their swim bladder.
That is why it is crucial to ensure that the water parameters are maintained as fastidiously
as possible.
Dropsy is another common ailment and the solution again is pristine water quality.
Their unique shape also makes their digestive tract quite inefficient because of which they
can get constipated quite readily.
Avoid overfeeding them and only use good quality food.
They are generally hardy fish and as long as the water parameters do not fluctuate and
the tank is maintained regularly, there should not be any cause for concern for more than
a decade and in some cases for almost two decades or more.
Are Ryukin And Fantail Goldfish The Same?
They are not the same.
While they have very similar tails, the Ryukin has a very high back.
Fantails lack this hump.
The Ryukin is a fancy goldfish that is actually quite easy to take care of and it is one of
the liveliest goldfish that comes under the 'fancy' banner.
Anyone looking to breathe some life into their goldfish aquarium should definitely consider
keeping these magnificent beauties.
I hope you enjoyed this video, be sure to like and comment below and I will see you
in the next video.