The oranda is a breed of goldfish characterized by a prominent bubble-like "hood" on the head. The headgrowth or hood (also known as a "wen" or "crown") may be a prominent growth on the top of the head (cranial region) or may encase the entire face except the mouth.

The name comes from the Japanese Oranda-shishi-gashira, meaning "Dutch lionhead". The breed is in fact of Chinese origin, but it may have been introduced to Japan via the Dutch trading post at Dejima. Alternatively, "Dutch" may simply mean "exotic" or "foreign" in this context.

Description

thumb|left|Orange oranda with a white full-faced cap ("wen")

thumb|right|Common colors in orandas. The top one possessed a Tancho coloration while the bottom is orange.

thumb|right|A pair of red-cap oranda goldfish. The one on the left has red-colored lips.

Due to the fleshy outgrowth on the upper half of its head and sides of its face, the oranda has become one of the most popular goldfish. The headgrowth is described as a "wen" by Chinese aquarists.

The oranda is a metallic or matte scaled goldfish that is similar in appearance to the veiltail. It has a large, long and deep body accompanied by a long quadruple tail. This four-lobed and contracted tail normally spreads out broadly when the oranda stops swimming. The back does not rise up to form a ryukin-like hump. also known as the Yuan-Bao oranda, is a new Chinese variety of oranda that was crossed from a ryukin with a Ranchu. Its large, short round body has the characteristics of a Ranchu, with its box shaped face containing wen. Its tail is somewhat equal as to the ryukin, though generally short-finned ingots are very popular and widely produced today.

  • The Chakin (チャキン), also named the chocolate oranda, is a colored variant of an oranda. It has brownish scales with a color like that of chocolate. Its actual name means Tea fish or Tea goldfish in Japanese.
  • The Seibungyo (成分魚) or Seibun is a blue oranda, named for its bluish grey silver coloration. The "blue" is combined with both black areas on the outside skin, and black from the inside layers, to form a blue-like sheen.
  • The black oranda is a currently developed color variety that is crossed from the black moor.
  • The jade seal oranda is a type of color pattern that consists of a white, clear cap on its head, while the rest of the body is red or orange.

Special care

Orandas are sensitive to low water temperatures and can be kept with other goldfish. Their wen is also susceptible to injury from rough objects placed in their residence.

References

  • Varieties of Goldfish -About Oranda
  • Varieties of Goldfish -About Calico Oranda
  • Varieties of Goldfish -About Blue Oranda(Seibun)
  • Varieties of Goldfish -About Chocolate Oranda
  • Varieties of Goldfish -About Redcap Oranda
  • About Oranda goldfish