How to Identify and Care for Lionhead Fish

Lionhead fish (Carassius auratus) are from the family Cyprinidae. It is a hooded variant of fancy goldfish and one of the most exotic of these types of fish. The lionhead goldfish is a manmade cultivar, having been bred in China to portray the revered mythical Chinese lion dog. Read on to learn how to care for lionheads as pet fish.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Fish tank Filter and heater Basic test kits Goldfish food

How to Identify Lionhead Goldfish

1. Take note of the characteristic plump cheeks of these fish and the raspberry-like head-growth that covers the head and gill plates of the fish. This head growth is somewhat more pronounced in males.

2. Look out for a compact, egg-shaped body that grows to a maximum length of between 3 and 4 inches.

3. Keep in mind that there is a variety in coloration of these fish, which encompasses shades of calico, reds, black and white. It is covered in metallic, matte or nacreous (pearly) scales.

4. Note that this fish does not have dorsal fins, and sports a broad, stiffly held caudal fin. Its tail fin is usually split or webbed. The male lionhead fish develops white tubercles on its gill covers and on the leading rays of its pectoral fins.

How to Care for Lionhead Goldfish

1. House your lionhead goldfish in a 20-gallon aquarium or larger. This size should be increased by 10 gallons for each additional fish that you will have in the tank.

2. Clean your the tank and fill it with room-temperature water. Wait 24 hours before you introduce your new fish into the tank.

3. Purchase and install a good filter. To help maintain water quality, do a weekly water change of about 25 to 30 percent of the tank's volume.

4. Install an aquarium heater and adjust its settings to maintain water temperatures at 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

5. Use the test kit to maintain water conditions at a pH range of 6.0 to 8.0 and hardness range of 5 to 20 degrees dH (90 to 350 ppm).

Feeding your Lionshead Goldfish

1. Feed your lionhead with fish flakes or pellets that are formulated specifically for goldfish. Like other goldfish, they require more carbohydrates in their diet than other freshwater fish.

2. Substitute fish flakes and pellets with freeze-fried or frozen brine shrimp, blood worms, and tubifex worms. Small pieces of lettuce, kale, cucumber and other vegetables are also healthy for this omnivorous goldfish.

3. Feed the lionhead fish once a day, and limit the amount to only as much as they can eat within 5 minutes.

Resources

• How to Clean a Fish Tank
• How to Acclimate New Fish Using the Float Method
• How to Care for Goldfish