How to Care for Your Red Cap Oranda

The red cap oranda is a type of goldfish.

The red cap oranda (Carassius auratus auratus) is a type of goldfish. Its body is covered in iridescent white scales, its tail is long, flowing and split, and its sports a fleshy red cap, or hood. They are slightly egg-shaped and generally more rounded than the average goldfish. Like goldfish, they are native to Asia, where they inhabit slow-moving and stagnant waters of rivers, lakes and ponds. These fish generally grow up to 6 or 7 inches long in captivity.

Things You'll Need

• 30-gallon tank with lid (or larger depending on the number of fish)
• High-quality goldfish flake food
• Freeze-dried brine shrimp or other treats
• Tank decorations (rocks and plants)

Instructions

1. Outfit a 30-gallon tank for your red cap oranda, as these fish need lots of oxygen and space.

2. Line the tank bottom with a layer of gravel substrate.

3. Provide a system for the tank that will constantly filter the water.

4. Change up to one-third of the water once a week.

5. Provide shelter in the way of tank decorations and plants, such as smooth rocks, driftwood and plastic or live plants. Include a light in the lid of the tank if you choose live plants.

6. Feed red cap orandas a high-quality flake food daily, one made specifically for goldfish. Follow the label instructions for dosage.

7. Choose freeze-dried foods over fresh ones, which can transmit bacteria and parasites that can lead to infections.

Tips & Warnings

• The more space the fish has, the less likely it is to suffer from infections. According to Animal-World.com, it is common for red cap orandas to develop infection from debris, bacteria and fungi that settle in the folds of their hoods.

• Limit protein to 30 percent of your red cap oranda’s diet.

• Red cap orandas are omnivorous and will eat many different things: they like brine shrimp, bloodworms, Daphnia or tubifex worms as treats.

References

• Animal-World: Redcap Oranda Goldfish
• Doctors Foster and Smith Aquatics: Oranda