Redcap Oranda

Looks how to spot one

Scaled fish with metallic scales, a twin tail and a fleshy head growth (hood or wen)

A deep-bodied, twin-tailed oranda in pure white with a bright red hood. The soft, bumpy hood should form a neat cap on the crown of the head only, leaving the face and gill covers white. Like other orandas it has a tall dorsal fin and a full, fanning four-lobed tail.31

Personality what they are like

Calm, gentle and unhurried, getting along well with other goldfish. Orandas quickly learn their feeding routine and gather at the front of the tank when they expect food.146

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Moderate. A relaxed swimmer that enjoys open swimming room and gentle water movement rather than a strong current.78

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Keep in a filtered aquarium with weekly partial water changes of about 30% using dechlorinated water at the same temperature. Orandas are comfortable at about 17 to 28 C and prefer not to be kept very cold; pH about 6 to 8. Choose smooth decorations and plants so the soft hood is not scraped.1910

Home where they are happiest

Plan for at least 60 litres of water per goldfish, with more being better; FishBase suggests a tank at least 100 cm long for a group. Good filtration, a wide water surface and gentle water movement suit long-finned fancy goldfish.9104

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Omnivores. Offer a goldfish-specific pellet as the staple, which suits their need for less protein and more carbohydrate than many fish foods. Add chopped vegetables such as peas or spinach and small amounts of daphnia or brine shrimp as treats. Feed two or three small meals a day, giving only what is eaten within two to five minutes.64

Company who they like around

Sociable and very peaceful. The RSPCA notes goldfish can live alone, while FishBase suggests aquarium groups of five or more. Keep with other slow, twin-tailed fancy goldfish rather than fast single-tailed types, so everyone gets a fair share at feeding time.7104

The story where it all began

The oranda was created in China and reached Japan during the Edo period, where its name, 'Dutch lion head', reflected the custom of calling foreign imports Dutch. The redcap colour form is one of the oranda types recognised in the Goldfish Society of Great Britain's standards.123

Recognised by the official bits

Goldfish Society of Great Britain (GSGB)

Redcap is a standard colour form of the oranda: white body and fins with a crimson hood that should sit only on top of the head3