Lionhead Goldfish (Carassius auratus var. Lionhead) Care Guide

A fancy goldfish lacking a dorsal fin, with a prominent raspberry-like wen covering the entire head. Similar to Ranchu but with a straighter back profile.

Overview

Carassius auratus var. Lionhead is a species in the family Cyprinidae. A fancy goldfish lacking a dorsal fin, with a prominent raspberry-like wen covering the entire head. Similar to Ranchu but with a straighter back profile. The wen can grow so large it partially obstructs vision, requiring careful feeding.

Taxonomy

Family: Cyprinidae
Genus: Carassius
Scientific name: Carassius auratus var. Lionhead
Origin: East Asia

Habitat

The lionhead is a dorsal-finless fancy goldfish (Carassius auratus) bred for a pronounced raspberry-like head growth (wen). Descended from domesticated East Asian goldfish, it is a slow, cold-tolerant omnivore needing clean water to keep the head growth healthy.

Tank requirements

Minimum tank volume: 150 L
Temperature: 18-24 °C
pH: 6.5-8
GH: 5-20 °dGH
Water flow: low
Adult size: 12-18 cm
Lifespan: 10-15 years
Difficulty: intermediate

Diet

Classified as omnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 2x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.

Compatibility

Temperament: peaceful
Position in tank: middle
Compatible tank mates: Another Goldfish, Dojo Loach, Nerite Snail
Avoid with: Tropical Fish, Fast Swimmers, Fin Nippers

Breeding

Breeding strategy: egg-scatterer
Breeding difficulty: advanced