Ranchu

Fancy goldfish

The Ranchu ([[:wikt:蘭鋳) (also Maruko) is a hooded variety of goldfish native to Japan. It is referred to as the "king of goldfish" by the Japanese. Maruko more commonly refers to the egg fish goldfish.

The Ranchu is a member of the Japanese development of the lionhead. Ranchus' most prominent feature are their heads. Sufficient space between the eyes, and also from the eyes to the front of the head must be preserved. The gill cover should extend towards the tail. The head growth should seem to begin from the bottom of the gill cover and move upward. Japanese aesthetic standards for ranchus are more exacting. Ranchus are often compared to sumo wrestlers, as the ranchu is a rounded fish with a head growth (known as a "bramble head"

A ranchu's back (seen from the side) is comparable to a traditional Japanese comb, which comes in two shapes. The negate or long style is long with rounded corners and is similar to the koban coin. The mature or the round style is shorter and is similar to a round coin viewed from the side, but still not as round as any circular coin. Both comb shapes are acceptable in Ranchu exhibitions and competitions. Perhaps 700 years ago, egg goldfish were first bred for their lack of a dorsal fin. Prior to the 17th century, lionhead goldfish with this trait were kept in China and Japan, and the ranchu breed was derived from them. A dorsal fin is found on all normal fish. This fin keeps the fish stable in the water and keeps them from rolling. Swimming speed, acceleration, and efficiency are all slower in goldfish missing dorsal fins than in normal goldfish. They must also deal with a tendency to roll to the side while moving or at rest, as well as a lack of directional stability.