Meet The Yuanbao Oranda Fish

1. Meet The Yuanbao Oranda Fish The Yuanbao Oranda fish was first discovered in China back in the year 1982, making it one of the newest types of oranda goldfish. Its name comes from the city where it was first discovered, which means Chinese Goldfish in English. Despite being fairly new to the market, the yuanbao oranda has already captured the hearts of collectors worldwide thanks to its distinct appearance and its rarity. Here are some things you need to know about this amazing creature. Origin The fish gets its name from its country of origin, China. It is called Yuanbao because it was believed that they were caught in yuanbaos, which are small natural ponds used for holding live fish. Over time, however, due to their popularity and abundance in Chinese markets, they were no longer confined to yuanbaos but could be found anywhere. They can now be found in both freshwater and saltwater aquariums all over the world. The yuangbaos goldfish is also sometimes called a butterfly tail oranda (butterfly tail goldfish). This name comes from their elegant yet unusual-looking caudal fins or tails, which are much longer than those of other fancy varieties of goldfish. Lifespan The life expectancy of these fish is approximately 12 years. Since they live so long, it is important that you choose a good breeder and get your fish from them. A well-bred fish will remain healthy for many years, and it will also help you avoid purchasing a sick fish. If you buy from a pet store, there's no way of knowing if their fish were bred in poor conditions or how long they've been kept at their facility. It's best to purchase an adult (oranda) and let them live out their full life with you. This reduces your chances of buying a diseased fish and gives them plenty of time to bond with you. Appearance This fish can grow quite large; however, most adults only reach about four inches in length and do not get much bigger. Some are even smaller than that! This type of goldfish has an egg-shaped body with small fins that taper at their ends. Although it comes in different colors, red is its typical color. Its belly is slightly lighter yellow than its back, which gives it a unique look compared to other types of goldfish. Aside from their stunning appearance, these fish are also recognized for their somewhat short life expectancy of five years on average. Food Requirements As adults, their diet consists of live and frozen foods such as shrimp, krill, daphnia and bloodworms. It is recommended that you feed them 3-4 times a day. They are omnivores by nature and will usually accept flake food for part of their diet. Many owners will supplement their feedings with algae wafers or pellets made from peas and rice bran, which will help ensure a well-rounded diet. Breeding Requirements Being a surface feeder, The Yuanbao Oranda requires live food such as daphnia and bloodworms. However, it has been known to accept flakes and pellets. This can be fed daily or several times a week, depending on preference. To breed them, you will need a pair of male and female; each with its own tank. They should not share a tank as they may bully one another or kill one another's fry/small babies.

2. It is recommended that males be at least 3-4 months old before being introduced to a female so as not to harm them during courtship/breeding period.