Buying guide
Choosing a fish
Ranchu are sold everywhere from chain pet stores to auction sites shipping from Thailand and Japan. A little knowledge saves a lot of money and a lot of dead fish.
Look for
- Sits level and swims level. A fish already tilting in the shop tank will not fix itself at home.
- Smooth back with no dips or bumps when viewed from above. This is the line judges score first.
- Even tail lobes that open fully when the fish moves. A folded or pinched tail rarely opens later.
- Clean wen with no white fuzz, clear eyes, no red streaks in the fins, no clamped fins.
- Eats in front of you. Ask the seller to feed. A fish that ignores food is a fish that is unwell.
- Ask the age and origin. "Nisai, Thai line" tells you far more than a color name does.
What ranchu cost
| Source | Typical fish | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Chain pet store | Young, side-view type, mixed quality | 8–25 |
| Specialist shop / importer | Nisai, Thai or Chinese lines, selected | 40–150 |
| Online auction (imported) | Nisai to oya, photos and video | 80–400 |
| Japanese breeder line | Top-view, named lineage, show potential | 300–2,000+ |
Shipping live fish adds 30–80 USD domestically and much more for imports. Budget for a quarantine tub before you budget for the fish.