The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Assorted Ryukin Goldfish Carassius Auratus
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The ryukin is a fancy goldfish with a deep, compressed body, a pronounced hump behind the head and long flowing double fins. This assorted selection includes red, red and white, calico and chocolate forms, some with extra-long tails. Developed in Japan from Chinese fantail stock, it is one of the hardier fancy varieties and suits keepers wanting an active, sturdy goldfish.
- Adult Size: Around 15–20 cm (6–8 in)
- Lifespan: 10–15 years, often longer
Origin
- Native to: Captive-bred; ancestral form from China
- Habitat: Slow rivers, lakes and ponds
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous
- Preferred Foods: Sinking goldfish pellets, gel food, peas, daphnia, bloodworm, blanched spinach
- Feeding Habits: Two or three small feeds daily; avoid overfeeding; include vegetables
Tank Mates
- Best with: Orandas, fantails, telescopes and other fancy goldfish
- Avoid: Single-tailed goldfish, fin-nippers, tropical fish
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Peaceful but boisterous at feeding
- Territoriality: None; jostles at feeding time
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Challenges: Heavy waste output; can bully slower fancies at feeding; needs strong filtration
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, cool and neutral
- Temperature: 18–24°C (64–75°F)
- pH: 6.5–7.5
- Hardness: 5–19 dGH
- Flow: Slow to moderate
- Tank Size: Minimum 110 litres for one, adding 40 litres per extra fish
Final Notes
Ryukins are long-lived and grow fairly large for a fancy goldfish, so plan a roomy tank with strong filtration. Their deep body makes them prone to swim bladder problems if overfed or given floating food, so favour sinking pellets and vegetables. They are quick, greedy eaters, so pair with fancies that can compete. Egg scatterers; males show breeding tubercles in spring. A robust, showy choice for a first fancy goldfish.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.