Lionhead goldfish are omnivorous predators, accepting food such as fish flakes, brine shrimp, bloodworms and blanched vegetables as food sources. If overfed dried food sources, however, constipation could occur.
These fish prefer cool, slowly-moving water conditions. Because they cannot tolerate high levels of nitrites and nitrates in their environment, regular water testing is required for optimal conditions.
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Diet
Lionhead goldfish are omnivorous predators that feed on anything they can find, from fish flakes to fresh vegetables and fruit pieces. Additionally, their bodies require high levels of protein for optimal growth and vibrant coloring.
Additionally, it’s best to feed them twice per day with only enough for them to consume in one or two minutes – any more may lead to overeating and swim bladder problems.
Lionhead goldfish are not recommended for beginning aquarists as they require a larger aquarium and are susceptible to infections such as fin rot, fish tuberculosis and dropsy. Therefore they should be kept with slower-swimming species such as Black Moor or Bubble Eye Goldfish; or non-fish aquatic companions like snails and crayfish for optimal care.
Water conditions
Lionhead goldfish are not hardy fish and often suffer from fungal infections on their fleshy head growths – known as wens – that can grow to cover their eyes and impair vision.
Water in a tank should be clean, filtered and well-aerated for best results. Lionheads are particularly vulnerable to infection in dirty environments so it is wise not to feed them foods that could increase their wen size too much.
A 20-gallon aquarium is ideal for housing one lionhead goldfish; however, larger tanks will help reduce water changes more frequently and may reduce maintenance requirements.
Substrate
Orandas found in captivity tend to spend most of their time exploring their tank substrate and root systems, often accidentally inhaling air while searching for food at the surface, which can inflate their swim bladder and lead to poor swimming or even death.
Hoods, known as wens, may form on their heads and cover all but their eyes, impeding vision and leading to injuries as well as infection risk. Selecting smooth gravel with large gauge and non-abrasive decorations helps mitigate these problems.
Like other Fancy goldfish species, Lionheads are not suitable for novice owners. To thrive successfully in an aquarium setting, these aquatic inhabitants require at least 10 gallon tanks with specific water conditions that mimic those found in colder climates; heaters may be required in such instances. Furthermore, this species has very specific temperature and pH requirements based on what wild carp ancestors preferred as waters in streams, rivers and ponds – in other words: they thrive under specific temperature and pH conditions to live happily!
Decorations
Lionhead goldfish are easy to keep and entertaining to watch in any aquarium, making them great additions. Peaceful in temperament, these gentle fish don’t exhibit aggression at any point during mating season or otherwise. Individual or group housing are both possible as these goldfish don’t discriminate between tank mates.
Aquatic turtles do not make for ideal swimmers due to lacking dorsal fins for balance and tend to bob around in the water, with poor eyesight leading them into dangerous territory. You should therefore avoid placing decorations that could potentially cause physical injuries within their tank.
Simple plastic caves or art deco items without sharp or abrasive edges should suffice, and stones should also be avoided to ensure the fish’s sensitive wens don’t become scratched by rough surfaces in their tank environment.
Living plants
Lionhead goldfish are omnivorous fish and will eat almost anything, although for maximum spawning and growth they require a diet rich in proteins such as peas (with skin removed), blanched broccoli and zucchini; as well as insect larvae, daphnia, brine shrimp and bloodworms which contain protein source DL-methionine.
These fish can live for over 20 years when properly cared for. To ensure their comfort and wellbeing, owners should keep the tank water clean with frequent partial water changes, and install an aquarium heater if the temperature becomes too cold. Plants play an essential role by taking up carbon dioxide while producing oxygen while filtering out toxic nitrates from the water; plants also serve to hide food waste left by your Lionheads! Round-bodied goldfish such as Comet Telescope Celestial goldfish make ideal tank companions while fast-swimming varieties like Shubunkin and Common should not be kept alongside this species due to competing for food competition as well as potential clashing at feeding times!
