Lionhead goldfish are not recommended for novice aquarists as they require special consideration and daily care in their tank environment. Furthermore, these fish can become vulnerable to illnesses like Ich that rapidly spreads throughout their tank and may lead to death.
Goldfish require a well-stocked tank equipped with quality filters and double filtration to maintain water conditions, and aggressive fish should be avoided as they could injure its wen and cause infection.
Contents
Size
Lionhead goldfish are opportunistic omnivores that will consume live, frozen, freeze-dried and flake foods. Furthermore, this species prefers moderate water current to provide oxygenation for proper breathing of their environment while keeping food waste moving along their pathways and away from stagnating areas of stagnant water.
This species’ unusual head growth, called wen, gives them their namesake. Varying in size and color, the wen covers cheeks, gill plates, and crown of their heads – giving this fish its signature look.
Like other fancy goldfish, lionheads require an environment that mimics that of their wild carp ancestors in order to thrive. Warmer water parameters commonly used for tropical fish breeding are unsuitable as they may lead to fungal infections on the wen and swim bladder disease in these fish. Lionheads do best in an aquarium alongside slower swimming species like Corydoras catfish and White Cloud Mountain minnows.
Lifespan
The Lionhead goldfish is an enchanting freshwater species. No longer found in nature, these adorable pet goldfish have gained enormous popularity as pets and can live 10-15 years if kept well maintained in tanks.
These fish may develop abnormal tissue growths (known as wen) on their heads that reduce vision and interfere with breathing and gill movement, as well as being more vulnerable to infections due to weak fins or no dorsal fin.
Lionhead goldfish can be kept with most other fancy varieties of goldfish; however, fast-moving species should be avoided to prevent injuries to themselves and the other inhabitants of their tank. They prefer tanks with low to moderate current, as long as temperatures remain consistent; their ideal environment would include low light conditions. These fish are omnivores so can be fed vegetables, plants, tubifex worms or commercially prepared flake/pellets for goldfish feedings.
Behavior
Lionhead goldfish require larger tanks than you might expect due to their short fins, missing dorsal fins, and pointy heads. At least 10 gallons will do for this species of fancy goldfish; add an additional 10 gallon per fish as more are added into your collection. Fish that are kept in cramped conditions often become stunted or develop physical abnormalities over time.
Goldfish are omnivorous fish that need a balanced diet composed of plants, veggies, tubifex worms, bloodworms and pellets designed for goldfish. As these omnivorous creatures may overeat quickly during feeding times, twice-daily feedings must be monitored during their feed times for maximum success.
Fancy goldfish should only be kept with other Fancy goldfish and some slow-moving tropical species; fast swimmers such as angelfish may compete for food at feeding time. Also, these fish are susceptible to cotton wool fungus which may affect their wens or other body parts.
Diseases
Lionhead goldfish develop an unusual tissue growth on their heads known as a “hood”, which may enlarge over time and interfere with vision (possibly impairing feeding, social interactions and mouth/gill plate functions), while potentially blocking mouth openings/gill plates as well as predisposing to infections.
Lionhead goldfish varieties are known for being more delicate than other fancy varieties, as they do not respond well to sudden changes in water quality and conditions. As such, experienced aquarists should only purchase them.
Like many finny fish, lionhead goldfish can fall victim to diseases like swim bladder disease and cotton wool fungus, both treatable conditions. When this happens, your sick goldfish should be moved into an isolated tank with medical staff present and instructions followed on treatment procedures. HIKARI Lionhead Mini Pellets provide daily diet for fancy goldfish without parasite and bacteria issues associated with feeding live food sources.
Feeding
Lionhead goldfish are among the friendliest and curious of fancy goldfish species, making a beautiful addition to any round-bodied Oranda tank or pond. However, due to their short body shapes and lack of dorsal fin stabilization; these fish may be weak swimmers that need ample room to move freely in an aquarium or pond environment. Furthermore, raspberry-like growths on their heads may obstruct vision as well.
Fancy goldfish require multiple small feedings of a nutritionally-balanced flake or pellet diet that has been specifically tailored for them. Overfeeding may occur, so only provide them with as much food as they can consume within minutes or less.
