Carassius auratus l.f. red white ryukin - Tropical Fish for Sale UK

Red-and-white patterning over a deep fancy body makes the ryukin silhouette one of the most recognisable in goldfish keeping, and this red white ryukin (Carassius auratus) delivers exactly that classic look. Behind the showy outline sits an unfussy animal: care is rated easy, the temperament is peaceful, and a healthy specimen should keep you company for about a decade while growing to roughly 13 cm — modest enough for a sensible home aquarium, substantial enough to feel like a proper centrepiece fish. It is a genuinely sociable choice too: the record describes a fish well suited to communities of its own kind, so a small group of matched fancies is a realistic long-term plan rather than wishful thinking.

Practical rules follow the familiar fancy-goldfish pattern. House it with other fancy goldfish of similar size and swimming ability so nobody monopolises feeding time, and keep it clear of fast competitive feeders, fin-nipping species, aggressive fish, warm-water tropicals, and anything small enough to be outcompeted or eaten. It accepts a broad omnivorous menu and uses every region of the tank, so leave open water for cruising rather than filling the footprint with hardscape.

Chemistry preferences are forgiving — pH 6.5–8.0 with hardness from 10 to 30 dGH — and the true cold-water tolerance of 15–25 °C makes it one of the easier ornamental fish to house in the UK. Plan a minimum of 100 litres to carry that deep body comfortably through adulthood, and the rest is routine maintenance rather than specialist technique. Feed it as the omnivore the record describes, with variety across the diet rather than one staple.

Red white ryukin at a glance

• Mature size: roughly 13 cm
• Longevity: ~10 years
• Minimum aquarium: 100 litres
• Temperature band: 15–25 °C
• pH: 6.5–8.0; dGH: 10–30
• Diet: omnivorous

Buying guidance

Its easy-care rating makes the red white ryukin a strong first fancy goldfish, and an equally strong addition to an established fancy community. If this is your first goldfish, start with the tank at full size — 100 litres from day one — rather than growing the fish into upgrades. Each fish travels UK-wide with a licensed live-animal courier and arrives under our live arrival guarantee.