Animal-World > Freshwater Fish > Goldfish > Lionhead Fancy Goldfish

Lionhead Goldfish

Family: Cyprinidae

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Carassius auratus auratus Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy Kelli Kallenborn

   On the top of its broad head, the Lionhead Goldfish develops a fleshy growth that looks somewhat like a lion's mane... hence the name "Lionhead"!

   The Lionhead Goldfish is by far the most popular and well known of the dorsal less goldfish. Rather than having the long slender body of the Common Goldfish or the Shubunkins, the Lionhead Goldfish is one of the more rounded or egg-shaped fancy gold fish. They have a double caudal (tail) fin and a double anal fin. This goldfish variety is very similar to the Ranchu Goldfish that was highly developed Japan.The Lionhead can be distinguished by a less curved countour shape to its back. Also, its caudal fin is quite similar to that of the Fantail Goldfish, while the Ranchu has a tail fin that splays out to the sides, often being almost horizontal.

   The distinctive raspberry or lion's mane appearance of this fish have led to its common name 'Lionhead' Goldfish. The amount of head growth differs for each fish. For some the broad head, except for its eyes, mouth and nostrils, can become completely covered with fleshy growth (sometimes impeding their vision) while others will develop hardly any head growth at all.

   These goldfish are available in a variety of colors. The solid metallic types include red, orange, chocolate, blue, and black. The nacreous types can be calico, bi-colored combinations of red and white or red and black, or tri-colored combinations in red, white, and black. There is also a red-capped variety with a bright red head and white body. Though pretty rare, there is also a long finned variety.

   The Lionhead Goldfish is considered a rather delicate fish and is not recommended for beginners. Its swimming ability is cumbersome because of its rounded body which is further diminished by the lack of a stabilizing dorsal fin, a trait that is also seen in the Water-Bubble Eye Goldfish and the Celestial Eye Goldfish. Many of the elongated goldfish varieties like the the Common Goldfish, Comet Goldfish, the Shubunkin, are not really good companions for the Lionhead Goldfish because they are fast swimmers and too competitive during feeding time. Better tank mates would be the similarly handicapped but less hardy Water-Bubble Eye Goldfish, Telescope Goldfish, and Celestial Goldfish. It won't win any races, but if kept with other slow-moving varieties the Lionhead Goldfish should get plenty to eat and do well.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Dream Aquarium Build your own aquarium The Coolest and Funnest Screensaver in the World.

Distribution:
   The Goldfish, a wild carp originally known by such names as the Crucian Carp, Gibel Carp, or Golden Carp, was described by Linnaeus in 1758. They originated in Asia; Central Asia and China. Today domesticated goldfish are distributed world-wide. These fish inhabit the slow moving and stagnant waters of rivers, lakes, ponds, and ditches feeding on plants, detritus, small crustaceans, and insects.
   In the early 1600's these fish were exported first to Japan and then to Europe and were developed into the wonderful colors and forms of gold fish we see today. The Lionhead Goldfish is one of the older varieties of fancy goldfish, today there are more than 125 captive bred fancy varieties.

Status:
   This species is not listed on the IUCN Red List, and presumably there are no wild populations of this captive bred variety.

Description:
   The Lionhead Goldfish is an egg-shaped variety of goldfish. The body is short and stubby and they have a double caudal (tail) fin and a double anal fin. Their most distinctive feature is the head, which except for its eyes, mouth and nostrils, can become completely covered with fleshy growth. These fish mostly have short fins, but there is a long-finned variety that is rather rare.
   Available color varieties include the solid metallic types in red, orange, chocolate, blue, and black; nacreous types can be calico, bi-colored combinations of red and white or red and black, or tri-colored combinations in red, white, and black. There is also a red-capped variety with a bright red head and white body.

Size - Weight:
   Lionhead Goldfish will generally reach about 5 inches (13 cm), though some hobbyist report their Lionhead's reaching more than a whopping 10" (25 cm)!

Care and feeding:
   Since they are omnivorous, the Lionhead Goldfish will generally eat all kinds of fresh, frozen, and flake foods. To keep a good balance give them a high quality flake food everyday. To care for your Lionhead Goldfish, feed brine shrimp (either live or frozen), blood worms, Daphnia, or tubifex worms as a treat. It is usually better to feed freeze-dried foods as opposed to live foods to avoid parasites and bacterial infections that could be present in live foods. Due to their fleshy head growth they can have poor vision and a harder time seeing their food, so need extra time to feed. When it comes to feeding, they will not thrive well with fast competitive tank mates.
   Lionhead Goldfish are some of the more delicate species of goldfish. Unlike the flat-bodied types of goldfish, they have a lower tolerance for pollution. They will need good care and plenty of space. Many people will keep goldfish in small one or two gallon bowls with no heater or filtration. But for the best success in keeping the Lionhead Goldfish, provide them the same filtration, especially biological filtration, that other aquarium residents enjoy.
   The shape and size of the aquarium is important and depends upon the number of fish you are going to keep. Goldfish need a lot of oxygen and produce a lot of waste.

• A large surface area of water will help minimize goldfish suffering from an oxygen shortage. Surface area is determined by the shape of the tank. For the same volume of water, an elongated tank offers more surface area (and oxygen) than a tall tank. In a fish bowl, filling the bowl to the middle offers more surface area (and oxygen) than filling the bowl to the top. Always provide the maximum amount of surface area.
• Providing a large amount of water per fish will help dilute the amount of waste and reduce the number of water changes needed.
• A general rule of thumb for young fish only is: 1 inch of fish (2.54 cm) per 1 gallon of water. This rule applies only to young fish and is not adequate as they grow. Larger gold fish consume much more oxygen than young fish so maintaining this formula for growing fish will stunt them, and can contribute to disease and even death.
• Keep the tank size and shape in mind when you are buying your fish. To allow for growth, either buy fewer fish than the maximum number of fish (based on the above formula) or be prepared to get a larger tank.

   Because goldfish produce a lot of waste, good filtration is very helpful in maintaining the water quality of the aquarium. Regular weekly water changes of 1/4 to 1/3 is strongly recommended to keep these fish healthy.
   Use a gravel substrate. You can add some decor but keep in mind that its head growth can be a handicap, giving these fish poor vision. Make sure that all ornamentation is smooth with no protruding points or sharp edges. Driftwood and smooth rocks make good, safe decorations; and plants are especially appreciated, either live or plastic. A cover for the tank is desirable as it reduces evaporation and though they are not prone to jumping, on occasion some gold fish will jump out. Most aquariums come with a cover that includes lighting. It is not essential for goldfish, but will help if you have live plants.
   Goldfish are subject to the same diseases as tropical fish. A couple of the more common problems are Ich, Swim Bladder disease, and external parasites including flukes, lice and anchor worms. To learn about these and other diseases and how to treat them see: Aquarim Fish Diseases & Treatments.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
   These fish will swim in all areas of the aquarium.

Acceptable Water Conditions:
Unlike the flat-bodied types of goldfish, they have a lower tolerance for pollution and cannot tolerate temperatures much below 60° F (16° C).
   Temp: Goldfish are a cold water fish and will do best at temperatures between 65 - 72° F (18°- 22° C)
   Hardness: 5 - 19° dGH
   Ph: 6.0 to 8.0

Social Behaviors:
   Goldfish are very social animals and thrive in a community. Not only are they a great community fish but they are great scavengers as well. When choosing tank mates, keep in mind the physical traits of the Lionhead Goldfish. Like the Telescope Goldfish and the Celestial Goldfish, the Lionhead can be visually handicapped. Further its swimming ability is cumbersome because of its rounded body and the lack of a stabilizing dorsal fin, a trait that is also seen in the Water-Bubble Eye Goldfish. While the Lionhead cannot readily compete for food with fast swimming types of goldfish, these similarly handicapped varieties can make good companions. It is really not necessary to add other scavengers or other bottom feeders to the aquarium when you have goldfish.

Sexual Differences:
   Although is it impossible to sex Goldfish when they are young and not in breeding season, the male is usually smaller and more slender that the female. In the breeding season the male has white prickles, called breeding tubercles, on its gill covers and head. Seen from above the female will have a fatter appearance as she is carrying eggs.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   Lionhead Goldfish are egg layers that spawn readily in the right conditions. See Breeding Freshwater Fish - Goldfish for more information on breeding Goldfish.

Availability:
   The Lionhead Goldfish is readily available and is inexpensive.

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Latest Comments
I have two Lion Heads, Einstein and Frills. Einstein is getting huge. He is so amusing to watch. Sometimes I think he's dead. He will lay on the bottom upside down, always in the same position and always in the same place in the tank. I think it's his bedroom. Sometimes Einy just floats around the tank and yes sometimes on his back. I wonder if that is reason for concern. He's about 6 inches long now. Frills is only about 4 inches. When it's feeding time I tap the food container on the rim of the tank and poof they are both there instantly. They share their tank with a bubble-eyed black goldfish - Azeem. I have had loads of fish tanks, usually two going at once, but I have to say my lion heads are by far my favorite! DebTim 2008-08-12
I have had a lionhead goldfish now for about 6 years. When I got her she was two inches long and brown, now she is 8 inches long and a gold-orange. She also developed what looked like telescope eye and everybody was telling me she was sick with pop-eye... but both of her eyes are popped out now for 4 years and she seems very healthy and she seems to just keep growing! Also, now that she's big, I have to be careful what I put in with her. If it's not bigger than her mouth, she will eat it. The only thing that can live with her is a comet goldfish that survived being eaten out of 15. The comet is now about 4-5 inches long. I've been thinking about selling my lionhead but can't seem to find a place that has a pricing scale. Heather 2008-03-14
I have two lionheads. They live with 2 orandas, a telescope, a black moor, 2 pearlscales, and a ryukin in a 90 gallon tank. They are really sweet fish and are full of personality. Kim Parker: Lionheads with dorsal fins are called orandas. Animal-World: Lionheads and ranchu are 2 seperate breeds. Emily 2007-12-07
I have read two articles on lionheads and both have said there is no dorsal fin and they are very delicate and not for beginners. Yet mine has a dorsal fin and is the least bit delicate. It is very spunky and active, pretty much the bully of the tank. Kim Parker 2007-05-04
I was in PetSmart shopping for my dog and parakeets went passing the fish area I saw a lionhead chasing another lionhead ruthlessly. I felt sorry for the one being chased so I bought it. I have had tropicals so I had no fear to take on his care. Nemo has been a great fish. I have to watch his diet because he likes to eat way too much. I found a excellent brand of goldfish food made in Canada. He is a good choice, glad I was in the right place and the right time. christine 2007-01-02
Some of the coolest comments:
I have two goldies, Gibson and Flash, that are housed with three Dojo loaches. I have seen no agressive activity, unless you are here at dinner time.. and all I can say is "piggy, piggy, piggy! I first bought the goldies when they were 2.5 inches they are now about 4 inches and look like they are going to keep growing. Being the considerate fishkeeper that I am I first made internet inquiries about housing, feeding and life expectency. I have the group in a 50 gallon with two filters, one canister (rated for 125 gallon) and a sponge filter (rated for 125 gallon). I have several plants with my goldies... Anubias, Vals, swords, momosa ball and Cryptocornye Wendetti. They love to munch on Duckweed! Which is good because I have an abundence in my other thanks. I do not recommend them for first time fishkeepers, they need really clean water and large tanks. Most people can't figure out why they can't keep them in a 10 gallon, they are high waste producers and will end up killing them selves with out the proper care. These fish are a great source of entertainment and attention! As long as you treat them well they will have healthy happy lives. MudFrog 2006-07-01
I personally love lionheads!! I have one now that I have had him (im assuming)for about 3 years. His name is Squeegy and he is extremely active. He has grown to about 5 inches long, and does not look like he is going to stop growing any time soon. I have noticed that he is quite fond of fresh peas, and is a pig when it comes to feeding time. I highly recommend this type of fish for anybody who loves goldfish. Lionheads are beautiful and they are funny to watch and raise. Jade 2005-02-20

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Author: David Brough. CFS.

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