Tri Color Oranda (Carassius auratus)

*Photo used are for reference only, actual fish may not be exact as photo!

Tri Color Oranda (Carassius auratus) — A Living Masterpiece in Three Colours

The Tri Color Oranda (Carassius auratus) is one of the most prized and visually stunning varieties of fancy goldfish. Combining the Oranda’s signature flowing fins and distinctive wen (head growth) with a bold, three-tone colouration of red, black, and white, each Tri Color Oranda is a unique work of living art — no two fish are patterned alike. Graceful, personable, and endlessly captivating, this is the centrepiece goldfish that commands attention in any aquarium or pond.

Three Colours, One Showstopper

The Tri Color Oranda’s striking combination of red, black, and white patches creates a bold, painterly effect that evolves as the fish matures. The flowing double tail and elegant finnage drift like silk in the water, while the characteristic wen — the fleshy, raspberry-like head cap — develops in size and texture with age, adding further distinction to each individual fish. Under good lighting, the contrast between the three colours is simply breathtaking.

Care Profile

• Scientific Name: Carassius auratus
• Origin: Selectively bred variety; ancestral wild type from East Asia
• Available Sizes: 5–6 cm | 9–10 cm
• Temperament: Peaceful; best kept with other fancy goldfish varieties of similar size and swimming ability
• Diet: Omnivore — accepts high-quality goldfish pellets, gel food, blanched vegetables, and occasional live or frozen foods such as daphnia and bloodworm
• Water Temperature: 15–22°C (cold to cool water; does not require a heater in most Canadian homes)
• pH: 7.0–8.0
• Tank Size: Minimum 150L for one fish; add 40–60L per additional fish — fancy goldfish are heavy waste producers and require excellent filtration
• Note: Avoid housing with fast-swimming single-tail goldfish (comets, shubunkins) which will outcompete them for food

Aquarium & Pond Compatibility

The Tri Color Oranda thrives in spacious, well-filtered aquariums or outdoor ponds with good water quality and regular maintenance. It pairs beautifully with other fancy goldfish varieties — Ryukin, Ranchu, Telescope, and Lionhead — in a classic fancy goldfish display. Smooth substrate and rounded décor are recommended to protect their delicate fins and wen.

Bold, graceful, and utterly one of a kind — the Tri Color Oranda is the fancy goldfish that turns every aquarium into a gallery.