Oranda

An oranda is a breed of goldfish characterized by a prominent bubble-like "hood" on the head. The headgrowth or hood (also known as wen or crown) may be a prominent growth on the top of the head (cranial region) or may encase the whole head except for the eyes and mouth.

When it was first imported from China to Japan it was mistakenly thought to be native to Holland, and was therefore dubbed the "Dutch Ironmask" (オランダ獅子頭), from which its English name "oranda" derives.

Description

Due to the fleshy outgrowth on the upper half of its head and sides of its face, the oranda has become one of the most popular goldfish. The headgrowth is described as a 'wen' by Chinese aquarists. The mass is benign and comes from selective breeding.

The oranda is a metallic or matte scaled goldfish that is similar in appearance to the veiltail. It has a large, long and deep body accompanied by a long quadruple tail. This four-lobed and contracted tail normally spreads out broadly when the oranda stops swimming. The back does not rise up to form a ryukin-like hump.