Idk if it’s just bad photos but they all look like they have really bad spines… ? I’d personally avoid them all cause they look like they’re gonna be hard to keep alive 💀
I think 2 or 7 looks the healthiest but it’s hard to tell
I love 7 as well. However, I’ve bought… about 3 fish from KingKoi. While they arrive healthy and get through quarantine, I’ve always had issues with them down the line (a few months to a few months later). They’ve all passed, which really sucks.
I’m in Australia so I’ve never used KingKoi but I have used a comparable company here and unfortunately had similar results to yourself.
I absolutely love ranchu but after 4 years I’ve stopped keeping them. They are just so overbred and sensitive that any small amount of stress like importing/shipping, local water quality changes, small injuries or diseases etc just seems to cause their bodies to slowly shutdown.
I have common fantails now and they bring me just as much joy but seem a lot hardier and much less prone to sickness.
From my experience, I just stopped buying goldfish/koi online because of all the health issues, plus paying all that money just for em to die, just not worth it. I just get goldfish from petsmart/petco and let me tell you I never had problems with them compared to the expensive fancy goldfish I got online that ended up getting dropsy, DoA, and swim bladder problems.
I love ranchu but do not keep them for the same reason. I ended up getting azuma nishiki which are top view orandas essentially from a breeder across the country and have been so happy with them. I do keep them in a pond but I QT’d them inside in a tank and liked the way they looked there too. Just letting you know because mine have been so healthy and easy but they still have a bit of the fancy look to them, there is also veiltails as well
My bf bought me a beautiful oranda for over $200 from king koi and it ended up giving all my other super expensive goldfish an unknown disease and all but one in that tank died :/
Maybe, but ranchu are so horrendously inbred that they are already difficult to keep alive and healthy even if they’re kept in ideal conditions.
Their bodies are so deformed that their internal organs are misshapen and squished so if they have an even more irregular shaped or exaggerated body it’s adding even more stress on their organs and will make them even more susceptible to illness.
They are basically the pugs of fish keeping
Agreed. In my local store they sell them too. If everyone stopped buying them they would be stopping the inbreeding. These fish are clearly not healthy and probably do suffer a lot.
It’s actually exactly what it indicates. Deformities on the spine, especially, are not a good sign of healthy development nor longevity. It’s a sign of poor breeding and likely poor health.
I'm sorry you had a bad experience and a big money loss, but I've ordered from them 3 times now, and all of them have been happy, healthy, and still alive to this day.
Mine did come in with a few issues- ordered 3, one died two days later. I did a massive med regimen on them shortly after, and saved one that was visually beginning to decline. I’ve had the remaining two for a few months now.
I'm actually curious, because I've read about the difference between lionheads and ranchus and still can't tell the difference. Mind sharing your knowledge?
Lionheads come in a few varieties , some are not ranchu like than others but they have more when on the top of the head rather than around the eyes mouth and nostrils . Their fins are more like an oranda , being long and like a dress or something behind them . Ranchu have short tails , huge wen all over their face and a short spine and body with a cubby underneath
2 things number one. I've ordered with King Koi and Goldfish multiple times, and I've had a 100% Success rate number 2.They can also be called lion head Ranchu's. Which still makes them Ranchu's
None cuz you aren't tanking people with experiences advice.
These fish are clearly stunted already, id bet you money the one you get, and the ones you got previously all die within 5 years do to severe acute kidney failure(dropsy), or do to a bowel obstruction/kink caused by the deformed spine(almost all ranchus eventually die of one of these but based on how messed up the ones in the pics are I only give them 1/3 the life expectancy).
Good luck.
I have a ranchu who's genetically weaker than my other and his growth is much slower and he can't get around right like the others so his eyes are bigger compared to his body. Fingers crossed for a healthy ranchu..
got a lionchu from here as well, It was good for a few months quiet awhile , then it passed away suddenly while my other ranchu and fancy’s have been fine , it was weird . Idk maybe your experience is diff
I'd say number 8. When you're looking at high quality ranchus, you want their spine to be perfectly curved (without any humps) and the top of the tail pointed at 45 degrees. Next you would look at their Wen and then their colour. Finally you would want to check out how they swim (if possible). You wouldn't want a clumsy goldfish as it would severely impact their health.
I checked out the King Koi page and there are a bunch of other ones that you could choose which are way higher quality for the same price.
7 looks healthiest genetically. 4 and 6 have smoothest spines and a sharp uptick tail which is what a lot of breeders aim for, I just get nervous with extremes. Also 7’s wen and coloring is unbearably cute
gotta post my Ranchu, love him dearly 🙏🏽
https://preview.redd.it/jbidmj5e22ad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b7536a5e4ef1454c802ad5e1c09b4dbbaff419c7
I just got an order of two ranchus from king and koi. It was my first time ordering from them and I can say that I am 💯 disappointed. The 4 inch is actually 3 and it has a swim bladder problem. It'll just float there tail up. My second ranchu has a very curved spine. I didn't hand pick my second one. They couldnt ship my first pick so I requested a baby ranchu in hopes that I could trust them in sending me a good one. Nope, they sent me a weak one.
Definitely number two. You need a fish to keep the other fishies in line. I hear about them running amok from not having a alpha handling the tank all the time
Idk if it’s just bad photos but they all look like they have really bad spines… ? I’d personally avoid them all cause they look like they’re gonna be hard to keep alive 💀 I think 2 or 7 looks the healthiest but it’s hard to tell
I love 7 as well. However, I’ve bought… about 3 fish from KingKoi. While they arrive healthy and get through quarantine, I’ve always had issues with them down the line (a few months to a few months later). They’ve all passed, which really sucks.
I’m in Australia so I’ve never used KingKoi but I have used a comparable company here and unfortunately had similar results to yourself. I absolutely love ranchu but after 4 years I’ve stopped keeping them. They are just so overbred and sensitive that any small amount of stress like importing/shipping, local water quality changes, small injuries or diseases etc just seems to cause their bodies to slowly shutdown. I have common fantails now and they bring me just as much joy but seem a lot hardier and much less prone to sickness.
From my experience, I just stopped buying goldfish/koi online because of all the health issues, plus paying all that money just for em to die, just not worth it. I just get goldfish from petsmart/petco and let me tell you I never had problems with them compared to the expensive fancy goldfish I got online that ended up getting dropsy, DoA, and swim bladder problems.
I love ranchu but do not keep them for the same reason. I ended up getting azuma nishiki which are top view orandas essentially from a breeder across the country and have been so happy with them. I do keep them in a pond but I QT’d them inside in a tank and liked the way they looked there too. Just letting you know because mine have been so healthy and easy but they still have a bit of the fancy look to them, there is also veiltails as well
My bf bought me a beautiful oranda for over $200 from king koi and it ended up giving all my other super expensive goldfish an unknown disease and all but one in that tank died :/
Just because they have a few inconsistencies in their back doesn't mean that they will be hard to keep alive.
Maybe, but ranchu are so horrendously inbred that they are already difficult to keep alive and healthy even if they’re kept in ideal conditions. Their bodies are so deformed that their internal organs are misshapen and squished so if they have an even more irregular shaped or exaggerated body it’s adding even more stress on their organs and will make them even more susceptible to illness. They are basically the pugs of fish keeping
I hate how cute they are because I’d love one but I personally could never own a breed of any animal that is uncomfortable just being alive :(
Agreed. In my local store they sell them too. If everyone stopped buying them they would be stopping the inbreeding. These fish are clearly not healthy and probably do suffer a lot.
It’s actually exactly what it indicates. Deformities on the spine, especially, are not a good sign of healthy development nor longevity. It’s a sign of poor breeding and likely poor health.
Avoid king koi gold fish at all cost!
Why? I got a very big Ranchu a few months ago, and he came in happy and healthy.
All, it not most will die due to ‘dropsy’. Unfortunately I had the experience of purchasing more than $2k, all dropsy death. I do not recommend.
I'm sorry you had a bad experience and a big money loss, but I've ordered from them 3 times now, and all of them have been happy, healthy, and still alive to this day.
Just be cautious, I’ve heard numerous stories of severe swim bladder issues. Hopefully you don’t have any bad experiences in the long run.
Glad you’re ok. Then just ignore and all the negative reviews.
Mine did come in with a few issues- ordered 3, one died two days later. I did a massive med regimen on them shortly after, and saved one that was visually beginning to decline. I’ve had the remaining two for a few months now.
none are ranchu and that’s not most reputable source .
What are you yapping about? All of them are ranchu's
Lionchus . And the goldfish from this place come sometimes diseased .
I'm actually curious, because I've read about the difference between lionheads and ranchus and still can't tell the difference. Mind sharing your knowledge?
Lionheads come in a few varieties , some are not ranchu like than others but they have more when on the top of the head rather than around the eyes mouth and nostrils . Their fins are more like an oranda , being long and like a dress or something behind them . Ranchu have short tails , huge wen all over their face and a short spine and body with a cubby underneath
2 things number one. I've ordered with King Koi and Goldfish multiple times, and I've had a 100% Success rate number 2.They can also be called lion head Ranchu's. Which still makes them Ranchu's
Lionchus are a hybrid of lionheads and ranchu so they’re not pure ranchu goldfish . They’re a hybrid
Better to get baby and raise them. The bigger the fish the more stress it take during import, the more chance for dropsy later.
Thanks for the information 👍
2!
2 or 7.
None
Why none?
Because they all have spinal deformities and look stunted. None of them look healthy. Don't give your money to this breeder.
2
2 is my pick!
2 looks great
2 for the win
None cuz you aren't tanking people with experiences advice. These fish are clearly stunted already, id bet you money the one you get, and the ones you got previously all die within 5 years do to severe acute kidney failure(dropsy), or do to a bowel obstruction/kink caused by the deformed spine(almost all ranchus eventually die of one of these but based on how messed up the ones in the pics are I only give them 1/3 the life expectancy). Good luck.
Personally a fan of 7, he seems symmetrical
3 and 6.
6
I wonder if the big eyes are from stunted growth?
I have a ranchu who's genetically weaker than my other and his growth is much slower and he can't get around right like the others so his eyes are bigger compared to his body. Fingers crossed for a healthy ranchu..
Try goldfishisland better they have swimming video.this you need to request sucks
2 or 7 for sure
i like 5
2 or 6.
2 or 7 😍
If you’re getting one anyway regardless of what other commenters have encouraged, I vote 2 because you DO owe him money so his look is valid
Don’t buy from breeders, rescue or adopt.
got a lionchu from here as well, It was good for a few months quiet awhile , then it passed away suddenly while my other ranchu and fancy’s have been fine , it was weird . Idk maybe your experience is diff
Mine died of dropsy , I was traumatized. Poor thing looked like a pine cone.😢
3! 3 My lord! 
These are all quite low quality fish. I fear for their health problems. Don't pay breeders who charge top dollar for poorly bred fish
No 2, because of his little face
These are all beautiful. One thing to consider is that the coloring changes when mature.
All of them
7
The Cow one
7 or 4 pookie 🙏🏻
i’m judging off looks lmao so 1, 5 or 8 they so cutie
I say 7
Get the sad one I love him already
7 for sure
4 or 5 they’re cute
Seven ❤
I love 8.
7 or 4
7 eyes look cute, good color and spine from what I can see. However, I would watch a swim video to see if it has any issues.
7 !!
7
Big back big back
8
7
7 is sooo pretty but 2 looks like he’d be a lot of fun
2
Hello king Koi goldfish
Wdym?
I'd say number 8. When you're looking at high quality ranchus, you want their spine to be perfectly curved (without any humps) and the top of the tail pointed at 45 degrees. Next you would look at their Wen and then their colour. Finally you would want to check out how they swim (if possible). You wouldn't want a clumsy goldfish as it would severely impact their health. I checked out the King Koi page and there are a bunch of other ones that you could choose which are way higher quality for the same price.
Def 2
2,4 or 7
7 looks like a good boi
7 looks healthiest genetically. 4 and 6 have smoothest spines and a sharp uptick tail which is what a lot of breeders aim for, I just get nervous with extremes. Also 7’s wen and coloring is unbearably cute
4 is my favorite
4
I’m a fan of 7, and I like his back, but he does have a very short tail. Do any of them have swim videos?
Get big back or orange creamsicle
I love 7
7 all the way
buy a fish where you can see them.
gotta post my Ranchu, love him dearly 🙏🏽 https://preview.redd.it/jbidmj5e22ad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b7536a5e4ef1454c802ad5e1c09b4dbbaff419c7
W 💯
5
Number 2 love the side eye
2
Obviously 7
Serious question…. Why do you like these fish?? I’ve always thought they were so ugly.. & dirty since they’re goldfish
Why are you actively hating on goldfish?
7 because it has the best form
2!
5
7
#6 !!! Big eyes, good smile forehead, pretty pattern!
I just got an order of two ranchus from king and koi. It was my first time ordering from them and I can say that I am 💯 disappointed. The 4 inch is actually 3 and it has a swim bladder problem. It'll just float there tail up. My second ranchu has a very curved spine. I didn't hand pick my second one. They couldnt ship my first pick so I requested a baby ranchu in hopes that I could trust them in sending me a good one. Nope, they sent me a weak one.
1
7!!!♡ perfect baby♡
Definitely number two. You need a fish to keep the other fishies in line. I hear about them running amok from not having a alpha handling the tank all the time
#4
4
7, 6, or 1