i brought 2 ranchu but they dont seem to have hoods is this the norm or as the shop sold me different type of gold fish new to the hobbiejava script:emoticon(':newfish', 'smid_13')

Ranchu are a wenless fish that has a rounded curved back going down to the tail. Many ranchu (as well as other breeds of goldfish) do not develop their wens until they are a bit older - some wait for as long as 2 years before development. It is mostly genetically dictated.

A Ranchu (classical Japanese) has very little wen. The Lionhead (classical Chinese) has a large ponderous wen. In more recent years, the lines have become blurred between the two breeds - creating what some refer to as a "Lionchu" - or a fish with a rounded back and tail tuck resembling a Ranchu, but with a well developed wen as a Lionhead carries.

If you have purchased a Ranchu - a dorsalless fish with a rounded back - he may or may not develop the wen over time. The small, barely there wen is more the classical "Ranchu".

Here is a red and white Lionhead, and a red and black Ranchu. (Sorry about the quality).

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