The Panda Oranda, with its gorgeous coloration and graceful swimming movements, is an undeniably beautiful fish. Even though they are relatively new to the aquarium hobby, the Panda Oranda has quickly become one of the most popular fish available on the market today. But what exactly makes them so special? In this article, we’ll take a look at the history of this particular species, their stunning appearance, and any common diseases or ailments that may affect them in captivity.

Where Do Panda Orandas Come From?

Panda orandas come from Guangdong, China. This is because they originally were only found in a single lake and so it became their namesake. And now you might be thinking: Okay, but what does a panda oranda look like? Well, that’s what we’re going to discuss next. So stay tuned!

What Does a Panda Oranda Look Like?

One of your first questions might be what does a panda oranda look like? They are just one of many different types of orandas. If you have seen an oranda before, you know that they tend to have black spots, which can get bigger with breeding. The panda variety has these spots but are all black. Panda orandas are named for their large jaws, which resemble that of a panda bear’s mouth. 

How Big Do They Get?

Unlike most fish, panda orandas can grow larger in a home aquarium than they do in their natural habitat. In fact, some have been known to grow up to 13 inches long in captivity, while their maximum size in the wild is only about 11 inches. In both cases, however, females tend to be larger than males. Another interesting note: The largest recorded weight for a panda oranda was over 20 pounds—but again, these giants are rare even among captive-bred specimens. To keep your orandas at a manageable size without underfeeding them (which could lead to sickness), feed them a diet that contains pellet food and high-quality frozen foods that mirror what they eat in nature.

How Long Can They Live?

Panda orandas have been known to live up to 30 years, but around 10 years is more common. Panda orandas are hardy fish that can survive a wide range of temperatures and a variety of other environmental conditions, making them less sensitive than some other tropical fish. For best results, however, keep panda orandas in a temperature between 72 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The pH level should be around 7.0 for optimal growth. Letting ammonia levels get too high (over .25 ppm) will result in illness and death in panda orandas; make sure you monitor your ammonia levels frequently when keeping them in an aquarium.

Where Should I Put My Panda Oranda?

There’s a lot of debate about where you should put your Panda oranda if you have one, but most experts agree that it would be best to keep him in there if you have a bigger tank. If you don’t have enough room for your panda oranda, then they can live happily in tanks as small as 30 gallons. However, once they start getting bigger, these fish will need even more space. While any heater will suffice to keep them at an appropriate temperature and ensure they won’t get too cold or too hot, many aquarists recommend purchasing an aquarium thermometer instead of relying on a thermostat and hoping for the best.