Ga 108 - Ranchu, Side View Options

[GA Secretary]

Fish is 7+ inches, 1 year old on Dec. 27, male

[Frankie]

A decent piece of ranchu. Tail a little big in proportion. It belongs to a so called "Lionchu" cat, which seems not to receive much "respect" from long-time SVR keepers.

Keep a lookout on your water. The pinkish patch on the tail tip is not a good sign.

[Frankie]

Tail is on the big side compared to body, but I like the body shape.Curve is good.Chicago tribune.............from US?Pretty good fish is obtained in the US.

Fish not too well kept.Lacks the lusture and shine of the scales.

[GA Secretary]

How interesting! This was the first time I have heard the mention of “Lionchu”, yet I ran into the term no fewer than 3 times in a 24 hour period following.

This fish’s tail is definitely his major flaw. It is too large, with a too shallow angle to it. (The pinkish color is simply the orange/red of the tips being blurred by the camera lens. The comment on lack of luster is dead on. I am struggling with muddied whites in most of my fish right now and would welcome any and all suggestions to remedy this.)

I am assuming that the large wen and the shallower tail tuck is the major reasons he falls under the category of “Lionchu”?

It is quite the interesting fact, that, in the west, that head is exactly the point that has taken the shows. The balanced, large head growth has been, time and again, the feature that the judges have loved and placed above others. It has been more than enough to overcome the tail flaws. It is fascinating that in a world were people travel so easily and frequently, that the details of the conformation of a ranchu would still differ so greatly from one area to another. : I am sure this fish would not be considered worthy of much at all in the east, yet he has taken Best in Show at every show entered here. (Extremely, AMAZINGLY small shows - very inconsequential affairs, I must stress, though! There is no show of any size or much competition in my area. )

Since I neither show very seriously (mainly to support the show/club and to contribute so we all have lovely fish to look at), nor breed (I will loan out a fish if deemed what another breeder needs), I am happy to have any and all comments on the conformation differences seen here. It is a great learning experience. I simply love the beauty and grace of a goldfish, and seek to find ways to improve on the way I keep them.

That said - Lionchu? Equaling fuller head growth, not as tight a tail tuck and a shallower tail angle than the classical ranchu?

[Frankie]

I read about the term "lionchu" here:
http://www.rafflesgold.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1933

It got a little confusing in the beginning but as you read further, the picture should get clearer. The term "Lionchu" came to existence only recently as a ranchu having the head of a "lionhead" and rest of its body of a "ranchu".

To many fans of true blue side view ranchus, a lionchu is a bastardized hybrid of 2 species. Not pure in terms of genetics. But nonetheless it is still a well sought-after goldfish by the general hobbyists here.

As for my other comment on the tail, it sure doesn't look like orange/red being blurred by the camera lens. Please look at the picture I have attached. The top circle refers to the pinkish area, in contrast to a small patch of orange. The bottom circle refers to some blood streaks. So please really keep a lookout on your water.