The years teach much which the days never knew....Ralph Waldo Emerson

2009 came and gone. I wished I can welcome 2010 with enthusiasm, but it was not to be....Late December and January was busy doing damage control as the stock market dived sharply...some of my clients suffered substantial losses and my income was also hurt. Nevertheless, in time of pain and anxiety, I always look for that "inner peace"... gather my strength and energy and forge forward towards better days.

My ranchu blog was also one of the casualties of my unfortunate missteps...it was not updated for quite a few months...even my Thai friend and some local ranchu friends reminded me to update...my sincere apology and I will try to be current.

The beginning of Year 2009 saw the end of my Sugimoto project. End 2007 Jap imports saw me invested quite a few dollars accumulating some very outstanding Sugimoto Tosai and Nisai. Sad to say, my over enthusiasm in trying to grow my pool of fishes and with my home tubs not ready to accept the sudden surge in quantities, I decided to join some like-minded ranchu khakis to rent some outdoor tubs at Seletar Farmway(end Dec 2007)to house our prized collection. It was fun and great comradeship as we rented quite a few tubs and weekends were spent changing water and enjoying the farm-liked atmosphere. Sadly, it didn't last long...a few months later quite a few of our fishes' tails were cut. Wild animals and birds were rule out as we found a very sharp acrylic instrument in one of our tub which we believed that the intruder who did it was probably surprised by someone coming and left in a haste leaving the instrument behind. A week or so later just as we thought that it will not happen again . some of our tubs were poisoned with bleach and those fishes in there fell very sick. I rushed there when I was told that some tub water were like "coconut milk" white and there and then I packed a dozen pieces home. A few died along the way, but the remainder mostly Sugimoto survived, but it were to be a very slow painful journey of death for all those fishes that I salvaged as one by one they shrunk and died on me. I have highlighted in one of the goldfish forum the tragic event and I also stated that nobody was caught doing the act and I reminded some forummers against wild accusations.

Some of those fishes that died by late 2008

My favourite female...picture taken during one of her many treatments. This female was fostered out to two other experienced hobbyists seeking a cure and when she died, her stomach bloated up badly because of internal organs failure.



A very promising male seed..survived and slowly shrunk and withered away...



A very promising female seed....never really get to enjoy her beauty and splendour...



Coming into 2010 wasn't that exciting because of my work pressure. I tried staying focus and revamped my ranchu set up and mentally prepare to carry on my ranchu journey. I managed my first few spawns of the year and I am excited for the days ahead as my Kashino and Kageyama are coming of age and spawned.

Some of the fishes which were used recently in Spawn 2010

Kashino Female




Kageyama Female


Kageyama Male


I do hope to spawn again within the next fortnight with my other seed fishes and by then my earlier spawn will be in the 4-5 weeks of age. Hope to improve further and hope to garner more hobbyists playing ranchus.

Hope also to continue blogging my ranchu experiences!!