The Head of A Ranchu.....Appreciation and Grooming.

The four different types of ranchu head are meant as a general guideline. In ranchu appreciation... when we look at a ranchu specimen...we form "Instinctive Impression" of the ranchu head. If it is a young fish, there are much opportunities for the keeper to shape the ranchu head using his skills and patience. If it is an older fish, the keeper can still use his skills to maintain the head if it is already well developed, but for an older fish it is definitely harder to groom the head to its maximum potential.

(1) Prelude to all grooming/growing of the ranchus...

In all ranchu execises/developement whether in grooming, growing or training the ranchu to swim gracefully...The Basic Prelude to all these is "THE FISH MUST BE HEALTHY".  There cannot be any over emphasis on the "The Fish Must Be Healthy" ...a healthy fish  is so much easier to groom and grow.

(2)Factors affecting the Head of a Ranchu...

(A)Genetics...

Serious breeders especially the Japanese, have spent years/decades establishing their ranchu gene pool. The genes behind the ranchu is very important in how the keeper can harness that knowledge to grow the ranchu head. If one dwell deeper into ranchu appreciation...one will understand that different Japanese breeders' fishes carry their trademark signature head.

(B)Environmental.....

Sun....Food....Water Change. Morning Sun is best for ranchu. Ranchu in the morning after a good night rest is full of vigour and will be swimming vigourously looking for food. With good Sunlight, hopefully the tub can grow wall algae. Wall Algae is the best food to grow the ranchu head. (IMHO)...it is nature food and very healthy for the ranchu to eat. Green Water is another very good source to grow the ranchu head...knowing how to use green water as a grooming skill is a refine art. Frozen blood worm is another good food to grow the ranchu head and so does live feed like red worms..but fbw and live feed are prone to parisites infestation. Good pelleted food is another good medium to grow the ranchu head...the art of knowing which pelleted food is most suitable(need not be the expensive brand) and how much to feed and at which hour of the day to feed is important. For all these nutritious food to grow the ranchu, we must also factor in regular water change to maintain the health of the fishes.

I tend to believe that hobbyists in all our humility including myself,  tend to think and hope to grow the ranchu head..."Big Funtan" and that is success and satisfaction. Good ranchu keeper will strive for balance...head..body and tail and most important of all regarding ranchu head growth...ranchu keeper should try to grow the "CROWN" on top of the ranchu head. The ability to grow the crown on top of the ranchu head is an art that define the ranchu keeper.

(3) Appreciation...

A ranchu head should have some colour..be it full red or red white. The reason is because of the aesthetic appeal. The head is the uppermost front of the fish and it is important that the head for all its outline and beauty...the outline can be easily seen by the viewers. In ranchu competition, if everything is equal between two fishes...the one with colour on the head will score better against a full white head ranchu. Some hobbyists feed pumpkin to their white head ranchu to dull the whiteness so that the outline of the head can be easily seen against the backdrop of a white competition bowl.