Some Rambling Thoughts.......

There are a lot of reckoning attributes that goes into the making of a top performing German Shepherd Dog. The breeder, before breeding of certain individual dogs, would have studied the bloodlines and take into account the linebreedings involved and he/she would have project in the mind how the puppies would eventually turn out in its physical shape and  its mental toughness....the German Shepherd Dog is a working dog...full of courage and strong nerves.

The neck of the GSD is connected with the back at the wither. The wither must be sloping and not flat....a flat wither will entail the dog to have a tendency to "fall on it's forehand" while gaiting.

The back must be strong as it is the connecting point of the front and the back of the dog.

The loin should not be too long and neither should it be short.

The croup should be long and the lay should not be flat. The croup is the starting block of the kinetic energy and power from the rear that propel the dog's movement forward.

The balance of the upper thigh and the lower thigh is important in the generation of "power" from the rear that propel the dog forward.

The hock should be short...a long hock will lend the dog to be "cow hock" and that affect its movement.

The shoulder should be well laid back as it will help in the extension of the front quarter of the dog.

The upper arm should not be steep and connect to the shoulder at a right angle. The angle of the upper arm and the shoulder dictate the distance of the "far reaching gait" .

The pastern of the dog should not be low as a low pastern will entail the front legs to "flap" when the dog gait.

The front leg should be straight while in a standing position...poor nutrition and slippery flooring and sometimes genes does affect the front leg to grow "east-west". The dog standing "east-west" will run with the front energy distributed sideway whereas the optinum "front energy" should be directed forward.

The chest of the dog should not be narrow as GSD are working dog and a narrow chest will not be abled to accomodate a decent size lung.

Putting it all together, a well built German Shepherd with proper balance taking into consideration all the "sum of the parts"...the dog will gait tirelessly with a far reaching gait in a "harmonious" manner like Dingo vom Haus Gero in the video.



Rambling on Ranchus.......

How much do we know ranchus.... irregardless?

For me I know myself....I know very very little, but should I dwell on my limitations? I collect ranchu articles(tho not many), I surf ranchu videos on Youtube, I try to visit as many ranchu farms as possible. I breed...I share my breedings so that others (1)can enjoy my breedings and (2)can help bring up my spawns so that I can understand my breedings better. Most important of all I try to mix with "like minded" ranchu keepers ... who also know their limitations, but are courageous enough to share and try overcoming those obstacles

I tried studying the tail of the ranchu..transposing and juxtaposing with my understanding of dog angulation and movement. I try understanding why certain angles of the tail core affect the swimming in a certain way. I look at the Oza, Ozara, Ozuke etc  and I try to understand their functions.

I tried studying and still I am studying the anatomy of the ranchu and its various functioning attributes that constitute how well the ranchu swim....I want to understand how/why.

I look at the ranchu features from the top and I look at it from the side....there are so many features like German Shepherd Dog's anatomy that affect its movement. I am still trying to learn and as I lay bare my ranchu journey for all to see...I hope many realise that I am just a ranchu student on my ranchu journey....never along my ranchu journey have I share anything that I do not understand myself. Hope not to lead hobbyists astray with my posting and sharing....the basic tenet of my ranchu philosophy still is "I am just a student of ranchu".

Thailand Farm Visits....Mr Thana and Mr Navamin

It was meant to be a weekend with my kids in Bangkok shopping and eating all the various Thai delicacies, but I managed to set aside a few hours to visit Mr A Navamin at his farm

Along the way I was accorded a surprised visit to Mr Thana who is the Vice President, All Thailand Ranchu Club. Mr Thana keep his fishes in an airy balcony on the 2nd storey of his home. His tubs are all of good sizes and like most Japanese/Thai breeders and keepers...Mr Thana does not use any filteration system. It was just water, fishes and airstones.

One of Mr Thana quality Nisai that he happily displayed in the bowl for us to see the swimming. All his fishes have the healthy and "well-fed" look and the colour are all rich and bright...speak volume of his great grooming skills.

Mr Thana brought out this young Tosai and it is a Thai bred Tosai by a very senior Thai ranchu breeder...somebody not old in age, but deep in ranchu experiences...somebody making a comeback into ranchu breeding...I get a gist of his name and it sounded like Mr Athipkit...good breeder to watch out for...the few pieces in Mr Thana's tub are excellent Thai bred young tosai from this breeder. I can see Mr Thana displaying these ranchus with a deep sense of pride and what a way to promote Thailand locally bred fishes by someone of authority in ranchu. Knowingly, Mr Thana also keep Thai bred fishes from other Thai breeders like Mr Korakit aka Dew of Nice Ranchu Centre.

There was a slight drizzle..nothing worrying, but it was getting late and we finally left for Mr Navamin's farm(not too far away from Mr Thana's home). The setting was just like Mr Ae's farm....tubs, tubs and tubs of ranchus(I visited Mr Ae last year). Though Mr Navamin's farm is smaller, the ever present Thai hospitality is abundant.

I had the priviledge to view all of Mr Navamin's seed fishes and I particularly like one piece which I will love to own...there was this painful look in Mr Navamin's eyes when I showed interest and as a breeder myself..it is understandable. All of his seed fishes display the necessary girth for female waiting to spawn while his males are kept lean and taut. They all display very good tail especially the tail seating which IMHO is very vital in a good spawn. On the right posted are his seed males.

I feel very priviledged to be abled to see a few spawns of Mr Navamin's 2011 breeding. The first impression that hit me was all these Thai duckweeds floating on the surface of the tub and the black babies love it.

I asked Mr Navamin whether he keep all these duckweeds in the tub overnight?....with a puzzled look, Mr Navamin said yes...I do understand as the tub are huge by Singapore standard to keep bbrs....such that in Singapore too much duckweeds in a small tub can be disastrous for young fishes as the duckweeds will compete with the young bbrs for oxygen in the night.

The chance to see somebody else handi-work in breeding quality and good ranchu is a great education in my ranchu journey...I am appreciative of the Thai hospitality especially Mr Oom who fetched me to the farm and translated for me whenever I have queries. Coming back to high rise and high density living in Singapore, I can only marvel at the ranchu opportunities that our Thai bros are experiencing in grooming and breeding good ranchus. Nevertheless I am thankful that in our small little country, we are shielded from many natural disasters. It is sad to learn of the pain and hardship that the recent earthquake and Tsunami caused in Japan and now the worrying flooding in Thailand. Hope Thailand recover from this latest disaster as rapidly as possible. Though it was a short visit, I am appreciative of the opportunity to see and learn ranchus from the Thai bros...many thoughts and ideas came into my mind and I know given my limited ranchu knowledge and experiences...I must try to pick up as much knowledge and know-how when given the chance to do so.


I left Thailand with this remark(humourlessly dancing in my head) which Mr Thana jokingly teased.....

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give...Winston Churchill

Recently, I welcomed  a relatively new ranchu player to my home....surfing the nets and sharing our joy of ranchu "husbandry". It was an enjoyable session to be abled to impart what little I know about ranchu and to also hear another hobbyist relate his ranchu experiences. Occassions of these nature are getting rarer....a part of me always have the desire to share and to help fellow hobbyists and it takes much patience and time to sit down and try to instil new hobbyists to keep a regular routine of daily ranchu chores of "dos" and ""don't"....like morning observation and inspection before feeding, water change and the various treatments for illness. On the other hand, it is very disappointing to receive SMS's that been forwarded (I don't know how many)and  gone viral and the message of this nature referring to me...

"It's monkey with an empty head that litters everywhere makes the hobby political and best, blind leading the blind....all blind"

Please...I am twice your age and as old as your father and mother!!


Coming from a financial background where our words are our bond and much due dilligence is afforded before making any statement, I am very careful when I share what little I know and many a time I expressed it with the underlying remark that it is my way of doing it and hobbyists must weigh the pros and cons themselves. Even my desire to promote breeding and post in certain ornamental fish website was strongly questioned and I was accused of being a man who cannot differentiate what is right and wrong. As I have remarked many times before when so many misunderstandings happened amongst various parties and I was caught in the middle...I will just sit on it....it is never my nature to act recklessly....need not go around telling hobbyists that I have a hand in corrupting others mind.

My ranchu journey is a personal ranchu journey of Self Discovery and into the Unknown...there are not much references and research materials in Singapore about ranchu and throughout the world for that matter except for the motherland of ranchu, Japan....hobbyists in Singapore are handicapped enough...do we need more.....maybe to some as self interests entail them to continously devalue the achievements and accomplishments of others.

Breeding 2011....A little fruit from my Labour of Love.

The year 2011 was not an eventful year for my breeding program...I lost much focus for various reasons....some really shocking and unbelievable and it took much encouragement and support from various hobbyists that I managed to keep some of my breedings to enjoy and hopefully strengthen my breeding program....my gratitude to these hobbyists who seen me work my way through a tumultuous time in my ranchu journey....thank you!!




Looking forward and preparing for Breeding Season 2012.

Serious ranchu keeping is a never ending journey. Just like love and passion, it is endless and cannot be measured by "ruler and pencil". There are many ups and many more downs....still the passionate keeper will doggedly forge ahead and dream and work for better ranchus whether through breeding or horning one's ranchu grooming skills. Breeding 2011 is done for the year and I am looking forward to next year breeding. Some of my ranchus which I hope to prepare for next year breeding season. Appreciate the tremendous support that fellow Singaporean hobbyists have shown towards me especially those who willingly offer some of their fishes to be used in my breeding programe.

Lam Hong Acquarium...The end of an era.

It is with much sadness that I found out Lam Hong Acquarium has stopped its business. Many remember Lam Hong Acquarium as a local fish shop in Ang Moh Kio....famous for its aros and rays. I remember Lam Hong when it first started business in the 1960's... the shop was just outside Pierce Reservoir, along Thomson Road directly opposite the 3 Petrol Stations. I vividly remember the placing of all the various tanks in neat rows where the various ornamental fishes like goldfishes,mollies,red tail,kissing fish,angel fish,tetras,tiger barb etc etc were placed. Peter the boss...the tall langky guy who can be very rude to his customers and yet very helpful at the same time, was very systematic in the way he displayed his fishes.

I have lost touch with Peter since my youth(Seventies) and two years ago, together with a friend shopping for aros, we dropped by Lam Hong Acquarium. Peter with that old sparkle in his eyes still remember me.....I guess I must be one of his "golden oldies" back for a vist. Memories of the Seventies include legends like these....

The Seventies were all about justice, honour, righteouness and helping fellow beings etc etc etc...one of the many good reasons why the Seventies are remembered as the "Roaring Seventies".

It is with much difficulties that I managed to raise my Spawn C. Patience, frustration, hope, despair and tinkering here and there, I managed to keep a pool of bbrs/cbrs...hopefully I find some gems in them....and also hopefully they are not stunted as this is one of my most trying spawn.

Dr Tan Cheng Bock....Man of Principle.

Salute to the man(Dr Tan Cheng Bock) who stand by what he believes is right and do what is right. In my ranchu journey as and when I engages in deep conversation with hobbyists and friends alike, I always espouse friendship, good character and a certain amount of pride in how we conduct ourselves and how we enjoy our ranchu hobby. I always maintain.... give us a good man and we can make him a good ranchu keeper..and not the other way round.

Last year, one good brother misunderstood me when I said "We must be man of principle" and he thought that I meant he is a man of no principle. Finally two months after the miscommunication, he came by to "Pai Nian" and we had a long chat....he know I meant well.

Late last year, I was also involved in the forming of a Ranchu Club and I partake of it no more. As I always maintain... any developement of a ranchu club or organization must be done with pure hobbyists' intent. As many who know me know that I am an easy going person, but certain task especially something that is done for the good of the public must be done with sincerity and integrity....I will never compromise that principle.
Just in case any doubt that I am speaking from inexperiences and "old man" whinning...below is the exhibit of my standing.

I was gifted the plaque for my contribution to club activities and my push for the sharing and improvement of shepherd knowledge amongst fellow hobbyists.



Some of the bigger self bred...those that I groomed and hope the new owner will enjoy and carry on enjoying the beauty of top view ranchu. One piece that left me last weekend....

Dinner with the Japanese Judges....

Yes I had dinner with the Japanese judges. During the dinner what transpired centre on linking up with Hammamatsu and Numazu breeders and establishing of study groups. Question on the ranchu calendar by month in Japan and who attend ranchu study group and how big study group and how and what the Japanese does in study groups. Also asked was the strength of all the different kais and how big are Hammamatsu and Numazu vs the other players from other regions.

Question on ranchu hierachy and who is who and their seniority in the All Japan Ranchu Association. Also asked was the Nichiran Standard and where can we find the documents on Nichiran Standard. I produced the Japanese article that was forwarded by bro Tong of Godfish2U of Thailand and asked whether that article is the Nichiran Standard...I was told that it is a skeleton explanation of the Nichiran Standard and the Nichiran Standard is explained in one of the Japanese ranchu book.

I also learned that although Master Ijima is the mentor of Ozawa San, Ozawa San does not use Master Ijima fishes in his breeding....according to him as translated by Hanajima San..Ozawa will use Kageyama in one side of his breeding...so to say like if he uses his own female, he will use Kageyama male to match and vice versa. In the past he might used Master Ijima fishes in his breeding, but currently he doesn't.

When I probed Master Yatake and Master Ito Nobuo about whom they respect the most amongst all the Japanese breeders, I was given a very thoughtful education on the "life cycle" of Japanese breeders. Breeders started off as youth learning the rope of ranchu husbandry and by the time they are in their 20's in age, some will embark on serious ranchu breeding/keeping and showing. The best age for breeders to excel are in their 30's and if they are good by their 40's they would have put their footprints amongst the great Japanese ranchu breeders. By their 50's onwards, ranchu breeders' breeding intensity will be on their decline as age and energy will not make intense breeding sustainable. There are exception to the general rule and names like Master Ono and Master Kashino were mentioned as older breeders who are still producing quality fishes. Probed on the "Star" breeder of the moment that is on everybody's lip, Master Yatake mentioned Master Suzuki Kazuo as the "happening" of the moment...Master Suzuki Kazuo's fishes are very well sought after....I totally agree.

I am always very appreciative of those who treated me well and I will reciprocate. This dinner was an invitation which I was very reluctant to accept...there was no intention on my part of knowing the judges for personal gains. For the record I did groomed the below Yatake and Ozawas for the competition, but I withdrew them (for the record) after I attended the dinner with Judges Yatake and Ozawa. I was persuaded to attend because the Hosts told me.... opportunity like this are hard to come by and  hobbyists  must try to learn as much as possible through this type of engagement. Further the Hosts persuaded me to attend as they feel I am the right person to probe the Japanese Masters on "conducting of workshop and study group".I shared what transpired at the dinner and leave readers to think for themselves all those rumours floating around. I am resign to the fact that my ranchu journey have changed.... it will still be enriching albeit less in the public eyes.

My Yatake San ranchu



Current picture...this piece was not shown at ASRS tho she swim great....so those spies need not speculate!!



Ozawa Female....in"spied" of her beauty not shown at ASRS 2010

2011 Spawn C @ 58 Days....almost given up for dead as after the PP treatment for Costia, the head all tapered and way under size....

Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

March 11 2011 is a significant day in history...sadly so as many Japanese lost their lives because of nature's wrath. A 8.9 Richter scale earthquake hit northern Japan that sent tidal waves so devastating that it ripped through all the costal towns flattening many homes and many lives were lost.



Among those whose lives are in peril or killed by the earthquake and subsequent tsunamis are ranchu keepers....many unbeknown to us. In AJRS 2009, there was this great winner by the name of Master Masaru Matsuda




For ranchu hobbyists/keepers outside of Japan, there are not much information about the welfare and well being of all the ranchu breeders/masters in Japan.... we can only glean information through words of mouth, but nevertheless will like to wish all of them well and speedy recovery from this huge disaster. Master Masaru is in Miyagi and very close to the epicenter of the earthquake.... hope he and his family are well and safe.




My fries are doing well after another round of Costia attack, but through experimenting....I am treating Costia attacks successfully.



An older piece from 2011 Spawn B