DEFINING WHAT IS WHAT

Japanese top view ranchu main body parts are identified as head (KASHIRA), body (DOU) and tail (O). The head starts from the mouth to the edge of the gill cover. The body is from the gill cover to the vent underneath the tail. More specific body parts are identified below, including their Japanese names. Grooming techniques have a great impact on the shape of the ranchu head, head-growth, body and tail. The right grooming is especially important during BBR and CBR stages of development. These techniques include: water maintenance (depth, volume and quality), feeding (amount, frequency and variety), stocking density and amount of swimming.

Diagram defining body parts of a Japanese top view ranchu as viewed from above, side and underneath:

TOP VIEW

original art by Alexander Vasiljev, Copyright © 2014

1 - cheek growth protrusions (FUN-TAN) 

2 - top of head (ATAMA)

3 - gill cover (ERA-BUTA)

4 - pectoral fin (MUNA-BIRE)

5 - tail shoulder (O-GATA)

6 - tail peduncle scale bracelet (O-TSUKE)
7 - tail core, midrib (O-SHIN) 

8 - tail side lobe tip (O-SAKI)

9 - tail peduncle (O-TSUTSU)

10 - back (SE)

11 - gills (ERA)

12 - eye (ME)

13 - mouth (KUCHI)

SIDE VIEW

original art by Alexander Vasiljev, Copyright © 2014

1- back (SE)
2 - waist (KOSHI)

3 - back curvature (SE-KOSHI)

4 - tail (O)

5 - anal fin (KAJI-BIRE)

6 - pelvic fin (HARA-BIRE)

7 - pectoral fin (MUNA-BIRE)

8 - cheek growth protrusions (FUN-TAN)

UNDERNEATH VIEW

original art by Alexander Vasiljev, Copyright © 2014

1 - abdomen (HARA)
2 - pelvic fin (HARA-BIRE)

3 - anal fin (KAJI-BIRE)

4 - under-tail plate (O-ZARA)

5 - tail (O)

6 - vent

7 - pectoral fin (MUNA-BIRE)

8 - head (KASHIRA)