55 DAYS OF AGE AND COUNTING

Every day is something different to observe among growing baby ranchu. At the age of two month without a week and between 1 ½ and 1 ¾ inches long, some BBR are still dark colored, while others soon to be named CBR. Despite lacking of color intensity for the moment, the whites and reds are already recognizable.

As Japanese ranchu masters say "The head is made before the color change",  it is important to achieve that characteristic rectangular head shape and noticeable funtan now. Although, some BBR are showing more and some less developed head, I heavily feed them with frozen bloodworms and supplement of other high on protein foods.

Below are some examples of transitional color stage.

Due to fish constant movement, it is hard to photograph young ranchu in a straight line. The baby ranchu pictured above all have straight and symmetrical bodies and tails. Their bellies are full with food.