A WAY TO RAISE RANCHU ● BREEDING AND SPAWNING

Choosing a Breeder Ranchu

There is on old Japanese saying in ranchu circles “Chose male ranchu for its good tale and female ranchu for its thick body and head”. Another old saying is “Choose ranchu with a good tail from the right environment”. 

A good tail of a first-class ranchu doesn’t only come from its genetic heritage. The environment, where the ranchu was raised will effect the tail quality and strength. The key is to combine a good genetic foundation with the right environment.

Grooming ranchu in the right environment will help to develop a great quality fish. It is not necessary to breed a show champion ranchu to get first-class offsprings. Raising fry with a perfect tail in a poor environment will not yield good results either.

A good tail is considered when the line in the center of the tail or tail core, or midrib (o-shin) is straight and extends outward firmly. Also, tail shoulders (o-gata) should be at 160-180° and not too stiff, but also not too soft. Please refer to "Defining What Is What" to identify ranchu body parts.

Mistakes Made In Selecting Seed Ranchu 

Tail shape is often overlooked and the preference is given to the head shape and overall looks while selecting a breeder fish.

The head shape and proportion to the rest of the body is important, but if you really want to breed a first-class ranchu, great attention must be given to choosing a good tail. That is where true art of ranchu breeding is.

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Links to published chapters:

● INTRODUCTION
● WATER
● NOTES ON GREEN WATER & WATER CHANGE
● WATER TEMPERATURE
● AERATION
● SUNLIGHT AND SHADE
● CONTAINERS FOR RAISING RANCHU
● FOOD
● FEEDING REGIMENT
● BREEDING & SPAWNING
● RAISING & GROOMING FRY
● GROOMING KUROKO AND TOSAI
● CULLING
● SELECTION METHODS
● CULLING ROUND - I
● CULLING ROUND - II
● CULLING ROUND - III
● CULLING ROUND - IV
● CULLING ROUND - V
● FORSEEING RANCHU CHANGES IN THE FUTURE

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