Can anyone tell me the difference between those three or they are the same fish with three different names?


To my understanding, lionhead = lionchiu because both of them have a big wen head. Ranchu has smaller wen head with a longer body in length..

In modern times, the lines between the fish have blurred a bit, with cross breeding as well as..... well, I won't say "poor" selection, but selection that does not always represent the breed very well.

A Lionhead is a Chinese dorsalless fish of a specific body shape and a large, full head of wen. A Ranchu is a Japanese dorsalless fish of a specific body shape and several different wen styles - a lion head, tiger head, etc. Within the Japanese Ranchu designation, you will find Top View Ranchu and Side View Ranchu - something that many are beginning to think should be classified as two different breeds of fish. They meet different standards.

When a fish has more of the body of a Ranchu - (Side View) - which includes compact body, a back curve and tail tuck to a degree, yet carries the full lion head wen of a Lionhead fish, it can be called a LionChu - or a mixed breed. LionChu are not, specifically, accepted breeds in shows. But, since fish come in all ranges of shape and development, many fish are shown in either the Lionhead or the Ranchu class that are not particularly good examples of either breed - the LionChus are ones that fit that description. Many a judge will ding a beautiful fish because it does not go either to the Lionhead class or the Ranchu class. I avoid LionChu - for they are becoming too common- and we are losing the classical Chinese Lionhead and the beautiful SVR. TVR are all but non-existant in the US.

Thanks, Daryl..

So my favor gold fish would be the Lionchiu...

From what I understand, Japanese Ranchu afficionados doesn't even recognise SVR. They just recognise Ranchu as...well, Ranchu, which according to Japanese custom is always viewed from the top. Only outside of Japan people use the terms TVR & SVR.

Here's a link to my previous post about Lionchu:
http://www.kokosgoldfish.invisionzone.com/...st&p=694733

Thanks for the link. The post is very informative. I was wondering any difference between the fry lionshiu and fry Ranchu?

I love the lionchiu because the big head full of wens. But how can I tell if the fry has the potential to grow to a such lionchiu?

My lfs has new fry gold fish (2") coming in every week. A tank full of gold fish fry including the ranchu. How can I pick the one that has the potential to grow to lionchiu with a big head??

Apparently all the ranchu fry are look bit of skinny with a small head. The body definitely isn't round and fat.

Unless you know the line of fish, you cannot tell what potential they may have. You can influence the body bulk and wen development to a degree with feeding and such, but genetics will dictate to what degree.

A nice, consistant line of fish that produces a consistent percentage of nice babies is a great (and unusual - at least here) thing to have. My lines are so diverse - having to use unrelated parents to start them, that I have to go through hundreds of fry to even find any that are slightly close. To tell you the truth - you are simply trusting to luck what you will get from a fish-store. Most of the fish there are bred to fill numbers - not necessarily breed specifics. You may luck out and find the culls of another breeder - and find a good selection if the breeder is pretty far along in creating a solid line of fish.

I am glad Riz posted in. He REALLY knows his stuff with the TVR, SVR and Lionhead!

Hey - I should take a picture of that fry - the one that was left in that other post. He is growing well - but still not developing the type of wen I would like to see.

http://www.raingarden.us/goldfish-top-view-ranchu.htm

Steve has them!

Well, the $100+ fish are. The rest....well, let me just say that even though their parents may be TVRs, they're just glorified & over-priced lionheads.

I have been watching his lisitings at RainGarden for a bit now. I have not liked anything, yet, that I have seen. I am still learning - and have a LOT left to learn. If you see one go by there that you like, Riz - PM me!!!! I am waiting for the right TVR (or two) to be available.

Haven't u got enough fish alraedy, Carol?

NEVER!!!!

.. what's the different between SVR and TVR ?

TVR are best viewed from above SVR are best viewed from the side. Riz could give you a better explanation

IMO, I enjoy watch any types of gold fish from the side..