Time for an American Ranchu club?

[bigbettadan]

We have been playing with this idea for awhile now,( and we do have the breeders social group that is great) but with recent discussions, and the level of ranchu interest on this site, has the time come for an American Ranchu club? A club that will promote the showing and development of the ranchu the japanese way, as well as deal with the SVR/lionchu issue? Do we have enough "doers" to make a club a reality, as well as people want to spawn ranchu, not just keep them? Well I am throwing it out there, please respond.

Dan

[Daryl]

I am in. I am assuming you have volunteered to take point?

[bigbettadan]

I am willing take some leadership, but I need someone to step up and be "the man" as I am still serving on the judging board of the IBC, as well as president of the Indiana lionhead(rabbit) breeders club. But I will do all I can to get this going...

Dan

[bekko]

I will invest whatever time is needed from the background, but am not "the man".

-steve

[Sabine]

I am interested, keeping and breeding, and learning from you guys as much as I can about them.

[King_oF_Ranchu]

Im up for it! I'll do my best from the background, like steve! :gogirl:

[Virginia ranchu]

Hi Dan,

I am keeping and breeding ranchu too, so I am interested. Having been a co-editor of the Goldfish Report, I now think it is best to keep an online format, and encourage projects and contributions without demanding article submissions and other commitments from participants. This is a small group, and too much formality always ends up in a few people who feel that they are doing all the "work". The informal and pleasant blogging on the Goldfish Keepers site is a good model. I think a fry exchange for those who breed ranchu would be a very useful project. Also, the fry rearing competition that Gary suggested would be a fun thing to do.

Keep us posted,

Rob

[bigbettadan]

I would like to see us sponsor at least one show a year. This show would use Japanese standards for judging, as well as a side view class. A informal study group would be ok, but I was hoping for more. A club like in the UK and Asia....

Dan

[Ajno]

I have always been interested in breeding ranchu, but am having space issues. I am also interested in seeing what I can learn from you guys:worship:

[Cincy Ranchu]

I believe the AGA will give us space at their show in Chicago in July. Dan, you might ask Peter what he thinks about the idea.

GH

[bigbettadan]

You had better send me Peters email, and I will make a inquiry......

How do you feel about being the first American Ranchu Club president, Gary? LOL

Dan

[afnaveils]

I believe Gary started this ranchu club almost 14 years ago with the Breeders' Social. It just didn't have an official name related to ranchus. So, without forcing it on Gary, I think he is the "man" for the American Ranchu Kai. I vote for Gary.

I'm interested to be a member of such a club.

[Ajno]

I second that!

[cowiche ponder]

breeding goldfish is something I have wanted to do, but to say the least I am a complete noob at that. However I LOVE ranchu with a passion. Would love to be a part of the club and learn lots

[Ichthius]

I've found that the best groups are small and contain many dedicated people. They grow organically, form under their own momentum and meet in someone's backyard. Adding a formal structure to small groups are their ultimate death. The organization often takes more time than the keeping of fish.

Gary's already the president of the club I'm in!

But... if a club were to get started I'd pay dues.

[bigbettadan]

I understand what you are saying, but if we are going to establish Japanese ranchu style shows in the US, we need some structure.. And that will start the ball rolling beyond commerical chinese fish here in the US.........

Dan

[Ichthius]

I guess I'm a good judge of character. As soon as I met you I knew you'd be going down the fish show path. ;) For me the culture that builds around fish shows is the least desirable part of our hobby.

If shows get going I think there should be a rule of having a fish in your possession for at least one year before being able to enter it and purchased fish should compete in a separate and lesser category than bred by owner fish.

If we want to encourage a TVR hobby bred by should be the highest and most desirable category of the show.

I think the ball of high quality fish coming into the US is already rolling thanks to folks like Gary and Paul.

Sounds like you have a new hobby and position: President, show chairman and treasurer of the TVR Club of America. Congrats!

[bigbettadan]

Yes, I enjoy fish shows, and competition. It brings out the best(and worst) in people....... The thing I don't enjoy is the fish sales thing, and I know people that love it. Each according to their gifts I guess....

I have no plans on doing this without the support of others, as I just don't have the time. Thats why I have taken it slow. And I enjoy the fellowship most of all, and that's why I love the social..........

Anyway, I want to gauge real interest before we get too deep. Maybe a TVR show in July with the Chicago club is where to start........

Dan

[bigbettadan]

Oh, I and I agree 100% on the breeder/or grooming the fish for a long period as what we want to see. I have never liked the buy one day show the next thing........

Dan

[thomasn]

how does one prove a fish has been in one's possession for one year?

[bigbettadan]

Thats where the honor system comes into play. We have been doing that for the IBC for years. And while some choose to "beat the system" in the short term, over the long term, it seems to sort out.........

Dan

[bekko]

The US koi hobby has been been debating ringers forever and still cannot find a solution. In Japan, buying an expensive ringer and having it delivered to the show by the breeder is a common occurrence - almost the norm in the most prestigious shows. The other controversial issue is whether dealers and other professionals should be allowed to compete against amateurs. Try to define "professional" and "amateur" and you will find a million grey areas in between

One of the hardest things about putting on a show is deciding beforehand what the goal is. We wrestle with this issue in our local club every year and never get a consensus. In the end, that year's show chair moves the show toward some very nebulous goal and does his/her best to defend their position. But,.....

If the goal is to educate the public about goldfish and goldfish keeping, then having someone bring in an expensive ringer at the last minute is a good thing. The better the fish are in the show the easier it is to meet your goal. What could be worse than putting on a show with a lot of general public admission and having nothing but junk entered in the competition.

If the goal is to determine who among you is the best goldfish keeper, then ringers are a definite no-no.

The compromise position is to judge every fish that comes in the door. Then, have separate categories for fish bred locally, in your possession for a year, or whatever criteria you want to use. The relative importance of the local fish versus the overall GC and RC is manipulated by the size of the trophies.

-steve

[bigbettadan]

I think two divisons may be the way to go. But for first show, having one is the biggest step. Gary has the bowls, I am going to email Pete this week.

Dan

[bigbettadan]

I just touched base with Peter, he was confident that they we going to create a TVR division for us. So Chicago is looking good for a TVR show here. So get those fish ready!

Dan

[small_ranchu]

I am glad to say that in IN show, AGA started to recognize TVR as different class and judge accordingly. Hope we can keep this moving toward certain level.

[bigbettadan]

I agree, we just need to keep it going. If things go well at the Chicago, maybe we can ask the AGA if we can form a sub club/chapter for TVR and other top view Japanese breeds. We will have discussion at the social.

Dan

[eros]

I'd love to join and help out in anyway I can