Goldfish: Nature's Most Rebellious Artist

 稀罕生趣，雷同殺藝  

~ 靈感源自明代魚盆銘文  

Rarity sparks joy, replication murders art.
~ Inspired by Ming Dynasty fishbowl inscriptions.

4-bubbles bred by Tian Zhuang ( (田庒戲泡) displayed
during the CIPS Guangzhou 2024.
Picture courtesy of Mr. Alvin Lim

What began as a humble crucian carp in ancient China has blossomed into one of nature’s most extraordinary canvases. Since the Jin Dynasty 晋朝 (265–420 AD), when the first golden mutant crucian carp emerged, we’ve witnessed an evolutionary ballet. With a remarkable 100 chromosomes — more than double our human count, the goldfish’s genetic symphony erupts into dazzling mutations under different environments, yielding endless variations that have captivated civilizations for centuries. 

selectively bred
swordtails with compact body  

While most aquarium fish, such as swordtails, tetras and gouramis display modest variations like elongated fins or compact bodies, goldfish explode with radical transformations. Every feature mutates spectacularly: from bulging eyes, pearl-like scales, dorsal-less egg shapes, crown-like head growths, and tails like butterfly spreads. Even their mouths reshape, as seen in the Ryukin’s sharp beak. One of the most unimaginable mutations, the throat sac of the Four Bubbles, swells into hypnotic, glass-like orbs with every breath it takes.

breeding and importing goldfish over the years, we have experienced our fair share of mutations too

Humans became co-creators - enhancing these spontaneous mutations through selective breeding, artfully combining different traits like a master decorator assembling nature's finest ornaments. Sometimes a single fish emerges bearing multiple marvels: pearlscale with dragon eyes and pompoms, celestial eyes paired with lionhead growths, or Orandas with broad butterfly tails.

a rare mutation
of the pectoral fin

Herein lies their magic. While ornamental fish like guppies are "dissected" in competition — stripped into segments, each trait scored in isolation. But goldfish refuse such reduction. Their beauty lives in the whole: A lush head wen may crown one fish elegantly yet overwhelm another. We do not tally their parts; we feel their balance. Like judging a face not by nose or brow alone, but by the silent music of their harmony. With forms too diverse to catalog, each human or goldfish becomes a unique testament to nature's creativity.

Goldfish mirror humanity’s dance with nature; our attempts to shape it, and our humility when it surprises us. As Japanese breeders say, "The perfect goldfish doesn’t exist." Yet this imperfection makes them perfect. Even breeding successes reveal paradoxes: the Red Cap Oranda, once revered for its rare red crown, lost much of its allure when it can be bred true and mass-produced to a high degree of consistency. Scarcity, it seems, fuels wonder and uniformity extinguishes it.

The Red Cap Oranda  

The art of goldfish appreciation teaches us that life’s most breathtaking creations emerge not from rigid control, but from the beautiful tension between human intention and nature’s boundless imagination. In each unique specimen, we find a masterpiece written in scales and fins — a testament to the wonder that unfolds when we collaborate with, rather than conquer, the natural world. 

Yet today’s market tells a narrowing tale. While a handful of goldfish varieties dominate aquariums worldwide, few realize that over 300 documented and undocumented strains exist. Ancient breeds, like the Celestial, the Tigerhead, or the Phoenix are dismissed as "less regal" despite their storied and ancient lineages that have endured centuries longer than their commonplace counterparts. 

Some rare exotics imported over the years

Our concoction of Pompom,
Dragon Eyes and Pearlscale

At JuzFish ArtQuatics, we have quietly championed these overlooked treasures for years. By curating rare, high-quality specimens of exotic varieties, we hope to rekindle appreciation for goldfish diversity beyond the familiar. For in their forgotten forms, sculpted by time and refined by history lie masterpieces of living art, waiting to be rediscovered.

Stay tuned for our limited retail opening announcement as we present some of these exquisite specimens at their most resplendent. 😉

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juzFish

the art of fish

7 Happy Days ~ 七天樂

 
要么做好，要么别做。
Do it right or don’t bother.  

What better time to discuss quarantine than with our fresh shipment arrival just a couple of days ago? In this post, we dive into our approach to helping you start strong in the goldfish hobby.

The COVID era taught us one universal truth: Looking healthy doesn’t equate to being safe. Just like humans, fish harbor hidden pathogens that can erupt unexpectedly. We take quarantine seriously because your fishkeeping journey begins long before fish enter your tank.

Quarantine in process.

What Quarantine Really Means: 
Critically speaking, quarantine isn’t about eradicating all pathogens — that’s scientifically impossible and unhealthy too. While some external parasites like anchor worms and fish lice can be fully eliminated, bacteria and other microbes exist in balance within healthy fish. All organisms, humans included, host low-level pathogens to keep their immune systems "trained" and alert.

The goal of quarantine is to reduce pathogenic loads to manageable levels and create an environment where immunity can strengthen, letting fish naturally suppress threats after isolation.

Remember the COVID isolation periods (like Singapore’s Stay Home Notice, or SHN)? Think of quarantine as a “fish rehabilitation center.” For our new arrivals, it is mandatory for them to stay isolated for at least 7 days — not because we enjoy fish-sitting, but because transport stress weakens them and awakens dormant diseases.

Anchor worm is a visible parasite, rarely
fatal if treated early.

The “7-day rule” isn’t arbitrary. We coined it 七天樂 (“seven happy days”) with a dash of dark humor. Empirical data shows 90% of pathogens emerge within 7 days after drastic shifts in water chemistry and climatic conditions — a phenomenon called pathogen opportunism, where microbes exploit environmental chaos to multiply rapidy.

Newly arrived fish often seem healthy and lively until a few days in local water. Mixing them directly into your tank is aquatic Russian roulette: a deadly game of chance. Sometimes you win, and they settle without issue. But one bad spin can wipe out half your tank, or even the entire ecosystem.

Transport stress also spikes fish stress hormones, crippling their immunity. Thus, surging pathogens + weakened defenses = a perfect storm!

Mass wipe-out is part and parcel
of the livestock trade.

Our Quarantine Reality: 
Even if fish survive the critical 7 days, we often hold them a little longer before sale. Immunity isn’t built overnight, and recovery doesn’t mean readiness for a new home.

Moreover, fish have been starved to avoid complicating their gut health and to preserve water quality during shipment. We will need to slowly rehabilitate their digestion to normalize feeding and bolster their mass and immunity. Introducing them too soon to their new homes is a gamble we refuse to take.

The Hidden Costs We Acknowledge: 
Of course, our quarantine model comes with sacrifices: 
- Tanks are tied up, limiting shipment frequency.
- Losses are inevitable when holding large number of fish in quarantine: casualties (despite our best efforts) and wipeouts can happen.
- Cost is high: medication cost, time spent, opportunity cost from withholding retail. 

The first 7 days post-arrival are still
high-risk for the fish. 

However, these are the cost we are willing to bear. “Sell fast and pass the risk to the consumer” contradicts our ethos. 

The Cross-Contamination Wildcard: 
Even the most rigorous quarantine protocols can't guarantee fish will remain healthy after purchase. Here's the hard truth we must acknowledge: fish often leave our facility in perfect condition only to develop illnesses in your aquarium. Why does this happen?  

The “Germ Handshake” Dilemma:
The answer lies in microbial ecology. Every aquatic system develops its own unique balance of microorganisms - what's harmless in our facilities may prove problematic in your tank, and vice versa. Introducing new fish without proper acclimatization is biologically similar to encountering a stranger's flu strain: neither ecosystem has developed specific immunity. 

We can draw parallels to human travel. Consider how often tourists fall ill after exposure to unfamiliar pathogens in foreign countries. Yet we accept this risk when we travel - we simply prepare by bringing medications and purchasing travel insurance. The same pragmatic approach applies to fishkeeping. While we have already mitigated much of the risks with proper quarantine, hobbyists must understand that some risk remains inherent when introducing livestock to new environments. 

Rare exotics are notoriously difficult to quarantine.
It is always heart-breaking when they perish.

Our (Unconcealed) Strategy: 
The best practice is through gradual introductions that mimic vaccine boosters. It's a bit involved to describe, depending on your environment. You can ask us in person and we’ll share the basics - though sadly, few hobbyists stick to the regimen.

Look out for our retail sales announcement when new arrivals are ready, maybe in 2 weeks, maybe longer. We sell them when they’re ready, not when we need to. 

Visit us to explore the science of quarantine, or simply admire our battle-hardened survivors. Welcome to our showroom at JuzFish ArtQuatics, where artisan pride, stubborn ethics, and a deep passion for fish collide. 😉


PS:
We share opening announcements on both our Facebook Page and Telegram Channel:
Facebook Page: 

https://www.facebook.com/juzFishArtQuatics

Telegram Channel: 

https://t.me/juzFishArt

The Art of Uniting Contrasts:

柳柔不斷，玉剛含柔  -  武者亦需剛柔並濟。

The willow bends but never breaks; the jade is hard yet holds the softest glow - so too must the warrior cultivate both.
- Classical Chinese Training Maxim

In both nature and art, the most captivating forms arise from the harmony of opposites—strength tempered by grace, vigor balanced by serenity. Few creatures embody this duality as vividly as goldfish, whose diverse breeds mirror the dynamic interplay of forces found in martial arts philosophy. 

My favourite crossed-eye celestial pompom
with ying & yang pompoms (circa 2002)
- photo courtesy of Mr. Alvin Lim

The robust Ryukin, Oranda, and Ranchu, with their bold contours, evoke the explosive power of external martial arts like Shaolin Lohan Quan (少林罗汉拳) or Karate (空手道）, where technique harnesses raw, structured
force. In contrast, the delicate Bubble Eye, Butterfly Tail, and Phoenix Tail varieties reflect the fluid elegance of internal arts like Taiji Quan (太極拳) or Aikido (合氣道), where softness conceals precision, and movement flows like water. 

Just as martial artists progress from admiring raw power to appreciating subtle control, goldfish enthusiasts often follow a similar journey. Beginners may be drawn to dramatic fins and bold contours, much like students first marvel at spectacular kicks and punches. Yet with time, the eye learns to value refinement — the Celestial Eye’s upward gaze, the Pompom's nasal growth, or the Pearlscale’s intricate scales.

High quality mascular-looking Ryukins

This is not a matter of choosing sides. A true master knows when to apply force and when to yield, understanding that strength resides in softness — like bamboo, unyielding yet bending with the wind. Likewise, gentleness persists within strength— like the pine tree, steadfast yet cradling snowfall upon its branches.

The goldfish embodies this equilibrium: a prime specimen of the robust varieties balances muscular power with effortless grace, while the delicate varieties draw strength from a well-toned, resilient frame. Neither extreme is superior; beauty lies in harmony, in the tension between opposing qualities.

Dragon Eyes Crown Pearlscales cruising like mythical dragons 

And just as no two martial artists move identically, no two goldfish, even within the same spawn are identical. Their proportions, hues, and temperaments vary. In this, they remind us: mastery is not uniformity, but the art of balancing contrasts.

Aesthetics, after all, are as subjective as cultural ideals — whether in judging a Miss Universe’s poise, the bold lines of architecture, or the hues of traditional dress. What one culture prizes as elegance, another may find excessive. Yet all reveal the same truth: beauty thrives in diversity, in the dialogue between opposing visions—and, ultimately, in the eyes of the beholder.

A pair of elegant ballet dancers

So unless you’re preparing a champion for competition where judging criteria, scoring merits, and even the preferences of the panel come into play, why fret over others’ opinions? Love your fish for their unique balance of contrasts. (And for those curious about competitive standards — well, that’s a discussion for another day.)

How & When

學之易，時之藝 

Learning "how" is simple; mastering "when" is art. 

Sakura season in Japan

Leaving my pearlscale fry behind as I embarked on a family holiday to Tokyo felt unthinkable. The fish, in their larval stage, were as delicate as soap bubbles, demanding round-the-clock feeds and meticulous water changes to secure their future form. Yet this trip had been booked months ago—a quiet window I had reserved for calm, not frantic otter-proofing or emergency spawns to salvage a bloodline 😓

Entrusting them to my parents became my last resort. Though well-meaning, their care leaned toward enthusiastic excess. I simplified instructions into bulletproof points: 
- Hatch brine shrimp daily. 
- Feed every four hours. 
- Scoop waste. 
- Change water gently.
- Shelter if rain. 

 Otter & weather proofing

ponds with Pearlscale fry

For someone who had never babysat young goldfish fry before, being handed such a critical task last-minute, their stress was palpable. However, raising goldfish is an art based on intuition and experience, not formulas. It’s easy to explain how to act, but not when to read distress in a flick of a fin. 

Baby Dragon Pearlscale
7 days old when I left
them for Tokyo (20th March)

Their updates trickled in: “All fine!” or “The babies seem hungry—did we feed enough?” “In that case, just give them a bit more, but don’t overfeed”, I replied. Then cue the inevitable: “How much is too much?” ... 😅Better to nurture their confidence than drown them in panic with more intuitive guidance. I resolved to restraint: “Mom, forget what I said… stick to the original plan.” If they perished, so be it. 隨緣 — surrendering to fate’s flow. Perhaps my parents would find their own rhythm in this caretaking dance. 

Baby Dragon Pearlscale 16 days old upon my return (29th March)

When I returned from the week-long trip, the pond shimmered with quiet vitality. Peering close, plump Pearlescale fry zipped past, unaware of their fragility or the legacy they carried. My throat tightened with gratitude. 隨緣, I whispered. Fate’s tide had carried them through my parents’ imperfect yet wholehearted care. The bloodline, still quivering like a spider’s thread, held. For now, it endured. 🤞

Maybe next time, I’ll share glimpses of my Japan trip—where goldfish have been revered for centuries. Stay tuned… but first, these little lives (and many more at the farm) need tending. 



On a related note: 

Last thing I want to see in my
Tokyo vacation...😡

I have received the standard advisory reply from the National Parks Board (Nparks) about the otter saga - the familiar recommendations about otter-proofing and maintaining safe distances. While I appreciate these guidelines, I wonder if we might consider a more balanced approach to this growing urban wildlife challenge.

Wildlife conservation is important, and otters certainly deserve protection - but so do our ornamental fish, beloved ones, and sanity. Their increasing presence in urban areas, far from natural habitats, suggests overpopulation. Driven by shrinking territory and food shortages, they’ve turned our neighborhoods into their new hunting grounds — and our ponds into their all-you-can-eat buffets. 

The mouth and head of this poor fish was half
eaten but it was still alive... I have
no choice but to euthanatize it 😓

Otters are ruthless predators, leaving fish keepers devastated by their brutal hunting habits. Unlike natural predators that kill for sustenance, otters slaughter far beyond their needs - gorging themselves before cruelly mutilating the remaining fish. They leave behind half-eaten corpses, bite off chunks of flesh for sport, or toss their victims out of the water to rot.

There's a irony in our current situation: Rather than observing otters in wildlife reserves, we've found ourselves living in what feels like a reverse zoo. Homeowners are forced to construct cumbersome barriers - unsightly mesh cages, dug-in fencing, and other fortifications that transform our homes into something resembling enclosure exhibits. In this peculiar zoo, we're the ones in cages, while the otters roam free.

There's a fundamental imbalance here: I didn't choose to live near wildlife habitats - the wildlife has chosen to frequent urban spaces. As many frustrated residents can attest, even the most diligent otter-proofing measures often fail against these intelligent creatures that can dig, climb and swim past most barriers.

Half-eaten corpses

In balanced ecosystems, predator populations self-regulate. As apex predators without natural enemies in our urban environment, and with legal protections in place, otter populations face few constraints. This imbalance could lead to declining fish populations in our waterways, potentially leading to the increase in insects like mosquitoes and new public health considerations.

Safety concerns are also emerging. Territorial by nature and protective of their young, otters have already been involved in incidents resulting in human injuries. An accidental encounter with an otter family could have serious consequences, particularly for vulnerable groups like children or seniors, maybe even our furry pets.

Otters kill brutally & beyond what
they need for food

I urge all residents here who have experienced otter-related issues to provide feedback to NParks at 1800-476-1600. With more voices highlighting these concerns, we may be able to alert the authority to adopt more constructive solutions that protect both our urban wildlife and our community spaces (Because at this rate, the otters might start demanding voting rights next.)😜

After all, the goal isn't to eliminate otters from our city, but to ensure all species - including humans - can coexist in proper balance.

Ottering Devastating

The only thing worst than an otter is 2 otters.

– Someone saw 3...😓

my mistake to underestimate the otters

This year started with the kind of drama that makes you wonder if the universe has a personal vendetta against you. First, there were family matters—delicate, emotional, and not something I’ll dive into here. Suffice it to say, it was a difficult time juggling emotions and responsibilities I never anticipated.  

Just when I thought things were settling down, nature decided to up the ante. Enter: the otters. Yes, otters. Those "adorable," fluffy, Instagram-worthy pests that everyone loves? Turns out, they’re also ruthless, fish-eating ninjas. After 40 years in this neighborhood, I never imagined I’d be waging war against wildlife. But here we are.  

The first otter attack was a gut punch. In one night, nearly my entire Dragon Eyes Pearlscale bloodline—a labor of love spanning almost two decades—was wiped out. Poof. Gone. It was like watching 20 years of work get flushed down the drain, except the drain was a gang of hyper-efficient aquatic predators.  


I didn’t have time to despair. I immediately stimulated my remaining Pearlscales to spawn, hoping to salvage what was left of the bloodline. Otters are protected by law in Singapore, so we can’t trap or retaliate against these pests in any way. To keep them out, I reinforced the pond perimeter with higher fences and weighed down the protective netting with heavy bricks. Then, a glimmer of hope. One week after the first attack, some of my fish spawned, and I collected the eggs. Maybe, just maybe, I could rebuild.  

Video recorded last month... All these RIP 😭😭😭

But the otters wasn’t done with me. The very next day, they returned. They scaled the higher fences, tore through the reinforced netting, and decimated my remaining breeding stock. It was like a bad sequel to a movie I never wanted to watch in the first place.  

a few beacon of hope...

So now, I’m back to the drawing board, thinking of better otter exclusion measures and hoping for the best with the last spawn. These eggs are my final shot at saving my Dragon Eyes Pearlscale bloodline. 

Maybe luck will be on my side, and they’ll escape the brink of extinction this time. But all good things must end someday. My creation will vanish eventually when I am too old to keep the bloodline alive. Yet, if they do disappear, it won’t be because I didn’t try while I still could.

So, here’s to hoping, persevering, and maybe praying for a few more miracles. Life’s challenges—whether family, otters, or both — can’t break you unless you let them. I’ve done everything I can. Now, it’s up to fate.

The Farm, the Fish, and the Passion

 

The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.
~ Walter Bagehot, English journalist and economist

The farm is my heaven and haven

I

High quality butterflies

t’s been a while since I last wrote. Life, as it often does, took its course—between running the goldfish business and managing the farm, I found myself consumed by the day-to-day operations. Writing? That was something I kept putting off. But recently, I had come to realised that I had forgotten why I started all this in the first place. It wasn’t just about running a business—it was about my passion for aquatics.

I began as a hobbyist. Watching goldfish grow, creating new varieties of goldfish and ornamental fish, and seeing the delicate balance of an aquarium thrive—that was what excited me. Over time, my hobby became a full-time job. The work was rewarding, but I realized I was losing touch with the joy that originally fueled me.

One of my new creation hybrid endler (poecilia wingei) popular with nano tank hobbyists

Now, in this semi-retirement phase, I’ve decided to slow down and refocus. The farm is still thriving, but I’ve freed up some time to reflect and reconnect with the hobby that started it all. Not just goldfish, but guppies and other ornamental fishes too. I’ve been breeding various ornamental fishes for some time now, experimenting with the challenges of hard-to-breed varieties and creating new varieties. There’s something thrilling about seeing a unique new breed come to life—a fish that didn’t exist before, born from careful breeding and attention to detail. It’s one of the things that keeps me excited about this journey.

This blog is about more than just the fish breeding process; it’s about the joy of living your passion. I’m excited to share these stories and lessons with you—because this is more than just business for me. It’s about living a life I love, doing what I’m passionate about, and sharing a wonderful hobby and how to do it right.

Thank you for joining me again. I’m looking forward to sharing more with you.