Teething Problem

沒齒難忘

As Unforgettable As Losing One's Tooth

~ A Chinese Idiom

Most Goldfish hobbyists who do not use sand or gravel in their aquariums would have come across those mysterious white chips lying on the base of their Goldfish tanks. They are irregularly shaped hard, white and sharp pieces ranging from 1mm to 3mm. Hobbyists who use coral chips to buffer their water would usually attribute these as the small crumbs of coral chips from the filter bed but for those who don't, they continue to be baffled by the presence of these stuff.

I was also puzzled for years until I saw the carcass of a Ranchu. The row of sharp "chips" of various sizes lining along the throat/jaw bone of the Ranchu instantly solved the mystery. Apparently, the Goldfish would shed its teeth and grow new ones to replace the old ones over time.

Apologies for the gross image of the Ranchu skeleton but it is quite amazing how the teeth of the Goldfish resembles that of a carnivore.

Pictures:

1) White "chips" on the base of Goldfish tanks.

2) A Ranchu skeleton.

3) Close up of the throat bone with teeth.

Perspective ~ 視角

對事物的觀點掌握適當的視角後，許多事將能水到渠成。

When you get a proper perspective of your perceptions, you may be surprised how many other things fall into place. ~ Roger Birkman 

Appreciating Goldfish from the side view

It should be the effect of global warming that Singapore is getting very extreme weather nowadays. Scourging heat waves and heavy rain took turns to rein on our little island country. Floods brought by torrential downpours, stalling vehicles and falling trees are the talk of the town.

My fishes should have no complain about the weather mayhem except that they are given much lesser feeds than usual. In fact, growing them slower at appropriate juncture is another perspective of the art of Goldfish grooming. It is a very common perception for Goldfish hobbyists to equate good growth of their fishes to good keeping skills. However, pushing for growth too aggressively may affect the aesthetics of the fish; there are also more health related problems associated with overfeeding than underfeeding.


   Another perspective to appreciate the Dragon Eyes Pearlscale - from the top view 

In this time of the year, I have almost completed sorting out the TVR and Pearlscale breeders by their gender. While the relatively cooler weather this year is beneficial for nurturing good eggs in the female fishes, my only concern is, there may be too little rain next year to trigger the spawning. All the rain for next year seems to be pouring this year.

More Haste Less Speed ~ 欲速不達

物極必反
Things driven to extremes will backfire.
~ A Chinese proverb

I wish I have been distracted by the celebrations of the World Cup but regrettably, I have never been a big soccer fan. Moreover, it is my day job that has been keeping me so busy lately that I need to pull back a little on the hobby. All my fishes are put on the low gear for growth to ease my task on water change.

This year's whacky weather seems to suggest that it is still goldfish breeding season in Singapore but I am not collecting any spawns. Over the years, I have learned better than to rush in this hobby. Tempting it may be, getting myself overwhelmed unnecessarily with goldfish breeding right now will leave me with no space and energy to engage the crucial breeding seasons for next year.

Work is really killing me but luckily I have the hobby to keep my sanity. Strangely, I don't know why the aftermath of MFGC 2010 leaves me feeling a little languid... the kind of feeling when your favourite clown has quited the circus... I know I will feel better again in the next goldfish breeding season ;P


Picture:
Two of my new breed Dragon Eyes Pompom Pearlscales 2010. Probably another two or three iterations to stabilise the strain.