Pale Chub (Freshwater Fish Pictorial Book, Series 1, revised release by Yujin)

This figure is the Pale Chub, known in Japan as Oikawa, Zacco platypus, number 08 from the first series. We appear to now be beyond the salmonids; the Pale Chub is another cyprinid (‘minnow’). The Pale chub is a small carnivore that is normally found along eastern Asia from the Korean peninsula south to Vietnam. This species is also found throughout most of Japan. Edit – this may be one of the most widespread Asiatic cyprinids. Like the Big-scaled redfin I’ve found reference to the Pale Chub as a somewhat popular aquarium fish. They are also fished by fly-fishermen. The Yujin model states that the normal size is 15cm, although 20cm seems to be common.

The pale chub is primarily freshwater, preferring high flow streams where they can remain among rocks and cracks to look for food in the slower areas. Pale chub do not like deep, still water. They are omnivorous but prefer animal food. The young tend to shoal together, while adults tend to be more solitary.

Under normal circumstances female and male pale chubs are similar in appearance. In mating season (they generally have two per year) males undergo some physical changes to be highly dimorphic, becoming very brightly coloured and with tubercles on their heads. They’ve even been occasionally bred in aquaria. The pale chub is preyed upon by several larger fish as well as birds. They are listed as Least Concern, but do face challenges in some areas due to water quality and temperature changes.

This model is about 5.5 cm long, making the figure roughly 1:3 or 1:4. The figure itself is based on the adult male in a fairly horizontal pose. This is clear not only from the bright colours but from the long, elaborate anal fin. It’s another nice, bright fish figure in the set, again standing out quite a lot from the more subdued species. The fins are dark yellow, somewhat translucent.

The distinct colours and large scales are well painted and sculpted, respectively. It appears that the figure is meant to be the colours of a breeding male, although the tubercles are not sculpted on (although I think they’ve been painted on as light spots). The base for this one is the upright wood, although the gravel with plant would make more sense (it can be changed easily). Like many of the fish figures that are species found in Japan it has shown up several times from other Japanese companies a few other times, including in the Colorata River sets, several Kaiyodo Capsule and other sets, and from the Kitan Club Nature Technicolor series; I am guessing that there are others as well.

Starting on the 14th of January, 2024, I migrated my first Yujin Freshwater Fish Pictorial walkaround post from the Animal Toy Forum to this blog, with the intention of moving all species’/figures’ walkarounds here. The initial post contained a lengthy explanation of the series (both the original and updated) that I don’t think should be repeated each time! For those details, the post can be seen at the first post. Then we can just get to the fish. Most of the details and writing will come from the original post, although I may supplement/add where appropriate.