290 SEVENTH REPORT OF THE FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



DeKay made the following remarks about the Goldfish, or Golden Carp, as he 

 styled it : 



" The Golden Carp, or Goldfish, as it is more generally called, was introduced 

 from China into Europe in the early part of the 17th century, and probably shortly 

 after found its way to this country. They breed freely in ponds in this and the 

 adjoining States. They are of no use as an article of food, but are kept in glass 

 vases as an ornament to the parlor or drawing rocm. They are said to display an 

 attachment to their owners and a limited obedience to their commands." 



They are introduced into lakes, ponds, fountains and reservoirs generally. An 

 individual was kept in a fountain at 42d Street and 5th Avenue, New York, by 

 Patrick Walsh nine years and was then presented to the aquarium. 



At Cold Spring Harbor Hatchery, L. I., several varieties were hatched from the 

 same lot of eggs. These included the normal form, the typical fan-tail, and one 

 which was so deep bodied that it could scarcely balance itself in swimming. 



The Goldfish in the New York Aquarium were never troubled by fungus parasites. 



" In many of our streams and ponds, the Goldfish has run wild, and hundreds of 

 the olivaceous type will be secured to one of a red color. In the fauna of the 

 moraine ponds and in quarry holes, the Goldfish stands first. It will breed in foul 

 water where only Catfish and Dogfish (Umbra) can be found." Eugene Siititk. 



The Goldfish is extremely variable in color and form. It is usually orange, or 

 mottled with black and orange, yet in some streams and even in pond culture, 

 silvery individuals are often more common than any of the mottled varieties. The 

 species grows to the length of 12 Inches. It spawns early in the spring and is 

 subject to many dangers and is attacked by many enemies. The fish, however, is 

 extremely hardy, prolific, and tenacious of life. 



35. Carp {Cyprians carpio Linnaeus). 



Cyprinus carpio DeKay, N. Y. Fauna, Fishes, 188. 1842 ; Jordan & Gilbert, Bull. 16, 

 U. S. Nat. Mus., 254, 1883 ; Bean, Fishes Penna., 55, pi. i, colored, 1893. 



The Carp is a native of Asia and has been introduced into Europe and America 

 as a food fish, chiefly for pond culture. It thrives in all warm and temperate parts 

 of the United States, and reaches its best condition in open waters. In Te.xas it has 

 grown to a length of 23 inches in 1 1 months after planting. The leather variety is 

 most hardy for transportation. Mr. Hessel has taken the Carp in the Black and 

 Caspian Seas ; salt water seems not to be objectionable to it, and it will live in stag- 

 nant pools, though its flesh will be decidedly inferior in such waters. The Carp 



