THE GOLDFISH 



177 



THE COMMON GOLDFISH 



The common Goldfish, being closely related to the original stock, 

 has most of its characteristics. It is very hardy, can withstand extremes 

 of temperatures if brought about gradually, can remain out of water 

 for several hours when kept moist, will eat almost any food, is easily 

 tamed and is a prolific breeder. The body is rather long and flattened 

 on the sides. The head is short, wide, and without scales. Names of the 

 different fins should here be carefully noted, as they are frequently re- 



Fig. 149. The Common Goldfish (Carassius auralus) 



ferred to in other parts of this work. The Dorsal Fin (on back), the 

 Caudal Fin (the tail) and the Anal Fin (small fin nearest tail) are all 

 single in the Common Goldfish. The Pectoral Fins (nearest head) and 

 Ventral Fins (nearer lower centre of body) are paired. 



One of the easiest characteristics to fix in a breed is the lengthening 

 of the body and fins. This brings us to a description of the first of the 

 fancy goldfish varieties or breeds. 



THE COMET GOLDFISH 



The first of the long single-tail breed appears to have originated 

 in the ponds of the Fish Commission in Washington in the early eighties. 

 Mr. Hugo Mullertt either secured some of this stock or later originated 

 a strain of his own. At any rate, he was the first to place them on the 

 market in quantity. The Comet is long of body and fins, the tail in par- 

 ticular being very free-flowing. In movement this fish is the most grace- 

 ful of all the fancy goldfishes and it can swim with great rapidity when 

 necessary. This activity has made it easy for the fish to revert to its 

 ancestral tendency to leap out of the water. Aquaria containing Comets 



