THE GOLDFISH 



179 



of fancy stock occasionally get fish which are known as "sports" which 

 have reverted back in form, but not in color, to the original type. The 

 Japanese have now fixed them as a breed, and export a fair number of 

 them. They are of the most striking variations in color, and make a 

 hardy, attractive aquarium or pond fish. The colors most sought after 

 are blue backgrounds, sprinkled and mottled with dark red, brown, 

 yellow and black. 



THE FANTAIL GOLDFISH 



To the popular mind this type represents "fancy goldfish." It is the 

 "fantail" of commerce and is propagated in enormous quantities in 

 America, Japan and Europe. Being of comparatively long body and not 

 burdened with excessively long fins, it is healthy, agile and well able to 

 take care of itself in culture pools. In a well maintained aquarium it 



Fig. 152. The F ant ail 



ought to survive for years. Those who succeed in keeping them in an 

 aquarium for a year or two are sometimes pleasantly rewarded by having 

 their pets develop long, graceful fins. 



THE JAPANESE FRINGETAIL GOLDFISH 



In point of pure elegance there is no breed of goldfish equal to the 

 Japanese Fringetail. Our illustration is taken from a sketch of the 

 fish, made by its owner. A few words regarding this, probably the best- 

 known individual fish that has ever been owned in this country, might 

 be of interest. The Japanese Imperial Government sent a collection of 

 its best goldfish to the World's Fair at Chicago in 1893. Only a few of 

 them survived the journey and still fewer lived through the Exposition 



