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THE GOLDFISH 



CHINESE TELESCOPE GOLDFISH 



This most curious fish is either of Chinese or Korean origin, but was 

 undoubtedly brought to its highest stage of development in China. The 

 name correctly implies its chief peculiarity— projecting eyes suggestive 

 of a telescope barrel. These make a very weird appearance, and almost 

 without exception produce a shocking impression on being seen for the 

 first time. Telescope eyes vary quite considerably in shape and in 

 direction. The majority of them are spherical or conical. Tubular eyes 



Fig. 155. Early Type Chinese Telescope 



are rare and highly prized, but any form is considered good so long as 

 they are large and stand out far from the head. Most telescope eyes 

 point in the same direction as normal eyes, but some point forward. 

 This is unusual. The Celestial Telescope has still more peculiar eye 

 formation. This is described under its own heading. 



One point in common between all Telescope goldfish is that in the 

 early weeks of life the eyes appear entirely normal. Until they actually 

 start to "develop eyes" at anywhere from two months to even two years, 

 it is impossible to tell whether or not they will become Telescopes. The 

 usual development period, however, is from three to five months. Should 

 they pass ten months without turning, they may be safely called Japanese 

 Fringetails. Many such fish that have come from Telescope stock are 



