188 



THE GOLDFISH 



years and increases in size as long as the fish lives. After the head 

 growth has become quite thick it is advisable to keep the fish in running 

 or other well oxygenated water. The mechanical difficulty of breathing, 

 owing to the thickness of the gill plates, is considerable and unless there 

 is plenty of oxygen the fish is liable to suddenly expire when in appar- 

 ently good condition. The tails and anals should be double, but defects 

 in these points are not considered serious if head and body are good. 

 The colors are the usual white and red of the common goldfish. Pearl 

 white bodies and pale yellow heads are not uncommon. A few trans- 

 parently scaled specimens have been produced by crossing with trans- 

 parently scaled fish of other breeds. One or two Lionheads in a mixed 

 aquarium add considerably to the variety. It was believed by some that 

 the absence of dorsal fin was the result of its being extracted by Japanese 

 breeders while the fish was young. This has been proven a gross error 

 for the same reasons stated in paragraph on Celestial Telescopes. 



THE ORANDA 



Fig. 161. The Oranda 



In the opinion of the writer an Oranda was originally a Lionhead 

 with a dorsal fin— in other words, a Lionhead which did not come true 

 to form. However, it is recognized as a variety and is accorded a place in 

 goldfish exhibitions. The fins and body are longer than in the Lionhead. 



