TROPICAL AQUARIU]\[ FISHES 21 



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, 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 referred 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. 



Under pond culture they wdll, in several years, reach a length of 16 

 inches and live for eighteen years or more. 



Colors in Goldfishes. In color the fish varies from a smoky drab 

 or olive to metallic red, yellow, white or partially black. Indeed a com- 

 bination of all these colors is not infrequent, once the first carp-color 

 is gone. The more prized colors in common goldfishes are deep red 

 (called "gold"), white (called "pearl") and a combination of the two. 



The smoke-colored fishes are known as silverfishes, their color and 

 metallic lustre somewhat resembling tarnished silver. Breeders call them 

 "uncolored," because they have not yet turned to one of the more de- 

 sirable colors. Goldfishes of the metallic or "scaled" type are liable to 

 change color at any time, the least liable to turn being the white or pearl 

 fishes. After the first change from "silver," the rule is to progress to- 

 wards a lighter color. That is, from black to red or from red to white. 

 Exceptions are very rare. It will also be found that the lighter colors 

 are the more persistent in breeding, and as these are considered the least 

 desirable, it is well to avoid light-colored fishes when it comes time to 

 select breeding stock. Even when darker-colored breeders are used, the 

 fancier is frequently disappointed by having a large proportion of the 

 young develop light colors. 



Black is a color which for some unknown reason is confined almost 

 exclusively to the telescope goldfish. In breeding telescopes it not infre- 

 quently happens that the abnormal eye development never takes place. 

 These fishes may develop any or all of the color peculiarities of their 

 parent-stock except that of being black. In the breeding of fancy gold- 

 fishes any freak combination of characteristics seems liable to occur, but 

 the writer has never seen a good black fish without telescope eyes, 

 although he is told by a reliable authority that there was one a number 

 of years ago. 



We have referred to "scaled" goldfishes. There is another division 

 not known to the general public but which plays a highly important part 



