TEOPICAL AQUAEIUM FISHES 



37 



THE CHINESE EGGFISH 



A few of these fishes were imported some years ago, but have never 

 become generally known. So far as America is concerned the breed is 

 temporarily lost. This fish, as its name correctly implies, has a rounded 



Fig. 22. The Chinese Eggfish 



white body resembling an egg. The absence of dorsal and anal fins 

 enhances this efifect very much. The tails are bifurcated and decidedly 

 drooping. This fish would form an almost dazzling contrast with a Veil- 

 tail Moor Telescope. The breed is recognized in Europe. 



CHINESE LETTERED GOLDFISHES 



It has been claimed that in some instances the Orientals have suc- 

 ceeded in breeding fishes marked with Chinese letter characters on the 

 sides. In strongly mottled stock such a design might accidentally appear, 

 but from our knowledge of goldfish breeding traits we do not believe any 

 definite color pattern could be deliberately produced. It is much more 

 probable that the fishes have been cleverly stained by the use of oxalate 

 of iron or dilute hydrochloric acid. 



