The Ryu kin 



LiLKiu Goldfish. Nagasaki Goldfish. Fringetail Goldfish 



Under the name r\ukin the Japanese recognize a \"ariety tliat lias long been cullixated and 

 that ])ii)bably was bred fnmi ancestors similar to the wakin but iK-came separated tmm the wakin 

 stem at a very early period in the history of goldfish cnlture. It has been contended bv some 

 persons that the r_\-nkin is a cross between the wakin and the ranclui, bnt this does not seem likely. 

 The term r\ukin is deri\'ed fmni Rxiikyu, the Japanese rendering of the Chinese Liukin or Loochoo, 

 the name of the extensive gronp of islands Iving between b'ormosa and the mainland of Japan; 

 and dtnibtless indicates the origin of this variety or at least the route by which it entered Japan. 



The characteristic features of this variety are the greatly shortened body, the rounded and 

 bulging abdomen, and the long, flowing fins. Tlie Ijack is elevated, the head rather pointed in 

 profile but broad when viewed from abo\e, the lateral line makes a marked compiiund cur\e, and 

 the shortening of the body in its long axis, results in strong cur\-ature of the spine that \-erges on 

 the anal fin is partly concealed by the caudal. The jjarticular point to which this varietv is bred, 

 deformity; but this is aiuply compensated for by the beauty of fins and colors. The caudal 

 exhibits the most striking development. In the more highly cultivated fishes it is as long as the 

 body or even longer; it is either united or split in the median line, and its delicate folds are so 

 ample that they would completely cover the Ijody if properly ajiplied. The depth of the fork 

 ecpials half or more than half the total length of the fin. The anal fin is either single or double, 

 and its liase is nearly vertical and beneath the two parts of the caudal, while its pointed extremity 

 may extend beyond the middle of the fork of the caudal. The high dorsal fin extends beyond the 

 base of the caudal, and the pectoral and ventral fins far oxeriap the ventral and anal respectively. 



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