The Sh lib II II hi II 



Speckled Goldfish. Spotted Goldfish. Vermilion \'.\uieg.\ted Goldfish 



.Vccording to its sponsor, Professor Matsubara, the name shubunkin means "vermilion red dappled 

 with different hues." .\s distinctive English designations, the names speckled goldfish, spotted 

 goldfish, and \erniilion \ariegated goldfish may be employed. 



This is a large, gracefnl t'nrm, shewing combinations of color not found in any other Japanese 

 varieties. It came into e.xistence in I'^HKl, and is the outcome of the breeder's efforts to produce a 

 fish that shows the multivariegated speckles or mottlings sometimes seen in the Chinese demekin but 

 not in an\- nf the older varieties grown in Japan. The hybrid was effected, according to Professor 

 Matsubara, b\' the mating of the demekin and the wakin. of which an equal number of each sex 

 and of each \-ariety was selected for the purpose, the demekin ha\ing black dapples on a \-erniiliiin 

 or purplish l)iid\-, and tlie wakin l)eing \-ariegated with red, I.ilack, bluish, and white. The results 

 of this cross were interesting as showing the possiljilities of furtlier experiments of this kind. Some 

 of the yoimg had the form of the wild goldfish and the peculiar markings of the demekin; some 

 resembled the wakin; some had the furm of the demekin. About twenty per cent of the progeny 

 were of the special type sought to be produced. This has been regularly bred, and has given rise to 

 some new and interesting color phases. 



In the standard fish of this variel\' the bod\' is rather Imig and conii)resse(l, the dnrsal and 

 ventral nuilines are decidedlv curved, the caudal peduncle is very distinct, and the scales are less 

 cons])icuiius than in other varieties. The dorsal fin is elevated and wavy; the jjcctorals. ventrals, 



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