
GOLDFISH BREEDS 

red and brown or a combination of these colors, sometimes associated with 
black. It 1s hardy and tenacious of life, grows to large size, often attain- 
ing a length of 16 inches and reaching an age of 12 to 16 years, with re- 
ported instances of even greater size and longevity. It is prolificand will 
thrive under trying and adverse circumstances in any stillwater pool, cis- 
tern, tank or aquarium. It will withstand almost any temperature unless 
deprived of sufficient oxygen or subjected to sudden changes and may be 
transported over long distances. It is easily domesticated, and like its 
progenitor, the Crucian carp, will survive considerable periods out of the 
water in wet waterplants, to keep the gills moist. 
When the fish has a grey or olivate hue, it is known asa silverfish, but 
these colorings may not be permanent and at some time either become 
mottled or entirely change to golden hues; though this rarely occurs with 
white or albinoid fishes; and when it does is usually just before or during 
the breeding season, thereby proving that the fish was only a dullcolored, © 
colorless or uncolored goldfish. Sometimes the color is entirely white 
with an irridescent or rainbow lustre. These are known as _pearlfishes, 
their oftentimes red eyes proving them to be albinos. 
When they have almost transparent scales and bodies, as sometimes 
happens with the white or very light-colored fishes, hybrids crossed with 
Japanese or Chinese stock, they are called transparent goldfishes, and 
these offer most interesting study in the aquarium, as all the functions of 
their existence may be observed through their transparent sides. Others 
of the goldfishes have a deep, resplendent blue-brown color on the sides 
and so dark a tone on the back as to appear to be black, with the scales 
sometimes outlined with metallic purple-bronze or bluish tints. These 
are commonly known as black goldfishes and are not highly prized, 
though a close study of the beautiful and fleeting changes of color should 
lead to a higher appreciation. These fishes usually lose their colors and 
assume those of the ordinary goldfish. All the common goldfishes are at 
first of a dull greyish-brown or olivate color. 
Another fine distinction is in the shape of the head. When its out- 
line, from the snout to the dorsal fin, forms an even upward curve, the 
head somewhat flattened on the sides, with the lower side of the body, 
from the gill covers to the caudal fin, nearly on a straight line, the fish 
is known as a Ram’s nose; and when the head is very broad and rounded 
on the sides, with thick lips, is slightly depressed at the interorbital space 
and where the head joins the trunk, and the back very much rounded, the 
whole fish having a porcine appearance, it is known as a Hog’s nose. 
These characteristics have been bred by the Japanese and Chinese, but 
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