
GOLDFISH BREEDS 

all the very long pendant fins paired, except the long, wavy and lace-like 
dorsal; and an immense delicate drooping double tail, divided quite to the 
base and floating behind the body like a great mass of most dainty 
lace; much longer than the body 
of the fish. The two separate tails 
are exactly alike in conformation, 
length, droop and texture. 
By crossing with the Chinese 
transparently scaled fishes, Ameri- 
can breeders have produced a larger 
black-eyed transparently scaled fish 
that is handsomer than the Japanese 
Fringetail; though otherwise it has 
all the characteristics of the im- 
ported fish; but is even more deli- 
cate and dainty in fin and tail de- 
FIG. 11—Young Japanese Fringetail Goldfish. velopment and more pronounced 
Two-thirds life size. 


WKN 


in color. 
In moving through the water the stately appearance of the fully 
developed Fringetail is most graceful, majestic and fairy-like; the beautiful 
tail, floating behind and following every movement, 1s carried as though 
the fish were proud of its almost regal appearance. 
THE JAPANESE FANTAIL GOLDFISH 
Carassius auratus, var. japonicus erectibicaudalis, Fig. 12. 
This beautiful fish has certain distinguishing characteristics which 
clearly mark it as a distinct variety, though in many particulars it bears a 
close resemblance tothe Fringetail. Authorities agree on these distinctions 
which are recognized by fanciers. The Japanese breeders developed de- 
cided differences in conformation of body and fins which are very apparent 
in finely bred specimens, though these are more rare than is generally sup- 
posed, as most of the goldfishes known as Fantails are usually Fringetails 
with either short or imperfectly developed tails; or web-tailed Japanese fishes. 
The Fantail is a scaled short-bodied fish, very thick, round-backed 
and deep-bellied, of almost oval outline; its body being best described as 
of short pumpkin-seed-form, with the horizontal longer diameter of slightly 
greater length than a true oval, and so formed that an imaginary line from 
the upper lip to the base of the tail would show the upper and lower halves 
of the body of almost the same conformation. It has a short, broad head, 
distinctly hognosed, a large mouth with full lips, erect nostrils and eyes 
like the ordinary goldfish, but larger. The long and erect dorsal fin sits 
far back on the spine, all the other fins being paired; the pectorals and 
47 
