THE GOLDFISH 
The beauty and hardiness of the goldfish has made it a household 
pet for centuries, and until comparatively recently it was the only domes- 
ticated fish. Its history and origin are lost in dim and distant ages, 
though from the earliest descriptions to those of the present day authorities 
agree that the fish was derived from the golden carp or a similar member 
of the Cyprinidz, and originated in a lake near a high mountain named 
Tsienking, near the city of Tchanghou, in the province of Tche-Kiang; 
and thence distributed to other provinces of the Chinese realm. It was trans- 
planted to Japan, and then brought to Europe, in the year 1611, where it 
was well-known in 1728. Later it was brought to the United States, 
where its propagation has become an industry of considerable magnitude. 
Dr. S. Watase states that the goldfish was first introduced into Japan 
from China at the beginning of the sixteenth century; and subsequently, 
at frequent intervals, from China, Loo-choo and Corea. This first im- 
ported goldfish was what is now known in Japan as the “Japanese breed” 
or the ““Wakin,” having a slender body closely resembling that of the carp 
and probably like the common American and European goldfish. The 
Loo-choo goldfish, known as the “Riukin” has a short body, rounded ab- 
domen, and a tail longer than the rest of the fish. The Corean goldfish, 
known as the “Maruko” or the“ Ranchiu,” is characterized by a very short 
body, which is often almost globular, and the absence of the dorsal fin. 
There exist various intermediate forms; and the Japanese goldfish breeders 
can freely produce the “Riukin” and “Maruko” from the “Wakin”; in- 
dicating that the latter is the primitive form. 
Of the European authorities Pennant, in the tenth edition of Systema 
Natural, 1751, published drawings of several breeds, descriptions of which 
resemble those given by Linnzus; and show individuals with double anal 
and bifurcated and trifurcated caudal fins, which he designated as C. pinna 
ani gemina, cauda transversa bifurca. M. Baster, in 1765, on Plate IX, 
Vol. II, of Opusculus subsiciva, also illustrated six varieties of goldfishes 
which he had living in basins. 
George Edwards, of the Royal College of Physicians of London, in 
1756, mentioned on the subject of the Goldfish that ‘His Grace, the late 
Duke of Richmond, had a large Chinese earthen vessel full of these fishes 
brought to England. I drew some of them for his Grace with leave to 
make the drawings public. The first account of these fishes being brought 
to England may be found in Petiver’s Works, published about 1691, though 
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