i68 ] Fish and Their Fabulous Neighbors 



Swimming Speeds: When your child sees his goldfish cover the 

 length of its aquarium with one quick swish of its body in what 

 seems like no time at all, he may get the impression that fish 

 always move with notable speed. It is true that many species 

 are capable of extremely rapid bursts of speed, but over long 

 distances they average a much slower rate of speed. Salmon may 

 go at a rate of twenty-five miles an hour, whereas carp are not 

 known to exceed seven and a half. 



How the Goldfish Gets Its Color 



Goldfish owe much of their attractiveness to their golden sheen. 

 "Is there really any gold in a goldfish?" a youngster looking at 

 his aquarium may ask. The goldfish scales do resemble this pre- 

 cious metal, but of course there is no trace of gold in their shiny 

 covering. Color in fish is mainly the effect of pigments which for 

 the most part are scattered in the surface layers of the skin and 

 are visible through the scales. 



The ancestors of goldfish were olive in color. They belonged 

 to the carp family and lived in the streams of China. Hundreds 

 of years ago some specimens were found with golden tones on 

 their sides, and breeding was started with these. The gold pre- 

 dominated in some of their offspring, and selective breeding 

 continued until fish completely golden in color were achieved. 

 About seventy-five years ago a sailor brought back goldfish to 

 America from the Orient. They have been popular pets here 

 ever since. 



VARIETIES OF GOLDFISH 



Today we see many fancy varieties, such as fantail, fringe- 

 tail, telescope, and lion-head. The breeding of specially selected 

 fish produces these highly ornamental creatures, though great 

 numbers of "common" goldfish appear along with them. This 

 type characteristically has a long body, forked tail, and small 

 head. It may be all gold or marked with black and silver. It is 

 hardier than its ornamental relatives and if it is transferred to a 

 pond with ample food, it may grow to be a foot in length. 



