The colors of the ryukin are most attractive. A unicolored fish is rarely seen, but a single 

 color may largely predominate. The color that is practically always present is vermilion, which 

 occurs on body, head, and fins, and is often mottled with white. A golden reflection overlies the 

 red on the body and head, and sometimes extend on its fins. The most highly esteemed specimens 



are those with variegated back and sides. 



' 



The ryukin is relatively small. The maximum length from mouth to tip of tail probably never 

 exceeds 7^/2 or 8 inches, of which about half represents the caudal fin. 



A lot of particularly fine examples of this variety presented to the United States Bureau of 

 Fisheries by the Onuma Fish Culture Association of Iburaki, Japan, was first exhibited at the 

 Jamestown Exposition and then in Washington. These fish have the caudal fin divided to its base 

 and longer than the body, the anal fin long and double, and brilliant coloration. 



In repose, this variety assumes either a horizontal or slightly oblique position with the head 

 inclined upward or downward ; the tail fin is pendulous and hangs in graceful folds like a soft 



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