40 



THE GOLDFISH 



CHINESE LETTERED GOLDFISHES 



It has been claimed that in some instances the Orientals have suc- 

 ceeded in breeding fishes marked with Chinese letter characters on the 

 sides. In strongly mottled stock such a design might accidentally 

 appear, but from our knowledge of goldfish breeding traits we do not 

 believe any definite color pattern could be deliberately produced. It 

 is much more probable that the fishes have been cleverly stained by 

 the use of a solution of oxalate of iron or dilute hydrochloric acid. 



Fig. 28. The Eggfish 



THE CHINESE EGGFISH 



A few of these fishes were imported some years ago, but have 

 never becoine generally known. So far as America is concerned the 

 breed is temporarily lost. This fish, as its name correctly implies, has 

 a rounded white body resembling an egg. The absence of dorsal and 

 anal fins enhances this efl:'ect very much. The tails are bifurcated 

 and decidedly drooping. This fish would form an almost dazzling 

 contrast with a Veiltail Moor Telescope. The breed is recognized in 

 Europe. 



