THE GOLDFISH 21 



this color period. Breeders call them "uncolored," because they have 

 not yet turned to one of the more desirable colors. Goldfishes of the 

 metallic or "scaled" type are liable to change color at any time, the 

 least liable to turn being the white or pearl fishes. After the first 

 change from "silver," the rule is to progress towards a lighter color, 

 that is, from black to red or from red to white. Exceptions are very 

 rare. It will also be found that the lighter colors are the more per- 

 sistent in breeding, and as these are considered the least desirable, it is 

 well to avoid light-colored fishes when it comes time to select breeding 

 stock. Even when darker-colored breeders are used, the fancier is fre- 

 quently disappointed by having a large proportion of the young 

 develop light colors. 



Black is a color which for some unknown reason is confined almost 

 exclusively to the telescope goldfish. In breeding telescopes it not 

 infrequently happens that thq abnormal eye development never takes 

 place. These fishes may develop any or all of the color peculiarities 

 of their parent-stock except that of being black. In the breeding of 

 fancy goldfishes any freak combination of characteristics seems liable 

 to occur, but the writer has never seen a good black fish without tele- 

 scope eyes. 



We have referred to "scaled" goldfishes. The other division not 

 known to the general public, but which plays a highly important part 

 in the goldfish fancy, is the "scaleless" variety. These fishes 

 are really not without scales, but the scales are of such transparent 

 character that they are scarcely perceptible to the eye. However, they 

 usually show with moderate distinctness in a clear photograph. "Scale- 

 less" fishes do not have the metallic sheen of the ordinary goldfish. 

 The colors are more refined and present a far greater range of variety. 

 The most important difference is the presence of blue and lavender 

 tints. Among the scaled fishes these are not found. A further account 

 of these colors will be found in the description of the Calico Telescope 

 on page 34 and in the chapter on judging Goldfish Competitions, 

 page 42. Our frontispiece shows an unusually fine specimen of a 

 young scaleless goldfish of the Calico type. 



Another important peculiarity of this type is that they never go 

 through the period of being silverfish, but at the age of about six weeks 

 commence to develop their permanent colors. The first color is white, 

 sprinkled with small black specks. A good idea of the final color may 

 be had in ten weeks, although as elsewhere remarked, the very finest 

 of the calico colors are not fully apparent under two or three years. 

 "Scaleless" fishes have a charm of refinement distinctly their own and 

 make most interesting inmates of the aquarium. So transparently 



