GOLDFISH BREEDS 



FIG. II — Young Japanese Fringetail Goldfish. 

 Two-thirds life size. 



all the very long pendant fins paired, except the long, wavy and lace-like 

 dorsal; and an immense delicate drooping double tail, divided quite to the 

 base and floating behind the body like a great mass of most dainty 



lace; much longer than the body 

 of the fish. The two separate tails 

 are exactly alike in conformation, 

 length, droop and texture. 



By crossing with the Chinese 

 transparently scaled fishes, Ameri- 

 can breeders have produced a larger 

 black-eyed transparently scaled fish 

 that is handsomer than the Japanese 

 Fringetail, though otherwise it has 

 all the characteristics of the im- 

 ported fish; but is even more deli- 

 cate and dainty in fin and tail de- 

 velopment and more pronounced 

 in color. 



In moving through the water the stately appearance of the fully 

 developed Fringetail is most graceful, majestic and fairy-like; the beautiful 

 tail, floating behind and following every movement, is carried as though 

 the fish were proud of its almost regal appearance. 



THE JAPANESE FANTAIL GOLDFISH 



Carassius auratus, var . j'aponicus ereciibtcaudaiis , Fig. 12. 



This beautiful fish has certain distinguishing characteristics which 

 clearly mark it as a distinct variety, though in many particulars it bears a 

 close resemblance to the Fringetail. Authorities agree on these distinctions 

 which are recognized by fanciers. The Japanese breeders developed de- 

 cided diflferences in conformation of body and fins which are very apparent 

 in finely bred specimens, though these are more rare than is generally sup- 

 posed, as most of the goldfishes known as Fantails are usually Fringetails 

 with either short or imperfectly developed tails; or web-tailed Japanese fishes. 



The Fantail is a scaled short-bodied fish, very thick, round-backed 

 and deep-bellied, of almost oval outline; its body being best described as 

 of short pumpkin-seed-forrn, with the horizontal longer diameter of slightly 

 greater length than a true oval, and so formed that an imaginary line from 

 the upper lip to the base of the tail would show the upper and lower halves 

 of the body of almost the same conformation. It has a short, broad head, 

 distinctly hognosed, a large mouth with full lips, erect nostrils and eyes 

 like the ordinary goldfish, but larger. The long and erect dorsal fin sits 

 far back on the spine, all the other fins being paired; the pectorals and 



4-7 



