THE GOLDFISH 



The beauty and hardiness of the goldfish has made it a household 

 pet for centuries, and until comparatively recently it was the only domes- 

 ticated fish. Its history and origin are lost in dim and distant ages, 

 though from the earliest descriptions to those of the present day authorities 

 agree that the fish was derived from the golden carp or a similar member 

 of the Cyprinidae, and originated in a lake near a high mountain named 

 Tsienking, near the city of Tchanghou, in the province of Tche-Kiang; 

 and thence distributed to other provinces of the Chinese realm. It was trans- 

 planted to Japan, and then brought to Europe, in the year 1611, where it 

 was well-known in 1728. Later it was brought to the United States, 

 where its propagation has become an industry of considerable magnitude. 



Dr. S. Watase states that the goldfish was first introduced into Japan 

 from China at the beginning of the sixteenth century; and subsequently, 

 at frequent intervals, from China, Loo-choo and Corea. This first im- 

 ported goldfish was what is now known in Japan as the "Japanese breed" 

 or the "Wakin," having a slender body closely resembling that of the carp 

 and probably like the common American and European goldfish. The 

 Loo-choo goldfish, known as the "Riukin" has a short body, rounded ab- 

 domen, and a tail longer than the rest of the fish. The Corean goldfish, 

 known as the "Maruko" or the"Ranchiu," is characterized by a very short 

 body, which is often almost globular, and the' absence of the dorsal fin. 

 There exist various intermediate forms; and the Japanese goldfish breeders 

 can freely produce the "Riukin" and "Maruko" from the "Wakin"; in- 

 dicating that the latter is the primitive form. 



Of the European authorities Pennant, in the tenth edition of Systema 

 Natural, 1 751, published drawings of several breeds, descriptions of which 

 resemble those given by Linnaeus; and show individuals with double anal 

 and bifurcated and trifurcated caudal fins, which he designated as C. finna 

 ani gftnina, cauda transversa bifurca. M. Baster, in 1765, on Plate IX, 

 Vol. II, oi Opusculus subsiciva, also illustrated six varieties of goldfishes 

 which he had living in basins. 



George Edwards, of the Royal College of Physicians of London, in 

 1756, mentioned on the subject of the Goldfish that "His Grace, the late 

 Duke of Richmond, had a large Chinese earthen vessel full of these fishes 

 brought to England. I drew some of them for his Grace with leave to 

 make the drawings public. The first account of these fishes being brought 

 to England may be found in Petiver's Works, published about 1 691, though 



