The Inhabitants of the Aquarium 125 



more slender, resembling in shape that 

 of the common gold fish. The caudal fin is 

 simple but very strongly developed, so that 

 on fish two or three years old it hangs grace- 

 fully down, as is the case in the Fringe-tail. 

 All the fins are large and delicate, and to- 

 gether with the tail surround the fish like a 

 graceful undulating cloud. Many aquarists 

 prefer a fine Comet tail to any of the other 

 fancy varieties, not only on account of its 

 graceful appearance, but because it is very 

 hardy, easy to keep and to raise. Many of 

 the Comet-tail fish sold here are bred in the 

 United States. No fish is better fitted for 

 the aquarium of the beginner. 



All varieties of gold fish, as we have said 

 before, come in different colors. Sometimes 

 scaleless specimens of the different varieties 

 are to be seen in the market. They are 

 often beautifully colored and in great de- 

 mand by such aquarists as are able to give 

 them the necessary additional care ; for they 

 are more sensitive in regard to water than 



