3IO REPORT OF THE FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



Cioldj^isI) (Carassins auratus Linnaeus). 



Cyprinus auratus DeKay, N. Y. Fauna, Fishes, 190, 1842. 



Carassius auratus Jordan & Gilbert, Bull. 16, U. S. Nat. Mus., 253, 1883; Bean, Fishes 

 Penna., 54, pi. 25, fig. 43, 1893. 



The common goldfish or silverfish is a native of Asia, whence it was introduced 

 into Europe and from there into America, where it is now one of the commonest 

 aquarium fishes and is extremely abundant in many of our streams. In 

 Pennsylvania it abounds in the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers. 



DeKay made the following remarks about the goldfish, or golden carp, as he 

 styled it : 



"The golden carp, or goldfish, as it is more generally called, was introduced 

 from China into Europe in the early part of the seventeenth century, and probably 

 shortly after found its way to this country. They breed fresly in ponds in this 

 and the adjoining States. They are of no use as an article of food, but are kept 

 in glass vases as an ornament to the parlor or drawing room. They are said to 

 display an attachment to their owners and a limited obedience to their commands." 



They are introduced into lakes, ponds, fountains and reservoirs generally. 

 An individual was kept in a fountain at Forty-second Street and Fifth Avenue, 

 New York, by Patrick Walsh nine years and was then presented to the aquarium. 



At Cold Spring Harbor Hatchery, L. I., several varieties were hatched from 

 the same lot of eggs. These included the normal form, the typical fan-tail, and 

 one which was so deep bodied that it could scarcely balance itself in swimming. 



The goldfish in the New York Aquarium were never troubled by fungus 

 parasites. 



"In many of our streams and ponds, the goldfish has run wild, and hundreds 

 of the olivaceous type will be secured to one of a red color. In the fauna of the 

 moraine ponds and in quarry holes, the goldfish stands first. It will breed in 

 foul water where only catfish and dogfish {Umbra) can be found." Eugene Smith. 



The goldfish is extremely variable in color and form. It is usually orange, or 

 mottled with black and orange, yet in some streams and even in pond culture, 

 silvery individuals are often more common than any of the mottled varieties. 

 The species grows to the length of twelve inches. It spawns early in the spring 

 and is subject to many dangers and is attacked by many enemies. The fish, 

 however, is extremely hardy, prolific, and tenacious of life. 



