Page 336 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

334 POND FISH DIRECTORY

ORIGINS AND ANCESTRY
Goldfish are descended from carp that body shapes and fin types that characterize
were kept in China about 1,700 years ago. many of the modern varieties were also
The first records of orange-marked carp date beginning to emerge by the early 17th century.
back to 300 CE, but it was only from around Goldfish were imported to Japan in the
800 CE, during the Sung Dynasty, that people 16th century, where still more varieties were
started to breed these colorful cyprinids bred, but it was to be another 200 years
for ornamental purposes. Goldfish feature before they became available in the West.
prominently in Oriental literature and many They soon became highly sought after, as
other forms of art, including ceramics, and the pond fish of first choice for the estates
it is possible to track their early development of the European aristocracy and were kept
from such sources. in decorative bowls in grand houses. Rather
Ancestral lines displaying many of the surprisingly, they did not reach North America
features seen in today’s varieties, including until 1874. Nevertheless, their popularity grew
telescope-eyes, were well established by 1600, so rapidly that the first commercial goldfish
as were numerous color variants, including breeding farm was established in the United
some with variegated coloring. The different States just 15 years later.

US_334-335_Goldfish_2.indd 334 29/08/18 4:11 PM