Page 338 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

336 POND FISH DIRECTORY

Carassius auratus
Ryukin Tetsuonaga, especially in Japan. Tetsuonagas have
a reputation for both hardiness and the quality
The most obvious feature of this goldfish is the of their fin shape, so they are useful in
hump between the dorsal fin and the head. The Ryukin breeding. The Ryukin is named
body is relatively short and deep, the dorsal fin after Japan’s Ryukyu Islands, where
is tall, and the elongated caudal fin is divided to the ancestors of this goldfish were
form a double tail. Ryukins are generally brightly first introduced from China.
colored, with a deep-red-and-white coloration
being the preferred form. The markings on
these goldfish should be symmetrical as far as
possible. Chocolate (coppery) individuals are
often recognized as a separate form, the

Tail coloration
varies

Calico Ryukin Nacreous
patterning (see p.333) is
not common in double-
tailed goldfish but is seen
Orange-and-White Ryukin Ryukins have either in the Ryukin. Calico
normal eyes, as shown in this largely orange form, Ryukins often have bold,
or, occasionally, telescope-eyes. contrasting markings.

Carassius auratus Carassius auratus Carassius auratus
Wakin Jikin Black Moor

This form displays a variegated pattern of orange The matt-black color of the Black Moor is highly
and white body markings. The vibrantly colored distinctive, as is its corpulent body shape. This
areas, which can vary from yellow through to goldfish is a telescope-eye variety, with eyes
reddish-orange, should extend around the body extending out from the sides of the head. The
so that the white areas do not predominate. Pure- Black Moor is a selective color form of the Veiltail
white Wakins, which occasionally occur, are not (see p.339). Although developed in the UK, it
favored by breeders. Although the reflective is now kept worldwide. These fish are not very
metallic form is the most common, a nacreous hardy and are better suited to an aquarium than
variety (see p.333) also exists. The Wakin has a body an outdoor pond, especially through the winter
shape similar to the Common Goldfish, but it (in temperate areas). Their coloration makes for an
can be instantly distinguished by its double caudal attractive contrast with brightly colored goldfish.
fin. Wakins are lively by nature and grow rapidly;
fish reared in ponds can reach 8 in (20 cm) in Even black coloration
length by three years of age. over the entire body
Telescope-
Relatively eyes
slender body Descended from Japanese Wakin stock, the Jikin is Double
caudal fin
often known in the West as the Peacock Tail. The
Divided
caudal fin raised upper lobes of its double caudal fin form
an X-shape when viewed from behind.
The Jikin’s body should be mainly silvery,
with red areas restricted to the fins and
around the lips. However, breeding Jikins
with this desired arrangement of markings
and a well-balanced caudal fin shape always proves
difficult, even when the parent fish are both well
Extensive areas
of color marked and from a long-established line.
ORIGINS Asia, originally from SIZE Highly variable; often DIET Goldfish food (flakes WATER Temperature 50–77°F TEMPERAMENT Relatively
waterways in southern China. exceeds 12 in (30 cm) in ponds. or pellets) and live foods. (10–25°C) and neutral (pH 7.0). social, but does not shoal.

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