Page 344 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

342 POND FISH DIRECTORY

Carassius auratus
Celestial
Selective breeding of the goldfish has brought
into being numerous variations in eye shape. The
Celestial has eyes that protrude very obviously. Orange
They are not on the sides of the head, as in most Celestial
goldfish, but rather in a semihorizontal plane so Rich orange is
that they point upward, as if toward the stars common in these
(hence the name). The fry hatch with a normal fish. The eyes
eye arrangement, but the eyes rotate and shift should be equal
in size and
position soon afterward. The bodies of these symmetrically
goldfish are relatively elongated, and they have positioned.
slightly curved backs, with no dorsal fins. Both
metallic and nacreous forms of the Celestial exist.

Celestial Pom-Pon This unusual form has both the
Celestial eye position and the enlarged nasal flaps
known as pom-pons (see opposite).

Carassius auratus
Bubble-Eye shape.These fluid-filled sacs wobble when the fish Flowing double
swims and become compressed when it searches caudal fin
This unmistakable variety is characterized by the for food on the floor of the aquarium. In a good Smooth curve
to back
presence of large, bubblelike sacs under its eyes. specimen, the combined width of the bubbles and
As in the case of Celestials, Bubble-Eyes have head should match that of the body. Bubble-Eyes
a long body shape, lack a dorsal fin, and are suitable only for aquarium surroundings. The
have a double caudal fin. Symmetry tank setup needs to minimize the risk that the fish
is a very important feature of this will damage their bubbles and provide them with
variety, with the sacs ideally plenty of swimming space. Rockwork should not
being equal in size and be included, and plants should be restricted to the
back and sides of the tank. If a sac
is accidentally punctured, Orange Bubble-Eye The coloration of the bubblelike
it is likely to deflate. eye sacs can vary; veins in the sacs are sometimes
conspicuous as thin red streaks.

Goldfish sees
over the top
of the sacs
Black Bubble-Eye The color of the bean- Calico Bubble-Eye The Calico’s under-eye sacs are often
shaped sacs under the eyes corresponds to almost transparent, although in some individuals they
the goldfish’s overall coloration. may display orange or bluish markings.
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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