Also called Fringetail, Ribbontail, Gauzetail, Lacetail, and Muslintail, this is an extended development of the Fantail and something of a prima donna. The body is shorter and chunkier than that of the Fantail, and fins and tail grow so long they drape gracefully in filmy folds, far out of proportion to the size of the body. It takes two years, or longer, for the Veiltail to reach full development and beauty, and once it does, feeding must be watched closely. If fed too much, fins and tail will continue to develop, becoming thick, and finally split and ragged.

This type is judged to have attained perfect form when the dorsal fin is as wide as the body and when the flowing double tail is twice the length. At this stage, reduce the food supply to about half of what the fish ate previously.

A modified Veiltail with a single, instead of double, tail and anal fin, the Nymph is very seldom bred as such. Usually it appears as a sport, turning up in broods of Veil tail stock. Nymphs are not as glamorous as the Veiltails but quite pretty and very active. The shape of the body is similar to that of the Veiltail, but neither fins nor the single tail is as well developed.

In view of the long history of ornamental fish, the Shubunkin is a comparative newcomer, being introduced by the Japanese about the beginning of this century. It is a scaleless hybrid, one parent being the common goldfish, the other a Demekin, a pop-eyed fish with scales usually uniform black, pale-red, or pale reddish-yellow, but sometimes variegated.

In form and size, the Shubunkin resembles the common goldfish, the coloring usually in patches of red, black, blue, yellow, brown, and lavender upon a pearl or pale-blue background, but often bright-red Shubunkins, attractively spotted black, will show up. On rare occasions a new brood will contain Shubunkins which are uniformly purple or lavender.

Like the common goldfish, the Shubunkin is hardy and quite active in either pool or a aquarium.

There are three principal types of scaleless Chinese fish-Calico Telescope, Calico Fantail, and Plain Scaleless. The Calico Telescope, with pop-eyes and the short, squat form peculiar to all telescope fish, is the best known. Its mottled coloring is that of the Shubunkin. Most fish fanciers, myself included, agree that with the possible exception of Esther Williams, the Calico Telescope is the most beautiful thing that that swims. In competition, it wins more best-of-show awards than any other fish.