VARIATIONS OF COLOR PATTERN IN HYBRIDS OF THE GOLDFISH, CARASSIUS AURATUS

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Abstract
1. The F1 heterozygous types from the cross of the common goldfish with the transparent shubunkin (both of the species Carassius auratus) show not only a great range of variability between individuals, but frequently the pattern of a single individual changes markedly during the life cycle. This is due to destruction and emergence of chromatophores producing a varying pattern. It is suggested that the multiplication of cells is an example of "direct gene control" and the destruction is due to "endocrinal regulation" or remote gene control. 2. Many individual melanophores are long-lived, having been identified at the beginning and end of the 19-month period of observation. 3. Such long-lived melanophores gradually increase in size during the growth of the fish.