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So exactly what are we talking about?
So, exactly what are we talking about?
Veiltails, or
Fish with veiled tails? You’re kidding, right? Well, actually . . . No.
But to be clear we’re talking about the goldfish variety known as the Veiltail.
Oh, good; that clears things up – right?
Well, actually . . . No.
But as they say, therein lies a tale.
Didn’t you mean tail?
Well, actually . . . No.
Pardon the pun, but the history of the Veiltail Pardon
the pun but the history of the Veiltail
is somewhat controversial.
You see, some people think that Veiltails You
see, some people think that Veiltails
were developed in the Orient.
Some other people think that Veiltails were p p
developed in the U.S.
So, what’s the verdict?
Well, being a fan of U.S. football, I think it’s time to punt.
But, that’s probably not what everyone was looking for, so here’s my best guess.
Veiltails were:
a Either
a.
Either developed from a cross between developed from a cross between
Ryukin and a Fantail, and bred to remove the hump
b A cross between Ryukin and a Telescope, and b.
A cross between Ryukin and a Telescope and
bred to remove the hump and protuberant eyes
c. Were a natural mutation from the Fantail
d. Were a natural mutation from the Ryukin
e. Were a natural mutation from a Telescope
Great work, that last slide; you certainly came down on one side.
Well, I always did like politics. . .
If I had to take a guess, I
If
I had to take a guess, I’d
d say that Veiltails have say that Veiltails have
Telescope and Ryukin bloodlines
I’d also guess that the variety known as the g
y
Veiltail is an American fish, but that “veil tails” were developed in the Orient
Here’s my reasoning:
“Veil
Veil tails
tails” are seen on many varieties of fish, are seen on many varieties of fish
including:
• Telescopes/Moors
• Oranda
• Ryukin
• Phoenix
• Long‐finned Ranchu (although very infrequently)
The Veiltail as a variety is a unique fish, which Th
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have unique characteristics. Here s a line drawing from Merlin Cunliffe, Here’s
a line drawing from Merlin Cunliffe
which illustrates an ideal Veiltail:
Note the high, rounded dorsal fin, and the squared‐off tail fin
No other variety of goldfish have fins that are as N
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distinct as these; not even the “veil tail” types that we see on Telescopes and Orandas Note the length of the pectoral and ventral fins
As this illustration from William Innes points out the Veiltail existed in the
points out, the Veiltail existed in the U.S. at the turn of the century, and Merlin’s depiction of an “ideal” Veiltail is not an exaggeration. By the
Veiltail is not an exaggeration. By the way, this fish was the “mascot” of the Philadelphia Veiltail Association, which became the Philadelphia p
Goldfish Association, which led to the GFSA, which led to the AGA
Okay, so what’s next? How about a definition or standard for the variety known as the Veiltail? Here’s the definition from the AGA Standards issued in 2009: The Veiltail is a round bodied fish, and possesses paired anal, ventral and pectoral fins. The dorsal fin is usually ¾ or more of the depth of the body and should be carried fully erect, and the caudal fin, which in the best specimens is completely straight, i ft th l th f th b d t 2 ti
is often the length of the body to 2 times the length of the body.
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The distinguishing feature of this fish is the finnage; the fins literally
flow around the fish as they swim, giving the impression that the fish
is gliding in the water The body is round and should look almost like
is gliding in the water. The body is round, and should look almost like
a ball, and be very compact.
Veiltails have a body size of 5 to 6 inches; the body shape should be
round, with an arch to the back. The presence of a hump indicates
that the fish is a cross between a Veiltail and a Ryukin. Since these
crosses are neither a true Veiltail, nor a true Ryukin, they should be
marked down when judging. Alternatively, Veiltail/Ryukin crosses
can be entered in the “other” category in a fish show, where they
can expect higher placement.
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So, from this definition, we can see several things:
1.
2.
The AGA definition takes into account the distinct variety of the Veiltail
The definition recognizes that crosses of Veiltails and Ryukin have
occurred
3. The AGA definition tacitly recognizes that fish with “veil tails” occur
Okay, so how about some real, live examples of the variety known as the Veiltail?
Okay, so how about some real, live examples of the variety known as the Veiltail?
Well, what about these other fish you call “veil tails;” do you have pictures of these fish?
Wait a minute, these are Wait
a minute these are “Petticoat
Petticoat Telescopes,
Telescopes ” aren
aren’tt they? Yes, they are; unfortunately, naming goldfish is not a science. It’s more like a marketing exercise.
Okay, so how about these Veiltail/Ryukin crosses that Okay
so how about these Veiltail/Ryukin crosses that
you were talking about? What are these?
These fish have characteristics of both a Veiltail and a Ryukin (look at the hump on both the red and bronze fish)
This seems awfully confusing; what gives? It’s not that b d
bad. Really.
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A Veiltail is a variety, probably developed in the U.S. at the turn of the century
the turn of the century.
A “veil tail” (note the small letters and two words) refers to a fish with long flowing fins usually possessing an
to a fish with long, flowing fins, usually possessing an extremely tall dorsal fin and “square cut” tail fin.
The Veiltail variety can be judged by itself, but is usually y
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grouped with the Ryukin/Fantail category in most shows
Fish which exhibit “veil tail” characteristics are usually exhibited in the category for the underlying variety. For example, an Oranda with “veil tail” characteristics is shown in the Oranda category
Are there exceptions to this rule?
Yes, in the case of a Veiltail/Ryukin cross.
These fish can be shown in the Ryukin/Fantail category or the “Other” category.
Where will the fish place higher?
Generally speaking, the fish will do better in the “Other” Generally
speaking the fish will do better in the “Other”
category, since there are so many competitive Ryukin exhibited in the U.S. (the Ryukin is now the most popular show fish in the U S )
show fish in the U.S.)
How will a Veiltail place in a show?
Lately, we’ve only seen smaller specimens in the Veiltail category; these fish generally place high in a competition, although they face pressure from small Ranchu and Ryukin, which tend to be flashier at a young age (Veiltails take a long time to de‐color; that is, lose the natural bronze color).
Large Veiltail are not frequently seen in shows, but when Large
Veiltail are not frequently seen in shows but when
they are, they can be spectacular, and will do well. In the larger sizes, their main competition is from Oranda, Ranchu and Ryukin
Ranchu and Ryukin.
How come I can’t get Veiltail in my area?
The simple reason is that they are not commercially bred. They are too difficult to mass produce, and therefore they are only available from hobbyist breeders.
So, find some hobbyist breeders and become friends (it also helps if you have fish strains that the breeder likes) I heard that Veiltails disappeared in the country. Is this true?
Yes, the original line of Philadelphia Veiltails died out in the U.S. (or nearly so), and was rescued from stock in the U K People like John Parker and Laurence Perkins kept
U.K. People like John Parker and Laurence Perkins kept the Veiltail line going in the U.K. and sent fish back to Al Thomma and Al Foster to revitalize the line in the U.S.
Not wanting to lose the line again, the two Als sent fish to Dave Mandley and Gary Hater, who have since helped p p
perpetuate the variety in the U.S. We owe a debt of y
gratitude to these men for helping one of two varieties (the other being the Comet) developed in the U.S. remain viable.
It is indeed fortunate for the NAVA to have two of these men as members
There is a rumor going around that there is a strain of Th
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Matte Red Veiltails that was developed several years ago. Is there any truth to this rumor?
It’s not a rumor, but true. A line was developed in the U.K. by John Parker. John sent some to Al Foster, who maintained the line for years (I had some about twenty
maintained the line for years (I had some about twenty years ago – they were the most beautiful fish I’ve ever owned. Unfortunately, the fish died).
Sadly, both John and Al had the line fail. Dave Manley, aka the “Mad Scientist” is working on a line of Matte Red Veiltails. I am sworn to secrecy on his breeding techniques, but I’ve seen the prototypes and they are pretty amazing.
Speaking of Dave, there
Speaking
of Dave there’ss also a rumor that he
also a rumor that he’ss working working
on single‐tail Veiltails. Any truth to this rumor?
Grasshopper, grasshopper, never doubt the abilities of Grasshopper,
grasshopper, never doubt the abilities of
the “Mad Scientist.” Oh yes, he has them, and he’s almost ready to release them. There’s only one problem—I have no idea what the hell we’re going to call these things—as if the whole concept of Veiltails and “veil tails” wasn’t complicated enough!