Chinese Goldfish [Hardcover]

Zhen Li (Author), Li Zhen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1991

Goldfish, originating in China, are a traditional Chinese ornamental fish. Since their domestication in the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) they have been raised for nearly a thousand years, during which the Chinese have gained a wealth of experience and bred more than three hundred varieties. Goldfish in different counties of the world today were all directly or indirectly introduced from China.

Chinese Goldfish contains 164 colour plates and black-and-white pictures with a long descriptive essay. It recounts in detail the historical origin and development of goldfish, how to distinguish varieties and the pleasures of raising them. It also clearly explains how to propagate, select fry, tend, and prevent disease - important aspects of raising goldfish. The album will be very helpful to goldfish fanciers.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Li Zhen, born in 1954, is a native of Xi'an. Shaanxi Province. He has specialized in the scientific research of goldfish in Xi'an Parks and Gardens Administration and published such writings as The Raising of Golfish, Flowers Blossoming in Water, The Development of Eye Patterns of Goldfish and Their Significance and Water Mould of Goldfish and the Method of Healing. The research project "Initial Exploration of the Classification of Goldfish" won him an award from Shaanxi Provincial Achievements of Science and Technology. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 100 pages
• Publisher: Tetra Press; 1St Edition edition (March 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 7119004085
• ISBN-13: 978-7119004082
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 9.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,166,261 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Chinese Goldfish, by a Chinese expert!, November 20, 2002

By 

King Denien "father of 4, husband of 1" (Italy) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chinese Goldfish (Hardcover)

I've had this book for many years in a German translation and even though the translation isn't always correct, the photographs and discussions alone opened my eyes to another world of goldfish! This book illustrates well that it is the Chinese who have created the original colours and forms of all known fancy goldfish on the market, barring perhaps the Tosakin, and illustrates very well the differences in taste in breeding between the Chinese and the rest of the world. Curled Gills, Dragon Pushing a Ball, Goose-Head Redcaps, etc., etc., this book (in my translation) aslo presents these Chinese fish with their original names; a wonderful book if you love goldfish!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful photos, October 3, 2008

By 

Amazon User321 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chinese Goldfish (Hardcover)

This book has been on my living room table for years. It goes into GREAT detail on how to breed and care for goldfish. It even tells of certain leaves you can add to a tank to help with the health of your fish. At least once evey few months someone (including me) sits on the couch and reads through this interesting book.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Matter Of Taste, February 28, 2011

By 

S. R. Kimball (Eugene, OR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Chinese Goldfish (Hardcover)

It is a nice book with some interesting history and lots of good photos, but personally, I liked very few of the goldfish varieties pictured in the book. Like I said, it is a matter of taste...some people love poodles, I don't. I just found most of these fish to look deformed. Reversed gills, huge nasal growths, head growths that interfere with vision and swimming...just not my thing. Others might love the book, though.

Also, the book, at least the tetra edition, is pretty much an advertisement for their products. Every time a problem is discussed, a Tetra product is discussed and pictured as the solution.