NATIVE AQUARIUM FISHES 155 



THE CARP 



Cyprinus carpio 



The Carp is one of the most widely known of fishes. Its tenacity of 

 life is extraordinary, considering that it is not an air-breather or labyrinth 

 fish. When sold as a food fish it is kept alive for a day or two when bare- 

 ly moistened with water. Common goldfish well wrapped in wet Anach- 

 aris or Myriophyllum and packed in a tight tin box can safely be sent on 

 a 12-hour journey or more if temperature is moderate. 



A number of varieties of carp are kept as ornamental pond and large 

 aquarium fishes. The principal ones are the Mirror, the Leather and the 

 Golden Carp. There are in this country some extremely handsome fancy 

 carp of Japanese breeding, being marked irregularly with red, white and 

 blue. They have been propagated here and it is to be hoped the breed 

 will become generally known. 



Our photograph was made from one of these colored Carp but for 

 general structure it accurately represents the ordinary Carp. 



THE REDFIN 



Notropis cornutus 

 In the breeding season the male Redfin is an individual of striking 

 beauty, the entire pectoral and the ends of the other fins being a blazing 

 red. The color continues in gradually lessening degree until cold weather 

 sets in, when it disappears entirely. These fishes spawn together in large 

 numbers, the action taking place while they are massed in the form of a 

 great, seething ball, flashing dazzling colors. It is as a pond or pool fish 

 that they show best, although at a size of Ay 2 inches they have sufficient 

 color to look well in the aquarium, where they may be kept with other 

 fishes. In the 8- to 10-inch sizes they are used as food in most of the 

 Northern States east of the Rockies. 



THE PEARL ROACH 



Scardinius erythropthalmus 



Visitors at different municipal aquaria have for years been much 

 pleased with the exhibition of Pearl Roach. They are of European origin, 

 where they are fairly common, and are really of no relation to our own 

 Roach or Shiner. There is a general resemblance, except that the ends 

 of the fins in the Pearl Roach are blood red at all seasons. 



They were originally introduced here into the ponds of Central Park 

 (New York City), multiplying in large numbers, proving their adapta- 

 bility to pond culture. They should be a beautiful and generally satis- 

 factory pond fish. The larger sizes run to about eight inches. As they 



