156 NATIVE AQUARI UM FISHES 



do not develop the red fins much before they are four inches long, they 

 would be suitable to aquaria of larger sizes rather than small. They 

 have gentle dispositions. 



THE SUNFISHES 

 The Sunfishes are one of the most widely distributed and best known 

 of our fish families, American boys, in the country districts almost every- 

 where being well acquainted with them. There are a number of varieties. 

 Most of us have seen the tidy, clean spots fanned out by a pair of breed- 

 ers. This is the "nest" in which the eggs are deposited. Both parents 

 protect the young, attacking all comers in a vicious manner. Excepting 

 the so-called Chaetodon, or banded sunfish, all of the several species are 

 pugnacious, especially when large. They should not be kept with other 

 fishes unable to protect themselves, and it is inadvisable to have one 

 much larger than its fellows, as it will "bully" the other inmates of the 

 aquarium. Sunfishes have a decided carnivorous tendency, much prefer- 

 ring live worms or flies to prepared foods. They can be induced to take 

 shreds of raw liver. Of the dry foods, ground dried shrimp is the best 

 for them. The coloring of the Sunfish shows to excellent advantage in 

 the aquarium, and it will be found a very tame and interesting pet. It can 

 withstand severe temperature changes and will survive for years if suit- 

 ably fed. Particularly destructive to aquarium snails. 



Owing to their abundance the beauty of the members of the Sunfish 

 family is usually overlooked. The Blue Spotted and the Long Eared of 

 the Eastern United States, the Orange Spotted of the Mississippi Valley 

 and the Blue Gill from Lake Erie are among the members which rival 

 many of the tropical fishes. The Blue Gill is now widely cultivated in 

 state hatcheries as a food fish, attaining the weight of a pound. It 

 is one of the best fishes with which to stock a private pond. 



THE CHiETODON 



Mesogonistius chcztodon 



Banded Sunfishes (known also as the Chaetodon from its specific 

 technical name, which was applied because the vertical bars or bands 

 suggest the marine Chaetodons or Angel Fishes of tropical seas) build 

 their nests directly among plants off the bottom. They are less of fighters 

 and depend more upon hiding their young than upon boldly protecting 

 them. The Chaetodon is one of the most charming of all aquarium fishes. 

 Many of them are exported to Europe, where they are highly esteemed 

 and bring good prices. This fish has quite an individuality— its peculiar 

 markings, precise movements and genteel manners setting it quite apart 



