NATIVE AQUARIUM FISHES 



169 



THE EEL 



Auguilla rostrata 



Small eels may be kept with a collection of wild fishes, but they look 

 out of place with and are dangerous to goldfishes, having the same habit 

 as the sunfish and catfish of nibbling at the long fins. They are good 

 scavengers, quickly eating any dead snails or other decomposing matter. 

 Nothing is too bad (nor too good) for them to greedily eat. 



THE CATFISHES 



Any of the forms of the Catfish are well able to take care of them- 

 selves in an aquarium. If not large they will not touch other wild fishes, 



Fig. 141. The Stone Catfish (Schilbeodes insignis) [Slightly reduced] 



but should not be kept with goldfishes, as they are likely to nibble at their 

 long fins. Catfishes like animal food best, but will take boiled cereals 

 or the usual prepared fishfoods. 



THE GOLDEN ORFE OR IDE 

 Idus idus 

 Originally imported from Southern Germany, the Golden Orfe has 

 become one of the best ornamental pond fishes. They do not stir up the 



Fig. 142. The Golden Orfe or Ide (Idus idus) 



