BREEDING GOLDFISHES 199 



The beginner should get his first experience in breeding the more 

 hardy varieties— the comet, for instance— but this stage passed he should 

 select none but the best breeding fish out of known good stock. As 

 previously stated, the best time to purchase new stock is in September and 

 October, preference being given to the larger fish about seven months 

 old. At this period the dealer-fancier is usually willing to sell off some 

 of his larger old breeders. These are more showy than the young, but 

 should not be selected. 



SEX IN GOLDFISHES 



The chief indications of a male fish ("buck") in the breeding season 

 —about January till August— are the small tubercles appearing on the 

 gill plates, and sometimes on the first ray of the pectoral fins. These 

 are quite a little smaller than pin-heads and the fish must be viewed 

 at a certain angle in order to see them. (See illustrations, numbers 110, 

 153, and also 187). Females sometimes show these spots, but rarely. 



The female fish ("roe") is usually shorter and fuller of body, par- 

 ticularly when carrying spawn. The spawn as a rule is larger on one 

 side of the fish than the other, so that in looking directly down on the 

 fish's back it may be found to be curved to one side. After spawning 

 is over this deformity often remains. In a female which has spawned the 

 vent is always a little protuberant. The eggs can often be seen through 

 the abdominal skin of females of the scaleless type. 



Early in the year the young males will begin swimming after the 

 females, following close to the vent. Without observing any of the fore- 

 going rules the sex may often be told in this way. If this is observed 

 before March, the sexes should be separated, as early spawns are not to 

 be desired, unless one has very special facilities for securing a supply of 

 live food. If the spawning can be delayed until May, results will be 

 more satisfactory. The reasons for this are that the harmful long cold 

 spells are less likely to occur and that living food can be obtained with 

 more certainty. Spawning may be somewhat delayed by separating the 

 sexes and by keeping the fish in cool water. With this object in view the 

 females should be placed where they cannot rub against plants, as it 

 induces an excitement at this time liable to promote spawning, even with- 

 out males being present. 



BREEDING METHODS 



As spawning time approaches the fishes should be well fed on nour- 

 ishing food. Finely chopped earthworms are excellent. Live daphnia 

 are as good. Scrambled egg, alternating every other day with regular 

 fish-food, is a fair substitute for live food at this time. When the breed- 



