Fig. 188. Telescope Goldfishes Spawning 

 This unusual photograph shows two females spawning on a ring of Myriophyllum. 

 The smaller fishes are the males, in vigorous pursuit. Males do not average of smallei 

 size than the females, but the younger ones are the more active and fertilize a higher 

 percentage of eggs than when older. 



On wholesale fish farms where it is not practicable to use or prepare a sufficient 

 number of aquatic plants for spawning purposes, another method is in general use. A 

 plain square frame is made of about V& inch lumber, 18 inches square and 3 inches 

 deep. Poultry netting (about 1 inch) is attached to the bottom, making a general 

 arrangement somewhat like a sieve. Egg-catching material is attached to the wire 

 (on the inside). The frame is anchored and submerged one or two inches so that 

 the fishes can swim over the edge, to spawn on top, but the spawning material itself 

 should extend above the frame to lightly touch the surface, and should be dense 

 enough to allow no eggs to fall through. Other fishes present cannot eat the eggs 

 from the shallow position on top, while the frame prevents their nibbling from the 

 sides. The spawning material used in Japan, and sometimes imported here, is willow 

 roots. Sod of any strong grass with the earth washed away is more generally used 

 in this country. In 1928 it was discovered that Florida Moss serves the purpose ad- 

 mirably. As it does not rot and is very cheap, it will probably come into general 

 use. There is no reason why this scheme cannot be adapted to the needs of the 

 small breeder, but one should remember to soak a new screened frame for several 

 days before using it in a small body of water. 



Florid' 1 Moss is also very good as a refuge thicket for young tropicals. 



210 



