58 GOLDFISH VAEIETIES AND 



by a thin, rusty scum. Small pools about a cattle yard are particularly 

 favorable, but, of course, if the water is very dark it should be used 

 sparingly. This sort of food should be used for about ten days to two 

 v.-eeks. Illustrations Nos. 93 to 96 show types of this living food, but 

 one does not need to be very particular as to the exact form. In general 

 anything alive that is too small to be well seen by the naked eye, but 

 which is visible under a magnifying glass, will answer the purpose. Col- 

 lection can be made with nets of fine bolting cloth. If green water can be 

 had, some of it should be put in with the young fish. It contains vege- 

 table matter of value to very small fry. After the fry have noticeably 

 mcreased in size they should be fed young daphnia which have been 

 screened through a fine wire tea strainer. As size increases, feed full 

 size daphnia. (See page 130.) 



While the fry are being fed on infusoria, however, no daphnia should 

 be introduced. The daphnia, as well as the small fish feed on infusoria 

 and are more skilled than goldfish in catching them. Where daphnia 

 have been for a few hours, no infusoria can be found, so thoroughly do 

 they clear the water of them. In other words daphnia and goldfish up to 

 the age of about ten days for the fish are competitors for the same 

 living food. 



Contrary to previous theories numbers of our leading breeders now 

 use a drip of water in the tanks with young fish over one month old. 

 In many cases this plan seems to produce remarkable growth. The use 

 of an ordinary drain in this connection is inadvisable, particularly if 

 outdoors, as a heavy downpour of rain is liable to carry off the small 

 fish. If the tank used has a drain pipe a large wire guard covered with 

 cheesecloth will answer the purpose, but the cloth should be renewed 

 occasionally, as the water rots the fabric. If fish are in a tub a good 

 drain can be made by placing a 2-inch strip of stifif felt around the out- 

 side edge. Secure the felt in position by securely wrapping a cord around 

 it as close to top of tub as possible, allowing the felt to stand about one 

 inch above sides of tub. This will not only secure the young fish, but will 

 prevent the loss of any daphnia by overflow. 



Best results are had in raising fish out doors, but one invites catas- 

 trophe by placing them out in the first warm spell of Spring unless it is 

 possible to again bring them indoors promptly on the arrival of the cold 

 spells sure to occur in the Spring of our Eastern climate. 



In instances where it is not possible to secure living food for raising 

 young fish they may be started on rice flour, yellow of egg forced through 

 bolting cloth or fishfood reduced to a powder and sifted through cheese- 

 cloth. As they increase in size an excellent diet is the paste from boiled 

 oatmeal after straining through muslin or cheesecloth. Powdered shrimp 



