TROPICAL AQUAEIUM FISHES 73 



the form of a ring with a roof over it, leaving only an opening for the 

 female to enter to deposit her eggs. The nest is glued together by a sticky 

 substance exuded from the body of the male fish, who assumes a bright 

 red color in parts of the fins at this period. After the female has deposited 

 her eggs he drives her away, looking after the nest and young himself until 

 they are about 10 days old. He is very pugnacious at this time and will 

 attack any living thing that approaches. Different species probably vary 

 somewhat in details of breeding habits. An English authority claims that 

 in Nature the male persuades as many females as possible to deposit their 

 eggs in liis nest. The Stickleback is well known as an aquarium fish, but 

 it should not be kept with other fishes. It prefers to eat daphnia or bits 

 of small worms. 



THE CHAETODON 



Chaetodons build their nests directly among plants off the bottom. 

 These fish are less of fighters and depend more upon hiding their youtig 



Fig. 55. The Chaetodox (Enlarged one-quarter) 



than upon boldly protecting them. The Chadetodon 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 from most other fishes. It swims 

 principally by use of the pectoral fins, which are so transparent as to be 

 scarcely observable, giving the fish the appearance of moving about by 



