98 GOLDFISH VARIETIES AND 



laid and fertilized. In most varieties the eggs are then taken in the 

 mouth of the female, who, by a chewing movement of the jaws, keeps 

 a constant flow of water among the eggs. The parent not carrying the 

 eggs should be removed. So large is the volume of eggs that the head 

 of the fish has a noticeably distended appearance. The hatching takes 

 from fifteen to twenty days. After the young are hatched it may be 

 several days before one may see them, for the mother at first only allows 

 them to swim out in search of infusorian food at night. At the first sign 

 of alarm they rush back into her mouth. When about a week to ten 

 days old they are able to look after themselves and the mother should be 

 removed and the young fed on microscopic food, daphnia, etc. The best 

 breeding temperature is about 75° Fahrenheit. From the time of spawn- 

 ing until separated from the young the female should be offered no food. 

 As this is a drain on the health of the fish, they should not be bred oftener 

 than twice a year. 



B12 



PYRRHULINA FILAMENTOSA AND COPEINA ARNOLDI 



are the only fish listed in this work having the peculiar breeding habits 

 here described. Both fish leap out of the water and adhere for several 

 seconds to the sides or cover of the aquarium, which should be somewhat 

 rough. Ground glass or slate will do. Fifteen or twenty eggs are 

 deposited at a time until from 100 to 200 are laid. When spawning is 

 completed the female should be removed. The male, by swift movements 

 of the head and tail, splashes water on the eggs at short intervals. The 

 eggs hatch in from two to four days, after which the male parent should 

 be removed. Feed young on infusoria and later on small daphnia. 



B13 



EGGS ADHERE ON GLASS sides of aquariums or stones or plants, 

 remaining there until hatched in a few days. The young swim in a shoal 

 around the old ones as in B5 Group. Feed in similar manner. 



B14 



STICKLEBACK males build nests from bits of plants, glued to- 

 gether. After female deposits eggs he drives her away and assumes entire 

 parental responsibilities. See also page 72. 



B15 



POLYCENTRUS SCHOMBURKI spawns on upper concave side 

 of small flower-pot, laid on its side. Newly hatched young hang from 

 leaves by means of a hook on the top of their heads. Eggs and young 

 protected by male, as female is apt to eat them, and should be removed. 



