100 GOLDFISH VARIETIES AND 



It: 



the roost" will fight with their rivals as roosters in a barnyard. Dense 

 vegetation and sufficient space are the best protection for weaker fish, and 

 females which have just had young should be isolated for several days 

 before being placed with their males, or they may be persecuted to death. 

 With the exceptions of the species herein specified, most live-bearers will 

 live together in harmony in a large aquarium. It is not good policy to 

 keep Live-bearers, Egg-droppers (Barbus), Egg-layers (Oviparous 

 Tooth-Carp) and Labyrinth fish all together. Such things can be done 

 in very large aquaria but the weaker will soon show signs of persecution. 



N3 GROUP 



Members of this group are mostly the egg-laying Tooth-Carp, such 

 as Haplochilus, Fundulus and Rivulus. These can be kept in large num- 

 bers together, if of same size, but otherwise are best kept in pairs. The 

 larger species such as H. sexfasciatus, Rubrostigma, &c., are best kept 

 only with their own species as their tendency is generally warlike. They 

 eat their own and other smaller species and individuals. Dense vegeta- 

 tion and space are the best remedy. 



N4 GROUP 



Fish of this classification are more or less inclined to hunt trouble, 

 but when kept in numbers together, each fish is afraid of a rear-attack 

 from his fellows and consequently harmony prevails. This refers to the 

 Labyrinth fish or Bubble-nest builders and is noticeably manifest among 

 Paradise fish. Polyacanthus cupanus and dayi, Osphromenus. &c. The 

 Dwarf gourami is remarkable for his peaceable and amiable nature but 

 he is not entitled to undue credit on that account as it is more than likely 

 that his shyness has much to do with his decent behavior. At breeding 

 time he will attack his mate should she approach the nest containing eggs 

 or young — but then she should be taken out anyhow and that rule applies 

 to all Labyrinth fish. 



N5 GROUP 



Very large Goldfish and other members of the Carp family some- 

 times eat their smaller brethren, but in the main they are peaceable and 

 devoid of the combative element. Except for a scavenger fish or two 

 it is better to keep highly developed goldfishes by themselves. 



N6 GROUP 

 This group includes the most voracious species, such as the Cichlids, 

 &c., which should be kept separately, even from their mates, except at 

 breeding time and then large flower pots should be provided for shelter 

 and no plants kept with fish. Large, shallow aquaria and abundant clear 

 water are requisite. 



