"^^ )^. 





IV— THE PARENT FISH, THE EGG -LAYING, AND THE HATCHING 



\ 



The Care, Selection, and Mating of the Brood Fish 



ISH from whicli it is expected to get eggs at the next spawning time are given special 

 attention in autumn, and are then pro\-ided with an aljundance of suitable food so 

 that they may begin the winter in a robust state and emerge therefrom in the best 

 possible condition. Another reason for promoting the physical well being of the fish 

 particularly in the autumn preceding spawning is that they may then develop their 

 colors and shape most fully and give the culturist the best information as to the 

 possibilities of his brood stock. 



The spawning season extends from the latter part of Alarch to the middle of June, but .\pril 

 and May are the chief months. The time when particular iisli lax* their eggs may be controlled 

 to a certain extent. Fish that are given sufficient food and retained in stagnant water will have 

 their spawning retarded or altogether inhibited ; while fish that are exhibiting the symptoms of 

 approaching spawning may be made to deposit their eggs within one or two days if they are given 



53 



