V— FOOD, GROWTH, AND CARE OF THE FISH 



Living Crustacean Food and its Cultivation 



ROPER food in proper quantity at the proper time is of the most vital import- 

 ance in successful goldfish culture. Not only do the life and growth of the 

 young depend absolutely on it, but also the form, color, spawning capacity, and 

 market value of the resulting adult fish. The natural and therefore the best 

 food for goldfish at all stages of growth is minute crustaceans belonging to the 

 sub-class Entomostraca, particularly those of the orders Copepoda, Ostracoda, and 

 Cladocera, which are often popularly included in the general term of "water fleas," and are referred 

 to by the Japanese as "mijinko." Among the best known and most important of these are Cyclops, 

 CypriSj I hi pinna, and Polyphemus. 



These little creatures occur naturally in nearly all fresh waters, and abound in the ponds in 

 which goldfish are reared; but under ordinary conditions the supply would soon lie exhausted 

 even though they multiply quickly. Therefore, one of the chief duties of the Japanese goldfish 



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