GOLDFISH. 9 



are usually fatal. It is not possible to enter into details concerning 

 these diseases and their treatment. Further information on the 

 subject may be obtained from the standard books on goldfish culture, 

 a selective list of which is herewith appended. Many of these books 

 may be consulted at the public libraries. 



HOW TO DISTINGUISH SEX. 



'In goldfish as well as in other fishes the male and female are so 

 similar in external appearance that the sex can be determined only 

 by an examination oi the internal sexual organs. The following 

 extract from Aquatic Life will be of interest to amateur aquarists : 



Quite the first question to be asked by one desiring to breed goldfish is how the 

 sexes may be distinguished. It has been shown that a slight difference in contour 

 exists in the region about the anus, but it is exceedingly hard to discern, and not 

 a few experienced fanciers will refuse to guarantee the sex of a fish based on this 

 feature alone. 



When in condition to breed the distinguishing points are very evident. The male 

 develops tubercles or "salt spots'*' on the gill-plates and along the first ray of the 

 pectoral fins. These marks may be absent from the fins, and but few in number on 

 the gill-plates. The tul^ercles are usually considered an infallible distinction, but 

 are not absolutely so. Once in a lifetime a fancier may find a female with tubercles. 



The female, except about the anus, exhibits no sexual difference until the devel- 

 opment of the roes causes a distention of the body, which is more evident from a 

 top view than from the side. Other than this, it possesses no characters to distin- 

 guish it from the male. If both sexes are in the same tank, precocious males may 

 •"drive" barren females, and in that manner aid in identification, but a doubt may 

 be cast on the certainty of it by the fact that males will sometimes drive other males. 



CONCLUSION. 



Cleanliness, good light, plants well distributed over the bottom, 

 proper food in moderate quantity, scavengers, prompt removal of 

 sick fish, and avoidance of overstocking are the essential factors for 

 the maintenance of a successful aquarium. Thousands of goldfish 

 have been killed by lack of observance of a few simple rules and 

 many are lost through mistaken kindness. The globe in the sun- 

 light is a veritable torture cell. Avoid tapping on the glass, as it 

 frightens the fish. The fact that goldfish can endure a great deal 

 in the way of unwholesome environment is not* an excuse for tor- 

 turing them. Moreover, with proper care they will thrive and attain 

 a great age. 



BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

 BissET, Peter. 



1907. The book of water gardening; giving in full detail all the practical informa- 



tion necessary to the selection, grouping, and successful cultivation of 

 aquatic and other plants required in the making of a water garden and 

 its surroundings, and covering all conditions from that of the amateur 

 with a few plants in tubs to the large estate or park. 199 pp., illus. 

 A. T. De La Mare Printing & Publishing Co. Ltd., New York. 

 Brind, Walter Lannoy. 



1914-1915. Domesticated Fish. A text book on the care and culture of goldfish 

 and exotic fish in home aquaria. Illus. 449 West 206th St., 

 New York. 

 Eggeling, Otto, and Frederick Ehrenberg. 



1908. The fresh-water aquarium and its inhabitants. A guide for the amateur 



aquarist. 352pp., illus. Henry Holt & Co., New York. 

 Innes, William T. 



1917. Goldfish varieties and tropical aquarium fishes. A complete guide to 

 aquaria and related subjects. 246 pp., illus. Innes & Sons, Phila- 

 delphia, Pa. 



