GOLDFISH 455 



with aquatic plants care should be taken to see that they contain no 

 snails or other eiiomies of fish eggs. 



The female deposits her spawn on the leaves and roots of aquatic 

 plants, the mucilaginous covering of the eggs causing them to adhere 

 to the plants, where they are fertilized by the male fish. Tlie plants 

 preferable for the purpose are Myriophyilum and water hyacinth. 



Goldfish eggs arc about one-sixtoenth of an inch in diameter and of 

 a pale amber hue. From 10 to 20 eggs are deposited, and after short 

 intervals the operation is repeated for several times. As the vegeta- 

 tion becomes covered sprigs of it containing the eggs should be re- 

 moved and placed in suitable receptacles, which may consist of 

 enameled pans or tubs. The vessels containing the eggs should be 

 placed in a strong light and where they will receive sunlight for a 

 short time each day. As development proceeds two black spots 

 appear in each fertilized egg^ usually within two or three days after 

 incubation starts. These arc the eyes of the embrj^o fish. 



Young goldfish are very delicate and can not stand much water 

 pressure. For this reason they remain near the surface of the water 

 and are sometimes killed by even fine drops of water falling on them. 



Attached to each little fish at its birth is a yolk sac, which pro- 

 vides it with nourishment for about three days. After the yolk sac 

 is absorbed the young fish suosist on the infusorial organisms found 

 in the water, these being too small to be seen with the unaided eye. 

 Where ponds are accessible small cpiantities of green water derived 

 therefrom should be introduced in the tanks, first taking the pre- 

 caution to strain it through cheesecloth for the removal of any 

 larger organisms. 



To breed infusoria, a quantity of the muck or slime taken from 

 the bottom of any small pool or stagnant body of water should be 

 placed in a jar or pan, covered with water, and allowed to stand. 

 A varied growth will result, most of which is valuable in the diet of 

 young fish. If no standing pond or ditch water is available a little 

 hay should be placed in a small receptacle, covered with water, and 

 placed where it will receive only a limited amount of light. Within 

 a short time a scum will appear on the surface, and inside of four 

 days myriads of infusoria will have developed. Preparations for 

 the production of infusoria, as well as the dried product, can be 

 purchased from dealers in aquarium and goldfish supplies. 



During the early stages of their existence goldfish should be fed 

 from six to eight times a day, only a small quantity of food to be 

 given at each feeding. In addition to the infusoria the fish may be 

 given a small quantity of rice flour, the dust from soda or graham 

 crackers, or a small amount of blood pressed from raw beef. Other 

 acceptable foods consist of the yolk of a hard-boiled egg finelj'' di- 

 vided by straining it through cheesecloth, oatmeal broth, finely 

 scraped beef, or a mixture of dried daphnia and dog biscuit, the 

 materials being reduced to a powder and prepared in the proportion 

 of two-thirds daphnia to one-third biscuit. A small amount of 

 this powder sprinkled on the water two or three times a day will be 

 eagerly taken by the fish. After the first six weeks the fish may be 

 fed on various materials, such as small crustaceans, mosquito larvge, 

 boiled and strained oatmeal, and other cereals of any kind. The 

 number of feedings may also be gradually decreased until one meal 

 a day is being given at the end of three months. 



