GOLDFISH 457 



best soil is one with a clay bottom, as this acts to retain water. In 

 the event that a site of this character is not available the excavation 

 ma}^ be made slightly deeper than the intended depth of the pond 

 and a 6-inch coating of clay plastered on the sides and bottom. To 

 insure against loss of water through the porous ground near the 

 surface it is advisable to insert boards in the pond margins and fill in 

 the spaces behind them with cla}^ 



All ordinary requirements in goldfish culture will be met by pro- 

 viding three ponds — the first and head of the series to serve as a 

 spawning inclosure, the second as a nursery, and the third as a rear- 

 ing pond. To these may be added storage and winter ponds, if 

 desired. The spawning pond, which is the first to receive the water 

 supply, may be formed, if desired, by dividing the rearing pond 

 into two compartments. This may be done by fastening 1-inch 

 mesh galvanized wire screen to a framework sunk into the mud in 

 the bottom of the pond and made to extend about 1 foot above the 

 water level. One advantage of this arrangement oyer a separate 

 pond is that any young fish that deA^elop from undiscovered eggs 

 will be saved, the current carrying them from the spawning com- 

 partment into the rearing pond. 



The rearing pond should be much larger than the spawning pond. 

 Some goldfish breeders recommend an inclosure 8 by 20 feet in area 

 as the most suitable for rearing purposes. The floor of this pond 

 should slope from a water depth of 6 inches at one end to 24 inches 

 at the opposite end, with the deepest part at the outlet to permit of 

 drawing off the water when desired. Suitable plants should be 

 rooted in the soil of this pond. Aquatic vegetation serves to 

 oxygenate the water and also provides excellent hiding places for 

 small fish and attracts insect life, thus constituting a source of 

 supply of natural food for the fish. 



Being required merely for the holding of fish intended for sale, 

 the size of the storage pond should be governed by the requirements 

 in this respect. Other than this its mode of construction need not 

 differ materially from that of the other ponds. 



The winter pond, whose purpose is the carrying of brood fish 

 during cold weather, should be located near the spring or other 

 source of water supply to prevent freezing, and when stocked with 

 fish it should be kept under careful observation so that any ice form- 

 ing on the surface may be promptly broken. If the weather is not 

 too cold, goldfish may be held in open ponds throughout the year. 

 In a severe climate the brood stock may be transferred indoors and 

 held in barrels or tanks. Being very inactive during the winter, 

 they require but little food. It is said that a compartment 4 by 8 

 feet and 4 feet deep will carry approximately 50 fish 8 to 10 inches 

 long throughout the winter. 



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. The fact that goldfish can endure 



