FRESH-WATER FISHERIES OF CEYLON. 95 
species is one of those which, like the lula, nurse their brood, standing 
by to keep off the many enemies which prey upon spawn and fry. 
Its habits are known to the fishermen. It is captured in nets and 
in kraals, and unfortunately is netted on its spawning grounds. 
I inspected some of the latter in February and saw a koraliya, as 
it appeared, selecting a spot amongst aquatic roots in the river 
at Kalutara, for the purpose of depositing its eggs, as early as 
February 6. The spawning season is from the middle of February 
to the middle of April, and again about November, according to the 
statements of the fishermen. The aggressive pursuit of the spawning 
and brood-nursing fishes, involving the destruction of the eggs by 
the dragging of the nets, should be discouraged. Early in March 
I suggested to the Assistant Government Agent (Mr. J. Conroy) a 
method of protection of the breeding sites as an experiment. Three 
weeks later when I went to Kalutara to see how the experiment 
was working [ found the river in flood and the sites concealed. This 
observation explains the assertion contained in an earlier part of 
this report, that the floods provide natural close seasons for the 
river fishes. The spawn is the most vulnerable part of the koraliya’s 
economy ; and the systematic capture of fishes during the exercise 
of their parental care cannot be defended.* 
The koraliya is known to attain the length of a foot ; and as the 
body is very high in proportion to the length, a full-sized fish is an 
object worthy of attention. It is netted in large numbers at a very 
tender age, 2 to 3 inches in total length (including the tail-fin), being 
utilized at this stage as curry stuff. It is also netted in quantity 
at a middle age, 5 to 7 inches, still immature. 
Introduction of Gourami.—The gourami (Osphromenus olfax) is a 
fresh-water fish belonging to Java, which has been introduced into 
Europe as an aquarium fish, and into Mauritius, Cayenne, and 
India as a food-fish. It is recorded as attaining a length of 2 feet 
and a weight of 20 lb.; but it seems doubtful whether 20 lb. of 
muscle can be concentrated into a length of 2 feet. However that 
- may be, it has long been known to possess an “‘ exquisite flavour ”’ ; 
and has quite recently been characterized in the Cambridge Natural 
History as “ one of the best flavoured fishes of the Far East.” 
Under these circumstances I had no hesitation in recommending 
Government to communicate with the Government of Mauritius in 
order to ascertain definitely whether the culture of the gourami is 
carried on there with conspicuous success. This was done, and a 
reply duly arrived, forwarding papers relating to this matter, and 
adding “that if it is desired to introduce the gourami in Ceylon, 
this Government will be glad to arrange for a supply of young fish 
being sent.”” The gourami, it appears, is not made the object of 
methodical cultivation in Mauritius, but, when desired, it is 

* River fishermen throughout the Panadure and Kalutara Totamune have 
been warned against the practice. 
