SOME FRESHWATER AQUARIUM FISHES 
Many of the readily obtainable native freshwater fishes, and some of 
the foreign forms, make interesting aquarium inhabitants, living in perfect 
amity with and harmless to goldfishes. There are others, however, which 
are best kept by themselves ; but all serve as interesting studies to the lover 
of fluvial life in the household. These will be described, together with 
the methods for their care and maintenance, beginning with the nest- builders 
and following with the ordinary pond and river fishes. Mention of a 
good part of the freshwater Ichthyic fauna is omitted, these being forms 
that cannot be kept alive in smaller aquaria. 
THE INDIAN PARADISE FISH 
This beautiful and interesting aquarium fish, Macropodus venestrus, 
is most singular and curious in all its habits. In the Orient, it is bred 
for the same purpose as the game chicken and contests are arranged upon 
which considerable sums are often staked. ‘This fish is of such a belliger- 
ent disposition that the males will attack each other, and also their mates 
out of the breeding season, the strong lips and sharp teeth being formid- 
able weapons with which fatal wounds are inflicted. 
The appearance of the fish is novel, the curious form, brilliant 
markings, evasive colors and marvelous fins and tail, differing from any 
other domesticated fish. In the breeding season the males are of lustrous, 
dark olive-green color, 
overlaid with fleeting, 
prismatic color flashes 
which seem to be under 
control of the fish. The 
fins and tail are outlined 
with most brilliant red, 
yellow and brown. The 

females are lighter in 
color and of a more grey- 
FIG. 35—Indian Paradise Fish 2 i 
Macropodus viridi-auratus Two-thirds life size ish or light-brown hue, 
which becomes a greyish-white during the breeding period, and all the fins 
are shorter and more rounded than those of the males. The illustration, 
Fig. 35, is the male of the domesticated variety, Macropodus viridi-auratus, 
in nuptual garb. 
The Paradise Fish is easily reared and prolific, and will thrive in any 
