
SOME FRESHWATER AQUARIUM FISHES 

The Golden Carp, Cyprinus carpio aureus, is an albino form of the 
Scaled Carp, at one time extensively bred in Germany for ornamental pur- 
poses but has been largely superseded by the Common goldfish. 
The Crusian Carp, Carassius carassius, Fig. 45 is a variable form 
closely related to Cyprinus carpio and differs somewhat in form and in the 
absence of barbels. _It is a shorter fish of more hunch-backed appearance. 
Its habits are also similar to the common carp, and it will live in localities 
wherein the impurities are sufficient to destroy most other of the fresh- 
water fishes. It is con- 
sidered to have been the 
form from which the 


goldfish, Carassius aura- 
tus, was derived, this fish 


SDE yee 
EN Se 
¢) 2 Rea : 
R S 



YOEAZA naa: being of Chinese and 
EN eet Corean origin and ex- 
Wick Ste 5 Bath TS = 
Hess traction. Other forms 
Yes of the Crusian Carp are 
FIG. 45—Young Crusian Carp, Carassius carasstus (ga moles, ‘Gs gibelio, Ce 
oblongus and C. humilis, all variations produced by domestication, selection 
and breeding. 
Small specimens of all the Carp breeds make interesting aquarium 
fishes. In 1877, and for some years thereafter, attempts were 
made to generally introduce the Scaled and Leather Carp in the United 
States, as their easy propagation recommended them for regions remote 
from a supply of better-flavored fishes, but the results were not satisfac- 
tory and in the past years the attempt has been abandoned. The introduction 
of carp into many streams is now forbidden by acts of state legislation. 
All carp will excavate the banks of ponds in search for food which 
consists of the tender shoots and roots of aquatic plants and the tiny ento- 
mostraca and insects of fresh water, for which it burrows into the mud 
and the banks of streams and ponds. In the aquarium it will thrive on 
goldfish foods. The carp is destructive to the spawn of other fishes. 
THE TESSELLATED DARTER 
The Tessellated Darter, Boleosoma nigrum ohmstedi, Fig. 46 1s a most 
singular and beautifully marked small fish of belligerent habits. The 
name is derived from its habit of lying motionless on the bottom of clear 
streams and suddenly springing upon its prey with marvelous rapidity. 
In the aquarium it is best kept with such freshwater fishes as are able to 
80 
