
THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOLDFISH 

The greater part of it is vertical and median, but its lower portion occurs 
double (the ¢ripod taily) which in some cases extends further upwardsy(the 
web tail), In other instances the furrow may reach the dorsal edge of the 
tail and thus divide it into two halves, which then expand right and left. 
These halves may or may not be connected at the median line, at the 
dorsal edge; in the former case, the tail is represented by a more or less 
horizontally expanded single piecef (the do/phin tailf) in the latter case it 
is distinctly paired} (the double tail)) Hig. £7. 
Next to the caudal fin the anal cn undergoes a remarkable variation. 
It is either median and normal or distinctly paired. In the former case, 
especially when the caudal fin is also normal, the goldfish closely resembles 
the carp. In the double form of the anal fin, bony structures similar to 
those of the single fin are present in pairs. These double fins often make a 
flapping motion serving the same function as the ventral fins. Examination 
of the embrios of these breeds of fishes show that the double caudal and 
anal fins are laid out as two longitudinal folds or thicknesses along the ven- 
tral side of the post-anal section ofthe body, which diverge ata later period 
and form paired caudal and anal fins. The internal structures of these 
parts are also paired. In some of the breeds the anal fin is entirely absent 
and others have been developed which are devoid of dorsal fins, while the 
Egeg-fish has neither dorsal nor anal fins. 
BREEDING. It is proposed to treat of tank culture first and later of 
the basin or pooland pond or lake culture, these latter terms being applied 
to the smaller brick or cement basins and pools or those with earthen or 
boarded sides, and the larger natural or artificial ponds and lakes. 
When the breeding 1s conducted indoors or in a greenhouse the season 
is earlier thanin the open air and spawnings may begin in February, while 
out-of-doors or in the pond, in a temperate climate, the fishes may not 
mature the spawn till April, May, or June, after which it may be continu- 
ous, at short intervals, until the advent of cold weather. Spawning is 
also dependent upon the temperature of the water and rarely begins until 
it has reached 60° F. 
The period of rest between spawning varies with the fishes and may 
be but a few days or several weeks, dependent upon their vigor and the 
temperature of the water. Spawning may occur two days in succession, 
or at an interval of several days, ifthe weather becomes colder, to be re- 
sumed when the water becomes warmer. Of this the surest guide is the 
appearance of the female and the action of the male, and trials with the latter 
should be undertaken, the fishes being again separated if no spawn results 
in a day or two. An occasional change of males is also advisable. Stimu- 
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