S 
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THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOLDFISH 

Where the breeding is done in protected tanks, in the open air, it has been 
proven that better results are obtained by delay than by forcing, as these 
later fishes often outstrip the earlier ones in size and number of survivals 
at the selling season, which is usually after the month of September; but 
late spawnings are not advisable, as the young must then be carried over 
the winter. 
The age as wellas the probable maturity of the goldfish cannot always 
be determined by the size, the rate of growth not only varying with the 
individual but is also greatly influenced by the conditions under which it is, 
or has been, kept. When the surroundings are nearest the natural, growth 
and development are most rapid ; indoors and in the small aquarium the 
conditions of existence are artificial and unnatural and may considerably 
stunt, dwarf or arrest development; but when transferred to larger tanks 
or basins in the open air, the growth is often surprisingly rapid, the in- 
crease in size being usually greater in a few weeks than during previous 
months in the aquarium or greenhouse. 
The size, however, does not impair the fecundity of the fishes as 
those of small size and but eight (8) months old will spawn, though,naturally, 
developing less and apparently smaller eggs than the larger mére robust 
fishes. Some individuals of the imported varieties are dwarfs and never 
attain a size over three inches; these are particularly desirable for small 
aquaria. They are fertile and breed as well as larger fishes. Aquarium 
rearing almost always dwarfs the fishes, but they are usually of finer appear- 
ance than those reared in the pond, for reasons already given. 
Under favorable conditions, the goldfish attains to maturity during 
the spring and summer following that in which it was hatched, and large, 
vigorous fishes will spawn 1500 to 2000 eggs in a season. It has been 
established that fishes of the finer toy breeds under two years old have 
more rounded fins than older fishes, whereby their age may be determined. 
Also that fishes under four years old are the best for breeding, producing 
a larger number and more robust young. 
Though, as stated, any well-lighted room will serve for the culture of 
the goldfish, especially a properly constructed and equipped greenhouse, 
having out-of-doors facilities for the young fishes, on a mercantile basis the 
industry is usually conducted in the open air, either in specially equipped 
hatching and rearing establishments or in basins and pools fitted for the 
purpose. There are a number of small and larger plants of this kind in 
the Fastern Section of the United States, principally devoted to the cul- 
ture of the common goldfish; but some of the breeders have turned their 
attention to the more profitable industry of rearing the finer breeds and 
IOI 
