CAT-FISH CULTUEE 67 



or more sizes at least three times in the first 

 twelve months. 



Sorting fish into sizes several times during the year 

 is a very important duty of the fish-culturist. This 

 is true even when the young are not pronouncedly 

 cannibalistic. It is a well known fact that very young 

 fish of the same age vary considerably in size. When 

 allowed to remain unsorted, the larger annoy the 

 smaller, will not allow them to eat until they them- 

 selves are gorged, and chase them around the pond 

 between meals. As a result, the smaller fishes do not 

 grow, at least at the same rate as the larger. When 

 sorting is practised, the majority of the smaller, if 

 they are in good health, rapidly overtake the larger, 

 and there is not much difference in size when they 

 reach the yearling stage. At that age, the smallest, 

 or cullings, can be disposed of, leaving the others in 

 fine shape for rearing to market age. Where the 

 species are cannibalistic, sorting is imperative, if it 

 is not desired to lose more than fifty per cent, of the 

 young stock. 



The larger the volume of water the more 

 rapidly the fish will grow. The quicker the 

 growth the sooner the fish will be ready for the 

 market. Ponds from three quarters to one acre 

 in area each are advised, with a length much 

 greater than their width. Very wide ponds are 



