AMATEUR FISH CULTURE 



Having established the vegetable life well in a 

 water, and developed it to a considerable extent, 

 the amateur may begin to examine his water, and 

 find out how much animal life exists there, and 

 to stock with creatures suitable for food, according 

 to what he finds in the water. 



Fresh-water snails are always desirable. In 

 streams, or in ponds with streams running into 

 them, the fresh-water shrimps (Gammarus pulex) 

 should always be tried. It does not do in some 

 waters, but where it does thrive it increases very 

 rapidly, and forms about the best article of food 

 that can be given to trout. Corixce, which thrive 

 in ponds and sluggish waters, should always be 

 introduced. They increase rapidly, and are taken 

 by most fish, particularly by trout. The amateur 

 should be careful when he introduces these crea- 

 tures to make sure that he is putting in the right 

 creature. The water-boatman (Nautonecta glauca) 

 is a member of the same family, but is no use 

 as food for the fish. He swims on his back, is 

 longer and narrower than are Corixce, which do 

 not swim on their backs, are smaller, broader, 

 and live much more under water than the water- 

 boatman. It is generally advisable to avoid 

 water-beetles, as most of them are more likely to 



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