92 Modern Fishculture in Fresh and Salt Water. 



CHAPTER VI. 



FEEDING FRY. 



The time of absorbing the sac we roughly state at 

 about thirty days, but it varies according to tempera- 

 ture. Those hatching about February ist, in cold 

 water, are longer in absorbing it than those coming out 

 a month later, especially if warm rains come on. From 

 twenty-five to forty days would be more accurate. 



When nearly ready to take food they head up-stream, 

 and the strongest will be at the inflow. They will 

 crowd in a corner if there is an eddy there, and some 

 may try to jump up the incoming stream and land on 

 the floor. To remedy this make a little box, about 6x9 

 inches and 5 deep, with a bottom of fine wire-cloth or 

 perforated tin, and hang it so that the water pours into 

 it, the bottom being a couple of inches below the sur- 

 face. Such a box is good to put in when hatching 

 begins, as it catches all insects and crustaceans which 

 might injure the fry. Now it will distribute the inflow 

 through small holes and prevent jumping out. 



When they begin to rise and examine small floating 

 objects care must be taken that the trough is not over- 

 crowded, for if they are crowded they will soon nibble 

 fins and tails, even though food is plenty. They seem 

 to do this from irritability at being crowded and nip at 

 a tail as if to say : "Get out of my way." When a tail 

 or pectoral fin has been nibbled it turns white, is mis- 

 taken for food and is picked at until fungus sets in and 

 the troutlet dies. In a trough 10 feet by 14 inches, with 



