192 FISHES FOR MARINE AQUARIA. 



CHAPTER XII. 



FISHES FOR MARINE AQUARIA. 



THE most attractive marine fishes kept in our public 

 aquaria are unquestionably the wrasses, gurnards, and 

 dragonets. Many of them are resplendent with the 

 most beautiful colours and tints, which rival the hues 

 of tropical birds and insects ; and as they all bear 

 confinement well and are not difficult to procure, we 

 cannot be surprised at their being aquarium favourites. 



Ballan Wrasse (Labrus mactilatus). 



The wrasses are crustacean and shell -fish feeders, as a 

 rule, and their teeth are peculiarly adapted for picking 

 shells off rocks. The ballan wrasse (Labrus maculatus) 

 usually assumes mingled colours of blue and green ; 

 occasionally it will be adorned with russet-brown, 

 orange, and yellow. It is this chameleon-like power 



