AQUARIUM FISHES 335 



because of their voracity. Young Eels are especially at- 

 tractive. During the spring they may often be met with in 

 great numbers, ascending streams after their babyhood spent 

 in the sea, where the adults go to breed. In the aquarium 

 they will burrow in the sand, with only the head exposed, 

 and lie thus concealed for hours. Catfishes and Eels are 

 not delicate feeders, and will do well on almost any diet, 

 in which animal food should predominate. 



The great group of Percoidea, or Perch-like fishes, con- 



i^^L tains many aquarium favorites. The various species of 

 ^^f SuNFisHES — Common, Black-banded, Long-eared, etc. — 

 are well distributed and some sort is obtainable by every 

 one. Specimens of good size are best kept singly, or in pairs 

 if they will agree. They quickly become very tame, and 

 soon learn to look forward to feeding time. They should 

 be fed chiefly on chopped worms, bits of meat and clams, 

 and live insects. 



The Darters, distant relatives of the Sunfishes, are bril- 

 liantly colored little fellows, of which more than fifty 

 species are known. They are among the most beautiful of 

 fishes, and it is to be regretted that they do not thrive bet- 

 ter in captivity. The Tessellated Darters (Boleosoma) 

 are probably the best known. They inhabit swift streams, 

 lying among the stones on the bottom, springing into activity 

 only when prey appears. In the aquarium they should be 

 kept in cool, shallow water, and fed as much as possible on 

 live food, with whatever else of the usual items they can be 

 induced to take. 



The Sticklebacks belong to the family Gasterosteid^, 

 and are widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemi- 

 sphere in fresh and brackish water. They are variously 

 named — two-spined, three-spined, etc. — according to the 

 number of dorsal projections. Specimens can be taken in 

 almost any clear brook or pond, and most dealers can supply 



