346 THE AQUARIUM 



otherwise they themselves are Hkely to be destroyed. Young 

 labyrinth fishes are exceedingly sensitive to change of tem- 

 perature, which must be kept at an even point. 



The Paradise Fish (Macropodus viridi-auratus) is the 

 most familiar species. This fish has been kept and bred in 

 the East for so many years that it is really domesticated, and 

 great numbers are bred yearly in Europe and America. It 

 is an extremely brilliant species, particularly during the 

 breeding season, when the colors of the male are seen at 

 their best. The upper parts are mottled in tones of brown, 

 but the sides bear alternate stripes of rich greenish-blue 

 and reddish-orange, the fins being bordered with deep blue. 

 The intensity of color varies constantly with the tempera- 

 ture of the water and the mood of the fish. The dorsal and 

 anal fins, and the points of the tail, in the male are produced 

 to long wavy flagellse, which greatly add to the grace and 

 beauty of the specimen. At the breeding season the male 

 may be distinguished by his heightened color and lengthened 

 appendages, while at this time the female is usually almost 

 flesh-colored, if in good condition. 



Much nonsense has been written and spoken concerning 

 the supposed delicacy of the Paradise Fish. It is said to 

 die at once if water falls into the tank, if it is carelessly 

 removed, or if there is a slight drop in temperature. As a 

 matter of fact it is a hardy creature, remarkably tenacious 

 of life, and not in the least affected by the conditions just 

 noted. When a fish can fall down a flight of stairs, lie un- 

 discovered on the floor for some time, and on the following 

 day be none the worse for the experience, as recently hap- 

 pened to a specimen now in the collection of the writer, it 

 is not to be classed as delicate. 



Several species of Gouramis are attractive additions to 

 the collection. All have the ventral fins far advanced and 

 transformed into long antennas-like threads, often of very 



