54 THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. 



or shorter duration in different individuals, and it will also be seen 

 that the number of the tubercles will vary in the different specimens 

 upon which they are observed. (See illus- 

 tration.) The usual method of distinguish- 

 ing the male from the female by not- 

 ing the presence of a short dorsal fin 

 is not reliable; in fact, it is not only 

 misleading, but false, as such short, or 

 more properly speaking, "deformed" 

 dorsal fin, is found just as frequently 

 upon female fishes. The tubercles are 



fcharp, very similar to the projections upon a 

 HEAD OF MALE GOLDFISH. ^ and seem ^ haye for ^ function 



the assisting of the female to pass its eggs through the canal. This 

 'theory is apparently substantiated by the fact that the male uses 

 them in such a manner by pressing against the belly of the female 

 that one is irresistibly led to the conclusion that they can exist for 

 no other purpose. 



The females to be selected must show an expanded belly, which 

 evidences the maturity of the eggs, as it has been stated before, that 

 when arrived at that period, they increase in size, and it is by this 

 appearance only that the culturist can decide that the time for the 

 female to spawn has arrived. 



It is worse than useless to place in the spawning bed fish that are 

 not in perfect condition to perfprm the functions, as some goldfish 

 are sterile, and will only disturb the arrangements that have been so 

 carefully made for that purpose. Whether these particular fish will 

 remain sterile for a season or for as long as they live can not be 

 decided. As a rule, it is best ttf select three females and four males 

 when of good size, or six females and four males, when the former 

 are small yearlings, for each spawning bed. It is also important to 



