CHAPTER XX. 



" Knowledge is power. 



THE ENEMIES OF THE GOLDFISH 



It has been stated elsewhere in these pages that the raising of 

 goldfish consists largely in the protection of them against their 

 enemies, and to make the defense most effective it is essential that 

 we know something about the transgressors, for by being acquainted 

 with them and their habits, we can more intelligently combat them. 

 For this end the author has described them in the following lines, 

 adding to those that are less familiar to the general reader, an outline 

 of their natural history and viewing them in the successive stages, 

 during which they endanger the life of the fish. 



Before beginning the description of insects, however, it is proper 

 to say that the spawn of the goldfish immediately after its deposition, 

 is sought for by other fish and devoured, the spawners themselves 

 also engaging in this nefarious practice. Those eggs that have 

 escaped the notice of the fish are consumed by various smaller 

 enemies, foremost among which is 



THE COMMON POND SNAIL, 



(Lymnea fragilis.) 

 which devoures them. 



THE WATER ASELL. 



(Asellus aquaticus.) 



This little creature, of which the accompanying illustration gives a 

 good idea, is a crustacean, not more than one-half of an inch 



RS 



