58 



aquatic JLitt 



and skirmish about for a suitable place 

 in which to deposit the eggs. When sat- 

 isfied with the selected location for the 

 nest — generally on the top or side of a 

 stone, which they industriously clean — 

 the female deposits the eggs while the 

 male fertilizes them. 



It is now that the wonderful activity 

 is displayed, in which, in my experience, 

 no other fish excels. Never for a mo- 

 ment is the nest left unguarded, alter- 

 nately male and female take up a posi- 

 tion above the eggs, ceaselessly working 

 their fins to keep fresh water constantly 

 circulating about the treasures, and to 

 prevent any accumulation of sediment 

 finding lodging among them. After 

 from four to six days of "watchful wait- 

 ing" the little pellet-like eggs are trans- 

 formed into a quivering living mass, the 

 individuals unable to swim, but wrig- 

 gling vigorously to and fro. At times, 

 during this period, the parents find it 

 necessary to transfer their family to 

 other places. The reason, I assume, is 

 to give the babies a new field in which 

 to forage for passing Infusoria. While 

 these transfers take place both parents 

 are busy as bees, each taking a mouthful 

 of the youngsters, but not at the same 

 time; while one is on the way to the 

 new location, the other is on the way 

 back for more ; never for an instant are 

 the youngsters out of the range of a pair 

 of watchful parental eyes. After sev- 

 eral days the flock begins to swarm 

 about, the proud parents guarding their 

 issue at all times. 



One day when showing such a family, 

 a friend while glancing toward another 

 tank, placed his hand near the surface 

 of the water of the Chanchito aquarium. 

 Mistaking his intentions, one of the par- 

 ents made a powerful leap to meet the 

 fancied enemy, cleared the rim of the 

 aquarium fully six inches above the 

 water line, and landed five feet below on 



the cement floor of the conservatory, 

 fortunately without suffering injury. 

 This acrobatic feat was repeated on sev- 

 eral other occasions, each time with the 

 intention of charging some object 

 deemed hostile to their offspring, show- 

 ing their intense determination to defend 

 them at all costs. Finally, for their own 

 safety, we covered the aquarium. 



I have kept the old and young together 

 six or eight weeks without noting any 

 cannibalistic desires on the part of the 

 old ones, only removing the young to 

 give them larger quarters for better 

 development. At times, however, I have 

 had to remove one of the parents within 

 a week or two after the hatching of the 

 eggs because of the development of a 

 family row. The Chanchito is interest- 

 ing and temperamental, and well worth 

 study. 



Sidelights 



The Danio malabaricus shown at the 

 Pittsburgh Exhibition by Leitholf 

 Brothers were "home raised." Mr. R. 

 J. Macrory won first on Danio rcrio, his 

 being the largest specimens. Mr. 

 Ernest Leitholf was fortunate in hav- 

 ing an egg of the American "Chame- 

 leon" hatch in his terrarium during the 

 show. The breeding of his lizard in cap- 

 tivity is most unusual. Mr. Leitholf has 

 prepared an interesting paper on the oc- 

 currence, one of the many "good things" 

 in store for future numbers of Aquatic 

 Life. 



During the winter months both gold- 

 fish and the tropical and native species 

 of fishes will appreciate an occasional 

 oyster. Select a small one, a stewing 

 oyster, run a piece of twine through the 

 hard centre and suspend in the aqua- 

 rium. When badly torn, or if the fishes 

 cease to nibble, remove it. An oyster 

 a week will be sufficient. 



