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%) Breeding and Rearing Goldfish (] : . 





JOSEPH E. VAN STAVERKf 



Photograph by H. W. Schmid 

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The goldfish is oviparous ; that is, the 

 eggs are expelled by the female before 

 fertilization, which takes place immedi- 

 ately after delivery. Unlike some other 

 fishes, all the eggs do not develop to- 

 gether, but in lots so to speak. A female 

 may spawn several times during a season, 

 the frequency of the operation varying 

 with her fertility and vigor. The pre- 

 ferred breeding season, which means that 

 the ensuing months will be most favor- 

 able in weather conditions and natural 

 food supply, extends from March to 

 July. Earlier and later spawns will meet 

 conditions unfavorable to rearing. 



The first indication of the approach 

 of a spawning operation will be the action 

 of the male in driving a gravid female. 

 Then it will be noted that she is swollen 

 with eggs, and that he exhibits the char- 

 acteristic tubercles or tiny spots on his 

 pectoral fins and gill-covers. Fancy gold- 

 fish are not usually bred in pairs. If the 

 fish are alike in size two males, or three 

 if the males are smaller, are used with 

 one female. This insures against.un fertile 

 eggs should one of the males become 

 exhausted before the female stops 

 spawning. The selected trio should be 

 placed in a small tub or a large enamel 

 dishpan, with three or four loose bunches 

 of Myriophyllum or an equal number of 

 water hyacinths with long, bushy roots. 

 Spawning may then be expected, and 

 usually occurs during the early morning 

 hours. The males drive the female per- 

 sistently through the plants, and with a 

 sinuous side-to-side movement they assist 

 in the expulsion of the eggs and fertilize 

 them. The eggs resemble tiny golden 



spheres, about the side of the head of an 

 ordinary pin. The fish should be re- 

 moved when they cease to drive. 



The eggs will hatch in a period vary- 

 ing from three to eight days, according 

 to the temperature of the water, which 



Calico Telescope Goldfish 

 A female about to spawn 

 Owned by George Wilt 



should be not less than 60 degrees. When 

 the fry appear they seem to be all head 

 and eyes, carrying a large ball on the 

 under side. This protuberance, seem- 

 ingly so disproportionate to the size of 

 the tiny creature, is the yolk-sac from 

 which the young fish absorbs its first 

 nourishment. This disappears in a few 

 days, and the youngster seeks the animal- 

 cules or infusorians now necessary. At 

 this stage of its career growth is rapid 



