162 



aquatic JLitt 



It is possible to raise a few youngsters 

 in a densely planted aquarium with the 

 parents, but if reasonable numbers are 

 desired, either the parents or the eggs 

 must be removed to another vessel. Or 

 the eggs may be saved by using a frame 

 of glass rods or tubes made to fit the tank 

 snugly, the rods a sufficient distance 



Spawning Tank for Danio 

 Showing Frame in Position 



apart to permit the eggs to pass be- 

 tween. No crevices between the frame 

 and the sides of the tank should exist, as 

 the fish might manage to make their way 

 to the "forbidden ground" below. When 

 spawn is observed upon the bottom, the 

 frame should be taken out and the eggs 

 removed to a hatching vessel, using a dip- 

 tube to gather them. 



The sense of pain is very feeble among 

 fishes. A trout has been known to bite 

 at its own eye, placed on a hook. Similar 

 insensibility has been noted in the pike 

 and other fishes. — Jordan. 



Christy. — "The alligator can go six 

 months without eating." 



Long Locks. — "Just the pet for a 



poet." 



♦■ 



Keep thy shop open and advertise in 

 Aquatic Life, and thy shop will keep 

 thee. 



Geophagus Jurupari 



ERNEST LEITHOLF 



Like the other species of the genus 

 known to the aquarian, Geophagus juru- 

 pari comes from South America, and is 

 found in the pools and small lakes of the 

 Amazon region. The fish seems to have 

 been confusing to the ichthyologists. 

 Schomburgk classified it as Geophagus 

 bucostictus, Gunther called it Scatono- 

 perca leucosticta, while others have 

 thought it identical with Geophagus 

 surinamensis. The natives call it Juru- 

 pari Pinda, meaning "Devil's Angle." 



Mandee, in his Year Book for 191 1, 

 describes it and assumes that its habits 

 are similar to those of the others of the 





Geophagus jurupari 

 genus. Apparently it had not been bred 

 in captivity up to that time, and indeed 

 I have not been able to find any refer- 

 ence to its habits in more recent works. 

 That analogy is dangerous will become 

 apparent in my next paragraph. The fish 

 lacks attractive colors, and has the 

 vicious temperament of its relatives, 

 hence is not apt to enjoy a great degree 

 of popularity. Its breeding habits are 

 decidedly peculiar, however, and for this 

 reason it is well worth observation. 



Give this Geophagus a roomy aqua- 

 rium, several inches of sand, a flat stone 

 or two, and the proper warmth, about 75 

 degrees Fahrenheit, and its fancy is very 

 apt to turn to thoughts of love. This 

 being consummated, its peculiar habits 



