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KTeetroplus Carpintis 



WALTER LAMNOT BRIMD, F. Z. 5. ! 



The illustration gives a good general 

 idea of the appearance of Neetroplus 

 carpintis; it is easily recognizable as a 

 cichlid and somewhat like Cichlasonia 

 nigrofasciatum. In fact the genus Nee- 

 troplus occupies a doubtful position. Its 

 claim as a valid genus, distinct from 

 Cichlasonia, rests upon certain incisor- 

 like teeth. Dr. Seth Eugene Meek, who 

 had opportunities to examine numerous 

 specimens, found that these teeth were 

 not always evident. So it will not be 

 surprising if we find the next ichthyolo- 

 gist who works over the cichlids placing 

 carpintis in Cichlasonia. 



From a standpoint of appearance, 

 which is of prime interest to the aquar- 

 ist, this cichlid is not unattractive. The 

 large, distinct pearly scales are scattered 

 sufficiently apart on the yellowish-olive 

 or bluish-olive ground color to make 

 them stand out in bold contrast. Younger 

 fish show dark vertical bars which dis- 

 appear with advancing age. These, how- 

 ever, as in all fishes of the family, are 

 more or less evanescent all the time. A 

 dark spot at the base of the tail, and 

 another on the body, are somewhat more 

 persistent. Sexual distinctions are much 

 as in others of this group. The males 

 are angular, with coarse mouths, and 

 acute dorsal and anal fins. The females 

 are more rotund, with fins blunt. During 

 the breeding season the males are much 

 brighter in color. 



If at any time you become the pos- 

 sessor of a pair of Neetroplus, don't 

 waste plants in the aquarium. Like our 

 boys of the Tank Corps, their slogan, as 



far as perfectly good plants are con- 

 cerned, is to "treat 'em rough." They will 

 assiduously uproot every shoot. This, of 

 course, is incidental to clearing up pre- 

 paratory to breeding. 



This cichlid is a large fish, reaching a 

 length in nature of twelve inches, though 

 in the aquarium one-half this size will 

 be a big one. It follows that a large, 



Neetroplus carpintis 



shallow tank should be supplied for 

 breeding. In it should be placed several 

 large stones or a flower pot laid on the 

 side. On either, according to the desires 

 of the pair, the adhesive eggs will he laid 

 in a cluster and carefully guarded until 

 they hatch. This being successfully con- 

 summated, the fry will be removed to a 

 hole previously excavated in the sand, 

 where they will be kept clean and free 

 from debris by the parents, who care- 

 fully keep the water in circulation about 

 them by means of the constantly-moving 

 pectoral fins. With the absorption of the 

 yolk-sac the fry reach the free-swimming 

 stage, and move about in a shoal, guarded 

 by the parents, in search of microscopic 

 live food. During breeding activities, 

 and for the young for some time there- 



