Aquatic Lite 55 
years ago they were so plentiful in one 
of the prairie towns that, at night just 
after a rain, women refused to walk to 
the railroad station, where they were to 
be found by the thousand under the big 
are lights. ‘They were attracted by the 
lights, or, what is more probable, the in- 
sects that fell to the ground from about 
them. Just across from the station was 
a marshy piece of ground, and this was 
probably their breeding haunt, as they 
disappeared never to return as soon as 
the place was drained. 
Personally we have never used the 
water dog as a table delicacy, but others 
report the flavor excellent. This species 
and one closely related were esteemed 
for their flavor in several towns of Old 
Mexico, not only by the peons, but by 
the cultured of direct Castillian descent. 
The name of water dog very likely came 
from the sound they emit as they expell 
the vitiated air at the surface, and take 
a fresh supply, but it takes one with 
good powers of imagination to construe 
the sound into the bark of a dog. 
Haplochilus Latipes 
C. ARTHUR ORR 
The Japanese Medaka, Haplochilus la- 
tipes, is probably the most inoffensive 
species in the genus, at least insofar as 
they are known to the aquarian. It is 
timid, but not shy, and lacks the vora- 
ciousness of some of its relatives. ‘Two 
distinct color forms, yellow and gray- 
ish-blue, are usually to be had. They 
readily interbreed, which probably ex- 
plains the so-called “checkered” va- 
rieties. 
No egg-laying fish is more easily bred, 
nor in smaller confines. The eggs are 
extruded from the oviduct and carried 
for some hours suspended from the anal 
region of the female in a cluster resemb- 
ling a bunch of tiny golden grapes. Later 
they are attached singly to the plants by 
a tiny filament. I have not witnessed 
this transfer, nor have I been able to 
ascertain when fertilization is effected. 
The eggs are comparatively large, soon 
become “eyed,” and will hatch in twelve 
to fourteen days. 
Breeding can be carried on in a battery 
of quart preserving jars, merely placing 
in each a few stems of Myriophyllum or 
Anacharis. Several jars will be needed 
for each pair of fish. When eggs are ob- 
served on the female, the transferance 
The Medaka F Courtesy Pacific Goldfish Co 
to the plants may be expected momen- 
tarily and, when accomplished, the fish 
should be placed in another jar. Drop a 
pinch of Taubles’ Infusoria Compound 
in the jar with the eggs, and when the 
young appear the infusorians will be 
present to furnish the food needed to 
carry them through the critical period. 
The tiniest Daphne should follow when 
the babies appear to be large enough to 
consume them, and if this be unobtain- 
able, use powdered dry shrimp and pre- 
pared foods. Imported wild specimens 
will reach a length of an inch and a half, 
but those bred in aquaria are usually 
much smaller. 
(Haplochilus, single or simple lip; 
latipes, broad or wide foot, having ref- 
erence to the anal fin). 
———— 
In most aquaria a frequent removal of 
all sediment is wise. The sand will re- 
main “sweet” for a longer period. 
—»—>__. 
When transferring fishes from one 
aquarium to another be sure the tem- 
perature of both is alike. 
