Aquatic 
Lite 91 
proper conditions the goldfish will spawn 
at almost any time during the year, spring 
is the natural season, with the months 
from March to July: the most practical 
and favorable. Unsettled weather, fluc- 
tuating temperatures and the uncertainty 
of a continuous supply of live food for 
the young are serious drawbacks to 
earlier breeding. 
Young from eggs 
spawned later than July do not have a 
Sex Distinctions 
sufficiently long period of favorable 
growing weather before the advent of 
winter, so it is hardly worth while both- 
At this time the ex- 
perienced culturist is concentrating all 
exing with them. 
attention on the select from his earlier 
spawnings. 
To condition the fish for breeding they 
should be kept in as large an aquarium 
as possible, particular care being taken 
not to overcrowd. Where possible, have 
a little drip of water flowing constantly. 
If this cannot be arranged, a little fresh 
water added every day will help to stim- 
ulate them. Feed plenty of nourishing 
foods, such as Daphne, Enchytreids, raw 
chopped fish, the soft parts of oyster, 
fresh and dried shrimp, oatmeal and good 
prepared fish foods. Vary the diet as 
much as possible. The water tempera- 
ture should be over 60 degrees. From 
95 to 70 1s best for spring spawnings. 
Radical and rapid fluctuations in tem- 
perature must be avoided. If the room 
in which the aquarium is placed is not 
evenly heated at all hours, the aquarium 
should be covered with a piece of glass. 
It is surprising how even a temperature 
can be maintained in this way, but the 
cover should be removed during the day 
if the tank gets considerable direct sun- 
light, otherwise the water will become too 
warm while it is shining as compared 
with the night temperature. 
Within a few weeks the tubercles will 
begin to appear on the males, and the 
females will fill out as the roes develop. 
The males will begin to drive the females, 
in a rather perfunctory manner at first, 
but in earnest as the time for oviposition 
approaches. When this stage is reached 
the big event may happen any morning, 
and it behooves the owner to set the 
alarm clock for an early hour if he would 
Soon after dawn the males 
the female 
among the plants and butting her sides 
be present. 
drive furiously, forcing 
with their heads at every opportunity. 
When the first eggs are dropped the ex- 
citement of the males is intense. First 
they cease driving, stopping in their 
tracks to turn and hover over the spot. 
Spawning Net 
But after a moment they again give 
chase, often brushing her body with a 
peculiar sinuous movement as they fer- 
tilize the dropping eggs. If not inter- 
rupted the operation will continue for 
several hours, or until the males are ex- 
hausted, for the mere fact that the female 
has dropped all the ripe eggs is of no real 
concern to them, and it is quite possible 
for vigorous males to drive her long 
