52 BREEDING GOLDFISHES ^^^^^^^ 



pools about a cattle yard are particularly favorable to infusoria and 

 rotifera, but, of course, if the water is very dark it should be used 

 sparingly. This sort of food should be used for about ten days to 

 two weeks. Illustrations Nos. 93 to 96 show types of this living food, 

 but one does not need to be very particular as to the exact form. In 

 general, anything alive that is too small to be well seen by the naked 

 eye, but which is visible under an ordinary magnifying glass, will 

 answer the purpose. Collection can be made with nets of fine bolting 

 cloth. If green water can be had, some of it should be put in with 

 the young fish. It contains vegetable matter of value to very small 

 fry. After the fry have noticeably increased in size they should be fed 

 young daphnia which have been screened through a fine wire tea 

 strainer. As size increases, feed full-size daphnia. (See page 134.) 



In instances where it is not possible to secure living food for rais- 

 ing young fish they may be started on rice flour, yellow of egg forced 

 through bolting cloth or fishfood reduced to a powder and sifted 

 through cheese-cloth. As they increase in size an excellent diet is the 

 paste from boiled oatmeal after straining through muslin or cheese- 

 cloth. Powdered shrimp or codfish as described on page 129 can be 

 added to the oatmeal to advantage. This oatmeal diet had best be 

 fed in a miniature fish globe, bowl or deep saucer submerged in the 

 tank. Scrambled egg with a little Cream of Wheat or Cream of Bar- 

 ley cooked in it makes one of the best substitutes for live food, to be 

 used after the babies are six weeks old. 



Whether fed on living or prepared food, young goldfish should be 

 fed very liberally. They will eat more than their own bulk in a day. 

 This is essential to securing large, strong fish of good constitution. 

 They eat almost constantly. It is better to feed several times daily 

 than to put in a whole da3f's supply at one time. With prepared food 

 it is liable to foul the water with long standing and too many daphnia 

 introduced at one time exhaust the oxygen in the water. This lack 

 of oxj'gen retards growth and may produce suffocation. 



Forcing Growth. Contrary to previous theories, numbers of our 

 leading breeders now use a drip of water in the tanks with young fish 

 over one month old. In many cases this plan seems to produce 

 remarkable growth. The use of an ordinary overflow in this connec- 

 tion is inadvisable, particularly if outdoors, as a heavy downpour of 

 rain is liable to carry off the small fish. If the tank used has an over- 

 flow pipe, a large wire guard covered with cheesecloth will answer the 

 purpose, but the cloth should be renewed occasionally, as the water 

 rots the fabric. If fish are in a tub, a good drain can be made by 

 placing a two-inch strip of stiff felt around the top. Secure the felt 



