

Chapter Five 





Wholesale Breeding 





With the rapidly growing demand for aquarium fishes there is 

 no reason why, with the proper facilities, one should not make a com- 

 fortable living from the breeding of goldfishes and other fancy kinds. 

 Good water, plenty of room, moderate taxes, ample shipping facilities 

 and thorough experience in fish culture are all prime requisites. 

 Climatic conditions must be carefully considered. The weather should 

 be settled by May 15 and continue moderately warm until early Octo- 

 ber. Localities where the nights are cold or the days excessively hot 

 are not suitable. States in the same temperature belt as Maryland 

 and Virginia are particularly advantageous, although it is by no means 

 to be said that success cannot be had elsewhere. Farmers in many 

 localities are turning otherwise unprofitable land both into goldfish 

 and foodfish ponds. In the latter branch several of the State Fish 

 Hatcheries are giving encouragement and practical help. 



It is not necessary to have an expensive establishment in order to 

 succeed, but certain natural advantages, besides those already men- 

 tioned, are of importance. If one has a good spring, clay-bottom soil 

 and ground that lends itself readily to a series of pools that will drain 

 from one to another, a start can be made with reasonable chances of 

 success. Figure number 52 will give a good general idea of an inex- 

 pensive layout. The water runs from springhouse to a tempering 

 pond, where the water becomes more heated by the air and sun. It 

 also absorbs oxygen, for in this element spring water is apt to be lack- 

 ing. Where no tempering pool is used it is advisable to arrange small 

 waterfalls if there is sufficient drop. Even two or three inches is bet- 

 ter than none. From the tempering pond the water is run through a 

 series of sluices into the rearing ponds. As the fishes develop, some 

 will grow much more rapidly than others. In order to prevent these 

 from devouring their smaller fellows, they must constantly be sorted 

 out, particularly in the first several weeks. These larger ones can be 

 placed to advantage in the two long pools shown in illustration, using 



