118 



NATIVE FISHES 



attack any living thing that approaches. Different species probably 

 vary somewhat in details of breeding habits. An English authority 

 claims that in Nature the male persuades as many females as possible 



Fig. 118. The Stickleback (Enlarged tivicc) 



to deposit their eggs in his nest. The Stickleback is well known as 

 an aquarium fish, but it should not be kept with other fishes. It 

 prefers to eat chopped salt clams or oysters. 



FEEDING WILD FISHES 



The majority of native fishes when first subjected to captivity 

 are timid, shy or resentful. Disturb them as little as possible for sev- 

 eral days until the}' have grown into the confidence that they are in 

 the hands of friends. Try feeding with small bits of tempting pre- 

 pared fishfoods, small earthworms, white worms (see page 140), 

 particles of canned shrimp or such other food as would seem to be 

 particularly attractive to the kind of fish in question. If everything 

 else fails it will be found that nearly all small fishes will eat live 

 daphnia (figure 120). 



A very good practice is to place new wild fish with suitable 

 domesticated ones. They will then learn new ways and to eat new 

 foods surprisingly soon. 



