riSHES. 



129 



Tench, either the Golden or the Common, will increase 

 very rapidly in suitable ponds. Two males should be allowed 

 to each female. The males are distinguished from the females 

 by the large size of their ventral fins. The mouth of 

 the Tench is blunt, very leathery, toothless, and possesses a 

 small barbel at each corner. The scales are very small, and 

 are covered with a thick mucus. The dorsal fin is just 

 opposite -the ventral fin. The former and the anal fin are 

 without bony rays. The tail fin varies in form according 

 to the age of the fish, being at first concave, then truncate, 

 and finally convex. The colour of the Tench, which is really 



Fig. 97. Carp-Bream (Abramis bbama). 



very beautiful when closely examined, is difficult to describe. 

 Perhaps the most approximate description is dark green 

 and golden. The lips are fiesh coloured, and the fins darker 

 than the body. The Tench does not often exceed 61b. in 

 weight, or 18in. in length. 



Both the Common and the Golden Tench may be readily 

 bought in London — ^the former, when small, for about 4!d. 

 each, and the latter for about 2s. 



The Carp-Bream {Ahramis hrama.) (Fig. 97) is rather a good- 

 looking fish, but it is not so easy to keep in health in an 

 aquarium as any of the fish already mentioned. It should 

 be obtained when young, and placed in a tank which presents 



K 



