Io THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. 
They may sometimes have a divided tail, giving to them, if viewed 
from behind, the shape of a reversed letter ‘‘ Y,” 
The size of the goldfish varies according to the locality in which 
they are raised, and the circumstances surrounding them, it being 
possible for them to attain a length of eighteen inches and a height 
of six inches. It is said that they may live to be a hundred years 
old, but this may be an exaggeration. 
Goldfish enjoy a warm temperature, in bodies of water without 
a current; just such water as ponds afford suit them best, though 
they will make themselves at home in streams and multiply exceed- 
ingly. They are very hardy, and thrive well under circumstances 
that would be fatal to many other fish, this quality particularly 
adapting them for life in the aquarium, specimens having been 
successfully kept in this way, in good condition and health, from ten 
to sixteen years. So far as food is concerned, the goldfish will feed 
upon almost all kinds of vegetable matter, insects, worms, etc., even 
preying upon small fish, and devouring its own spawn and young. 
The food is taken in by a sucking motion of the lips; the mouth 
being toothless, as in all carps, the mastication is accomplished by a 
few bony tubercles situated in the throat. 
In the spring or summer following the one in which they were 
‘ hatched, goldfish attain their maturity. The size of the fish has 
nothing whatever to do with the ability to spawn, though a large fish 
will deposit more eggs than a small one. As an instance, goldfish 
one inch in length, nine months old, spawned in an aquarium kept 
in a parlor; all the eggs hatched and the young grew up. In the 
spring of that year, when the temperature of the water rises above 
60° F., they become lively and vivacious, losing all timidity and 
precaution, so that they easily fall a prey to their many enemies. 
Two, three or more male fish follow a female, chasing her to 
some shallow place where there is an abundance of water-plants. 
