CHAPTER XX. 
‘Knowledge is power.” 
THE ENEMIES OF THE GOLDFISH 
It has been stated elsewhere in these pages that the raising of 
goldfish consists largely in the protection of them against their 
enemies, and to make the defense most effective it is essential that 
we know something about the transgressors, for by being acquainted 
with them and their habits, we can more intelligently combat them. 
For this end the author has described them in the following lines, 
adding to those that are less familiar to the general reader, an outline 
of their natural history and viewing them in the successive stages, 
during which they endanger the life of the fish. : 
Before beginning the description of insects, however, it is proper 
to say that the spawn of the goldfish immediately after its deposition, 
is sought for by other fish and devoured, the spawners themselves 
also engaging in this nefarious practice. Those eggs that have 
escaped the notice of the fish are consumed by various smaller 
enemies, foremost among which is 
THE COMMON POND SNAIL, 
(Lymnea fragilis. ) 
which devours them. 
THE WATER ASELL. 
(Asellus aquaticus.) 
This little creature, of which the accompanying illustration gives a 
good idea, is a crustacean, not more than one-half of an inch 
RQ 
