SOME FRESHWATER AQUARIUM FISHES 



Many of the readily obtainable native freshwater fishes, and some of 

 the foreign forms, make interesting aquarium inhabitants, living in perfect 

 amity with and harmless to goldfishes. There are others, however, which 

 are best kept by themselves ; but all serve as interesting studies to the lover 

 of fluvial life in the household. These will be described, together with 

 the methods for their care and maintenance, beginning with the nest-builders 

 and following with the ordinary pond and river fishes. Mention of a 

 good part of the freshwater Ichthyic fauna is omitted, these being forms 

 that cannot be kept alive in smaller aquaria. 



THE INDIAN PARADISE FISH 



This beautiful and interesting aquarium fish, Macropodus veneitrus, 

 is most singular and curious in all its habits. In the Orient, it is bred 

 for the same purpose as the game chicken and contests are arranged upon 

 which considerable sums are often staked. This fish is of such a belliger- 

 ent disposition that the males will attack each other, and also their mates 

 out of the breeding season, the strong lips and sharp teeth being formid- 

 able weapons with which fatal wounds are inflicted. 



The appearance of the fish is novel, the curious form, brilliant 

 markings, evasive colors and marvelous fins and tail, diff^ering from any 

 other domesticated fish. In the breeding season the males are of lustrous, 



dark olive-green color, 

 overlaid with fleeting, 

 prismatic color flashes 

 which seem to be under 

 control of the fish. The 

 fins and tail are outlined 

 with most brilliant red, 

 yellow and brown. The 

 females are lighter in 

 color and of a more grey- 

 ish or light-brown hue, 

 which becomes a greyish-white during the breeding period, and all the fins 

 are shorter and more rounded than those of the males. The illustration, 

 Fig. 2S^ ^^ *^^ male of the domesticated variety, Macropodus viridi-auratus, 

 in nuptual garb. 



The Paradise Fish is easily reared and prolific, and will thrive in any 



FIG. 35 — Indian Paradise Fish 

 Macropodus viridi-auraius Two-thirds life size 



