SOME FRESHWATER AQUARIUM FISHES 



this use in the United States. Tenacious of life and easily reared in 

 shallow ponds of about 3 feet depth, of either spring or running water and 

 containing abundant plant life, its propagation should be encouraged be- 

 cause it is a very ornamental fish. It is of handsome form with rich sal- 

 mon-yellow color on the back and silvery white sides, and a very conspic- 

 uous inhabitant for the pond or basin as it has retained its habit of swim- 

 ming in schools and appears to be constantly in motion. 



Spawning takes place in April or May, the eggs, being about i-io 

 inch in diameter, adhere to the aquatic plants, on which they hatch in 5 or 

 6 days. Success in hatching depends upon an even temperature of about 

 56° F.; and should be conducted in shaded ponds. With a healthy plant 

 growth feeding need not be resorted to until the fry is a month old, when 

 they should be given a small quantity of cooked corn-meal mixed with flour 

 and boiled oatmeal, with an occasional ration of finely divided fish flesh, 

 bivalve, crayfish or other animal food. The young attain a length of 3 

 inches in six months, growing in natural waters to 12 to 15 inches in a 

 year and to a weight of i to i J^ pounds. In the aquarium the growth is 

 slow, not over an inch a year. 



The Golden Orfe is a beautiful aquarium inhabitant and is harmless to 

 goldfishes. For pond culture, on country estates, it is preferable to the 

 common goldfish, as its habits are more interesting. 



THE TENCH 



This handsome freshwater food fish. Tinea tinea, is one of the most 

 generally bred of the European pond fishes, especially in England, whither 

 it was introduced from the Continent, as it is not indigenous to the natural 

 waters of Great Britain. It has also been successfully cultivated in the 

 United States, the breeding fishes and fry having been distributed by the 

 U. S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries. 



It belongs to the carp family,(Cyprinidse)but diff^ersfrom the other mem- 

 bers of this numerous family both in body conformation and its very small 

 scales. All the fins have a rounded outline, the dorsal is without a spine and 

 the male possesses a thick outer ray on the ventrals which serves a sexual 

 purpose. The tench thrives best in enclosed preserved waters having a 

 clay or mud bottom with 

 abundant vegetation, is 

 extremely prolific and 

 grows to a weight of 3 

 and 4 pounds. It is a 

 food fish, the meat being 

 of a sweet and pleasant 

 flavor and it will thrive 



in any fresh water pond, fig. 42— Young GoUen Tench. Tinea auratu!. 



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