SOME FRESHWATER AQUARIUM FISHES 



The Golden Carp, Cyprinus carpio aureus, is an albino form of the 

 Scaled Carp, atone time extensively bred in Germany for ornamental pur- 

 poses but has been largely superseded by the Common goldfish. 



The Crusian Carp, Carassius carassius. Fig. 45 is a variable form 

 closely related to Cyprinus carpio and differs somewhat in form and in the 

 absence of barbels. It is a shorter fish of more hunch-backed appearance. 

 Its habits are also similar to the common carp, and it will live in localities 

 wherein the impurities are sufficient to destroy most other of the fresh- 

 water fishes. It is con- 

 sidered to have been the 

 form from which the 

 goldfish, Carassius aura- 

 tus, was derived, this fish 

 being of Chinese and 

 Corean origin and ex- 

 traction. Other forms 

 of the Crusian Carp are 



FIG. 45- Young Crusian Carp, Caras^im carassius Q moks, C. gibelio, C. 



oblongus and C. humilis, all variations produced by domestication, selection 

 and breeding. 



Small specimens of all the Carp breeds make interesting aquarium 

 fishes. In 1877, and for some years thereafter, attempts were 

 made to generally introduce the Scaled and Leather Carp in the United 

 States, as their easy propagation recommended them for regions remote 

 from a supply of better-flavored fishes, but the results were not satisfac- 

 tory and in the past years the attempt has been abandoned. The introduction 

 of carp into many streams is now forbidden by acts of state legislation. 



All carp will excavate the banks of ponds in search for food which 

 consists of the tender shoots and roots of aquatic plants and the tiny ento- 

 mostraca and insects of fresh water, for which it burrows into the mud 

 and the banks of streams and ponds. In the aquarium it will thrive on 

 goldfish foods. The carp is destructive to the spawn of other fishes. 



THE TESSELLATED DARTER 



The Tessellated Darter, Boleosoma nigrum ohmstedi. Fig. 46 is a most 

 singular and beautifully marked small fish of belligerent habits. The 

 name is derived from its habit of lying motionless on the bottom of clear 

 streams and suddenly springing upon its prey with marvelous rapidity. 

 In the aquarium it is best kept with such freshwater fishes as are able to 



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