THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOLDFISH 



Where the breeding is done in protected tanks, in the open air, it has been 

 proven that better results are obtained by delay than by forcing, as these 

 later fishes often outstrip the earlier ones in size and number of survivals 

 at the selling season, which is usually after the month of September; but 

 late spawnings are not advisable, as the young must then be carried over 

 the winter. 



The age as well as the probable maturity of the goldfish cannot always 

 be determined by the size, the rate of growth not only varying with the 

 individual but is also greatly influenced by the conditions under which it is, 

 or has been, kept. When the surroundings are nearest the natural, growth 

 and development are most rapid ; indoors and in the small aquarium the 

 conditions of existence are artificial and unnatural and may considerably 

 stunt, dwarf or arrest development ; but when transferred to larger tanks 

 or basins in the open air, the growth is often surprisingly rapid, the in- 

 crease in size being usually greater in a few weeks than during previous 

 months in the aquarium or greenhouse. 



The size, however, does not impair the fecundity of the fishes as 

 those of small size and but eight (8) months old will spawn, though,naturally, 

 developing less and apparently smaller eggs than the larger more robust 

 fishes. Some individuals of the imported varieties are dwarfs and never 

 attain a size over three inches; these are particularly desirable for small 

 aquaria. They are fertile and breed as well as larger fishes. Aquarium 

 rearing almost always dwarfs the fishes, but they are usually of finer appear- 

 ance than those reared in the pond, for reasons already given. 



Under favorable conditions, the goldfish attains to maturity during 

 the spring and summer following that in which it was hatched, and large, 

 vigorous fishes will spawn 1500 to aooo eggs in a season. It has been 

 established that fishes of the finer toy breeds under two years old have 

 more rounded fins than older fishes, whereby their age may be determined. 

 Also that fishes under four years old are the best for breeding, producing 

 a larger number and more robust young. 



Though, as stated, any well-lighted room will serve for the culture of 

 the goldfish, especially a properly constructed and equipped greenhouse, 

 having out-of-doors facilities for the young fishes, on a mercantile basis the 

 industry is usually conducted in the open air, either in specially equipped 

 hatching and rearing establishments or in basins and pools fitted for the 

 purpose. There are a number of small and larger plants of this kind in 

 the Eastern Section of the United States, principally devoted to the cul- 

 ture of the common goldfish; but some of the breeders have turned their 

 attention to the more profitable industry of rearing the finer breeds and 



