THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOLDFISH 



such as have been kept in outdoor tanks and basins in favorable weather 

 but which must be otherwise accommodated during the rigors of cold 

 weather. The best success is had when fine fishes are kept only about 

 four months in household aquaria, after which they should be placed out- 

 of-doors. 



FIG. 63 Plan of Grotto at the Central Station of the Fish Commission, at Washington, D. C. 



The ordinary goldfish will survive out-of-doors, if the ice is broken 

 to admit air. The tanks should be of sufficient depth so as not to freeze 

 solid, and straw or other materials should be packed about them for protec- 

 tion. A board cover, with straw spread over it, should also be provided, to 

 moderate the cold. An approved method is to permit an inch of ice to 

 form, after which a hole should be cut and sufficient water removed to 

 make a space of two inches between the ice and the water, and the hole 

 closed with a cloth and a board. If the sides are protected, the cold will 

 not cause a further freezing, and the air space will prevent suffiacation. 

 The top of the tank may also be covered, after which the fishes will be in 

 comfort until the advent of spring. Feeding is only necessary at long 

 intervals. 



The fine breeds should be wintered in a greenhouse or in the cellar. 

 Tanks or similar vessels will serve, but the best receptacles are fibre wash- 

 tubs. These should be set upon supports near a window, for occasional 

 ventilation, but no plants introduced unless the light is such that they 

 will grow. The fishes should have ample water, five gallons per fish, if 

 possible, and once a week a pail or two of water should be siphoned from 

 the bottom around the edges, where the excrement will accumulate, and a 

 like quantity of fresh water added, which has been moderated in tempera- 

 ture. Feeding should be light, once a week, and but a small quantity of 

 nutritious food given.' Fishes so wintered will remain in fine condition. 



