MALAYAN PISHES. 41 



The male fish are kept in bottles separately, and when in a state- 



.of quiet they are dull lookin.a- little fish, but if two bottles be 



broutjht toirether, the little creatures become greatly excited and 



the raised fins and whole body shine "with bright metallic colours of 



dazzling beauty, 



If two male fish are then placed together they fight like terriers. 

 When fighting they utter a curious ringing note which founds like 

 " Kring Kring " and probably this accounts for anotlier name- 

 by which they are known viz. Ikan karing. 



The Kepar (Pohjacanflius ha.sseltii) is another beautiful little 

 fish and quite common in brackish swamps and ponds. 



This fish Iia; been bred in confinement by Chinese, probably for 

 centuries, and is known as the Paradise fish to aquarium owners 

 in Europe. In its native element, in dark or muddy water, it is 

 of rather a drab brown colour but if kept in a bowl in clear water, 

 it ha- a beautiful golden colour with red transverse bands. 



CORAL FISHES. 



(POMACEA'TRIDAE.) 



This family resembles the C'iiaetodoxtidae (Coral Pishes) in 

 form and mode of life, likewise in tlie brilliant colouration. For 

 this reason I have aj^plied the same English name in the absence 

 of any other for this particular family. 



Over ISO species are known. iSome 30 species are described in 

 Day's Pishes of India and probably the family is better rej^resented 

 in Malayan than in Indian waters. 



As the names Inggu and Qombing shew, the Malays include- 

 Chaetodoxtidae and PoMACEXxiiiDAE in one family and curiously 

 enough, the scaly-finned fishes (Chaetodoxtidae) resemble the 

 PoMACEXTiiiDAE SO closely that in some instances actually the same 

 colouration and markings are common to memljers of the two 

 families. This, as remarked by Dr. ({unther, is one of many in- 

 stances shewing that the colouration of animals depends to a great 

 extent on their mode of life and natural surroundings. 



From an edible point of view they are not of much economic 

 importance but all specimens brought to the markets seem to find 

 ready jjurchasers. 



"WRASSES" OR PARROT FISHES. 



(LABRIDAE.) 



The "'WraSiSes" form a large family of most brillianltly 

 coloured marine fisbes, inhabiting all the tropical and temperate 

 coasts. 



Their regime is partially herbivorous, partially carnivorous. 

 About 400 species are known. 



■Some of the members of this family have been observed to^ 

 build nests for the protection of their eggs and young. 



