14 THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE, 
ponds are so located that the sun can warm them thoroughly—may 
grow six inches long in four months. As a general thing, however, 
the length reached in that time is trom two and a half to three 
inches. 
In connection with this may be mentioned that all the young of 
the same spawning do not grow at an equal rate, some few doubling 
the average size, while others fail to reach it. The latter are then 
known as dwarf goldfish, and are much in demand for small aquaria. 
Deformities occur oftener in this family of fishes than in any 
other. Specimens minus a dorsal, anal, or even caudal fin, are 
frequent; rarer are those destitute of scales or minus an‘eye or with 
a lob-sided mouth. 
From the habit of the goldfish to seek its nourishment on the 
bottom of the pond in which it lives, and to its careless sluggishuess. 
caused by its voracious appetite, the goldfish, especially in its 
younger days, falls the victim of innumerable enemies, 
In fact, so easy is it to destroy them, that anything else living in 
its company in the pond and of sufficient strength to master it, may 
be set down as its enemy. 
When arrived at maturity its peculiar mode of reproduction 
renders it a welcome prey to enemies that do not live in water. It 
is likewise subjected to diseases of various kinds, and considering all 
that, it may be said that it is a mere accident when goldfish multiply 
to any considerable extent without the protection of man, or that 
the circumstances under which they increased were exceptionally 
favorable. 
Goldfish have a good memory; they will soon learn to know 
their master, remember their feeding-place and time. They 
can be trained to good manners, as they are easily influenced 
by their surroundings, and good qualities of individuals can be 
perpetuated in their offspring. 
