70 GOLDFISH VARIETIES AND 
NATIVE AQUARIUM FISHES 
It seems to be human nature, especially in America, to assume that 
the best things come from distant lands—the more distant, the better. In 
this search for the rare and interesting we are apt to overlook excellent 
material close at hand. There are many handsome native fishes admirably 
adapted to aquarium purposes. They are easily managed, tenacious of 
life, varied in habits and easily tamed. Those who have made collections 
of our own fishes have found much pleasure in this form of the aquarium 
hobby. 
THE RED-BELLIED DACE 
Chrosomus erythrogaster, not exceeding a length of three inches is 
one of the most satisfactory of hardy aquarium inhabitants. During the 
breeding season the belly, mouth and base of the dorsal fin of the males 
Fic. 51. Rep-Bettiep Dace (Life size) 
are bright red. There are two black lateral lines on the sides, separated 
by a band of pale gold, so that even when not in breeding colors, the 
Red-Bellied Dace is an individual of attractive appearance. It is per- 
fectly harmless, will eat any prepared food and is of active habits. 
Native to the small streams of the Middle West. They are believed to 
be community breeders requiring large space. The author placed six of 
them in a 3 x 5 foot tank in May and several months later took out 30 
well developed young, but the breeding was not observed. 
Owing to their extreme agility it is necessary to catch the wild stock 
in a minnow seine, operated by two persons. 
