100 GOLDFISH VARIETIES AND 
the roost” will fight with their rivals as roosters in a barnyard. Dense 
vegetation and sufficient space are the best protection for weaker fish, and 
females which have just had young should be isolated for several days 
before being placed with their males, or they may be persecuted to death. 
With the exceptions of the species herein specified, most live-bearers will 
live together in harmony in a large aquarium. It is not good policy to 
keep Live-bearers, Egg-droppers (Barbus), Egg-layers (Oviparous 
Tooth-Carp) and Labyrinth fish all together. Such things can be done 
in very large aquaria but the weaker will soon show signs of persecution. 
N3 GROUP 
Members of this group are mostly the egg-laying Tooth-Carp, such 
as Haplochilus, Fundulus and Rivulus. These can be kept in large num- 
bers together, if of same size, but otherwise are best kept in pairs. The 
larger species such as H. sexfasciatus, Rubrostigma, &c., are best kept 
only with their own species as their tendency is generally warlike. They 
eat their own and other smaller species and individuals. Dense vegeta- 
tion and space are the best remedy. 
N4 GROUP 
Fish of this classification are more or less inclined to hunt trouble, 
but when kept in numbers together, each fish is afraid of a rear-attack 
from his fellows and consequently harmony prevails. This refers to the 
Labyrinth fish or Bubble-nest builders and is noticeably manifest among 
Paradise fish, Polyacanthus cupanus and dayi, Osphromenus, &c. The 
Dwarf gourami is remarkable for his peaceable and amiable nature but 
he is not entitled to undue credit on that account as it is more than likely 
that his shyness has much to do with his decent behavior. At breeding 
time he will attack his mate should she approach the nest containing eggs 
or young—but then she should be taken out anyhow and that rule applies 
to all Labyrinth fish. 
N5 GROUP 
Very large Goldfish and other members of the Carp family some- 
times eat their smaller brethren, but in the main they are peaceable and 
devoid of the combative element. Except for a scavenger fish or two 
it is better to keep highly developed goldfishes by themselves. 
N6 GROUP 
This group includes the most voracious species, such as the Cichlids, 
&c., which should be kept separately, even from their mates, except at 
breeding time and then large flower pots should be provided for shelter 
and no plants kept with fish. Large, ‘shallow aquaria and abundant clear 
water are requisite. 
