176 GOLDFISH VARIETIES AND 
MYRIOPHYLLUM 
Here we have another plant which at first looks well in the aquarium 
but which deteriorates rapidly. It has, however, a strong redeeming 
feature, the very finely divided hair-like leaves being ideal for receiving 
the spawn of goldfishes. For this purpose it has grown more and more 
into favor. It is used either in the bunches as they are sold, or made into 
a spawning-ring as shown on page 51. As a spawn-receiving plant it 
has one advantage over Water Hyacinth in that the individual pieces may 
be spread out so as to give all the eggs a similiar amount of sun, whereas 
with Hyacinth one side is usually much more protected than the other, 
making the eggs hatch at different times. Before using Myriophyllum 
to spawn on it should be well washed off by moving it about in clear 
water, being careful to remove all insects, snails and snail eggs. When 
spawning is finished the plant had as well be thrown away. 
There are a number of generally distributed species throughout 
America, all having the same general characteristics, but some are better 
than others as “spawning grass” on account of clo,-~ and longer leaves. 
They are all popularly known as Water Milfoil. 
Myriophyllum verticillatum. This is the best American species and 
is found in both shallow and deep ponds throughout the United States 
and Lower Canada. Its leaves are dense and crowded, making an excel- 
lent spawning plant. J. nietschei is a cultivated variety of the same, the 
leafy filaments developing from 114 to 3 inches in length. 
Myriophyllum proserpinacoides or Parrot’s Feather is a partially sub- 
merged form which should be allowed to creep on the surface of the 
water, where its blue-green, feathery leaves display a charm exclusively 
their own. Does well in the greenhouse or established on the edges of 
partially shaded lakes, where it becomes very robust and looks strikingly 
beautiful. The roots are not winter-killed. On account of growing so 
rapidly it requires too much attention in a small aquarium. 
CERATOPHYLLUM 
Hornwort, as it is generally known, is mentioned here on account of 
its resemblance to Myriophyllum, for which it is sometimes gathered. It 
is an extremely poor aquarium plant, being very brittle and liable to rapid 
decomposition. Besides its characteristic of being fragile it may also be 
recognized by having practically no roots, absorption taking place in 
the leaves. 
It is found principally in ponds and slow moving streams, where it 
washes about freely with the current. 
