The Inhabitants of the Aquarium 189 



are the Macropodes. During mating time 

 it surpasses the Macropodes in the beauty 

 and richness of its wedding dress. The 

 dominating color of its nuptial garb is a 

 warm reddish brown with a bronze luster. 

 From seven to nine oblique cross bars of 

 a dark metallic bluish green are spread along 

 each side, forming a very fine contrast with 

 the darker color. The belly is bright silver 

 colored with brown dots and rings. The 

 two ventral threads are orange red, the dor- 

 sal, anal and cauda 1 fins are steel blue with 

 white and orange borders, while the pectoral 

 fins have a velvety black eye spot. The 

 eyes are red or golden yellow. During the 

 winter the whole coloring of the fish fades 

 to such an extent, that the stripes and other 

 markings are barely perceptible. 



To be successful with the Gourami, the 

 aquarium should be well provided with veg- 

 etation and the temperature of the water 

 should not be too low. As soon as the tem- 

 perature sinks lower than is good for the 



