204 Fresh Water Aquarium 



and energetic waving of the fins, cause a 

 current of water to pass through the nest 

 and over its contents. 



After about two weeks the young appear, 

 but even now the care of the male does not 

 end. If some of the helpless little fish es- 

 cape, or tumble from the nest, he will care- 

 fully gather them in his mouth and bring 

 them back to safety. As soon as the young 

 are strong enough to leave the nest and 

 shift for themselves, the male should be re- 

 moved, as it may happen that he will feed 

 on his own offspring. The latter in the first 

 few clays will exist on the infusorians found 

 on the plants. Later a few drops of meat 

 juice may be given, to be followed", after the 

 fish are stronger, by meat very finely scraped 

 or by an artificial fish food, of which we 

 speak in the chapter on the feeding of the 

 inmates of the aquarium. No matter what 

 the food, it should be given sparingly, so 

 that nothing remains unabsorbed to pollute 

 the water. 



