322 Fresh Water Aquarium 



considerable changes one way or the other 

 will always destroy all or most of the very 

 tender and sensitive little fishes. 



Paradise Fish (Macropodus viridi-auratus) . 

 To have these fishes spawn a small aqua- 

 rium will be found sufficient, but if pos- 

 sible no vessel should contain more than one 

 pair and plenty of vegetation should be pro- 

 vided. It is very interesting to observe the 

 courtship, the constructing of the nest and 

 the care and devotion bestowed upon the 

 eggs and the rather helpless newly hatched 

 fishes. During June and July after the 

 water has been thoroughly warmed, the 

 courtship of the Paradise fish begins. The 

 beautiful colors gain considerably in inten- 

 sity and the points of the fins appear to grow 

 longer. The male fish spreads his fins and 

 swims around the female in graceful curves, 

 caressing her with parts of his body and 

 touching her with his mouth. After a while 

 the female will respond to these advances 

 and then the very interesting love-play is at 



