Fish-Hatching in the Aquarium 323 



its height. Now the male fish selects a 

 site for the nest, the future home and 

 nursery, which is usually a safe corner in 

 the aquarium, where the stems and leaves 

 of the aquatics offer a hiding place. The 

 nest itself consists of an accumulation of air 

 mixed with the rather sticky saliva of the 

 male and forming a fairly substantial mass. 

 Frequently, and if not prevented by leaves, 

 it will appear slightly above the surface of 

 the water. As soon as the nest is completed 

 and usually early in the morning, the spawn- 

 ing will take place. It frequently happens 

 that some of the spawn sinks to the bottom 

 of the aquarium. This is carefully gathered 

 in the mouth of the male and transferred 

 to the nest. The female, thoroughly ex- 

 hausted by her part in the work of propaga- 

 tion, rests and tries to hide between the plants 

 and stones of the aquarium, but the male, 

 who is henceforth the sole and only guardian 

 of the nest and its precious contents, seems 

 to ignore or forget his previous relations 



