324 Fresh Water Aquarium 



with his mate and treats her like a com- 

 mon intruder, persecuting her in the most 

 vicious manner. It is therefore advisable 

 to remove her, so as to leave the male in 

 undisputed possession and care of the nest 

 and its surroundings. Under favorable 

 conditions we may, after two days, perceive 

 the very small young fishes. They remain 

 in the nest. Should one or the other have 

 the misfortune to tumble out, the careful 

 father will gather it in its mouth and bring 

 it back into the safe shelter of the nest. 

 This process has been misinterpreted by 

 some observers, who accuse the certainly 

 conscientious parent of feeding on his own 

 offspring. After from eight to ten days the 

 young fishes, often to the number of from 

 one to three hundred, begin to leave the nest. 

 In the beginning and as long as only a few 

 of the most daring little fishes desert the 

 sheltering confines, the male tries to drive 

 or carry them back. Soon, however, a gen- 

 eral and not to be prevented exodus takes 



