628 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIIL 
The File-fishes {Balislidoe), the Spinetails {Acanthurns spp.) and the Puffers 
(Tetrodontidm), form other attractive exhibits either because of the beauty of 
their colouring or the curious form assumed. Small electric rays, (Narcine 
indica and N. hrunnea), are generally present to give sharp little shocks to 
visitors bold enough to handle them. 
Both the two local Cichlid fishes, Etroplus suratensis and E. maculatiis, 
remarkable for their adaptability to life either in salt or in fresh-water, are 
represented in the collection. The former, which may appropriately be termed 
the Pearl-spot, grows to a marketable size and has an excellent flavour ; it is 
assuming considerable economic importance in Madras for these reasons in the 
scheme now being put into force for the restocking of inland tanks with a better 
class of fish. Both species have peculiar nest-building habits, their eggs being 
adhesive and deposited on the under side of stones and logs in shallow waters. 
The Pearl-spot breeds equally well in fresh and brackish water and is altogether 
a remarkable and valuable species. 
Fig. 5. — The FenA-spot (Etrnplus iurziemis). 
Quite a number of the fishes have lived for many years in the aquarium tanks > 
notably several sea-perches of the genus Serranus. Three of these have lived 
in the aquarium between 10 and 11 years, having been brought in quite small, 
soon after the building was opened. Their growth has been considerable and 
now they must weigh from 20 to 25 lbs. each. They furnish living evidence 
of the healthy conditions prevailing in the tanks for their condition is perfect 
and any injuries received when fighting — they snap viciously at each other on 
occasion — heal rapidly and completely. 
Fig. 6. — A commoii Cat-fish (^Plotiisus caniiis'). 
