38 
ANIMAL CURIOSITIES 
beaked-fish, is a nest builder. By means of 
its sharp teeth it severs the stems of aquatic 
plants and constructs therewith a floating 
domicile measuring as much as four feet across. 
Within this shelter the young ones are born 
and pass the first three weeks of their lives. 
When fully grown the Gymnarchus attains to 
a length of six feet, or even more. 
Very remarkable nests are those made by 
the pretty little Chinese paradise-fish, the 
structures being composed of bubbles and 
mucus produced from the fishes’ mouths and 
formed into floating and bowl-shaped masses. 
After these fairy-like abodes have been com¬ 
pleted the males, which alone are responsible 
for their construction, collect the eggs laid by 
the females, seizing them in their mouths 
and placing them in the midst of the frothy 
mixture. 
They then stand guard over the ova, and 
from time to time blow fresh bubbles around 
them. Should any of the eggs happen to 
become detached from the nest, they are 
immediately replaced. 
The paradise-fish has long been domesticated 
in China, from whence it was introduced into 
Europe. It attains to a length of about three 
inches, possesses a large forked tail, and is 
very brightly coloured. Moreover, it is blessed 
