File:The complete aquarium book; the care and breeding of goldfish and tropical fishes (1936) (20662455972).jpg

Title: The complete aquarium book; the care and breeding of goldfish and tropical fishes
Identifier: completeaquarium00inne (find matches)
Year: 1936 (1930s)
Authors: Innes, William T. (William Thornton), 1874-1969
Subjects: Aquariums; Goldfish
Publisher: New York, Halcyon house
Contributing Library: MBLWHOI Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MBLWHOI Library

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Fig. 188. Telescope Goldfishes Spawning This unusual photograph shows two females spawning on a ring of Myriophyllum. The smaller fishes are the males, in vigorous pursuit. Males do not average of smallei size than the females, but the younger ones are the more active and fertilize a higher percentage of eggs than when older. On wholesale fish farms where it is not practicable to use or prepare a sufficient number of aquatic plants for spawning purposes, another method is in general use. A plain square frame is made of about V& inch lumber, 18 inches square and 3 inches deep. Poultry netting (about 1 inch) is attached to the bottom, making a general arrangement somewhat like a sieve. Egg-catching material is attached to the wire (on the inside). The frame is anchored and submerged one or two inches so that the fishes can swim over the edge, to spawn on top, but the spawning material itself should extend above the frame to lightly touch the surface, and should be dense enough to allow no eggs to fall through. Other fishes present cannot eat the eggs from the shallow position on top, while the frame prevents their nibbling from the sides. The spawning material used in Japan, and sometimes imported here, is willow roots. Sod of any strong grass with the earth washed away is more generally used in this country. In 1928 it was discovered that Florida Moss serves the purpose ad- mirably. As it does not rot and is very cheap, it will probably come into general use. There is no reason why this scheme cannot be adapted to the needs of the small breeder, but one should remember to soak a new screened frame for several days before using it in a small body of water. Florid'1 Moss is also very good as a refuge thicket for young tropicals. 210

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