File:Aquatic life (1917-1918) (19559461630).jpg

Title: Aquatic life
Identifier: aquaticlife319171918baus (find matches)
Year: 1917-1918 (1910s)
Authors: Bausman, Joseph E
Subjects: Aquariums; Fish culture
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. E. Bausman
Contributing Library: Harvard University, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Ernst Mayr Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Harvard University, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Ernst Mayr Library

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â «»'^»^^i-«»'^»^« ^» » ll^ BREEDING THE CHAMCHITO DWIGHT WINTER
Text Appearing After Image:
THE CHANCHITO /.-^ The Chanchito, Cichlasoma facetum (syn. Heros), is found in the ponds and slow streams which are tributary to the La Plata River, South America. In shape it is rather compact, resembling very much our local basses and sunfishes. In color it is glossy green to yellow, vary- ing in different individuals, with broad black vertical bars, the color extending onto the dorsal and anal; caudal and dorsal fins dark; eyes greenish yellow, becoming reddish brown during the breeding season. During the periods of sexual excitement the colors become more pronounced and beautiful. Wild specimens may reach a length of nine inches or more, but those reared in con- finement seldom exceed five inches. It is not always possible to distinguish the sexes, in fact, more often impossible, as the colors and shapes of the fins are alike in both. However, in full-grown males, the ventral is slightly longer and reaches to the beginning of the anal fin. It is asserted by one writer that the ab- dominal line of the female is more rounded, but this is very hard to detect, except in very old fish. With the ap- proach of the breeding season the female becomes much larger and thicker, and is then quite easy to distinguish from the male. Owing to its hardinessâit can stand a great deal of knocking aboutâthe chan- chito has always been a great favorite with aquarists. I have kept them in water as low as 40 deg. F., but this is not to be commended. A temperature be-

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