Class _J)B 1^1 Iconic .Gt(oH9^ Goipght W. COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. . ,,_ .... _ -_.3_-___ ' : - --- ■'^k^'^' •niI!inii;il|iiii|Mli!!!m!!!!i!i!!i|i||||t«wif!!rM iii!i"|i!i|iiiiii!ii!iiuii!i!ij|!|i"!i|;;iiiii!iiinil|Iii||i|iii|Oi||]||miii;im](i" FAN-TAILED NYMPHS. THE GOLDFISH AND ITS SYSTEMATIC CULTURE A THOROUGH QUID! FOR GOLDFISH KEEPING AND GOLDFISH BREEDING IN THE HOUSE AND OUT-OF-DOORS THE CONSTRUCTION AND CARE OF THE PARLOR AQUARIUM AND PONDS FOR BREEDING HUGO MULERTT Corresponding Member of the Imperial Russian Society for the Acclimatization of Animals and Plants Editor and Publisher of "THE Aquarium" T 43., With Colored Frontispiece, Twelve Plates and many Text Illustrations from Nature BROOKLYN-NEW YORK. THIRD EDITION THE LIBRAi?y OF CONQRE8S. ~r>»r) CcwM Rfociveo fincv9u»rr enTWV »//-" . _- -g.. ■ ♦- ^ m .,//„,v/y„T, ..,. Longitudinal Section of Goldfish Pond. sudden freshet in an adjoining creek, it is a wise precaution to build, in addition, a strong dam on the outside and in the direction from which the danger is expected. For greater safety this dam may be in its turn protected with boards, so as to prevent gradual washing away. Each inlet, /. e., the point at which the water supply makes its way into the pond, is to be guarded with galvanized iron netting of a tolerably coarse mesh, about eight to the inch, as a small mesh clogs very readily, and only adds the additional care of keeping it clean. The outlet is formed of two gutters of which one fits in an upright position tightly on the end of the other, which leads through the bottom of the dam, forming a right angle. (See illustration.) The one leading through the dam is closed tightly on all four sides, but on the upright one the side facing the pond is closed with adjustable sections cut from flooring boards. By means of THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. these movable parts the level of the water in the pond can be regulated as occasion may require. The overflow, that is, where the water is running out, is guarded by a wire screen of the same sized mesh as before mentioned, and adjustable in the same manner as the other boards protecting the opening. When it is desirable to drain the pond, one section or board is removed at a time, always taking care to place the wire screen upon the top by letting it slide down into the grooves. (See illustration.) Outlet for Pond. A most important point, and one to be insisted upon in the construction of ponds, is to so arrange the water supply that it will at all times be under complete control. Each pond is to receive its supply independently of all the rest, and the water must also, when need be, be cut off from the pond without inter- fering with the supply of others. The supply channel must likewise have an independent "run," so that the water it contains when not wanted for use in the ponds, may find its way out of the establish- ment. This point is one of great importance, especially during heavy rain-storms, as the large increase m the volume of water would cause the ponds to overflow and probably do great damage. Plate VII. Chapter XIV. THE AUTHOR'S ESTABLISHMENT. The accompanying diagram will serve as a reliable guide for the construction and arrangement of a complete establishment for the raising of goldfish. It will be observed that the ponds are arranged in a semi-circle, not because the "horseshoe" is all the rage, but simply for the reason that the little valley in which they are located is encircled by small but steep hills running in that direction. As previously stated, the disposition of the ponds must of necessity be in accordance with the topography or "lay of the land" in the locality determined upon, and the amateur will have to follow accordingly, though there are changes and modifications that he can make, and in many instances with great advantage. DESCRIPTION OF PLAN. A. — Spawning or propagating beds. B. — Rearing ponds. C. — Storage ponds and nursery. D.— Winter pond. E. — Isolated pond for special purposes. F. — Catch-basin for stray fish. G. — Lodge, where the eggs are hatched. H. — Wind-brake and guard against freshets. I. — Creek, passing the establishment. Star — Location of springs. Arrow. — Direction of water flow. Dotted lines. — Supply drain. Bracket.— OviWeis. 77 78 THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURH. Chapter XV. THE PROPAGATING BED. Having now had a general view of the ponds, the reader's attention is directed to a detailed study of them, each one separately, the method of their construction, and the reason why they differ from one another; for, being made each with a specific purpose to serve, they of course must be built with that object in view. The spawning-pond, or "propagating bed," is situated at that end of the rearing-pond where the water makes its entrance. It is a division consisting of a board frame eighteen (i8) inches in depth and four (4) feet wide by eight (8) feet long, fashioned very much like the frame of a gardener's hot-bed. This frame, when ready, is to be sunk about two inches into the soil composing the bottom of the pond, and very accurately at that; for if this precaution is not taken, the fish are very apt to escape from the pond through any aperture that may be left. The upper edge of the frame should be not less than six inches above the usual level of the water, thus preventing the danger of overflow. In the side facing the supply drain, about two inches above the water level, and in the other forming the division of the rearing-pond, about one inch below this level, small openings for the entrance and exit of the water are cut and care- fully covered with galvanized iron-wire gauze, of about eight meshes to the inch. 79 8o THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. This box, the bottom of which is formed by the floor of the pondj is to be covered with a well-fitting frame, mounted upon hinges and also covered with galvanized iron-wire netting of one mesh to the inch. This wire screen serves to prevent the approach of numerous enemies that would otherwise greatly interfere with the spawners, if not destroy them altogether. By following the above given direc- tions for the construction of the frame the greatest economy possible can be had, for the lumber in the board as obtained from the dealers, measures twelve (12) and sixteen (16) feet in length, so that the measurements, eight by four feet, can always be had without unnec- essary waste of lumber. Besides this, the wire netting is obtained in any length, and also four (4) feet in width, so that here too is a saving of material, and consequently of expense. Inside of this frame, or box, as it may be called when placed into position, another frame upon which wire netting is stretched, is to be sunk. The size of the mesh is to be such as is best adapted to the size of the fish that are to be placed in the pond. It is very easy to see that this false bottom subserves a very useful purpose, and often saves time that at the moment is otherwise valuable. When, for one reason or another, it is desirable to remove the fish, the only requirement is simply to raise the frame to get it into shallow water, when the whole contents of the pond can be examined at ease. A spawning-pond, such as the one described, can be, and with propriety too, constructed separately and wholly isolated. But if it is made a division of the rearing-pond, a good advantage is secured, namely, the stream of water that passes through it will carry into the rearing-pond such of the young fish as were hatched from undiscov- ered eggs. They will thus escape being devoured by the parent, and besides will get into the place intended for them, and where the chances for their growing up are vastly in their favor. THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. Si THE NURSERY. This is merely an apartment temporarily established in the storage-pond, which serves the purpose of protecting the young during their earliest infancy. THE REARING POND. This pond differs from the preceding in several respects. To begin with, it is five times as large, the size eight (8) feet by twenty (20) being in many ways the most convenient, as experience has abundantly proven. In constructing this, as well as the others, it is not absolutely necessary that the outlet should be directly opposite the inlet, though such an arrangement insures the most complete changing of the contents (the water) by the current passing from one end to the other. The location of the outlet and inlet must be determined by the judgment of the builder when seeking to get the best results he can, from the circumstances and surroundings of the locality in which he places his ponds. It is necessary, however, that the inlet should be one or two inches above the water level, so that the fish will be prevented from getting into the supply drain, should there happen to be a defect in the guard. In constructing the pond, the remarks applying to ponds in general are to be respected. The dams must reach six inches above the water level, and the floor be as uniform as possible, with a regular incline of from six (6) inches depth at one end to twenty-four (24) inches at the other. The deepest part to be at the outlet, insuring a perfect and even drawing off, whenever that may be needed. One or two plants, such as Nymphaea only, should be planted in the soil of the bottom, as their floating leaves afford shelter to the fish in very hot weather. Besides it offers greater convenience for the fish to reach deep water upon the approach of danger, as in such 82 THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. cases fish always dart to the bottom, and being there, they get out of the way much sooner. If placed near the outlet, it is also easier to gather the flowers when the plants are in blossom; this is probably a small point, but one that will be appreciated upon trial. Should the plants not be available, one or two pieces of board left floating on the water will answer the purpose. If it is impossible to isolate the rearing-ponds from each other, the consequences are not at all serious, but things should be so arranged that the very large fish are not mixed up with the small ones, as the latter would then be deprived of their share of the natural food the pond itself supplies. THE STORAGE POND. This pond is for the sole purpose of 'keeping the saleable fish where they can easily be secured when desired, assorted according to variety, color and size, and kept in good condition till wanted. It is to be so located that it will not interfere with the draining off" of the other ponds. Its construction does not differ in anywise Irom that of the rearing-pond, as indeed it can be used for rearing, if not wanted for nursery purposes (of which we will treat further on), until wanted for its destined purpose. It is best, however, to divide it with boards into different parts of equal size, so as to secure a general fit of wire covers. THE WINTER POND. This is best located close by a spring, so that the constant flowing in of a stream of water of even temperature will prevent the surface of the pond from freezing over entirely, in which case the fish would die. The depth of the pond ought not to be less than three feet, and its sides closely lined with boards or masonry, thus affording THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. 83 protection from enemies and preventing caving in. The flow of water is to enter at one end, traverse the length of the pond, and leave at the opposite extremity. The dimensions of the winter quarters need not be very large, as during the winter season, fish in a natural state, pass that time in a semi-torpid condition, eat no food, and are not revived until they get the warmth of the sun in early spring. A compartment of four (4) feet by eight (8), and of the above depth, will carry about fifty fish of eight to ten inches in length safely through the winter. Where it can be done, the fish may be wintered over in a green house cistern, or in aquaria where they may be under close observa- tion, and at the same time be of some ornamental value. If in the open air, the winter-pond is, of course, to be covered with wire netting to keep out the various birds and animals that would prey upon them; it is also well to protect the greater part of the top with boards, keeping out as much snow as possible. PART IV. The Propagation and Car e of the Goldfish Chapter XVI. " Nature my school, the water my field. THE ANATOMY OF THE GOLDFISH. Before we enter into the details of the propagation of the fish, it is necessary to learn something about its anatomy. A study of the accompanying cut (which is merely diagramatic) will greatly assist the reader in getting a clear understanding of the internal arrangement of the several parts with which it is most necessary to be familiar. ANATUMICAL SKETCH OF GOLDFISH. We will consider first the scales, as they are almost the first thing to strike the eye. These scales are so arranged upon the surface of the body that they overlap each other just in the manner that a 84 THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. 85 carpenter lays shingles on a roof, being disposed in such a way that the friction incident upon the movement of the fish in the water is reduced to the smallest proportion. As the fish grows older and larger the scales increase in size. Near the middle of the body and running along each side of the fish, there is a line or row of scales that possess peculiarities distin- guishing them from other scales. These scales are pierced with a tubular aperture, and the tubes of which they are the exit are quite distinct, and form the so-called "lateral line." Through these tubes a slimy substance or mu- cous is exuded, which covers the entire body, seemingly for the purpose of making the fish water- proof and of further reducing the friction in the water. These tubes always point from the ma- iscALE FROM L.vTERAL LINE. (Enlarged.) trix, or root of the scale, towards the tail of the fish. It is scales of this description that naturalists refer to when seeking to learn the species to which the fish belongs, because the peculiarities of their structure differ in them. (See illustration.) The next thing most noticeable are the Jins, these being named according to their location upon the body of the fish and subserve various purposes. The />ecioral fins (fig. a.) are those situated in the place corresponding with the fore-legs of animals, the ventral fins (fig. b.) being placed where the hind-legs of animals are found. The dorsal fin (fig. c.) is that one found upon the back of the fish. That fin situated behind the anus receives its name from that part, and is known as the arial fin (fig d.), while the tail of a fish is prop- erly called the caudal fin, (fig. e.) S6 THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. The tvater in which the fish lives is very nearly as heavy as the fish itself, the latter then requiring comparatively little strength to move about. The motion necessitating the greatest expenditure of power is that of propulsion forward, and is accomplished by the action of the caudal fin. The pectoral fins are used to change the water in the neighborhood of the gills, thus serving as adjunct respiratory organs. The ventral fins are mainly useful as a brake when the fish wishes to come to a sudden stop when in motion, or for a backward move- ment ; the dorsal and anal fins serve the purpose of balancing the body. The gills, which are organs of respiration, are situated on each side of the head, protected by "opercles" or gill-covers, (fig. f.) The gills themselves consist of bony arches which are covered with a tissue containing a large number of blood-vessels. As a rule there are four of these arches on each side of the head. The life-giving principle that supports animal life is a gas called oxygen, and as this exists in the water, the function of the gills is to extract it. When the water passes through them, as it does when taken in by the mouth of the fish, and is pressed through the gills, it comes in con- tact with the blood-vessels, the oxygen being absorbed into the blood for the nourishment of that fluid and the body generally. It will thus be seen that it is not the water that the fish breathes, as many suppose, but the air contained in it, as can be proved by placing fish in water from which the air has been taken, by pro- longed boiling or otherwise. Fish that are kept in a vessel will come up to the surface where the air can be mixed with the water when that in the water of the vessel has become exhausted. It would seem from the fact that as the fish breathes only the air and not the water, that it could just as well live in the open air, where it could get plenty. Such is not the case however, for the gills are so constituted by nature that they THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. 87 need something to keep them apart, so that their surfaces may be exposed and perform their functions properly, otherwise they would close together, the blood-vessels would cease to absorb the oxygen, resulting, of course, in the death of the fish. It is necessary, then, that a stream of water should constantly flow through them, as it does, the absorption of oxygen then going on as nature intended. The /learf o( the fish lies just behind the head and between the gills (fig. g.). It is a muscular organ consisting of three parts, an auricle, a ventricle, and an arterial bulb. The venous or stale blood is pumped into the gills by the heart, where it receives a fresh supply of oxygen. From the gills it is sent to an arterial trunk, lying along the under side of the vertebral column, (fig. h.) from which it is distributed all over the body of the fish. As fish have no lungs, they can not possess a voice. The goldfish is supplied with a divided air-bladder {^g, i. i.) which can be filled or emptied at will. This bladder is a sac formed of a tough membrane, and is situated between the spinal column and the stomach, (fig. k.) It appears that the air-bladder is either for the purpose of increas- ing the weight of the fish when empty, and decreasing it when full, thus exercising a modifying influence upon the weight of the fish when compared with that of the water. The eyes of the goldfish are well developed, but so far as hearing is concerned, opinions differ, and the question is still disputed. It may be stated that if fish hear at all, it is with great difficulty. It is the custom in some places where fish are kept to call them to their feeding place by the tolling of a bell, and they come, but it is a question whether they come because they hear the sound, or that they see the motion of the person ringing the bell, or that of the bell itself; this, then, can not be cited in proof of the theory that they hear. 88 THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. Music or the report of firearms does not affect them at all, but the flash from the discharged gun will scare them. * Do fish sleep ? Yes. In the act of sleeping they do not close the eyelids, for the very good reason that they have none; neither do they select the night for the purpose. Goldfish have been seen asleep in the broad sun- light of the forenoon, and the same varieties have also been found sleeping at midnight. Their time for resting then, does not occur at stated periods, but whenever the desire comes upon them. The fish may very easily be observed in slumber, remaining perfectly still, the only motion being that of the breathing apparatus and the pectoral fins, the action being very slow but regular. All the other fins are at rest, and the pupils of the eyes appear to be drawn back. The other senses taste and st/iell 2ixe very well developed. We come now to the consideration of the process of reproduction. The organs for this purpose are distributed between two individuals — the male and the female. The female organs consist of two sacs located immediately below the spinal column on each side of the air bladder, uniting towards the posterior end in a single oviduct which discharges outside, behind the anus (fig 1.). These contain the eggs by thousands and which increase in size when the spawning season arrives, greatly distending the ovarian sacs. The ripe egg when it separates from the ovary, passes through a tube i^fhe oviduct) (fig. m,) the opening of which, as before stated, is outside, immediately behind the anus. (fig. n.) In the male fish the spermatic organs which are located the same as the sacs in the female, secrete a thick white fluid which contains innumerable small organic bodies, which when discharged and in a fresh condition, move about, enter the egg, impregnate it and start the development of the embryo. These bodies which are called spermatazoa, consist of an anterior thicker part, the so-called head, * It has been definitely settled that fishes do not hear. They feel the vibrations caused by certain sounds. (Third Edition.) THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. Sg and the more attenuated part or tail. In the water these little organ- isms can live but one or two minutes, but when taken from the fish and placed in a bottle kept at a proper temperature, they may be preserved alive for six days. This discovery was made by a Russian fish culturist in 1856 and is very important to the artificial propagation of fish as it enables the crossing of different species. The rggs when first spent in the water have the shape of a slightly pressed in rubber ball, and as soon as they ^J^ ^^'%^ come in contact with liquid, they expand and suck it in through a microscopically small hole. (See illustration.) The spermatic germs ^^. of the male being present in this liquid are thus ^^\~,^-—-.'