Color: Body light blue crossed by orange-red stripes. Large fins colored
same as body. Female—subdued in color and fins (dorsal and anal)
slightly rounded.
Breeding Habits: Bubble nest builders—male blows nest of bubbles on
surface of water among floating plants. Female frequently assists,
weaving bits of plants into nest. Female is coaxed beneath nest
where eggs are expelled and fertilized. Male catches eggs and
blows them into bubble nest. Remove female. Eggs hatch in several
days. Male guards nest, blowing fry back into nest until they are
able to swim freely, to prevent their drowning. Remove male when
fry are 4 days old.
Temperature: 70° to 90° F.
Maturity: 8 to 10 months.
Temperament: Exceedingly peaceful and friendly.
_Labyrinth fish prefer shallow water—spawning tank not to exceed 6″—tank
for fry not to exceed 4″._
PARADISE: MACROPODUS OPERCULARIS
(South China)
[Illustration: average size]
Color: Body dark with vertical bars of deep red against bluish green
background. Fins similar in color, caudal deep red. Female—shorter
fins, color very pale during mating.
Breeding Habits: Bubble nest builder. When pair have mated (frequently
after the death of several undesirable females) the male builds a
floating nest of bubbles. Male coaxes female under nest, winds
himself about her, a gentle pressure expelling eggs. He then
gathers eggs in his mouth and blows them into nest. Falling eggs
and young fry are carefully blown back into nest by male. Remove
female when spawning is over. Fry appear within 36 hours. Remove
male in about 4 days.
Temperature: 50° to 90° F.
Maturity: About 12 months.
Temperament: Vicious, keep pair separated except when spawning. (see
Bettas.)
Labyrinth Fish (Gourami, Paradise, Bettas) are air breathers, coming to
the surface every few minutes for a bubble of air. For this reason they
can stand crowding, providing water is kept clear. Fry do not develop
this characteristic for several weeks so must be provided with a large
shallow container with ample oxygen.
BETTAS: SIAMESE FIGHTING FISH
(Siam)
[Illustration: average size]
Color: This attractive group (all hybrids of BETTA SPLENDENS) have many
color variations, all exceptionally attractive. BETTA CAMBODIA:
gold colored body—bright red fins. Those with most red in body
known as BETTA RUBRA. BETTA CYANA—body and fins iridescent
cornflower blue. Others often have various shades of blue, green,
red and purple predominating. Females—subdued in color and lack
long flowing fins.
Breeding Habits: Bubble nest builders—Male builds floating nest of
bubbles 3 to 6 inches in diameter. Female is coaxed and forced
under nest, male embraces her expelling eggs. Male catches eggs
and blows them into bubble nest. Remove female. Fry hatch in 48
hours. Remove male in 10 days. Do not crowd fry.
Temperature: 65° to 90° F. 80° F. best for spawning.
Maturity: 8 to 10 months.
Temperament: Savage—two males will fight to a finish. Siamese wager on
outcome of these battles. Not advisable to keep mated pairs
together except when spawning. Separate pairs with glass placed
diagonally across aquarium. When spawning, if male attacks female
too viciously, replace glass.
(_One of these fish may be kept in Community Tank—they seem to attack
only their own species._)
PANCHAX FROM MADRAS: PANCHAX PARVUS
(India)
[Illustration: average size]
Color: Male, rich deep greenish olive, sides covered with rows of
gleaming red and green spots, anal bright orange and red. Dorsal
and caudal are of similar colors. Female—dull with light orange
fins.
Breeding Habits: Egg layers, spawn readily in small tank, riccia being a
favorite plant for this purpose.
Temperature: 72° to 80° F.
Temperament: peaceful.
RASBORA HETEROMORPHA: (below)
(Sumatra)
Color: Silvery copper with large blue-black triangle from dorsal to
caudal base. Dorsal and caudal red. Scales above black triangle
wider on male.
Breeding Habits: Egg layers—Difficult to breed. Female swims upside down
against leaf of Cryptocoryne, expelling eggs, most of which drop
to bottom. Remove parents after spawning. Fry hatch in about 2
days and resemble zebra fry. Swim freely in about 5 days. Use 3
males and 2 females. Do not have aquarium in direct rays of sun.
Temperature: 72° to 85° F.
Maturity: Breed at 10 months.
Temperament: Peaceful.
CATFISH: CORYDORAS PALEATUS
(South America)
[Illustration: 1 to 2 inches]
Color: Shining olive green, towards the anal: yellowish to white. Body
covered with dark spots changing according to the surroundings.
Average size: 1 to 2 inches.
Breeding Habits: Egg layer. Distinguishing sex marks: male smaller than
female, and has pointed ventral fins, which are in the female,
rounded. Best breeding results are obtained in a large aquarium.
Two to three males for one female. Temperature 75 to 80 degrees.
60 to 500 eggs are carried by female in her ventral fins to a
clean spot which can be the glass of the aquarium, a plant or
stone. Babies hatch after 6 to 9 days. The opinion of breeders is
divided as to whether parents should be removed. Good results were
obtained either way.
Temperament: Paleatus Catfish are the most peaceful fish and very
essential for the maintenance of every balanced aquarium. They are
regarded as the officers of the “Dept. of Sanitation” among
successful aquarists. Paleatus is a ground fish, tirelessly
picking up food remnants and left-overs which other fish do not
eat. Through this activity, Paleatus helps to keep the food
particles from contaminating the water. Catfish dart up to the
surface to breathe atmospheric air.
WHITE CLOUD MOUNTAIN FISH: TANICHTHYS ALBONUBES
(China)
Color: Form and color similar to Pearl Danio but with gold and blue line
from eye to caudal fin, dorsal and caudal fins deep red, male has
white tip above red caudal fins.
Breeding Habits: Average temperature 80 degrees. Eggs not adhesive. One
female to two males, eggs hatch after two to three days. Remove
parents after spawning. Tiny fry must be supplied with infusoria
or better still, Brine Shrimp (see p. 27).
Temperament: Peaceful and hearty, “called poorman’s Neon Tetra” since
the bright colored babies closely resemble Neon Tetras.