Garden Ponds are a great way to enjoy your California backyard

Fish Breeding However, to return to the eggs that have just been laid in the aquarium. After about eight days the fishes will emerge from the eggs, and for a few days will subsist on the food contained in the small sac attached to their underside.

When this is used up, food must be provided. At this stage they look like gramophone needles, and, of course, their mouth is very small, and so very small food matter has to be found. In their native state they feed on infusoria and this is by far the finest food for these delicate little chaps. Infusoria, raised in the same manner as described for daphnae breeding, is ideal.

If the rearing tanks are prepared in advance and contain a good culture of infusoria, so much the better. As the fry develop they require stronger meat, and nothing equals cyclops at this stage. In about six or seven weeks they will be able to tackle daphnae. The rearing tanks should be shallow, not more than nine inches deep, and in shallow tanks the fry will not need quite so much water per fish.

The great points to remember are that baby fishes do not like very cold water- 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit is the most satisfactory temperature ; they need plenty of room and they need plenty of food. If natural foods are unobtainable the yolk of a hard-boiled egg or fine, well cooked oatmeal are good substitutes. Also, when the fry have passed the infusoria stage, there are a number of excellent packet foods obtainable, specially prepared for young fishes.

When artificial foods are used it is essential that none is allowed to decompose in the water; in its early days a fish is very liable to a host of complaints, and many of these do not show themselves until the fish is a year or so old.