Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-07-12
Nest.Building Fishes.

DuAAU2A6 EASASSs
Ooe of the most common OF our British
fishes. the thy stickleback, has attracted con-
siderable attention on account of its curious
habit of building uest-rivalliog in intrlcacy
the homes of our fea,hered frends-in which
it deposits it's eggs, aud over which it keeps
watch and guard till the tiny family are able
70 enter on the responsibilities of stlckleback-
life Such precautions are uuusual among the
6uy tribes, whose eggs are generally left to
chaoc.. or. 10 some cases, adhere to friendly
weeds till they batch oul, snd the young ones
face life in the world OF waters. without pa
rents care to guide them. The ordly salmon
makes an apology for nest by scoopioG out
hollow or ''r.dd'' 10 the gravel bed OF the
s,ream which it asoends for the purpose; but
this. compared with the beautiful workman
snp Of the stickleback, is as the rocks collec
tion of sticks TO the mossy ball prepared by
Jenny Wren for her ban'llogs
The instances OF nest building hshesare rare,
and il is among tropical species that the ma-
ioritv cf them occur. One of these-whoSe
Iovelv coors have caused it to be cbrlsteoed
the rainbow fsh'-has lately been Introduced
in limited numbers into Europe, where its
beauty has created quite Juror amongst the
aquarium keepers, aud where it excltes add
tiopsl interest on account OF lis possessing the
peculiarly of building ncst tor the reception
of the eggs. Probably the first person who has
watched the whole of this operation was Mon
sieur Carbonnier, a Freuch naturalist, who
lately rave sn account of bis observations be-
fore the Paris Acclinatisaii' Society.
As 10 the case OF the stickleback, 1t is the
male fish which performs the principal duties
of nurse and cradle keeper; hut the nt ST Of the
rainbow fish differs from that of the stlckle
back 10 the fact that it floats on the surface OF
the water, whereas the latter Is built among
the reeds beneath. The approach OF breedlog-
time is marked by the increasing beauty OF
color in the uaIe fish, who dous bis best rJbes in
order to fud favor 10 the eyes oil his mate. HIS
scales then assume all the varied tInts OF the
rainbow, every movement causing them TO scn'
tlllate with metallic lustre and ever changing
hue, now hashiog forth with Increased spleDdor,
now dying away for a moment only TO reap
pear wiki greater variety and Intensity OF color.
But his time is not all given to counting. He
eoers on the du'ies of his prospective p slton
with vigor; and his instinct amounting almost
10 sagacity, is thus exempllhed 10 Monsieur
Carbounier's narrative. The weeds growing
10 the aquarium 10 which some OF bis specimens
we're cou6ned we're of kind which would not
float. The fish tore off bits of the leaves 10 his
Mouth, and expelled them towards the surface;
bu, their specific gravity wastoo great, and bis
forts were uuavaiug. Monsieur Carbonnier,
with quick, perception OF the Il b Waots, re-
placed the plants with others OF a hner texture,
and then had the pleasure OF seeing the hsh
renew it's attempts with complete success.
But the fish was TOO cunning an architect 10
NJ ho hnt Il
materials, and after placing few pieces to-
gether, in position, he formed several air
bubbles in a vlScld secretion, which ne Was aole
To eject from bis mouth, aud placed them 10
contact With bis f,at!ng nest. just, lu fact,
as engineers among ourselves have proposed 10
r.ise the Vanguard by meaDs of immense air
bags, the rainbow fish, wiser than ourselves,
formed his air bags eud attached them to his
ship as precautionary measure 10 prevent us
sinking from uatural Instability, collision with
piScine [r 10 Dukes, or other uutoward causes.
Day by day the work of kDittipg oget her
the little morsels of weed progresses, till
floating domed island three inches 10 diameter
!. formed 1.-THE fish itself is not more than half
tha, leogth); but this is, so to sp ak, only the
foundation of the ediEce, the root being 10 re-
ali,v constructed before any other part. Be.
meath this roof q complete circular oes Is built,
which the Yields together with the greatest
industry and patience; and not I'LL 1t is com
plcte does he seek his COMPANION. AL this
time the female has kept aloof, neither assist.
ing her companion nor encouraging him by ber
presence 10 the work of notification. But DOW
She is induced to visit the home OF her future
progeny, and the labors of the exemplary par
ept are redoubed. When the minute eggs are
laid ne collects them iu his mouth, aud places
them carefully within the pest, which he COO
tinually supports with fresh bubbles, /, st the
precious cargo should overweight 1t. When all
is safe he sta,ions himself on guard before the
only opening 10 the nest, and awaits the course
OF events, ready to defend his handlWork
against all comers, while his better. halt r'tlres
altogether from the scene. lo about three days
the eggs begin to hatch out The parent hsh
then destroys number of the supporting alr
bubbles, causing the nest to sink deeper into
tn. water, so that none of the young ones may
be drowned Tor want of water. As long as he
eau, he prevents hem from escaping from the
pa,ernal roof-the title is hardly appropriate.
however for uether father nor mother has 10
habi,ed the house but heir streogth rapidly
Increases; and. just as boys aud girls leave
home TO better themselves. the young rainbow
fish burst from the fathers apron strings and
are soon exulting io their new-touud freedom.
-Chans6er's Journal.