The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-03-21
RAISING GOLDFSSH.


From the chicago nniiy Tribune.
Goldfish are so extremely common nowadays
that few people ever stop to wonder where they
come from or how they are raised. Compare
lively little is generally known about the little
cold. bloodcd vertebrates that swim about in the
aquariums in SO many homes. Tho pots require
n careful and systematic raising that is scarcely
appreciated by those who expect to get them for
small prices of dealers in The city.
The largest goldfish farm in the world. II 10
may be called such. is located in Shelby county,
Ind, about thirty miles from Indianapolis.
Here the original goldfish men of the country
have their propagating institution.
There are two farms, several miles apart,
which are devoted to the different branches OF
the industry. In the north part of the county 10
one farm of eight or ten acres: the other Is a few
miles further south, and is about half again az
large as the first one.
To-day there are in the various ponds of Spring
Lake fishery over 100000 fish, from which
specimens are constantly being sent to every
State and Territory OF the Union. 1t is even
said that some OF the finest fish in the royal
aquRriums OF Europe were raised by Mr.. Shoup
and his partner at This farm.
On each of the farms spoken of are a large
larger than ten feet square. ,These, ponds are
all connected with each other by little channels,
the other without the least difficulty.
The breeding ponds, which are, OF course, th9
and cold by high emihSnkments around the
edges. This is all the protection that is neces-
sSry fp iba ,he n IIn o SxS" 1 n th iis I'n nrs u a1lde; 10 cay sfS
delicate. they are much more hardy than is gem
several times a year the fish are sorted in the
different ponds and classified so that the largest
and finest ones will bc together, and those which
will not bring such good prices will be BY them
selves. Many people suppose that when the
goldfish is nrst Latchcd from the egg it has the
peculiar pretty MARKINGS on its scales which
make II SO beautiful and valuable.
This is no! the case. In its youth in reality
everyday tsh. and looks like it for all the world.
Even an expert could scarcely tell il from tho
iThcy are OF a wlitish. silvory color, ana have
not the least evidence o. the beautiful hues
which they will later assume.
Sometimes. however, the goldfish grower Is
sadly disappointed in finding Tint his fish fail TO
acquire the golden tint for which he has so long
instances time and again in which the fish never
did change to the reddish color, but grew, to 30
youthful complexion. Ordinarily, however, the
ti5h develop the golden shade in less than a year.
coming almost black. From, the dark com-
plcyion they begin turning to the reddish shade.
fcigcd goldfish. Often the iish, instead of he
QuirinG n solid color NJ! over its scales from nose
10 tail, becomes spotted win hls req eiotchss
The food Inns not, as many people suppose, tho
leIst thing TO do with c"'oTing the tish. Al the
fish are fed exactly. The same, thing. toasted
broad two or three times n week. and nothing
else is given them for their subsistence. The sun
ST, ms 10 be the necessary agent and the only ono
TO complete the scheme OF nature. and even this
sometimes does not work successfully;
The greatest difficulty with which the goldfish
raiser has TO contend is the pest world. Snakes,
cats. cOons. frogs. and insects iunumernble Rr0
all fell dcstroyers OF the goldfish. and the craw-
fish is by no means n second in the destruction
which he can work when he gets in the neigh
borhOod Of the tinny tribe. Some one must be
KEPT constantly on watch al the season of tho
year when these insects and little animals
abound, to see that they do not get into tho wa
ter OF the pond where the fish are.
The sting of some insects Will Kill a fish in
almost every instance. Shareholders and some
other wcll.known insects fly close to The surface
greatest ease touch the tiny little fish swimming
near the surface OF the pool. An egg Is laid on
the fish or II stingcr inserted, and either one will
invariably prove fHtnl.
The freaks and unusual Developments In the
fish are tho varieties which will always bring
culors and spots upon tho scales are the marks
witch are preferred by f%anCicrs. Unusual
shapes IN the fishes are equally popular with
oddities in culors and will cause IA fish 10 bring
rs GOOD prices MS il it had orange or purple scales.
In physical developments the great varieties
headed fish. hut those with more than one tail
are plentiful. Two, three, four, and five tails
urc quite often found on the fish. and sometimes
even six. hut the latter is very rare. or course.
n tsh with six tails would bring a handsome
price In any market.
Goldfish arc often killed by over,attcntion, but
sometimes by lack of attention.. The two things
which above all should he avoided are overfeed.
Ing them and failure To keep fresh water In the
upuHrium. An even, moderate temperature
should be maintained. and they should BIO kept
in the dark at night.