FISH LIKE JEWELS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 30 July 1936, Page 5

FISH LIKE JEWELS.

HASTINGS MAN’S AQUARIUM OF TROPICAL VARIETIES. STRANGE HABITS. Mr, A. H. Hayes, of Gray’s Road, Hastings, who has just returned from a trip to the East, has brought back with him a collection of rare tropical fish which he has at present in a specially made aquarium at his home in Hastings. On the voyage the fish were kept alive only with the greatest difficulty, and hot water bottles had to be , placed around the glass case. A special electrical device has now been fitted, by which the temperature of the water is maintained. In the bottom of -the aquarium are tropical plants on which the fish feed. In his collection Mr. Hayes has specimens of the Siamese fighting fish (betta cambodia). Put two of these small fish together in a glass tank and there is a flash of gorgeous colour, a .swirl, and a duel to the death is on, ■writes Air. W. Jno. Baker, B.Sc., in speaking of these fighting fish. Blood flows, fins fray, as they struggle for victory. Siam is the home of these fish and one kind is specially bred there for fighting. Only the males fight, and they arc so pugnacious that «ach'one is usually kept in a separate tank. Fish fights are p national recreation in Siam and the Siamese bet heav-

ily on the results. At times a man’s whole estate or even his liberty is at stake. One variety of the fighting fish is bred —like the golcliish—specially for its beautiful . colours and plumage. Deep velvety reds, greens, and blues, pastel shades of the most delicate tones in endless variety have rewarded the breeders of these tropical beauties. Another fish of particular interest, specimens of which are included in Mr Hayes’ collection of about fifty, is the "Mexican swordtail (xiphophorus nelleri). Most fishes lay eggs, but this variety brings forth living young. The long spike-like arrangement, from which the species derives its name, is ■carried by the male only and is purely decorative. After one contact with the .male the female can produce three or four batches of young at intervals of several weeks. Stranger still these fishes often change sex. Old females may change into males, complete with sword! Also included in the collection are the danio albolineatus from Burma, an extremely small fish, some of Mr Hayes ’ specimens being less than half an inch long, yet perfectly formed and highly coloured. Another pretty fish is the onai fish fiebisties rcticnlatus) from Venezuela, and the same may be said of the .blue gouniay (trichogaster sumatramis) from India. Mr Hayes intends to make a hobby of breeding these rare fish and hopes later to import a number of other varieties and tc build a large aquarium iu his garden.