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fisnisff

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ans, Inc. *

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C.F.M. Publications,

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By Wilfred Whitern, F.Z.S. with special chap-ters by Dr. Leonard P. Schultz, Curator ofFishes, Smithsonian Institution, Washington,D.C. and Mr. & Mrs. Fred Ludwig, Detroit,Michigan pioneer breeders of the All-blackand Lacetail Angelfish.

Published by T.F.H. Publications, Inc., T.F.H. Building, 245 Cornelison Avenue, JerseyCity 2, N. J., U. S. A. Distributed in England by T.F.H. Publications (London) Ltd., 34,Nutley Lane, Reigate, Surrey. In Canada by Canadian Aquaria Supply Co. Ltd., 1125Talbot St., St. Thomas, Ontario. In Australia by Exotic Aquarium & Pet Supplies Pty.

Ltd., 248 High Street, Northcote, Melbourne.

Pterophyllum scatare (Cuv. et Val.)

IDENTIFYING YOUR ANGELFISHESby Dr. Leonard P. Schultz

Curator of Fishes, United States National Museum

On various occasions I have been asked how to distinguish be-

tween the three kinds of angelfishes currently found in the books onfishes. To the most recent inquiry by Herbert R. Axelrod, I answered,"If you will supply me with a hundred specimens of angelfishes thatcontain both kinds used in home aquaria I will try to answer yourquestion on a scientific basis." Shortly I received (more than I askedfor) 150 of these beauties, but among this nice big lot there were butsix of one kind, the remainder were of the other species.

Soon I began to count and count, measure and measure, andcompare the variable color patterns. After I was familiar with all

of the 200 examples in the National Collections I then began to readabout them in the literature to learn what others thought. I finally

concluded that no dependence could be placed on the proportional

measurements such as the number of times the greatest depth of

body is contained in the length, eye in head, or head in length.

These characters varied and overlaped too much at the various sizes

to make it possible to identify individual specimens.

The famed German aquarist Dr. Ernst Ahl published and figured

in 1928 in the Zoologischer Anzeiger a new species of angelfish Ptero-

phyllum, eimekei. He based this on but 5 examples from the mouthof the Rio Negro in the Amazon. Ever since that time aquarists havebeen trying to find out if they had P. scalare or P. eimekei in their

tanks.

Aquarium books arc all very indefinite on the matter and onemust conclude that the authors of these books had as much trouble as

tlie other aquarists in recognizing the two species. I, too, have won-dered just what I had but was never sure of myself. However, Mr.

Axelrod's recent letter stimulated me to work on the problem, so I

began studying all the angelfishes preserved in the United States

National Museum.I pondered on the conclusions of the late Dr. C. Tate Regan,

famous ichthyologist of the British Museum and those of Dr. Pelle-

grin of the National Museum of Natural History in Paris. Had these

and earlier authors recorded their counts of fin rays and scales in a

tabular form I would have been able to use their data more fully,

but in those days statistical methods were not applied to ichthyology.

They did not even state how they made their counts of the

number of scales. However, in reading the works of Pellegrin, Regan,

Pterophjllum. Line C: where to count the "vertical" scale rows.

Counts recorded for species of the angelfish, Pterophyllum

Number of fin rays: Spines represented bv Roman numerals; soft rays by Arabic numbers.

Species

P. altutn*

P. alt urn \

P. sealant

P. scalare\

P. eimekei)

P. eimekeii

Species

P. a/«i/?»°

P. altum\

P. scalare\

P. scalare\

P. eimekei\

P. eimekei\

X

and Ahl, I have found that they may have made scale counts in twoways. When I counted the oblique scale rows from the upper edgeof the opercular openings (at the rear of the head) in a straightline to the midbase of the caudal fin along the lower side of thepeduncular lateral line, I invariably got a count of 31 to 35. Nowwhen I counted the oblique scale rows from the rear of the head(on the same examples) above the lateral lines, my results were from44 to 47. It followed then, in comparing the statements by theseauthors that they had confused and mixed both kinds of scale-rowcounts.

For example, Pellegrin in his original 1903 description of Ptero-phyllum ahum gives the scales along the back as 47, and those alongthe sides from 31 to 34. Regan in 1905 for P. ahum based on two ofPellegrin's specimens gives the number of scales on the back as 55and those on the midsides as 41 to 47. Dr. Ahl in 1928 repeatedRegan's counts for P. ahum. Obviously someone was wrong.

If the reader will examine the table which gives my counts hewill observe that 3 species of Pterophyllum actually do exist. Thisagrees with Dr. Ahl's conclusions when he described P. eimekei butfor different reasons. To distinguish all three kinds is not a simplematter.

An examination of the table indicates that P. ahum always maybe distinguished by the high number of soft dorsal rays, about 28or 29. This figure does not overlap with the other two species. There-fore, we may identify ahum by counting only the soft dorsal fin rays.P. ahum does not appear to have been used as an aquarium fish.

The next question to answer is which of the other two speciesrepresented by my counts should be assigned the name P. eimekei?All we have to use in making this decision are the counts and thefigure presented by Dr. Ahl in 1928. I have represented Dr., Ahl'scounts by means of an "X" in the table. It may be observed thatAhl's data for eimekei agrees beautifully with the counts made by meon the most abundantly available form of angelfish to aquarists. I

agree that eimekei is a valid species.

I do not agree with Dr. Ahl's understanding of P. scalare. Thewide range and distribution of his counts indicates that he had a

mixture of both eimekei and scalare.

There are two characters that help to distinguish eimekei andscalare among the specimens in the National Collections. These char-acters involve the counting with very great care and accuracy thenumber of oblique scale rows from the upper edge of the opercularopening to the base of the caudal fin in a straight line just below thepeduncular lateral line. For eimekei they vary from 28 to 36 and for

scalare from 38 to 40. Probably if I had as many examples of scalare

as I had of eimekei there would be a small amount of overlappingof the scale counts.

The second character may be set up by adding the number of

scale rows to the number of soft dorsal rays. The two groups of

figures thus obtained are separated. Thus by making the counts

indicated, each individual of the two species may be distinguished

with considerable confidence. Since the scales are very small counts

must be made under some magnification.

Perhaps some day, if I am fortunate enough to obtain for study

a larger number of specimens thought to be scalare and ahum, I maydiscover other differences to distinguish them. At the moment I

conclude that scalare and eimekei are very closely related. Theircolor patterns when preserved are so much alike that the only certain

way to identify each individual is to laboriously count the scale rowsand fin rays and then determine how they fit into my table. Probablyonly an expert ichthyologist has sufficient training to do this

accurately.

All of my specimens of P. scalare are much larger ( they measure73 to 85 mm. from snout tip to base of the caudal fin) than those of

eimekei. None of which is that long. This indicates that eimekei is a

smaller species than scalare when sexually mature.

The Half-blacK Angelfish which is popular in Europe todayl Photo by Timmerman.

7

RANGE AND HABITAT w. l. whitern, f.z.s.

Although there are many areas within South America, chiefly in

the tributaries of the mighty Amazon, were these fish might be found,

the most abundant source is the Tapajoz River, a tributary of the

Amazon River.

It is in this latter area that there exists another of the manymysteries of Nature. Although both species inhabit this river, the

actual locale of each species is over two hundred miles apart, and

they have never been known to enter one or the other's territory.

The wonders of nature are also fully emphasized when consider-

ation is given to the shape of the body of these fish and the topo-

graphical environment of the river in which they live.

The north bank of the Tapajoz River is of rock formation

devoid of any aquatic plants. The south side of the river, however,

is much different, having a great abundance of an aquatic cane-like

plant. The centre of the river is chiefly broken rock and mud that

is practically barren of plants. The Angelfish being of very timid and

highly nervous nature live within the dense vegetation on the south

side of the river. They seldom venture out into mid-stream and never

inhabit the north side.

Another feature that emphasizes Nature's effort to protect the

weaker members of its Kingdom is, that within this area there can

always be found another member of the Cichlid family. This is the

Cichlasoma festivum, which grows to much larger proportions. It is

a well established fact that the Angelfish will await a school of these

larger fish to pass, whether they are going up or down stream, and

then tag along behind using the C. festivum as a protective guard

against larger fish. It is also well kown that wherever you may dis-

cover the Angelfish you will also find the C. festivum.

AQUARIUM AND WATER REQUIREMENTS

Too often, failure to observe elementary requirements of indi-

vidual species of fish leads to disappointment and disaster. In many

instances, the aquarium size is totally inadequate for Angelfish. This

not only has a direct influence in regard to the growth of these fish,

but usually does not permit the desirable swimming room that is

essential to the health of fish of this size. The golden rule — "One

inch of fish to one gallon of water" should be strictly adhered to.

Fish will only grow to the size that the water content of the aquarium

into which they are placed will permit. Therefore, the larger the

This is what happens when fish are overcrowded. Note the short anal and dorsal fins.

Compare these with the normal babies of a month old. Photo by Timmerman.

aquarium, the more sturdy and larger the fish will grow. Angelfish

may be kept in an average size 5 gallon aquarium, but for the best

results in relation to growth and the possibility of successful spawn-

ing, a twenty-five gallon capacity aquarium is the minimum size

recommended.

From experiments that I have undertaken over several years

I have found that Angelfish thrive much better if the aquarium has

a greater depth than that of the normal stock aquarium. The. most

satisfactory results were attained in an aquarium 30 inches long, 20

inches high and 20 inches wide, in which there was one mated pair of

Angelfish. This size of an aquarium, apart from its greater eye appeal,

permits a much better planting arrangement, including the use of a

broad leaf Amazon Sword plant (Echinodorus) and the broad leaf

Cryptocoryne plants (Cryptocoryne griffithi). The sword plant should

be placed in the centre of the aquarium, and a very dense planting of

the Cryptocorynes along the back and in the back corners. This plant-

ing arrangement permits a very large swimming area as well as

affording plenty of plants in which timid fish can hide.

One month old normal fry. Photo by Timmerman.

The water conditions for normal purposes, that is, where thesefish are in a purely display aquarium or included in a communityaquarium, should be the same pH and DH as required for manyother varieties. It should be slightly acid — about pH 6.8 — and thedegree of hardness should not exceed 10 to 12 degrees. However,when spawning is to be undertaken, then greater care must be givento this very important matter, but this is explained more fully underthe heading — preparing the spawning aquarium.

SEXING THE ANGELFISH

There are many theories and beliefs, held by some experts, that

there are visual signs of body structure and color differences that candetermine the sex of an Angelfish. I do not dispute that such differ-

ences do exist. However, these differences cannot easily be prede-

termined. It is only after an actual spawning has taken place that

these differences can be definitely established. Of course, there is onemethod that can be undertaken, and that is, the use of an X-ray. Butfor the average hobbyist this is not practical simply because X-rayequipment is not readily available, particularly within the home.

10

However, as a guide and to assist the hobbyist in substantiating

these differences once a spawning has taken place, these visual differ-

ences of sex shown on Plate 1 are fully described as follows:

a. The first black vertical stripe that passes through the eye,

appears to be straighter in the male than in the female, in

the latter the stripe has a definite curve upwards towards the

commencement of the dorsal fin.

b. The spines at the base of the forward commencement of the

dorsal fin are more jagged and irregular in the male than

the female.

c. The space between the extended ventral fins (often referred

to as the "feelers") and the forward commencement of the

anal fin is shorter in length in the male and less curved in

the female.

d. The tube that emerges from the vent, just prior to spawning,

is shaped differently. In the male it appears to be pointed and

is carried at a slightly forward angle, whereas in the female,

it appears to be blunt and carried at a slight angle towards

the rear.

e. The lower jaw of the male slightly overlaps the upper jawwhich is the reverse in the female, that is, the upper jawappears to overlap the lower jaw.

OBTAINING BREEDING STOCK

For those hobbyists who would like to spawn these fish, there

are two possible methods which can be undertaken. The first is to

purchase, direct from a reliable tropical fish dealer, a guaranteed

mated pair. This is the easiest method.

The second is to purchase twenty or thirty young Angelfish

when they are about the size of a fifty cent piece. Great care should

be given to select those with the most prominent and even vertical

black markings, and larger finnage. This method undoubtedly gives

a greater amount of satisfaction from the viewpoint that the hobbyist

is given an opportunity for a closer study of the fish as they grow

and the thrill of awaiting the probable segregation into one or moremated pairs as they mature.

At this size, the fish purchased can be presumed to be around

four months old. The minimum size of the aquarium should be of

fifty gallons capacity and equipped with aeration and Alteration.

It requires a period of approximately eight months to bring

these fish to a size of five to six inches in body depth. This size does

not include the dorsal or anal fins. This requires careful and nutri-

tious foods being given. These should include dry foods of high protein

value together with alternate feedings of such live foods as Daphnia,

brine shrimp, white worms and small garden worms (finely chopped).

I have found that daily feeding of scraped frozen chicken liver or

lean steak definitely stimulates a sturdy growth.

When these fish are about one year old, it is then time to keep

daily observation for mated pairs. When it is noticed that two par-

ticular fish stay together in one area of the aquarium, and they have

been together for at least six hours and chase all other fish away,

12

then it is safe to presume that they are a mated pair. It is not possible

at this time to detect which is male or female, but this will be easily

observed once an actual spawning has taken place.

However, the most intricate part of the operation is yet to come,

that is, the removal of the two fish, This must be accomplished in

one operation, otherwise should you break them up, it is well known

that, once broken, a mated pair will rarely re-mate. This is another

unexplainable trait of the Angelfish.

I have found that the most simple approach to the matter of

removing mated pairs is to turn off the lights above the aquarium in

which the fish are. There is less likelihood of causing them to break

apart to different areas within the aquarium simply because they do

not see the net being placed in the aquarium. There is usually suffi-

cient light from the room itself that permits you to see what you are

doing. Use a large net and try to capture both fish at the same time.

PREPARING THE SPAWNING AQUARIUM

As is often the case, these fish will spawn or attempt to spawn

in a community aquarium. This presents a problem, whether or not

to remove all the other species and leave the spawning pair in that

aquarium, or to remove the spawning pair to another aquarium.

Possibly the latter of the two probable suggestions is the best pro-

cedure, but this means that another aquarium must be prepared.

This preparation is very important if success is to be achieved.

However, casual observation quickly denotes that a pair of

Angelfish are ready to spawn. This is indicated when the pair com-

mence to vigorously clean the leaves of the plants, and this early

indication allows for plenty of time to prepare another aquarium. The

aquarium should be as large as possible, the minimum size should

be around 25 gallons capacity. The interior of this aquarium should

be thoroughly sterilized and the sand boiled and washed. The plants

should also be thoroughly washed, and if time permits, it is better

to sterilize these by using the Alum Method, now described.

Two enamel containers around two gallons capacity (never use

galvanized iron containers) should be filled with boiled water which

is allowed to cool. To the water in one container, add one teaspoonful

of powdered alum to each quart of water. Place all the plants to be

used in the spawning aquarium into this solution for a maximum

period of five minutes, remove after this time and thoroughly rinse

in the water in the other container. Once the water has been placed

into the spawning aquarium it should be carefully checked in regard

to the pH and Dh. The pH should not be more than 6.8, that is,

13

slightly acid. The Dh should be around 6 degrees of hardness.

It is important that, once the spawning pair have been placed

into the freshly set-up aquarium that the temperature should begradually increased to around 86 degrees Fahrenheit. This temper-ature should be maintained until the young fry are at least four

weeks old as well as during the incubation period of the eggs.

There are some species of tropical fish that have preference for

certain times during the day to spawn, that is, some prefer the veryearly morning hours, others around mid-afternoon. This aspect can-

not be applied to the Angelfish. They will spawn at any time during

the day or early evening. I have had experiences where the actual

spawning has taken place when the aquarium has been in complete

darkness. Usually the spawning time takes place about two hours

after the cleaning process has been finished.

First the pair will clean off the appointed spawning site.

Before the actual spawning is commenced the female will makeone or two trial runs up the leaf, rock or glass of the aquarium. Inthe meantime the male will stay away from this area until theactual spawning is started.

14

Then the female lays her eggs and the male follows fertilizing them.

Here is a closeup shot of the male fertilizing the eggs.

15

A closeup of the developing eggs. The eggs are held into the spawning site by afine, sticky string which comes from the head of the newly hatched fry. Photo byTimmerman.

However, once the spawning is started, the female will lay theeggs at the selected spot, always commencing at the bottom andgoing in an upwards motion. The male follows immediately behindand fertilizes the eggs as they are laid by the female.

The spawning usually takes between two to three hours. This is

more or less governed by the number of eggs laid. Age of the spawn-ing pair will also have some bearing upon the number of eggs laid,

if very young, approximately two hundred to three hundred eggs will

be the maximum whereas a more mature pair will lay anywherefrom eight hundred to fourteen hundred eggs.

Once the spawning has been completed, the spawning pair will

take turns fanning the eggs with their pectoral fins. The incubationperiod is usually around five days.

A major problem now presents itself, that is, whether to leave thepair with their spawning, remove them or remove the actual spawning.

This is a very difficult decision to make, especially if it is, the

first spawning. There has been no indication whether or not thespawning pair are going to be compatible parents.

However, whatever may be your decision, it is important whenseparating the eggs from the breeders, that the eggs be properlyaerated. An aerating stone should be placed in such a position that

the stream of air bubbles causes the water around the spawning to

be continually moving.

If the spawning is on a leaf, then the aerating stone should bepositioned directly beneath the leaf, if on a rock or one of the

glasses of the aquarium, then the aerating stone should be positioned

to ensure a movement of water over the eggs. This acts as a substitute

for the movement of the water as caused by the fanning process bythe pectoral fins of the pair.

16

It should be pointed out at this time that there is a well founded

theory that the Angelfish have an instinct that they know whether

or not the spawning will produce a sturdy and healthy batch of

young fry. Because of this, they will often, after a period of two

days, devour the whole of spawning. This can happen to several

subsequent spawnings before the pair will permit one to hatch.

Personally, I believe there is a certain amount of established

fact in relation to this instinct. From an actual experimental test

the following were the results.

A young mated pair spawned twice within a matter of three

weeks, each time devouring the eggs within forty-eight hours. Upon

the third spawning taking place I removed the leaf to another

aquarium. This aquarium contained water from the original spawn-

ing aquarium. Many of the eggs became fungused, but about 60

percent hatched out. Although given a carefully prepared diet, as

these young fry grew it was found that they were of exceedingly

poor color and very unevenly marked. None of the young fry reached

an age of six months

However, the original pair continued to spawn every two weeks,

and they devoured spawnings number four, five and six. The seventh

spawning they permitted to hatch.

The young fry developed quickly, using the same carefully

prepared diet, they not only grew quickly, but had excellent color-

ation, evenly marked with the vertical black stripes that were very

crisp and dense. This batch of young fry ultimately grew into a

fine batch of Angelfish. The eventual result was that over thirty

mated pairs developed from this batch.

Another important feature of these fish is, that during the

period of bringing the young fry to maturity, especially before the

time they actually begin to develop the "Angelfish shape", it might

appear that the parents are devouring their family. This is not so.

What actually is happening is that they are removing harmful

bacteria from the young fry's bodies by the simple process of

washing them in their mouths.

Too often, when this process is observed for the first time, the

hobbyist, believing that the young fry are being devoured, will

immediately get a net and try to remove the young fry. More times

than not, this is a fatal mistake, because as soon as the breeders see

the net they will think that there is danger to their family and

they will then commence to devour their family in real earnest.

Remember, if the spawning pair have given sufficient care to

the eggs to the point that they have hatched, and the young fry

17

have become free swimming, very little fear should be entertainedthat the parents will devour them. Usually after reaching this stageit can be more or less assured that the parents will raise theirfamily to full maturity.

There is not a more beautiful sight than an aquarium containingthe parents and a hundred or so young Angels, and provided thespawning aquarium is large enough, then there is no reason whythe young fry cannot be left with the parents until they are at leastthree months old unless the parents breed again in the meantime.

When Angelfish ore frightened their stripes pole. The fish on the bottom is notofroid, wh.le the fish above is frightened. Photo by Timmerman.

FEEDING

After the fry hatch from the eggs, nature itself supplies thefood requirements for their first few days of life. Attached to theyoung fish, in the region below the lower jaw and the commence-ment of the anal fin there can be easily seen what appears to bea small bladder.

18

This is the yolk sac containing highly concentrated nutrimentand until this entirely disappears it is not necessary to supply anyother type of foods. During this time the young are usually attachedby a sticky thread to the spawning site.

After the disappearance of the yolk sac however, the initial

foods to be supplied must be given careful consideration. The generalpractice is to give infusoria.

Infusoria is easily cultured, and there are many methods of

doing this; the usual method is to use "Infusoria tablets" purchasedfrom the local dealer.

There is always the danger of fouling the water when usinginfusoria, caused by the fact that it is colorless and there is novisual indication that it is being ingested by the young fry. Anoverdose of infusoria can easily be recognized by its foul odor andcloudy appearance.

Infusoria feeding should be given for a period of at least five

days. After this time, additional nutriment can be offered in the

form of the yolk of a hard boiled egg. This must be squeezedthrough a piece of very fine linen, and again, care must be takennot to give too much at one time.

Once the young fry have reached an age of approximately five

weeks they should be given frequent feedings of newly hatchedbrine shrimp. As a supplement to this, finely scraped frozen chicken

liver or lean steak may be given.

When the fry have reached an age of ten weeks, finely choppedwhite worms can be given, but not more than twice a week. Toofrequent feedings of white worms, because of their laxative qualities,

can cause harm that in some instances can prove fatal. This laxative

quality in white worms has a very undesirable effect upon the diges-

tive organs.

After the young fry have reached an age of three months it is

then safe to give feedings of any of the standard dry foods, but

this should be augmented occasionally with some other types of

live foods, if available.

According to the size and number of young fry, it is essential

that the batch be divided up and placed into other aquaria. Remem-ber, fish will only continue to grow according to the water content

in which they are expected to live. Overcrowding, or having the

fish in too small an aquarium can only result in poorly developed

and runted fish.

In conclusion, the hobbyist should remember that, patience and

care is vitally necessary if success is to be achieved. Haphazardmethods and indifference can only result in failure.

19

THE ALL BLACK ANGELFISHby Julianna and Fred Ludwig

The first spawning of All-blacks accomplished by the Ludwig's of Detroit! Only a fewpeople have successfully bred an All-black to an All-black. Usually an All-black is

crossed with a Lacetail. The Ludwig's breed All-blacks to each other. Dr. Leonard P.

Schultz identified the All-blacks that the Ludwig's are breeding as a variety of the

P. eimeckei.

20

This community aquarium of All-black and lacetail Angelfish was photographed in

the aquarium of the Ludwig's of Detroit. They pioneered the All-black Angelfish and

were the first to produce 100% All-blacks.

The title of this article utilizes the term "All Black" in the adjec-

tive form only! It is neither our intention nor our privilege to attach a

name to this beautiful angelfish, a product of our untiring efforts down

through the years. Several articles (see TFH, April, 19541 have ap-

peared from time to time mentioning the legendary black angelfish in

very vague terms; nothing has been mentioned of a pure black fish. It

is our desire, as fanciers and admirers of truly fine aquarium fishes, to

give a thorough and honest evaluation of our achievements and experi-

ences in the production of this lovely new aquarium variety. At this

writing we have arrived at the generation from which we will select our

future breeding stock. We have reason to believe that THIS IS IT! in

respect to a true strain. These fish are on display in our store (in De-

troit) for any and all to see. We have no secrets and nothing to hide.

It is fairly difficult for us to describe our all black angelfish since

we are not trained fish scientists, but we will tell you how they appear to

us, the rest we leave to anyone who cares to visit and see for themselves

. . . maybe our accompanying photographs will help those that are

skeptical.

21

i (•(>/ UlJflUllU III I liflLr\-C'l fXlll I hoto Credit: Aquaphoto by Oer»e vvoijshei'

First, our all black angelfish are ALL BLACK. Nowhere is there

any silver; there are no stripes on any part of the body; the only shad-

ing one sees is right after the fish have eaten a very heavy meal andtheir bellies are swollen. Then the area around the bulging belly has a

golden black color . . . possibly the skin showing through the distended

22

scales. The eyes are predominantly gold with black pupils, a very

striking effect against the black background since there is no distrac-

tion from stripes, bones nor discolored gill plates. The fins are a sight

to behold! They are flowing black velvet without pattern . . . the tail,

truly a marvel, resembles other ahgelfish in shape and size, but the openlatticework is bounded by straight, pure black rays. At the outer edgesa 'lacetail' effect might be noticed.

We have been working on the development of this strain without

any consideration for other inheritable characteristics. We did not care

about the inbred aggressiveness nor the hardiness of the strains. For-

tunately we were lucky and these fish are very hardy; they take all

kinds of live and dried foods and their appetites are fantastic. We havetested their ability to withstand overcrowding and abuse. We have sub-

jected them to starvation and neglect (for scientific reasons only, beassured

) ; we have altered the pH and hardness of the water and withall this rough treatment they are as good as new. We truly believe that

this strain is perfect in all details.

As far as growth is concerned they surpass the normal varieties byalmost doubling their size every week for three months. If given plenty

of room they will keep right on growing to enormous proportions. Theirtemperament can be described as normal, though they are a bit moreaggressive, greedy and capricious than the normal variety. They are

pugnacious too, constantly cavorting about, exploring every movementin or near their aquarium. They are afraid of nothing except a net . . .

and I think all fishes are afraid of a net.

In photographing these fish we made no attempt to confine themto any limited space; they cooperated by posing in their best manner,but it sure was difficult getting a group of them to "stand still" for evena second . . . they were just too busy.

Down through the years we have specialized in breeding cichlids.

Angelfish were in the greatest demand at all times so we specialized in

these. Now and then we would produce a sport which would stimulate

our imagination to new kinds of angelfish. When the black one camealong we accepted the challenge and our battle began. We babied theblackish fish and pampered them until finally we emerged with a groupof all different types of angelfish. Only one was black and it took almosta year of waiting and searching until we eventually produced anotherlike it. Finally after waiting for this fish to mature, and hoping andpraying that the other would hold on (and that one would be a maleand the other a female ), we were blessed with a spawning! Let us sayat this point that if the experiment ended here we would have beenperfectly content. Our struggle from this point on has been the produc-

23

tion of black angelfish for commercial purposes. To the exclusion of all

commercial possibilities and thoughts we completely lost ourselves

when fixed black pigment appeared where it normally would not appear

on an angelfish. As the fish grew and we inbred generation after gen-

eration (selecting the blackest fish at all times), the angelfish grew

darker and darker. In the beginning not all the offspring were dark, but

as we inbred more and more were dark until this final spawning when

ALL THE BABIES WERE BLACK! It was about this time that we

introduced black angelfish from another breeder. To this date we can-

not locate the prime source of these other fish, but maybe someday we

will (Editor's note: Herb Wolff of Tampa, Florida and Beldt's Aquar-

ium in Robertson, Mo., have reported that they are producing all black

angelfish )

.

When we crossed our fish with the new blacks, we worked out a

jet black, the fish we call the "All-Black Angelfish." This new fish is

much blacker than any of the new fish we acquired from other people

and much blacker than our own original strain. We believe it to be the

ultimate in the perfection of a new variety of aquarium fish.

24

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