CHAPTER XII. FISHES FOR MARINE AQUARIA. THE most attractive marine fishes kept in our public aquaria are unquestionably the wrasses, gurnards, and dragonets. Many of them are resplendent with the most beautiful colours and tints, which rival the hues of tropical birds and insects; and as they all bear confinement well and are not difficult to procure, we cannot be surprised at their being aquarium favourites. The wrasses are crustacean and shell-fish feeders, as a rule, and their teeth are peculiarly adapted for picking shells off rocks. The ballan wrasse (Labrus maculatus) usually assumes mingled colours of blue and green; occasionally it will be adorned with russet-brown, orange, and yellow. It is this chameleon-like power of assuming fresh colours that has undoubtedly multiplied the species beyond requirement, and hence we find more synonyms among the wrasses than in any other group of fishes. In addition to the prominent rows of front teeth, the wrasses have the power of elongating the jaws, and also possess protrusile lips, whence their generic name of “labrum,” a lip. These peculiarities as well as their tints have caused them to be termed "sea-parrots" among fishermen—another name they bear is that of the "old wife." The ballan wrasse is the commonest species, and attains the largest size, often weighing three or four pounds. Frank Buckland tells us, in his charming work 'Popular History of British Fishes,' that this species on the north coast of France is usually red, and there goes by the name of the "red old woman." The adjective name of colour changes with that of the fish to green and yellow, but the "old woman" remains. From what Mr. Couch says, these fish appear to have habits not unlike those of the common stickleback, the largest individuals being lords of their respective districts. The red wrasse (Labrus mixtus) female, is distinguished by the three dark and four light rosecoloured spots which appear at the base of the hinder part of the back fin. These vary in number, so that this species is also called the "double spotted," when there are but two dark spots. The rest of the body is usually a fine red on the upper, and a pale orange on the lower part of the body. Mr. Kent tells us that are torn into pieces before reaching the bottom; but Mr. Lloyd states that shrimps are their most favourite food. The colours and markings of the male and female wrasses generally differ from each other, and it RED AND BLUE WRASSES. 195 has been found from aquarium experience that of the two species named the "red" and "blue," the former is the young fish.* This colour is also that of the female, so that the fact of highly-adorned male fishes assuming the tint and colour of the female when young, is analogous to the rule which prevails among many birds, of the young male bearing the plumage of the adult female. The cuckoo wrasse (Labrus mixtus) is to be seen in public aquaria, the males and females in the same tank, being both highly coloured, but so different in tint and marking that until recently they were regarded as different species. The corkwing and rainbow wrasses are distinguished from those just named by the edge of the gill-cover being finely toothed or crenated, hence Corkwing Wrasse (Crenilabrus melops). their generic name of Crenilabrus. The true wrasses are thus marked when young, but lose the teeth as they reach their adult condition. The corkwing (Crenilabrus melops) is not a very common British fish, *Labrus variegatus and Labrus trimaculatus are the male and female of one species, Labrus mixtus. The green wrasse (L. lineatus) is the young of L. maculatus. smaller than the species just mentioned, but not less beautiful in its bright green body, variegated with a net-work of scarlet and blue. Its fins are of the brown colour of cork, whence the common name of this fish. The rainbow wrasse (Fig. 129) is a very rare fish, whose name is borrowed from its prismatic or rainbow tints. As the specific name implies, it is very abundant in the Mediterranean. The dragonet, or yellow skulpin (Callionymus lyra) is another common aquarium fish, whose gorgeous colours and dragon-like fins and appearance are sufficient recommendation for its introduction. It is not a common British fish; but this may be because it is fond of deep water, and of keeping at the bottom. Like the wrasses, the male and female are differently coloured, and were formerly believed to be different species. The male is easily distinguished by the very long dorsal fin ray. with a beautiful fire-like Their green eyes gleam expression, and are pro |