The male fish are kept in bottles separately, and when in a state of quiet they are dull looking little fish, but if two bottles be brought together, the little creatures become greatly excited and the raised fins and whole body shine with bright metallic colours of dazzling beauty.
If two male fish are then placed together they fight like terriers. When fighting they utter a curious ringing note which sounds like "Kring Kring" and probably this accounts for another name by which they are known viz. Ikan karing.
The Kěpar (Polyacanthus hasseltii) is another beautiful little fish and quite common in brackish swamps and ponds.
This fish has been bred in confinement by Chinese, probably for centuries, and is known as the Paradise fish to aquarium owners in Europe. In its native element, in dark or muddy water, it is of rather a drab brown colour but if kept in a bowl in clear water, it has a beautiful golden colour with red transverse bands.
CORAL FISHES.
(POMACENTRIDAE.)
This family resembles the Chaetodontidae (Coral Fishes) in form and mode of life, likewise in the brilliant colouration. For this reason I have applied the same English name in the absence of any other for this particular family.
Over 150 species are known. Some 30 species are described in Day's Fishes of India and probably the family is better represented in Malayan than in Indian waters.
As the names Inggu and Gombing shew, the Malays include Chaetodontidae and Pomacentridae in one family and curiously enough, the scaly-finned fishes (Chaetodontidae) resemble the Pomacentridae so closely that in some instances actually the same colouration and markings are common to members of the two families. This, as remarked by Dr. Günther, is one of many instances shewing that the colouration of animals depends to a great extent on their mode of life and natural surroundings.
From an edible point of view they are not of much economic importance but all specimens brought to the markets seem to find ready purchasers.
"WRASSES" OR PARROT FISHES.
(LABRIDAE.)
The "Wrasses" form a large family of most brilliantly coloured marine fishes, inhabiting all the tropical and temperate coasts.
Their regime is partially herbivorous, partially carnivorous.. About 400 species are known.
Some of the members of this family have been observed to build nests for the protection of their eggs and young.
