FISH FIGHTING

Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1928, Page 7

FISH FIGHTING

SIAM’S QUEER. SORT

How many people have heard of—far less seen—a lighting fish? asks “J. H. C.” in the Melbourne Age. If an enurepeneur were to advertise a fish light, people would begin to wonder what was (lie matter with him, but in Siam, providing the advertisement were in .Siamese, people would talk and speculate about it as much as we would a world’s boxing championship. In Siam, breeding and training fish for fighting purposes is quite a paying proposition, and in Bangkok, the capital, one finds quite a number of breeders. The lighting fish above referred to arc natives of Siam, where they come to maturity in fresh-water pools and streams. In their natural state, they seem to live in peace and harmony, but by some process, known to the Siamese and Chinese, these fish can be trained to fight. When brought into proximity with another of the species, they be'ome greatly agitated, exactly as if they were losing their temper, and when two come into actual contact, both become immediately pugnacious. Naturally, men will gamble on anything, and when two fish are put toge-t----hcr, bets are made, and the crowd settles down to watch the fight. .A kind Government allows the public to assemble to watch the fights, and also to bet. I have seen a man put £lO on his fish, and lose, so even Siamese bookmakers are in clover.

Only the males of the species fight, and a dealer or breeder is as proud of the pedigree of his fish as an owner is of his racehorses. The fish rarely grow 'o.nger than two inches, and are not very expensive, for even the poorest of Siamese can procure a fighting fish for about a .shilling, and stage private lights with his mother-in-law’s fish, or his neighbour's. The male fish, when not fighting, resembles an ordinary “tiddler,” but when matched against another male, changes appearance, Incoming very dark in colour, and expands his fins, which then show a glorious mixture of red, blue, and green. Tn addition, bis gills open right up, no doubt'to form a shield for some vital spot. At a big fight, the combatants are placed side by side in their respective jars, and for a few minutes view each other pugnaciosly through the glass, whilst their owners place their bets. The fish are then placed together in a large howl, and quickly close for action. They manoeuvre for position with their tails, and then dart at each other at an incredible speed—drawing away again and using what one might call “bowl craft.” They quickly close again, and pieces of torn fin float on the water, giving evidence of what they arc doing to each other, although the eye cannot follow the more intricate moves. The vital spot seems to be under the lower fin, for they endeavour to get hold of that part and try to tear it. I have seen one fish kill another by tearing the lower fin ofF. When one fish shows that ho lias had enough fighting lie starts to lose his brilliant colours, and the other fish is proclaimed the victor. Of course, ■should an owner see that his fish is getting badly hurt, lie is allowed To “throw in the towel,” or at. least stop the fight. The light may only last for a minute, but the best fish light for an hour or more; in fact, a light has even lasted six hours.

A few monlis ago, while on eastern coastal service. T was given six of these fish, two of which were fighters of great repute. 1 took them aboard my steamer, and naturally caused a good deal nf interest and amusement.

They were in separate jam jars, and I was rather worried wli.at to feed them on. Itricd fresh sli and boiled rice, and as they seemed to like it fairly well I continued to make these their

staple food. Tn fa'-t they soon became accustomed my handling, and whilst in the Arabian Sea I foil them on flving fish. Once a- day I let them fight through the glass, and was surprised at the temper they showed.

After much chipping and chaffing I at last resolved to stage a fish fight, ■uid put, the two best fish together. Mv shipmates certainly witnessed a thrilling tight, for after 10 minutes' dingdotig lighting one fish got killed and the other expired shortly afterwards.

Since then T have staged no more big fights, for it is my wish to get the remainder to Sydney. T have travelled many thousands of miles since they came into my possession, and the\ have withstood the changes of climate well. Of course, they all have a name given them by my brother officers. The largest of them is called “Teddy Baldock,” for he seems capable of putting the others to rest.

“Tnchape Rock’’ is another, who i« rather weak at present, as lie does not like ships or the people in them. “Gladys Fairbanks.” the smallest, find" the food rather coarse, and rarely assumes a fighting pose. “Tiddler,” the last of the bunch, is the crafty one of the family, and deserves credit fo'' jumping into “Gladys Fairbanks’s” jar from his own ! You may see some of them in the Sydney Zoo aquarium at a later date date, for the ship’s cat has been verv unluekv—so far.