BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 381 



186.— CARE OF «©L,I>FI8II.— QIIEKIK** OF lVII.I.IAi?I ROSEIVSTini., 



JR., WITH RFPLiIES. 



By JOH]V A. R\ DEK. 



I have an aquarium with goldfish, and there are several things that 

 I do not understand : 



1. The water I am using in the aquarium is from a well slightly tinged 

 with alum. Will this injure them? I have been using the same kind 

 of water for six mouths. 



2. There collects on their mouths, back, and fins a white substance. 

 What is it f And what is the cause ? 



3. Occasionally I take the goldfish out of the aquarium to clean it, 

 and in putting the goldfish back with fresh-drawn water in the aquarium, 

 at first they move oft' very lively; but in the course of an hour thej' 

 commence to swim on top and seem to breath the air. This they will 

 continue to do for nearly a whole day. Why is this"? Why is it also 

 that when coming to the top they blow out bubbles ? 



4. Day before yesterdaj' I cleaned it. Yesterday and to-day there are 

 two of the goldfish that go to the bottom, and rest perfectly flat on 

 the pebbles in bottom. I have the aquarium in my store near a win- 

 dow. A little sun will strike it of an evening, and I have it arranged 

 in this manner: A tin tank, holding 16 gallons of water, is raised about 

 24 inches above the level of the water in the aquarium and is connected 

 ■with a lead pipe, coming under the anuarium, and a small pipe is ex- 

 tended from tlje lead pipe up through the center of the aquarium and 

 the spray is thrown 3 feet high. Every day I have fresh water drawn. 

 The aquarium holds 30 gallons of water. 



5. I am feeding them on a food (which is specially prepared for them) 

 of which I send you a sample. 



6. Will these goldfish spawn in the aquarium ? How should I treat 

 them if they do ? 



7. There are two of them with their tails seeming to shed. What is 

 the cause f 



8. Is there anything I can put In the water to make them healthy ? 

 Union Springs, Ala., March 14, 1883. 



REPLY BY MR. RYDER. 



1. I do not think the alum in the water is good for the fish. 



2. The accumulation of white substance may be from the water, or 

 possibly may be fungus. The description is not definite enough to 

 decide. 



3. Fish will come to the surface when it is warm and snap the mouth 

 as though for air. The air-bladder of the goldfish communicates with 

 the throat or stomach, which accounts for the bubbles expelled. 



