10 AQUARIUM MANAGEMENT 



3 1/7 we have a little over 28 square inches. This could very well repre- 

 sent one of the popular-sized globes. According to the measurement it 

 should not contain more than one fish, a little over an inch in length. Of 

 the millions of such globes, few are populated for the welfare of their 

 inhabitants, hence repeated failure and final discouragement. 



Another practical rule which has been advocated by some writers, 

 for estimating the fish capacity of an aquarium, is one inch of fish to the 

 gallon of water. To find the gallon capacity, multiply the length, breadth 

 and height together in inches. Divide the result by 231. The result will 

 be in gallons. This rule is all right for aquaria of average proportions, 

 but the air-surface measurement of the water is more trustworthy, because 

 that is the factor which counts most. Also, it is more apt to keep the cor- 

 rect principle in the mind of the aquarist. 



Any rule is bound to be only approximately correct, because tempera- 

 ture makes a great deal of difference. Fishes breathe slowly in cold water 

 and fast in warm. Furthermore a four-inch fish consumes much more 

 oxygen than four one-inch fishes. It would, therefore, be well to bear in 

 mind that in constant high temperatures (80 to 90 degrees), or for large 

 fishes, more room should be allowed than the rule calls for. 



The reader may sometime see an aquarium containing contented fish 

 in much greater quantity than recommended by the formula outlined by 

 the author. It will always be found that these aquaria are quite cool. 

 Our calculations are made not for the most favorable conditions, but for 

 the average that will be met through the year. 



Experienced aquarists on being asked to diagnose the troubles of the 

 beginner, and advising less fish or more room, are often met with the 

 rejoinder "Why the man in the store said I could keep that many fish." 

 Clerks in pet shops are like clerks elsewhere. They are well intentioned 

 but often lack real experience. Besides, they are naturally a little preju- 

 diced in favor of making more sales. 



Start with few fish and success will be much more likely. If there 

 are too many they will all decline and then it may be too late to save any 

 of them. 



Fish Globes. Much argument has raged about fish globes, some ex- 

 tremists declaring them a cruelty on account of their supposedly focusing 

 the light into the eyes of the fishes. The true objection is that they are 

 nearly always overcrowded, and, owing to their shape, the air surface of 

 the water is small. This can be overcome to some extent by only partial 

 filling. When only two-thirds filled the surface area is about twice as 

 large as when filled to near the top. Except for keeping some of the 

 miniature tropical fishes the small globe is indeed an abomination. None 

 for goldfish should be of less than eight inches at the widest point, not 



