AQUARIUM MANAGEMENT 



11 



Fig. 6 Keystone Globe 



even for the small-sized goldfish. A 

 twelve-inch globe, two-thirds filled, 

 can be made into a fairly respectable 

 aquarium, although all globes have 

 the disadvantage of distorting the ap- 

 pearance of the contents. To avoid 

 cracking, the larger sizes should be 

 set on a piece of thick felt or in a 

 saucer of fine sand, so that the weight 

 will be carried evenly. 



The more modern shapes of flat- 

 tened and dish-shaped bowls are great 

 improvements. The "keystone" shape shown in illustration is now made 

 in the cheap globes, and when filled just to the widest point is a vast 

 improvement over the old style. 



To Tell When Fishes Have Insufficient Air. It is when they rise 

 to the top, "sucking bubbles" as some call it, or gasping. It is their way 

 of panting for breath. It is wonderful indeed how the fish know that life- 

 saving oxygen is at the surface of the water. Look at an overcrowded pail 

 of minnows just freshly caught. Probably not in their whole lives have 

 they ever needed to come to the surface for air, but the moment the neces- 

 sity arises, each and every one that is able will hang to the surface for 

 dear life. That is what the lady's goldfishes were doing when she felt 

 they were trying to speak to her ! 



When fishes are found trying to "speak" in this way, their owner 

 should pay heed and act promptly. The condition sometimes arises from 

 uneaten food which has started to decompose. Perhaps it is a dead fish 

 or snail hidden in the grasses. If it is from food, the water is apt to be 

 cloudy. If the water has turned bad it has to be changed. If the trouble 

 is overcrowding, temporary relief can be had by a partial change of water 

 and placing the aquarium in a cooler position. 



"How Often Must I Change the Water?" is truly the commonest 

 question of the beginner. He seems to expect a reply such as "every day", 

 "once a week" or "once a month". There should be no such answer. 

 When the fishes gasp at the surface for air they need attention— probably 

 a partial change of water. Though the water was changed only two 

 hours before and they again come to the top and remain there, they must 

 be looked after. As soon as they seek air in this way their conditions are 

 wrong, even though they do it only every few days. If an aquarium is 

 apparently going along all right for several weeks and the fish come to 



