12 AQUARIUM MANAGEMENT 



the top on a dull, heavy day when the barometric pressure is low, that 

 should give no concern. It will pass with the weather. 



A hungry fish beggmg at the surface for food is quite different from 

 one that is there for air. The hungry beggars only rise at the approach 

 of a person and do not remain constantly at the top. Fish struggling for 

 air stay there, or only go down for a few moments when frightened. 



While temporary relief may be had by changing water, that does not 

 really solve the problem. Either the number of fish must be reduced or 

 a larger container provided. 



TEMPERATURE CHANGES 



Changing the Water. Repeated changes of water are injurious to 

 fishes. In many localities even one change is dangerous, because the new 

 water may contain an extra heavy charge of disinfectant or other chem- 

 ical. Water must, however, be changed sometimes, and there is a right 

 way to do it. Here we apply the second on our list of Nature's ways, 

 "No sudden temperature changes". No matter how rapidly the air tem- 

 perature may alter, the water in streams and ponds never jumps several 

 degrees instantly. To change fish suddenly from one temperature to an- 

 other is unnatural and injurious. It is the cause of much disease among 

 them. 



Draw the water and allow it to stand at the same temperature as the 

 aquarium at least two hours before use. If the fishes are suffocating they 

 should not wait so long for a complete change of water. Take out say a 

 quarter of the contents and put in fresh, first tempering it by the addition 

 of warmer or cooler water to equalize it with that which they are in. Just 

 a trifle cooler is allowable for partial changes made for this reason. 



In drawing new water from the spigot, if the presence of chlorine is 

 suspected, hold a finger over the nozzle and squirt the water as hard as 

 possible into the bucket or other container. This liberates much of the 

 gas. The finest spray from a hose nozzle is even better. Chlorine may 

 be entirely removed by boiling the water. Contrary to general belief, 

 boiled water is not objectionable, only it should be aerated by pouring 

 after it has cooled. 



A good way to place the water in the aquarium is to pour it from a 

 sprinkling pot. Filling the pot with aquarium water and sprinkling it 

 back is one way to freshen it. 



Many experienced aquarists are so suspicious of new water (or raw, 

 as they call it) that when drawing off dirt and sediment they allow the old 

 water to settle in a pail and return the clear portion. Some even filter it, 

 so as to lose as little as possible. A method of doing this will be found 

 on page 125. Raw water is more dangerous in the winter and spring. 



