PREFACE 



THE USE OF FISHES Hs experimental animals has con- 

 tributed much to our knowledge in many phases of 

 animal science. NigrelH ( 1953 ) has reviewed some of 

 the more outstanding of these contributions. The prin- 

 cipal obstacle connected with the use of fishes as ex- 

 perimental animals is the lack of information on the 

 selection and maintenance of experimental fishes. This 

 apparent need has prompted the author to attempt to 

 bring together some of the more important considera- 

 tions associated with this problem. Notable among these 

 considerations are nutrition, disease, and the artificial 

 maintenance of suitable environmental conditions. 



This work is limited to a treatment of freshwater 

 fishes and is based upon the author s experience in this 

 area of interest and upon such Hterature as seems 

 relevant. There are some considerations concerning the 

 maintenance of captive fishes about which there is 

 little information available. It is hoped that research 

 persons wiU. be stimulated to make contributions on 

 these topics. 



The author wishes to thank his v^dfe, Sue D. Lewis, 

 and Mr. Vernon Cole and Mr. Robert Summerfelt of 

 the Southern Illinois University Fisheries Research 

 Laboratory for contributing to this work. 



William M. Lewis 



June 28, 1962 



