AUTHOR'S PREFACE 



There is perhaps no other means of bringing so complete a bit of 

 Nature into our very homes as that afforded by the aquarium. Here we 

 have opportunity for the student, the artist, the scientist and for those 

 who simply love pets. Modern research, by the discovery of a few simple 

 principles, has enabled us to absolutely reproduce the conditions of 

 aquatic Nature, so that now we may have, at first hand, an intimate 

 kno^\•ledge of much of that mysterious life of the water-world. Through 

 the glass of the aquarium we have a window where that which we see 

 is only limited by our own capacity for observation. 



Although interest in aquaria has undergone a great awakening in the 

 past few years, the public in general is still ignorant of the correct prin- 

 ciples of aquarium management, and of the wonderful accomplishments 

 of the breeders of fancy fishes. In addition to the extraordinary goldfish 

 forms there are now available for our purposes over 300 other kinds of 

 aquarium fishes. These, with other aquatic animals and a wide range of 

 plants give us a great wealth of material from which to choose. 



It is the aim of the author and the publishers to present in simple yet 

 comprehensive form a practical digest of all available information on the 

 subject. This, it is hoped, will be of real value to the intelligent aquarist 

 and at the same time give the general public a clearer idea of possibilities 

 under proper management, so that an aquarium will no longer be merely 

 something which must be perpetually re-stocked with fishes, but an endless 

 source of pleasant and profitable observation. 



The illustrations used are, in nearly all cases, either drawn or photo- 

 graphed from life, thus establishing records which should be of value for 

 present or future reference. 



In the preparation of this volume the author has received valued 

 assistance from leading specialists, breeders and general experts including 

 the distinguished head of the United States Bureau of Fisheries, Dr. 

 Hugh M. Smith. Special acknowledgment for generous co-operation is 

 tendered Dr. E. Bade, Mr. Franklin Barrett, Dr. Herman Burgin, Mr, 

 Wm. H. De Nyse, Mr. Richard Dorn, Mr. Henry W. Fowler, Mr. Joseph 

 Froelich, Mr. Frank J. Myers, Mr. Wm. L. Paullin, Mr. W. A. Poyser, 

 :\Ir. Fred. Schaefer, Dr. C. H. Townsend and Mr. Charles E. Visel. Mr. 

 W. L. Brind should receive credit for his assistance in the preparation 

 of the list of Exotic Fishes, his knowledge and specialized technique 

 as a translator proving of particular value. 



