230 



GOLDFISH VARIETIES A^D 



sticks are better than one. Plants like Giant Sagittaria should be pressed 

 down from two sides. After the plant is placed to the proper depth, it 

 should be held with one stick while the other is used to push sand over 

 the roots and to press down straggling roots which have not been covered. 

 Aquariums should not be planted while filled, but sometimes a few plants 

 ride loose on the first filling or some are added later. For such occasions 

 planting sticks are most handy. A pair of rulers will do for an emer- 

 gency. Almost anything is better than the fingers. 



Scissors. A pair of scissors with a 15-inch rod securely wrapped 

 to each handle is useful for trimming dead leaves from plants. With this 



Fig. 175. Aquarium Scissors 



tool plants can be reached without disturbing anything, and one can get 

 a better view of what is to be done than when working elbow-deep in 

 the water. 



Live-bearing Jars. With most varieties of viviparous (live-bear- 

 ing) fishes it is desirable to promptly separate the mother and other fish 

 from the young in order that they will not be eaten. One simple method 

 is to take a glass funnel about six inches across the top, file a nick where 

 base joins tube, break ofif tube and place a small piece of U-shaped wire 



Figs. 176 and 177. Side and Top Views of All-Glass Breeding Jars, Showing 



Escape Slit 



in the opening so that the wire divides the hole in half. The funnel is 

 then placed in a bell jar or other aquarium of a size that will suspend it 



