Tlie losses which the amateur fancier necessarily meets with in the beginning are less likely to be 

 clue to neglect than to over attention. This is particularly true of feeding. 0\'er-feeding and the use 

 of improper foods are responsible for most of the losses in aquaria: where one tish dies of starva- 

 tion, one hunilred succumb to an overloaded digestive tract. 



Inasmuch as the limited water supply cif a home acjuarium is quickh' deplelc(i nf whale\cr natural 

 fund may be therein, from the outset it bec(jmes necessar\- to provide fix id in (|uantit\- suited to the 

 number and size of the fish on hand. In a properly appointed aquarium a certain amount uf food 

 will constantly be produced, but this is entirely insufficient; and deiicndence must always be placed on 

 food from without. 



There are various kinds of leady jjrepared foods suitable for gi_)ldfish in aipiaria. .Vniong these 

 probably the best is the wafer made of rice flour that may l)e obtained from all dealers in ornamental 

 fishes. A certain amount of animal food is essential, and the regular use of this will conduce to the 

 growth and health of the fish. Readily obtainable objects of this chaiacter are earthworms, that 

 should be chopped into small pieces: mosquito larv:e. that might easily be bred for this purpose: ento- 

 mostraca, collected from an adjacent pond t)r ditch ; ant larvae ; and bits of oyster, mussel, and raw meat. 



One of the pleasantest duties of the goldfish fancier is to feed the fish, and for the reason that it is 

 interesting it is likely to be overdone. especiall\' if all the meml)ers of a houseliold undeitake to gi\e 

 all kinds of food at all hours. L'nder the conditions in a small aquarium, goldfish do not require and 

 should not receive focul more than twice a day, and in some cases it nia_\- be lietter to gi\e it onK once 

 a day. No definite rules can be given governing the (|uantity of food to be administered; this depends 

 on special conditions, and must be based on experience and observation. It ma\- l)e stated, however, 

 that I be atiionni o| IihmI should always be limited, and ne\er in excess of the immediate needs and tlic 



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