plants, it is entitled to consideration if only 

 on account of its interesting character- 

 istics and posiition in the vegetable world. 

 Aquarists are steadily broadening their 

 field of interest and thus securing a far 

 greater knowledge of nature. The day 

 when one was content to consider him- 

 self a competent aquarist by reason of his 

 abilty to maintain a combination of glass, 

 sand, anacharis, cabomba, sagittaria and a 

 few goldfish has fortunately passed. The 

 aquarium opens up a means of readily 

 delving into many departments of natural 



QUILLWORT 



science, hence it behooves us not to neg- 

 lect anything that may be easily studied 

 within its confines. 



In the aquarium the quillwort forms a 

 most excellent snail-food. Hence if one 

 would try the plant, out must go the snails, 

 However, it has at least one most desir- 

 able characteristic, tenacity of life. It 

 will hang on and produce leaf after leaf 

 while a vestige of rootstock remains. I 

 have had, floating in a tank, splendid husky 

 plants that sent forth leaf after leaf as 

 long as a bit of root remained. In spite 



of the fact tliat the plant is subject to at- 

 tack by some species of fishes and snails it 

 proves a most valuable and interesting ad- 

 dition to tlie aquarium. Where found it 

 grows in abundance. Being inconspicuous 

 it is probably often overlooked. German 

 dealers catalog a number of species, those 

 of North America bringing highest prices. 



The Sex of Goldfish 



CHARLES PAULLIN, Philadelphia 



We all want to know, especially during 

 the spawning season, the best way to tell 

 the males from the females. 



There are several ways of telling the 

 sex of goldfisli. First, by the spots on the 

 gills and fins of the male, and the distended 

 appearance of the female. Second, by the 

 male fish swimming after the female. But 

 the best way, and a way not generally 

 known even to some of our most expert 

 breeders, is the difference in the shapes of 

 tlie body of tlie fish during the spawning 

 season. 



If you will look down at the fish from 

 above you will find that the body of the 

 female is uneven, extending further back on 

 one side than on the other, for the reason 

 that one ovary (roe) is always more developed 

 than its mate, giving the fish a lop-sided 

 appearance, while in the male the body 

 extends more evenly on both sides. 



From the Fatherland 



"Blaetter fuer Aquarien und Teirarien- 

 kunde" after mentioning The Aquarium, 

 continues thus: "The small, well gotten up 

 journal will be welcome to all who wish 

 information on the subject of the aquarium 

 in North America, or who wish to make 

 acquaintances over there. Our heartiest 

 greetings to the aquarimn friends beyond 

 the sea." 



Subscription to the "Blaetter" is 2.75 

 marks (70c) per quarter, postage included. 

 Subscriptions to be sent to The Aquarium. 



33 



