Plant in washed course sand or sand and 
gravel. Do not use fine ocean sand. If 
plants have roots, spread them well. From 
one to two inches is deep enough for the 
sand. 
The next important subject is the number 
of fish which may be placed in the aquarium. 
In spite of advice to the contrary, the 
beginner insists on overcrowding and only 
learns by repeated failures. As a large fish 
consumes more oxygen than a small one, 
there can be no satisfactory rule as to the 
number of fish used, but there is a very 
good rule which it will be well to remember 
—one inch of fish to the gallon of water. 
Phat iskto 
will properly 
This is not counting the tail. 
say, a five-gallon aquarium 
maintain either one 5-inch or five 1-inch 
or ten %-inch fish. 
To calculate the gallon capacity of an 
aquarium, multiply the depth, length and 
width of the water measurement in inches 
and divide the total by 251. 
Avoid globes where possible. The curved 
sides act as lenses to focus the light in the 
eyes of the fish. 
do not fill more than two thirds full. 
If globes must be used, 
This 
gives more air surface to the water than 
when they are filled to the top. The larger 
the air surface, the better. This applies to 
any aquarium. Therefore a broad, flat shape 
is better than a deep, narrow one. Fish 
undoubtedly do better in rectangular-shaped 
aquaria than in globes and they can be seen 
to much better advantage. 
For goldfish an aquarium of less than five 
A 
10-gallon size is a good one to start with. 
gallons capacity is not very satisfactory. 
With many of the tropical fish now being 
introduced it is possible to use very smal] 
aquaria, even down to quart jars. 
Many persons kill their fish by kindness. 
Fish 
in the confinement of an aquarium should 
That is to say, they over-feed them. 
not be fed more than will be entirely con- 
sumed in a few minutes. In moderate and 
warm weather they may be fed once daily. 
If the water is cool (50° to 60°F), every 
40 
other day is sufficient. If below this, once 
a week. The most generally used food is 
the least desirable. This is the white wafer. 
Nearly all dealers sell a better food in gran- 
ular form, composed of dried insects, egg, 
and farinaceous substances. 
The best temperature for goldfish is from 
69 to.70-. 
to the freezing point, but under artificial 
They can maintain life down 
conditions necessary in an aquarium this is 
. . 1} . 
to be avoided. Higher than 80° is also 
dangerous. 
he 
ul 
SAGITTARIA— From Wolf?s “Goldfish Breeds” 
