102 THE AQUARIUM, APRIL, 1897. 

rium will stand as many fish as the 
plants can supply with oxygen. 
The only way to ascertain the ability 
of a tank is by beginning with a few 
specimens, adding from time to time 
until you see by the action of the fish 
that you have arrived at the limit. 
Fish, in order to be objects of study 
or enjoyment, should above all things 
feel comfortable and happy ; they must 
feel ‘‘at home,” and it is much the bet- 
ter plan to keep only a few choice speci- 
mens (of a noble type and good habits) 
and make real pets of these, than to 
crowd the tank with indifferent stock. 
For an aquarium holding from five to 
twenty gallons of water and kept for 
ornamental purposes, two handsome 
specimens of equally proportioned 
sunfish, for instance, strawberry bass ; 
or a pair of brook trout; or two 
gorgeous Japanese fringe-tail goldfish ; 
or a pair of golden tench, make astrik- 
ing effect. A similar good effect is ob- 
tained if such a tank is stocked with 
about five fish of different varieties of 
the same species. Tanks of the author 
were seen by millions of people at the 
various industrial expositions during 
the last twenty-five years where we had 
them displayed, and we had good op- 
portunities to notice which arrange- 
ment was the most admired. Such a 
tank as mentioned above brings the ar- 
rangement of the rockery and the plants 
to full notice. The fish appear like so 
many cattle in a pasture with the edge 
of a piece of forest as a background. 
The whole is a living picture continu- 
ally changing, but always charming. 
Its perfect silence rests our nerves and 
imparts a peaceful feeling. 
If the aquarium is to be a source of 
information to children or pastime for 
invalids, a different course is to be 
taken and the collection should com- 

prise various species of fish in order 
that the different forms, habits and 
structures may be compared and 
studied. 
GENERAL MANAGEMENT. 
There now remain a few remarks to 
be said in regard to the general manage- 
ment of an aquarium. We say a few 
remarks, because if the aquarium has 
been properly started, it almost takes 
care of itself, all that is necessary is to 
feed the fish regularly every day. One 
person only should have charge of this, 
and the fish should be fed as nearly as 
possible at the same period. Allow for 
each fish a mouthful of food each feed- 
ing time. Should any unconsumed 
food remain at the bottom the tadpoles 
and snails will devour it. Once or 
twice a week the inside of the glass 
should be cleaned with the wiper, thus 
preventing algae covering it and ob- 
structing the view. This is a flat 
sponge or thick piece of felt securely 
fastened to an appropriately shaped 
metal plate on the end of a stick, or on 
the flattened and wider end of the 
stick itself. At the same time the 
water lost by evaporation should be 
replaced. 
Once a week the sediment that has 
collected between the pebbles, intro- 
duced for this purpose, should be re- 
moved by the aid of a glass dipping tube 
or a rubber syphon. Sand that has 
been displaced by the fish, laying the 
roots of the plants bare, is returned to 
its proper place with the dredge. This 
is a little scoop-like instrument of 
metal, fastened at right angles toa long 
handle. 
Some times it happens that a plant 
is pulled out of the sand by the fish, or 
accidentally by a visitor ; such a plant 
should be replanted without delay. 
