246 FISH CULTUEE 



may occasionally be given, and, if extreme care 

 be exercised, a very small quantity of un- 

 cooked oatmeal; but the last named is danger- 

 ous, since any which is uneaten will ferment. 

 A tablespoonful thrown into an aquarium two 

 feet long would probably kill every fish in 

 twelve hours. 



One of the best foods for goldfish, and indeed 

 for almost any small fish is a minute aquatic 

 creature called daphnia. It is related to the 

 crab family, and under certain conditions is 

 found by the million in still or stagnant pools 

 with mud bottoms, and where aquatic plants 

 are abundant. The daphnia is of a reddish 

 hue, and swims with a short jerky motion. It 

 is most abundant during the summer and early 

 autumn, but it may be gathered in quantities 

 even during the winter. The larvae of daphnia 

 develop on subaquatic plants, and the growth 

 of that useful plankton may be encouraged by 

 spreading cow or sheep manure over the bot- 

 tom of the pond. Greater success is likely to 

 result from using small fish rather than large. 

 A greater number can be carried safely. 



"Aquatic Plants for an 'Aquarium. Aquatic 



