114 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



The Director and Curators of the Aquarium have for some 

 time entertained the opinion that the methods of feeding fishes 

 should be modified. Among those lost from time to time were 

 specimens which dissection showed to be excessively fat. 



It was known from the work of Dr. MacCallum, Pathologist 

 to the Aquarium, that the principal losses were due to parasites 

 — but overfeeding might be causing losses that could be pre- 

 vented. 



It has always been the practice at the Aquarium to feed 

 freely every day and it was decided to experiment for a time 

 with feeding on alternate days only, yet allowing as much food 

 to each tank as its occupants would consume. 



The results of this method of feeding after several months 

 trial were found to be satisfactory. The health of the fishes 

 was apparently better, while the saving in cost and especially 

 in the labor of preparing food was materially lessened. 



Fishes in captivity have rather limited space for exercise, 

 and some species still remain unnecessarily fat. Continued ex- 

 periment may show that the food allowance could be further re- 

 duced with beneficial results. 



A complete list of gifts to the Aquarium will be found else- 

 where in this report. 



The tropical fishes figured in this report, black grouper, red 

 grouper, dog snapper, white margate, tiger rockfish and squirrel 

 fish, are species which have long been exhibited at the Aquarium. 

 They belong to the Florida and West Indies region, where they 

 are regarded as excellent food fishes. The black grouper reaches 

 a weight of 50 pounds. The red grouper grows even larger, and 

 sometimes ranges north as far as Virginia. In the Aquarium 

 it is much given to changing its markings and coloration which 

 it often does instantly. The dog snapper is a fish of moderate 

 size, and in Cuba is known as "jocu." The white margate is 

 found from Florida to Brazil and is well known in West Indian 

 markets. 



Specimens of the tiger rockfish two feet long have been 

 received, but, like some other species of groupers, it probably 

 reaches a much larger size in deep water. 



The squirrel fish is a well-known food fish, and is celebrated 

 for its brilliant red coloration. It is known to reach a length 

 of two feet. 



All of these species thrive in captivity. 



