The losses which the amateur fancier necessarily meets with in the beginning are less likely to be 

 due to neglect than to over attention. This is particularly true of feeding. Over-feeding and the use 

 of improper foods are responsible for most of the losses in aquaria; where one h'sh dies of starva- 

 tion, one hundred succumb to an overloaded digestive tract. 



Inasmuch as the limited water supply of a home aquarium is quickly depleted of whatever natural 

 food may be therein, from the outset it becomes necessary to provide food in quantity suited to the 

 number and size of the fish on hand. In a properly appointed aquarium a certain amount of food 

 will constantly be produced, but this is entirely insufficient; and dependence must always be placed on 

 food from without. 



There are various kinds of icady prepared foods suitable for goldfish in aquaria. Among these 

 probably the best is the wafer made of rice flour that may be obtained from all dealers in ornamental 

 fishes. A certain amount of animal food is essential, and the regular use of this will conduce to the 

 growth and health of the fish. Readily obtainable objects of this chaiacter are earthworms, that 

 should be chopped into small pieces ; mosquito larvae, that might easily be bred for this purpose ; ento- 

 mostraca, collected from an adjacent pond or ditch ; ant larvae; and bits of oyster, mussel, and raw meat. 



One of the pleasantest duties of the goldfislr fancier is to feed the fish, and for the reason that it is 

 interesting it is likely to be overdone, especially if all the members of a household undertake to give 

 all kinds of food at all hours. Under the conditions in a small aquarium, goldfish do not require and 

 should not receive food more than twice a day, and in some cases it may be better to give it only once 

 a day. No definite rules can be given governing the quantity of food to be administered ; this depends 

 on special conditions, and must be based on experience and observation. It may be stated, however, 

 that the amount of food should always be limited, and never in excess of the immediate needs and the 



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