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•aquatic ILitt 



ficient in number to liberate at all times 

 and under all conditions more oxygen 

 than is needed. 



Novices aiming at odd effects place 

 fairy castles and tunnels in the tank. 

 Nothing is more ridiculous, save perhaps 

 celluloid ducks, geese and alligators ! 

 Space, even in the largest of tanks, is 

 never excessive and should not be delib- 

 erately wasted. To do so merely for 

 the transient pleasure of seeing a fish 

 squeeze through a window and emerge 

 from the roof is as lamentable as it is 

 laughable. 



An important consideration is the loca- 

 tion of the tank. No one would think 

 of keeping a rubber-plant or a geranium 

 in a dark corner. A place in the sunlight 

 is necessary; do not confuse sunlight 

 with sunshine. Water plants will inva- 

 riably cease to function and decay unless 

 they are given sufficient light to perform 

 the process of photosynthesis, in which 

 the needed oxygen is liberated for the 

 fishes. But while it is absolutely neces- 

 sary that they have light, on the other 

 hand too much light will have another 

 consequence. Doubtless everyone has 

 seen the green slime peculiar to swamps 

 and pools, commonly mis-termed malaria 

 water. A similar condition will soon pre- 

 vail in the aquarium if it is allowed to 

 stand in the direct rays of the sun. This 

 is caused by an excessive growth of algae, 

 a group of one-celled plants. So well do 

 they thrive with warmth and sunshine 

 that in a few weeks they may dominate 

 the tank, covering and choking the higher 

 plants, in some instances even rendering 

 movement on the part of the fishes dif- 

 ficult. A large sheet of tissue paper ap- 

 plied to the side of the aquarium nearest 

 the window serves to prevent such an 

 excessive growth. Snails and tadpoles, 

 both of which feed on algae, may well be 

 introduced. 



It is nothing short of idiocy to place 

 too many fishes in an aquarium. A single 

 hot day will work havoc in an over- 

 stocked tank. Three or four fish will live 

 indefinitely in an aquarium of adequate 

 size if they are fed once a day and kept 

 out of reach of inquisitive boys with 

 long fingers and kind-hearted neighbors 

 who like to see the fish eat. 



Many kinds of fish-foods are on the 

 market. Dried shrimp, ground to the 

 proper size, is a good winter food. In 

 the spring and summer small earth- 

 worms, white worms, mosquito larvae 

 and daphne are not to be excelled. The 

 fish should be fed sparingly, especially 

 when using dried foods. As soon as a 

 bit of food travels through the water and 

 lodges on the bottom unnoticed it is time 

 to stop. More if added will only remain 

 on the bottom to decompose. It may be 

 mentioned that the least desirable food 

 is the white rice-wafer so commonly sold. 

 The fishes should preferably be fed in the 

 morning. 



If the tank holds more than ten 

 gallons the water need never be changed. 

 The water will evaporate, however, so 

 fresh water of the same temperature 

 should be added from time to time to 

 keep the level constant. With small 

 tanks half the water should be removed 

 by syphoning at intervals of two months 

 and refilled with fresh water. 



The selection of fishes rests with the 

 owner. My advice is to start with hardy, 

 inexpensive fishes, such as those brought 

 from our southern States, or captured 

 in nearby ponds. Later, with increased 

 knowledge, the more expensive exotics 

 may be acquired. Fishes are apt to 

 perish at the beginning for no apparent 

 reason, and it is less discouraging to lose 

 a native fish easily replaced than it is a 

 costly tropical one. But in a short while, 



