16 



Aquatic Utt 



been inserted. In the meantime the 

 young have absorbed the yolk-sac and are 

 now searching for infusoria. Later they 

 will need Daphne, Cyclops, raw scraped 

 beef, crushed earthworms or artificial 

 foods. The Bitterling will not breed ex- 

 cept in the manner described. 



After the spawn has been deposited in 

 the mussel, the safest plan is to remove 

 the parent fish to another tank containing 

 a new mussel or two. They will soon 

 start spawning again. To remove the 

 mussel may enable it to throw out the 

 spawn or fry, though nature has provided 

 the little bitterlings with appendages on 

 each side of the back of the head which 

 enable them to a certain degree to hold 

 fast. 



In its native haunts the Bitterling lives 

 in cool, clear, running water. A single 

 pair may be kept in a well-balanced 

 aquarium of good size, and will thrive, 

 but if many pairs are desired, some run- 

 ning water or a working fountain is 

 necessary. This species requires a good 

 supply of oxygen, and if the tank is de- 

 ficient, will try to leap out at every op- 

 portunity. The temperature of the water 

 should be from 60 to 65 degrees, Fahren- 

 heit, which is high enough for breeding. 



The interesting method of reproduc- 

 tion, fine nuptial dress of the male, hardi- 

 ness and low est have served to place 

 the Bitterling in nearly every home 

 aquarium in Europe. They can well be 

 compared with many a costly tropica! 

 fish. 



Community Aquaria 



JOSEPH TAUBLES 



In the opinion of the writer the most 

 interesting aquarium is one that contains 

 a variety of fish life. That this is gener- 

 ally entertained is attested by the numer- 

 ous inquiries relative to the species that 

 can be associated in a tank and live peace- 



fully together. Out of many attempts by 

 my friends three stand out prominently : 



Mr. William H. Heimbach, in a tank 

 measuring 48 by 20 by 20 inches, having 

 a dense growth of rooted plants and 

 plenty of Utricular ia (Bladderwort), has 

 successfully kept nearly every kind of 

 exotic aquarium fishes — live-bearers, egg 

 layers and nest builders. Many fishes 

 may be kept in such a large tank that one 

 would not wisely associate in a small one. 

 This aquarium was maintained at an 

 average temperature of 75 degrees, Fah- 

 renheit. 



Another aquarium, measuring 36 by 

 20 by 18 inches, contains seventeen gold- 

 fish of the fancy breeds, no two alike, to- 

 gether with Xiphophorus helleri, Osphro- 

 menus koelreuteri, Callichthys marmora- 

 tus, Rosy-sided and Red-bellied Dace. 

 Temperature. 64 to 75 degrees, Fahr. 

 The owner of this tank has a hybrid de- 

 rived from Girardinus guftpyi and Xipho- 

 phorus. The fish is about twice the size 

 of a male guppyi, similar in shape, but 

 having a helleri-like tail, the spear of 

 the caudal outlined with black. Colora- 

 tion, yellow, green, blue and red — the 

 yellow and green more intense than with 

 the parents. It is a wonderful fish, and 

 I have been promised some young. 



The third community tank, owned by 

 a man fond of colors above all else, meas- 

 ures 24 by 12 by 14 inches, and con- 

 tains males only of the following species 

 where sex is distinguishable : Girardinus 

 guppyi, Xiphophorus helleri, X. brevis, 

 X. ranchovii, Platypoecilia maculata, P. 

 pulchra., P. rubra, Haplochilus rubro- 

 stigma, PI. chaperi, Gasteropelecus stel- 

 laius, Danio rerio, D. analipunctaius , D. 

 albolineatus, D. malabaricus, Barbm con- 

 chonius and B. semifasciclatus. 



Tom C writing to Ted)— "As for the 

 perch, they bit with their usual veracity." 



