84 



•aquatic Eite 



area; if giant Sagittaria is chosen, then 

 half this number, but the tank will do 

 well if the kinds are assorted. In addi- 

 tion to these, to help while they are be- 

 coming established, use several bunches 

 of Anacharis. The latter is an equally 

 good oxygenator, and grows rapidly by a 

 lengthening of the stem, but seldom 

 branches — its only detrimental character- 

 istic. It is necessary from time to time 

 to cut off the tops of the stems and re- 

 plant them, discarding the lower parts. 

 I have had Anacharis reach a length of 

 eight feet in a twenty-gallon tank, wind- 

 ing and rewinding about. To plant these 

 species it is only necessary to thrust the 

 roots or ends in the sand. The Anacharis 

 may be tied loosely in bunches and placed 

 in the corners ; the other species along 

 the window side and at the ends, leaving 

 the front free for the observation of the 

 fishes. 



There are a number of other plants 

 that may be selected, but they are "sea- 

 sonable" and do not flourish at all times. 

 Potomogeton, Cabomba, Myriophyllum 

 and Ceratophyllum fall in this category. 

 Other all-year plants, such as Lugzvigia, 

 Bacopa and some of the mosses are dif- 

 ficult to grow at times, and are kinds to 

 be considered after the tank has become 

 well grown with the "foundation" plants. 



The tank may now be filled with water 

 to within an inch or two from the top ; 

 bury anywhere in the sand a block of 

 plaster of paris an inch square, which 

 will furnish shell-building material for 

 the snails, or use the well-known "Re- 

 genia Salts," a preparation which re- 

 places the solids absorbed from the water 

 by the snails and fishes. Disentangle the 

 plants with a slender stick of wood, 

 arranging the stems and leaves in a free 

 and natural way. 



Much has been written as to the num- 

 ber of fishes that may be maintained in 

 a given quantity of water. Some writers 



have asserted that every inch of fish body 

 requires a certain quantity of water. 

 Such a statement may be either right or 

 wrong — usually wrong. The number of 

 fishes that may be kept in a given bulk 

 of water hinges upon the foundation — 

 the plants. With a dense growth of 

 flourishing plants more may be main- 

 tained than if the plants are sparse and 

 poor. 



The greatest mistake of the beginner 



Jap Broad-tail Goldfish Nine Months Old When 



Photographed by H. W. Schmid 



Bred by George E. Wilt 



is overstocking, and this is simply a way 

 of expressing under-planting in a manner 

 more easily understood. The tyro is im- 

 patient to see his aquarium teeming with 

 fish life. The proper way is to begin 

 with a few specimens, adding others 

 from time to time until a safe maximum 

 has been reached. This is a pleasurable 

 way, and gives one time to become 

 acquainted with each individual fish. The 

 maximum capacity will be best deter- 

 mined by studying the actions of the 

 fishes. When all is well they will he 

 swimming in all parts of the tank, and 

 doing almost anything but remaining per- 

 sistently at the top, taking the surface 

 water. We are, of course, considering 

 over-crowding symptoms, and not actions 



