LIVING FISHFOODS 133 



value and which are so universally distributed as to make their 

 mention here of value are few in number. They are infusoria, daph- 

 nia, mosquito larvae, flies and earthworms. 



Earthworms. Also known as angleworms, gardenworms, rain- 

 worms and groundworms. It would be difficult to overstate the 

 value of these worms to aquarium fishes, especially to highly 

 developed goldfishes. They are a one hundred per cent, natural food 

 and are somewhat laxative in effect. Correspondents have many 

 times asked the author to diagnose their fish troubles when all con- 

 ditions are apparently correct. The usual advice is to try feeding 

 earthworms if possible, and in a majority of cases the trouble dis- 

 appears. Worms from one to three inches long are best. The 

 large sizes become tough. Personal judgment will have to be used 

 as to whether to cut the worms, and to what sizes. The pieces 

 should be easily swallowed. It is unnecessary to wash or scald the 

 worms, notwithstanding some contrary theories on the subject. 

 Fishes can apparently eat more worms without injury to them- 

 selves than they can of prepared foods, but this is also true of the 

 other live foods. All they can consume at a meal does not appear to 

 be too much. The difficulty is more likely to be in keeping up the 

 supply, especially over winter. One should collect as large a stock 

 as possible in the early fall, storing in damp, loose earth in a large 

 box kept cool but not cold. Occasional bits of mashed potato placed 

 in the soil will be eaten by the worms. It should be without salt, 

 preferably. 



There are two principal kinds of angleworms, the earthworm or 

 gardenworm here referred to, which is of a solid pinkish red color, 

 and the dungworm, the body of which is marked with red rings, and 

 which exudes an unpleasant yellow secretion when handled or cut. 

 These are not so tempting as bait for wild fishes, and the aquarium 

 fishes show the same preference for the gardenworm. The dung- 

 worm is found in manure piles and in heavily manured soil. It has 

 the advantage of being more readily obtained in winter. By plac- 

 ing in moist sphagnum or other moss for a few days it is claimed 

 they lose the unpleasant odor. The writer cannot vouch for this. 

 Earthworms form a satisfactory substitute for daphnia in raising 

 goldfishes if one has the opportunity of securing a large and con- 

 tinuous supply, this of course meaning after the fish is large enough 

 to take finely chopped pieces, which should be in about six weeks. 



Daphnia. Among the breeders of aquarium fishes, Daphnia holds 

 the supreme place of importance as a fish food. The fish will 

 consume great quantities of these crustaceans without suffering the 



