THE FRESHWATER AQUARIUM AND ITS MAINTENANCE 



The use of feeding dishes is an unsettled question. Some expert 

 fanciers claim that it is best to have the fishes hunt their food among the 

 pebbles; but for the novice they have the advantage of showing whether 

 the quantity given is correct and all the food consumed after each feeding, 

 an important observation, as all excess should be removed. 



Stocking the Aquarium. The number of fishes and scavengers 

 which may be safely introduced depends upon the size of the fishes, the 

 conditions under which they have been reared, the quantity of light, the 

 temperature of water, the plant growth, and other circumstances ; but over- 

 stocking, should be avoided. A generally accepted rule for the perma- 

 nent aquarium, under the most favorable conditions, is not more than one 

 2 or 3 inch fish per 25^ to 3 gallons of water, with a tadpole and two 

 snails to each three fishes. Care should also be exercised that the water is 

 of like temperature to that to which the fishes have been accustomed, as 

 any sudden excessive changes are injurious. If they have been kept in 

 cold water, that of the aquarium should be of the same temperature, and 

 assume that of the room after the fishes have been put into it. This is 

 usually between 50" and 80° F. In the aquarium, indoors, in the winter, 

 it is easily maintained between 50° and 60" F., and in summer between 

 65" and 80° F. In the open air the fishes survive almost every tempera- 

 ture, even freezing cold, if the ice is broken to prevent suffocation ; while 

 100° F. is not injurious if sufficient oxygen is contained In the water and 

 no sudden changes in temperature take place. A moderate equable tem- 

 perature, between 50° and 70° F., Is best for the household aquarium, and 

 is easily attained. 



It has been ascertained that for each 16 degrees of lower temperature 

 water will absorb or hold In suspension double the volume of oxygen 

 liberated by plants ; and, inversely, a corresponding diminution will take 

 place for each 1 6 degrees of rise In temperature ; or that water at say 44° 

 F. will sustain nearly twice as many fishes in comfort as will the same vol- 

 ume at 60° F., or three times as many as at the summer heat of 76° to 

 80° F.; and their number should therefore be diminished as soon as they 

 persist in remaining on the surface sucking In the air and taking the re- 

 quired oxygen directly from the air itself. 



In changing the fishes to the aquarium they should be gently handled, 

 floated from one vessel to the other, if possible, avoiding violence or need- 

 less fright, as considerate treatment soon makes them less timid and more 

 fully domesticated. 



Success with goldfishes depends upon cleanliness, a vigorous plant 

 growth to furnish abundant oxygen, intelligent treatment and proper food, 

 sparingly fed. 



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