THE FRESHWATER AQUA RIUM AND ITS MAINTENANCE 



Cruelty to Fishes. All admirers of the aquarium should consider it 

 a duty to direct attention to the pernicious practise of keeping fishes in 

 small fish globes. Millions of goldfishes have been killed by slow torture 

 in this regretable precurser of the modern aquarium, and by other uninten- 

 tional cruelties. Many instances can be recalled of globes containing too 

 many fishes, without a plant, hungin the glaring sun; to improper feeding 

 and other practises which a little knowledge of the subject would prevent. 



That the common goldfish is tenaceous of life and will often survive 

 abuses for a long time is no excuse for violating the laws of its nature. 

 Other animals are protected by laws and philanthropic societies, but these 

 seem to interest themselves but little in the fauna of the aquarium. 



It is the dealer in fishes who is responsible for the survival of fish 

 globes. They are the cheapest vessels that can be oflfered to purchasers, 

 and he still has them for sale, rather than explain that the globe is an 

 objectionable form of fish receptacle, superseded by better ones, and that 

 success with its use is hardly possible. He would find that his sales 

 would not diminish from candor and expressions of the truth. If he would 

 explain the laws of balance in the aquarium, it is certain that the success 

 which his customers will have would result in further exciting interest, 

 while an unsuccessful attempt will discourage and may lead to the aban- 

 donment of all hope of success. 



Means should be devised for placing simple correct information with- 

 in the reach of everyone ; then the aquarium would be much more popu- 

 lar than it now is, and this esthetic pleasure in the household would be 

 within the reach of almost every one. 



Experts in the keeping of the aquarium should interest themselves 

 in this subject for the benefit of the general public. The fish globe 

 should be used only as a temporary receptacle or hospital, but it were 

 best if this torture chamber came entirely out of use. 



35 



