64 THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. 
Without wishing in the least to belittle fish foods manufact- - 
ured by other parties in this or other countries, I recommend 
my “IXL”’ fish-food, which I have been using exclusively for my 
fish for over twenty-five years, as absolutely appropriate for 
its purpose. If you cannot obtain it from your dealer send 
for it direct, 
The excrements of the fish should be dark, either brownish, 
greenish or black; if it is white or yellow it indicates over- 
feeding. In this case add a pinch of salt to the water of 
the aquarium and stop feeding altogether for two days, reduc- 
ing their daily allowance after that. 
Fish newly obtained should be quarantined for at least a 
week and carefully observed before adding them to one’s col- 
lection of choice specimens. 
In severely cold weather, goldfish have no appetite, the con- 
trary being the case during hot weather. Their meals should, 
therefore, be regulated accordingly. 
Tadpoles and snails are the scavengers, the Health Com- 
missioners of the aquarium. You can get along for a little 
while without snails, but an aquarium should never be without 
tadpoles—one for every two fish in the aquarium. 
Water, being absorbent in the highest degree, is easily 
spoiled, The purest water will be more or less injured and 
made doubtful for our purpose if it comes in contact with 
soluble matter. Copper, iron, galvanized iron, zinc, lead and 
new wood are injurious to water. These should, therefore, 
not come in contact with the water in which aquatic animals 
or plants are kept. Mineral specimens (ore) should, for the 
same reason, be kept out of a collection. Well tinned copper, 
good tinware and silver are not injurious. If the water of 
the aquarium turns opaque a day or two after it was filled, 
