Goldfish Fish 
states that he had a Comet goldfish that formed a 
friendship with a little spaniel, and the two would 
play together through the glass of the tank, or even 
on the surface of the water for a time each day, as 
long as the fish lived. 
If a little bell is struck every time the goldfish are 
fed, they will soon learn that it is the dinner call. 
Mr. Mulertt trained some of his goldfish to call for 
food by ringing a little bell arranged with a lever 
and string attached extending down into the water. 
At first, food was attached to the string, until the 
fish learned that when they rang the bell more food 
would come. Later they rang the bell so often 
that the string was only lowered into the water 
at meal time. 
HOUSE 
The best kind of an aquarium for goldfish is the 
balanced aquarium described. on page 224. But the 
custom of keeping goldfish in globes is so firmly 
established that we must make the best of it, and 
lay down some rules for the use of these ‘Black 
holes of Calcutta’? as someone calls them. The 
reason a globe is not fit for an aquarium is that its 
curved sides allow but a small portion of the surface 
of the water to come in contact with the air, if it is 
filled to the brim. Therefore if the globe is used, it 
should not be filled more than half or three-quarters 
full, so as to leave as large an area of surface of water 
as possible in contact with the air; the water should 
be changed twice a week, and the globes thoroughly 
cleaned, or the fish may suffocate. When the fish 
come often to the surface of the water, it is a sign 
that they are suffering for the want of air, and the 
water should be immediately changed, or dipped 
229 
