16 GOLDFISH VARIETIES AND 
little prisons, and by the frequent pollutions of the water by overfeeding. 
As these globes are the cheapest form of aquarium, it seems as though 
they are destined to remain with us, but the public could be educated in 
the rudiments of handling them—not to overcrowd nor overfeed, nor fill 
to the top, nor stand in the summer sun; and to establish growing plants. 
If this point can be reached it is a step to the abandonment of the “‘globe”’ 
for a real aquarium, where the chances of success are so much greater. 
Removing Dust and Scum. When the aquarium has no cover glass 
or when there is a considerable decomposition of old plants there is 
sometimes a scum formed on top of the water. To remove this tear a 
piece of newspaper to the width of the aquarium. Float the paper at one 
end of tank, lifting by one edge and draw quickly over the length of the 
water. Repeat once or twice with fresh paper. 
Algz and Conferve. Should the plants become completely covered 
with alge or “moss” try introducing a considerable number of small snails. 
The large Japanese variety are not always suitable for this, as they are 
unable to crawl on the smaller leaves. If this fails, remove and destroy 
the plants, thoroughly disinfect the aquarium in every particular and 
replant. Do not allow quite so much light in the future. 
There is a very long, hard conferve about the thickness of horse- 
hair which grows into matted masses. This is quite a pest when once 
established, as it soon fills the aquarium and enmeshes young fish which 
usually die before being rescued. The only way to get rid of this is to 
take up all plants, go over each carefully and see that no single thread of 
the conferve is left. If the smallest bit remains the growth will soon be 
as bad as ever. 
