AUTHOR’S PREFACE 
There is perhaps no other means of bringing so complete a bit of 
Nature into our very homes as that afforded by the aquarium. Here we 
have opportunity for the student, the artist, the scientist and for those 
who simply love pets. Modern research, by the discovery of a few simple 
principles, has enabled us to absolutely reproduce the conditions of 
aquatic Nature, so that now we may have, at first hand, an intimate 
knowledge of much of that mysterious life of the water-world. Through 
the glass of the aquarium we have a window where that which we see 
is only limited by our own capacity for observation. 
Although interest in aquaria has undergone a great awakening in the 
past few years, the public in general is still ignorant of the correct prin- 
ciples of aquarium management, and of the wonderful accomplishments 
of the breeders of fancy fishes. In addition to the extraordinary goldfish 
forms there are now available for our purposes over 300 other kinds of 
aquarium fishes. These, with other aquatic animals and a wide range of 
plants give us a great wealth of material from which to choose. 
It is the aim of the author and the publishers to present in simple yet 
comprehensive form a practical digest of all available information on the 
subject. This, it is hoped, will be of real value to the intelligent aquarist 
and at the same time give the general public a clearer idea of possibilities 
under proper management, so that an aquarium will no longer be merely 
something which must be perpetually re-stocked with fishes, but an endless 
source of pleasant and profitable observation. 
The illustrations used are, in nearly all cases, either drawn or photo- 
graphed from life, thus establishing records which should be of value for 
present or future reference. 
In the preparation of this volume the author has received valued 
assistance from leading specialists, breeders and general experts including 
the distinguished head of the United States Bureau of Fisheries, Dr. 
Hugh M. Smith. Special acknowledgment for generous co-operation is 
tendered Dr. E. Bade, Mr. Franklin Barrett, Dr. Herman Burgin, Mr. 
Wm. H. De Nyse, Mr. Richard Dorn, Mr. Henry W. Fowler, Mr. Joseph 
Froelich, Mr. Frank J. Myers, Mr. Wm. L. Paullin, Mr. W. A. Poyser, 
Mr. Fred. Schaefer, Dr. C. H. Townsend and Mr. Charles E. Visel. Mr. 
W. L. Brind should receive credit for his assistance in the preparation 
of the list of Exotic Fishes, his knowledge and specialized technique 
as a translator proving of particular value. 
