The Inhabitants of the Aquarium 217 



The Eel (Anguilla rostrata) is found in 

 all waters close to, and connected with the 

 coast. Occasionally and when small, it is 

 kept in the aquarium, where it will live for 

 years. Caught young and during the win- 

 ter season, it is silvery white and almost 

 transparent, the eyes appearing like two 

 small black beads in a silvery setting. Ex- 

 posed to' the light the color gradually 

 darkens, until it is of a rusty brown or a 

 light olive green above and yellowish below. 

 It is not safe to keep the eel with non-ag- 

 gressive or slow-swimming fish. It is espe- 

 cially risky to keep it together with long- 

 finned and long-tailed gold fish ; for it will 

 fasten itself to some part of the fins, taking 

 such a tenacious hold that it only drops off 

 when the piece enclosed between its strong 

 jaws separates from the body of its victim. 

 Fish of quick motion but little strength 

 know how to avoid this very interesting, but 

 bold and aggressive robber. 



