86 GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF 



at the same time that the tank is perfectly clean, before 

 you put any stock in. This is a point often neglected, and 

 even if the soiling matter be not dangerous to the lives of 

 the fish, it will render the view of the interior obscure and 

 make the tank look untidy. When the aquarium is stocked 

 according to the directions given in the previous chapters 

 we must not suppose that our work is finished, and that we 

 may sit down and leave our collection to take care of itself 

 for there arc certain points that must be always attended 

 to, such as feeding the fish, sickness of animals, etc. 



Feeding Fish. — Generally speaking, any kind of meat may 

 be given to them, if it be torn up into small shreds, re- 

 sembling worms, so that they can easily swallow it, for fish 

 do not masticate their food. I have been used to give 

 mine chicken, as it is tender; but beef seems to suit them 

 best as a general diet. Some writers condemn bread as 

 dangerous ; but I have, generally, not been able to make 

 any but gold-fish cat it, and they seem to thrive on such 

 food. After a time, you will find that your pets will have 

 become so tame as to cat from out of your hand. Minnows 

 will be the first to show this seeming intelligence. Dace 

 and sun-fish next, and after them gold-fish. I have some 

 minnows that come to the surface and nibble my finger 

 when I place it just below the water, and allow mo to 

 stroke them gently, especially before feeding, and when they 

 expect their meal. These fish will often follow their owner 

 around the tank, much after the manner of animals in a 

 menagerie about feeding time. We should always be care- 

 ful not to introduce too much food into the tank at once, 

 as, what is not eaten will decay and foul the water ; and 



