HARVARD UNIVERSITY. LIBRARY OF THE MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY 50,935 Bclanie Dieta. iH, 19 ri frvembera i I900- Wen 48 ae ret 4 bs ‘AYO? yeh t fl wan ti Aeiid aa 91S At ch Street, ee Pa ll < Manufacturer a S o oy fi es e bay AQUAR IU MS” Aquarium Ornaments © Floral ess <— Goldfish Fish Globes Fish Food and all aquarium requisites. Send for Catalog. M000 000 G3 000 GS 000 090 S000 C900 C000 S000 E600 FRESH WATER BIOLOGY By HENRY B. WARD and GEORGE C. WHIPPLE WITH THE COLLABORATION OF 25 DISTINGUISHED SPECIALISTS All interested in aquatic biology will find here answers to their queries on methods of study, conditions of existence, types of life, and inter-relations of the organisms that inhabit our fresh-water bodies, together with data on their life histories, habits and range. This work is the first complete and accurate record of North Amer- ican aquatic life, especially the micro-organisms; among both plants and animals excluding the vertebrates, higher plants and bacteria, every form is described that has been reported from a fresh-water body on this continent. A comprehensive general discussion of each group precedes the description of individual forms, which are arranged under a key to permit of rapid and accurate determination of the genera and species. Nearly every form is illustrated, and its diagnostic features are pointed . out. Biological data on its habits, frequence and distribution are also given, Fresh-Water Biology is a big book of 1111 pages, with 1547 illus- trations. Price, $6.00, plus postage on four pounds. AQUATIC LIFE, 542 E. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. OOO C000 000 3 000 600 C000 S000 —>000C—Sc00 —Scs700oc > — Wanted vf Che Mature Studp Revie OFFICIAL JOURNAL AMERICAN NATURE-STUDY " | LARGE STORE AQUARIUM SOCIETY | The numbers for the coming school year will With running Water connections - be filled with special articles from practical 8 3 beh N teachers dealing with actual works, methods and 8 and neat in appearance. Give suggestions for school gardening, elementary agriculture and nature-study, $1.00 per year. 15c. per copy. Add for Canadian Postage 10 cents. AMERICAN BIRD STORE 8 Foreign Postage, 20 cents. With Aquatie Life, one year, $1.50. 210 Seventh Street : Pittsburgh, Pa. ITHACA, N. Y. description and _ price. — jCOO C—— 000 000000C— 2000 C———000' i] tutu = a | al aco Py: ‘Ch as ga Suet ee i i | : | The blood-fin, Tetragonopteris rubro- pictus, from the Argentine Republic, is a particularly beautiful aquarium fish. Alertness and general good health com- mend them. When viewed in bright, di- rect light they shimmer with steel-blue, violet and green, like a newly caught herring, but with all fins except the pec- torals and small adipose dorsal colored blood-red with a silvery margin; the red is more intense near the body. Under other conditions the body-color is olive- green above to silvery below, a narrow silvery-gray stripe running from head to tail. The sexes are quite alike in size (two inches), shape and color except during the breeding season, when the female becomes deepet and heavier incidental to the development of the eggs. At other times the sexes may be distinguished by lifting a pair from the aquarium in a very fine-mesh net, inverting it and al- lowing both to drop back. The female will fall first. The male possesses some minute appendages, not visible to the naked eye, which catch in the fabric and retard his fall. This test is considered infallible. To maintain the fish in health the water should be changed at intervals, the new water being of the same tempera- ture. ‘To promote spawning this fresh water, with a very little salt added, is necessary. The average temperature should be from 60 to 70 degrees, Fahren- heit; during breeding activities from 75 to 80, and equally warm for the young. line tiny white eggs are scattered through the tank amongst the plants and | THE BLOOD-FIN t Ce REEDE 6 Og Ts PS Ts PTS OT OTs Os PT a es pn % sink to the bottom. From 200 to 500 will be produced at each spawning oper- ation. The parents, like the species of Damo, will search for the eggs and de- vour them as soon as the function is completed. This can be prevented by removing either the parents or the eggs Tetragonopteris rubropictus to another tank. ‘Temporary protection will be afforded if the bottom is covered closely by plants, such as Anacharis and Myriophyllum, keeping them down with small, smooth, not sharp-edged, stones. The best plan is to remove the parent fish. In a high temperature the eggs will hatch in twenty-four hours. The young lurk among the plants until the yolk-sac has been absorbed, after which they search actively for Infusoria which must be in the tank in abundance to insure success. So long as infusor- ans suffice their needs, no Daphne should be used, as it is more active than the fish in capturing them. Infusoria can be developed by strewing dried and powdered water plants, especially Lemna 2 Aquatic Lite or Duckweed, and garden lettuce, on the surface of the water in the rearing tank. Preparations of dried plants for this pur- pose can be purchased from dealers. When the youngsters are from ten to fifteen days old they may be given the tiniest Daphne and Cyclops, and a little later some finely scraped beef. At the age of six weeks, if they have been given careful and consistent treatment, they will measure about an inch in length and have the bright red color on their fins. A number of species of Tetragonop- teris have been studied by the aquarist, but the blood-fin is most attractive in shape and color. Those Happy Families Many times I am asked what fishes can be kept in the same tank. In answer I show two tanks set up six months ago. None of the fishes have died, nor have I discovered any torn fins, which are the usual signs of discord. Of course, the young from the live-bearing species have not survived. A kindergarten in such a tank would be expecting rather too much. The smaller of the two measures 18 by 12 by to inches, and contains the fol- lowing: 4 Alfaro cultratum, 4 Platy- poecilus maculatus rubra, 4 Xiphophorus helleri, 2 hybrids (X. hellert x P. macu- latus rubra), 4 Lebistes reticulatus, 4 Girardinus reticulatus, 2. Haplochromuis strigigena, 2 Betta rubra, 6 Haplochilus chaperi, 2 Trichogaster lalius, 12 Damo albolineatus, 12 Danio rerio, 2 Barbus conchonius and 2 Barbus semifasciola- tus. In the tank 42 by 16 by 14 inches I have 40 Xiphophorus hellert, 12 Macro- podus viridi-auratus, 4 Osphromenus tri- chopteris, 12 Platypoecilus maculatus rubra, 20 Barbus conchonius, 10 B. vit- tatus, 10 B. semifasciolatus, 4 Poecilia VIVIpara. The figures given refer to the indi- viduals; all the species are in pairs.— Huco C. NELLEs. Mr. William L. Paullin has had all sorts of combinations. In a large tank containing Pterophyllum scalare he has a number of broadtail goldfish. These serve as scavengers to consume food dropping to the bottom. There was a little fin-nipping at first, but the novelty soon became common place, and no further notice was taken of the bright co-inhabitants. | Another tank, thickly planted, with a capacity of 125 gallons, contains Danio albolineatus, D. Rerio, Barbus (2 species), Haplochilus (several species), Osphromenus trichopteris, Trichogaster fasciatus, Betta splendens, Polyacanthus dayi, Macropodus viridi-auratus, Mol- hemsia latipinna, Poecilia sphenops, X1i- phophorus helleri, Platypoecilus macula- tus, Limia caudofasciata, Lebistes reticu- latus, and young examples of Hemu- chromis bimaculatus, Cichlasoma_ face- tum and Haplochromis strigigena. In an octagonal aquarium, with an estimated capacity of 15 gallons, Mr. George W. Price has associated Tetra- gonopteris guppyi, Aphredoderus saya- nus, Enneacanthus gloriosus, Ambloplites rupestris, Hemigrammus unilineatus, Haplochilus Panchax, H. lineatus, Tri- chogaster lalius and T. fasciatus. In another tank, long and narrow but deep, full grown Paradise fish (Macropodus) get along well with Platypoecilus. Mr. George Cuthbert reports Hemiu- chromis bimaculatus, Platypoecilus mac- ulatus, Xiphophorus helleri, Lebistes ret- iculatus, Gambusia holbrooki, Polyacan- thus opercularis, Macropodus viridi-au- ratus and Cichlasoma facetum, the latter not more than 1% inches, doing nicely in a fifty gallon aquarium. i Fa SS OR Breeding Haplochilus Cameronensis | | HUGO C. NELLES | President, Ridgewood Aquarium Society & SE OR i 8 Ss Os Os i Od a sO a Much is heard of the difficulties and the insignificant results attendant upon attempts to breed Haplochilus cameron- ensis, one of our most beautiful aquar- ium fishes. The usual procedure in breeding the species of Haplochilus 1s to place floating plants in the tank con- taining the breeding pair. When eggs are discovered, either the plants to which they are adhering or the adult fish are placed in another receptacle. I followed this plan with poor success, rearing com- ~ ‘paratively few young in proportion to the number of eggs secured. ‘This be- ing the usual result with other aquarists, I put on my “thinking cap,” deciding to leave the beaten path and follow a new system. That I was successful is proven by 200 fine fish raised from three breed- ing pairs. In the early spring I was fortunate in_ possessing five pairs. From them I se- lected three well-matched pairs, taking care to avoid direct inbreeding. ‘These were placed in an aquarium holding a gallon, the bottom covered to a depth of 1% inches with bird gravel and sparsely planted with Sagittaria subulata. A bunch of Utricularia, the tiny species, floated at the surface covering about half of the area. The temperature was about 80 degrees. Daphne and my “Faultless” food were fed alternately. On former occasions and when feed- ing by the old method I had _ noticed, when the Utricularia was removed and placed in a white basin, numerous brown- ish microscopic animals darting to and fro in the water dripping from the plants. When I examined the water in the breed- a OO OS OO 8 a IO beg a ing tank I now discovered similar crea- tures. Water from the hydrant after standing for a few days and then ex- amined under the microscope was also found to contain many organisms, not as many as in the aquarium water, but still enough to make me decide to use West Africa Haplochilus cameronensis Photograph by Lee S. Crandall sterilized water in which to develop the eggs. A quantity was therefore boiled and placed aside, well covered, for sev- eral days before using. Fight days after placing the breeding pairs in the aquarium I examined the floating plants for spawn and found some. A quart jar was then filled with the water previously boiled and set aside, this, as should be, was the same temper- ature as that in the aquarium. The plants were then placed in a_ basin before a strong light—then the fun started. Hold- ing up piece after piece against the light I carefully picked off the eggs one by one, just 67, dropping them into the jar 4 ss Aquatic Lite of sterilized water. This accomplished I placed the cover on the jar to keep out the dust, putting it on a high shelf near the window where the sun could not strike it. The eggs could be plainly seen on the bottom of the jar. On the third day five were observed to have turned white, in- dicating infertility, and were then re- moved. ‘The others hatched in exactly ten days. Sixty-two youngsters from 67 eggs! To test the new method in direct com- parison with the old I divided the next spawn, handling half (32 eggs) in the manner described. ‘The balance, about the same number, were placed in a hatch- ing jar with the plants to which they were attached. Result: New method, 29 young; old way, 2. Then again, new way, 46 out of 52 and so on. During the period of incubation I pre- pare a rearing tank for the fry. I have had most success with a tank 18 by 12 by 10 inches. This was thoroughly cleaned with salt water and rinsed. The bird gravel for the bottom was scalded with salt water and washed in repeated changes of fresh water until perfectly clean before placing in the tank. Eigh- teen plants of Sagittaria subulata were washed in a solution of permanganate of potassium and rinsed in water previously boiled and cooled. ‘The plants in posi- tion I placed the tank in a sunny spot and filled it with sterilized water to within two inches of the top, covering it with a piece of glass. By the time the young hatch the tank is in perfect condition to receive them. When the eggs hatched I measured the temperatures of the hatching jar and the rearing tank and, finding them to agree, I immediately transferred the fry. Then and every morning thereafter I poured into the tank half a tumblerful of infusoria water, which I had pre- viously cultivated. This was chiefly Per- amecium, the slipper animalcule. A sim- ilar quantity was served during the sec- ond week, with the addition of a little powdered “Faultless” food. At the end of two weeks they were able to swallow fine Daphne, and a month from the day they were born the sexes could be dis- VENTRAL VIEW CONTRACTILE VACUOLE Y py, td/y MACRO- Fo0D NUCLEUS BA 1 Sinae : @ 2% & MLL HHT] eae TTT] Pyeda are. \ ANTERIOR micro- “ kere \ POSTERIOR END NUCLEUS HII] SRY iB) PTTTHTLN ||| We e Wramae spor \\\\\ \ WII IHINAHIITI | yy Paramecium (Greatly Enlarged) Drawing by Perry B. Clark tinguished, the fish measuring from one- half to three-quarters of an inch long. In several talks I have given on the method I have noticed several listeners wearing a funny smile. When I men- tioned boiling the water they probably thought I was poking fun at them. Others has since tried it with good re- sults. He who laughs last laughs best. Try it first and smile afterwards! (Aquarists will be apt to entertain varied opinions as to the underlying rea- sons for Mr. Nelles’ remarkable suc- cess. It may be held that fry hatching from eggs remaining attached to the Utricularia would be entrapped in the bladders. Mr. Nelles probably used a very slender species which is common among aquarium keepers. Though small, (Concluded on Page 14) ce The spotted gourami, Osphromenus trichopteris, is a native of the Kast In- dies, being reported from Cochin China, Siam and Java, where it is very abund- ant. I find it a peaceful, shy and harm- less fish except during breeding activi- ties, when the male become quite fero- cious while attending the nest and young. —s It is known to grow as long as six inches, but those bred in captivity seldom get beyond three to four inches. The body is flat (compressed from side to side), the depth being contained about three times in the length. The general color is dusky silver, darker on the back and light on the sides and belly, crossed by numerous vertical dark lines. In the center of the body is a prominent round black spot and another at the base of the caudal; hence the common name of spotted gourami. ‘The ventral fins are thread-like and often swayed - about like the antennae of an _ insect, making one think they are feeling their way about the aquarium. ‘The anal is large, beginning almost at the ventrals and extending to the tail. Usually the fins are light, almost colorless, but dur- ing mating and spawning they become dark with numerous light spots, these in the anal are red, merging into chrome yellow at the margin. The sexes arc easily distinguished. In the male the dorsal is pointed and long, extending in old examples well over the caudal fin. The dorsal of the female is small and rounded, the anal smaller. Viewed from above the female is thicker through the chest. The spotted gourami is a very modest feeder. It. will eat almost anything, es SO A I Rt Oh A Od (tt THE SPOTTED GOURAMI | DR. L. M. KEARNS 8 rs Oe Oa PS OS Fe t 2 such as live food, lettuce, crushed worms and the various kinds of prepared foods. Breeding is not difficult, but’ the aquar- ium should be of good size, that is, from 17 to 24 inches in length. A particular depth is not essential, as they will breed in water from 4 inches up. I get best results in 10 to 12 inches, as this gives the young plenty of room. ‘The tank Osphromenus trichopteris Photograph by Dr. E. Bade should be an old established one, and well planted to give the young a chance to hide. ‘The male gets vicious during breeding activities, so it is often neces- sary to remove the female after spawn- ng. The male builds a bubble nest on the surface, which is not very durable. Then when he succeeds in driving or coaxing his mate under the nest, within. a few inches of the top, love-making begins. They swim back and forth rubbing sides until the male wraps his body around the female and squeezes the eggs from her. ‘These rise to the nest, but should any fall, he gathers them in his mouth and expells them into the mass of bub- bles. ‘The operation lasts from three to five hours during which from 300 to 600 eggs will be expelled. Now the female 6 Aquatic Lite must hunt cover, for as gentle and kind as her mate has been, just so brutal is he now. He will not allow her to come within a foot of the nest; if the tank is small he may kill her. It is best to watch them and remove the female if he get: too ferocious. I have raised three nests of young in the aquarium without re- moving the female but it is not always advisable. The eggs will hatch 24 to 72 hours later, according to the temperature, which should be 70 degrees or more. The male takes good care of the eggs and young. It is amusing to watch him gathering youngsters that fall from the nest and putting them back, making bubbles to keep them there. It is advis- able to remove him after ten days, as the young can then take care of them- selves. At first they should be fed on infusorians, pulverized lettuce leaves, and later on screened Daphne and Cy- clops, mosquito larvae, crushed worms and dry prepared foods. Care must be taken not to use any food, either prepar- ed or living, that is too large, for they are gluttons and may choke. The young mature in a year and will often breed before that time. —<.>>—___ The Japanese Snail Molluscs are to me the most interest- ing inhabitants of the aquarium and de- serving of careful observation. The Japanese snail, Viviparus malleatus, is well known to all lovers of the aquarium. The shell is short and cone-shaped and olive-green or brown. Very young snails show a dark stripe running along the center of the body whorl. ‘They seem to lose this later, but it is very difficult to determine, for when they grow older they become entirely covered with algae. The head is blunt with long, slender feel- ers having the eyes at the base. The foot is broad and long, bearing a strong horny plate on the rear, which closes the shell against all but the strongest ene- mies. ‘The body is a light tan, powder- ed with golden dots, but in some indi- viduals it is a dirty gray. The sexes are separate, there being both male and female individuals. On the male the right tentacle or feeler is short and stout, while in the female the feelers are slender and equal in length. The eggs are not laid immediately after fertilization, but are hatched with- in the body-cavity of the female. The young when expelled are perfect in form, even to the little shell. It is this manner of reproduction that has given the name “Viviparus.” Several young come forth at a time, and for this pur- pose the female buries herself in the sand. I notice that an individual alwavs selects the same spot. To the best of my knowledge the young are born covered with a gelatinous substance, which is absorbed before they find their way independently. I have found them in this state, and also a bub- ble of surplus material. The Japanese snail will continue to have young for an indefinite period after a single impregnation. I have had two females in an aquarium without a male for more than a year, and they still have young.—CuariLes H. Boyp. ———— Reader reports a mouth-breeder, Hap- lochromis strigigena, two inches long, that successfully incubated 80 eggs. This is rather more than the average number for a larger example. en The spotted gourami has been suc- cessfully propagated by removing the eggs to another tank. The young faired as well as those of another lot left to the care of the male. we es 8 es a ee SE ARS ¢ Notes on The nature as well as the amount of dissolved mineral stances has a great bearing upon the suitableness of water for the ance therein, in a thriving condition, of organic life. ‘There can be no question that the amount and kinds of gases, also dissolved, have a still greater influence upon whatever life it may contain. It is upon the air supply absorbed by the water that most fishes depend for respir- ation. If this air becomes contaminated by poisonous swamp-gases, which are and chemical sub- mainten- more greedily absorbed by cool water, the health of these animals will be ser- iously impaired. Aquarists are apt to lose sight of this fact or else place too little weight upon its importance in suc- cessful fish-culture. The quantity of gases generated by the decay of vegetable, and to some ex- tent, animal matter, that has to be ab- sorbed and then diffused into the atmos- phere by densely overgrown bodies of water, is considerable. ‘To illustrate this point: It used to be great fun, when I was a boy, to drill a small hole through the ice cover directly over a pocket of gas in order to watch the characteristic blue flame of the escaping sulphuretted hydrogen (swamp-gas), when ignited. On warm summer nights we listened to the most gruesome tales and speculations concerning will-of-the-wisps. This we now know is simply produced by escap- ing phosphoretted hydrogen. ‘This product of decay has the singular prop- erty of igniting upon mere contact with air, there to burn away slowly with a spookish glow, which often moves about | | Aquarium Water and Its Restoration | ADOLPH DORMEIER | a OS OS Se I Fs FS OS I OS Od 9 as Oa in a breeze and is visible only during dark nights. The water of the pond I have in mind was always crystal-clear, but this one fact alone is never a sure indication that animals of the higher or- ders can exist therein. In this instance the odor would have condemned the water for aquarium use. It was probably a similar condition prevailing in the stagnant ponds and roadside ditches of southeastern Asia that necessitated the development of the labyrinth, a supplementary organ of res- piration, to enable fishes to survive in them. ‘This organ enables fishes pos- sessing it to take air directly out of the atmosphere and utilize it, thus making them independent of the oxygen content of their own element. Putrefying pro- cesses take place within any well planted aquarium, though perhaps in a lesser de- gree, according to the keeper’s sense of neatness. That it does take place under the best of care is attested by the odor, more or less pronounced, of old estab- lished tanks containing old water. The beneficial influence upon fishes in such tanks, to be attained by aerating the water, is too well known to require discussion, but while thorough aeration unquestionably assists in reducing the proportion of the polluting gases to the absorbed air, by inducing the water to absorb more air (ventilating the water, so to speak), how much more rational would it be to eliminate the polluting gases entirely, thus enabling the aquarist to retain his valued old water indefinite- ly? To point out an efficient method to accomplish this, and more, with very 8 ke Aquatic Lite little additional trouble and without in any way interfering with the contents of an aquarium, is the purpose of this paper. If we have a means to restore stagnat- ing, turbid or discolored water, or such water as is lacking in dissolved oxygen, to a sanitary state, it only remains for us to guard against an unbalanced condi- tion as far as dissolved mineral ingre- dients are concerned, in order to be able to retain our aquarium water perman- ently in the best condition for fish and plant life. I mention this last fact be- cause it seems that even experienced aquarists entertain but vague ideas con- cerning this important point. One had better look to nature to teach us her way of keeping house as regards life in water. The only supplementary substances that ever enter a body of water, if we let nature have her way, are more water, rain water in fact, either directly or in- directly, and whatever ‘little mineral mat- ter may be dissolved out of the bottom or out of dry earth, this being carried into such bodies of water by springs and surface drainage. ‘The wave motion of the surface does the rest in maintaining favorable conditions for organic life by aerating the water and accelerating the diffusion of foul gases into the atmos- phere. The importance of these func- tions to fishes becomes evident if we prevent them by an impervious film of oil over the water surface. As to the aquarium we can control the character of the water put into it originally, as far as its mineral content is concerned, by using water of which we are sure. Thereafter its character can be continued nearly unchanged if we replace that lost through evaporation with rain water only. That is important if we expect to retain our aquarium water for a great length of time, for it may be readily seen should we replace such unavoidable loss with water similar to that used at the beginning, and add in the course of time again as much as a certain tank may hold, we have just doubled the amount of solids held in solution. Here I wish to caution against considering newly fallen rain water being harmless ; it 1s not necessarily so. It has been proven by analysis that the water precipitated during the first half-hour of a storm may be charged with as high as 3 per mill of sulphur dioxide, with other equally deleterious substances. This is especially so around industrial centers. One should wait until the atmosphere has been thoroughly washed before collecting rain water, and then it should be collected in the open; if taken from conductor spouts it will contain soot and other materials. The writer has seen rain water collected with- out these precautions that showed a de- cided acid reaction. Aerie It may be argued that growing plants extract minerals from the water right along, and there is truth in that, yet, rather than upset the mineral content of the water, it seems to be the better plan, if the plants exhibit signs of lack of nu- trition, to periodically inject plant food around the roots. A concsction of dried sheep manure, obtainable from seeds- men, is highly stimulating when used in this way, and a super-abundance is sooa counteracted by the incidentally increas- ed microscopic life. On the other hana, the mineral requirements of plants such as are usually found in aquaria are often over-estimated. There is probably a1- ways enough such matters dissolved out of the bottom, where sand and _ stones are used, to satisfy the requirements. Statements have repeatedly appeared advising the novice, for they must have been aimed at him, to add so and so much salt and so often. In the case of Aquatic Lite MAG Ko" , Kpog-~ Za S= . HOF WN NN SSS SI So Sa ee N S NS 3 Booms 10 Aquatic Lite ——e the aquarist who wants to keep his old water as long as possible, and that means for years, it becomes a matter of plain mathematics to predict when he will have a salt water aquarium. I! concede that salt has its place, especially with such of our pets as normally inhabit brakish water, and I can see no partic- ular objection to using a trifle when es- tablishing a tank, but as a rule its use- fulness ceases here. The aquarist should have very cogent reasons for adding it periodically, else he may start some- thing he can’t stop, short of renewing his water entirely, to the detriment of his fishes. It is unfortunate that the very things that are most potent in disqualifying water for aquarium purposes happen to be invisible to us when present, though the odor omitted may afford us a clue to the degree of saturation with obnox- ious gases. ‘The apparently normal con- dition of his water, as judged by the eye, may easily lead the aquarist astray in searching for the true cause of the low- ered vitality of his more sensitive fishes. Visible derangements of water, though as a rule harmless to aquatic life, are far more apt to be corrected promptly by the caretaker, because these always ren- der aquaria unsightly. Green turbidity, caused by an over-abundance of min- ute algae, is in itself not nearly as ob- jectionable to fishes as the strong light that developed it, especially if this hap- pened to be a side light. Under natural conditions light falls from above, there- fore only reflected light strikes the eyes of fishes. Intense side light on an aquar- ium should be softened, if for no other reason. A slightly milky appearance of new water a few days after fishes have be- gun to live in it, may be taken as proof that it contains no strong acids. ‘The disturbanace is effected by the precipita- tion of previously soluble calcium salts (hard water), the carbon dioxide exhal- ed by the fishes acting as the reagent. The water soon becomes clear again. Another sort of discoloration is produced when animal matter, such as unconsum- ed food, dead fishes, snails, etc., remain in the water for a time. ‘This state of affairs becomes dangerous, the water be- coming charged with the products of de- composition, mostly gases again, that are so harmful to all higher forms of life. Although it is important for the owner of freshwater aquaria to avoid frequent change of water, it is still more so in the case of marine aquaria. Yet all salt- water life, especially the pelagic forms, is exceedingly sensitive to water that has become polluted or unbalanced in mineral composition. Most animals from the Baltic or Mediterranean Seas will quick- ly succumb when placed in water from the North Sea; yet thes ditterencessum salinity between these waters is only about one per centum. ‘To aggravate our difficulties some forms of marine life naturally discharge their feces in the form of a muddy cloud, against which no mud-lever yet designed is of any avail. While a sea water aquarium in- land is quite a rarity today, it 1s perfect- ly safe to predict that the time is not far off when many of our more exper- ienced friends will try their skill on this interesting subject, and then, if it was never brought home to them before, they will learn to appreciate the importance of keeping aquarium water in a highly sanitary condition, and this without al- lowing its mineral character and density to change in the least degree. To purify water that has become pol- luted, turbid or discolored by any or all of the reasons enumerated, or through any other sources, there is nothing bet- ter than charcoal filtration. I have con- structed a filter of this kind that is espe- Aquatic Lite | il cially adapted to the needs of the prac- tical aquarist. It was tested under the most severe conditions imaginable. I can justly say it proved to be very ef- ficient, while at the same time it is all that can be desired in convenience of ap- plication and economy. As much as I would like to have the credit for origi- nating the system, I must admit that there is nothing new about it except per- haps its use in connection with aquaria. That charcoal, either of animal or vegetable origin, is an absorbent of gases, odors and colors has been known probably as long as the human race has known fire. The property of “ivory black,’ simply finely divided charred bone, to extract odor as well as the col- or of liquids filtering through it, is be- ing made good use of every day in the refining of sugar, for instance; a good deal of brownish, strong scented beet sugar has come out of the other end of a charcoal bed in the form of simon-pure “cane sugar,” colorless and odorless. As an absorbent for gases, charcoal has long been used by medical science and in sani- — tation. How a filter may be run by discharg- ug compressed air into the outlet pipe was explained by Mr. Carl Fossetta in ‘he November, 1913, number of THE \guariumM. ‘This same method has been ipplied for generations, and is used to- lay by the salt refiners along the Ohio river, where saline water is ejected by air from wells hundreds of feet deep, this way of “pumping” being about roo per cent. efficient. If it were not for the fact that I wish to emphasize the use of charcoal as a filtering medium instead of sand, I would have little improvement to suggest on the device used by Mr. Fos- setta. His sand filter will clarify turbid ‘water and, when used in connection with compressed air, will also thoroughly aerate it, a fact that Mr. Fossetta did not dwell upon in his valuable paper, but which must not be overlooked. The range of usefulness of such a fil- ter can be increased many times by sub- stituting charcoal for the sand. In con- ducting tests with this arrangement, water was used containing at the same time clay, milk and red ink, with enough of a saturated solution of sulphuretted hydrogen added to impart a very vile odor. The clay was stirred into the water to simulate the condition caused by fishes disturbing the bottom; milk imitated that turbidity caused by algae or decaying animal matter; red ink fur- nished a substitute for the dissolved col- oring matter sometimes present in aquar- ium water, while the addition of sul- phuretted hydrogen created a condition similar to that obtaining in water in an aggravated state of putrefaction. This liquor, when run through the filter once, came out crystal-clear, and without odor or color. In practice, as applied to the aquarium, filtration is repeated over and over again according to the capacity of the tank and the length of time the de- vice 1s applied. The sectional drawings of this appara- tus are self-explanatory. It can be con- structed in some form and with little ex- pense by almost anyone. The charcoal should be cracked in a mortar, as ground charcoal is apt to pack too tightly. Be- fore charging the filter body it is neces- sary to stir the charcoal into water, and thereafter to slightly drain it, as dry charcoal repels water and cannot work well in this state. A layer of washed sand placed on top of the filter bed pre- vents the passage of small particles of charcoal into the outlet pipe. The only additional requirement is some source of compressed air. In my tests this was supplied by a tire pump in connection with a small air tank. A res- ervoir 6 inches in diameter by 2 feet high, 12 Aquatic Lite carrying 50 pounds pressure, will run the filter during 24 hours, according to the rate of flow desired. A reducing valve on the air tank furnished a constant pres- sure of about two pounds for the filter nozzle. Heede on Fish Foods Many of the prepared fish foods now on the market I have found to be as good, if not better, than any imported foods, but in feeding it must be taken into consideration that they are very rich and concentrated, and that they must be used sparingly. If many large snails are kept with the fishes it will be necessary to allow them some food. The natural foods, Daphnia, Cyclops, Cypris, Polyphemus and worms are, of course, the best, but aside from these, fish eggs, raw or boiled, finely scraped fish flesh of either salt or fresh water species, oysters, clams, shrimp or lobster meat, smoked fish such as herring, white- fish or salmon, can be used with more or less success. After these come warm- blooded animal foods such as beef, veal, lamb or game of any sort, used raw or boiled, but in all cases scraped, or dried and powdered. A good food for fry or small fish that have passed the yolk-sac stage is the yolk of a very hard-boiled egg, fed in a fluid or powdered state. When fishes are fed with meat care must be exercised to have it cut or scrap- ed into minute particles, otherwise fish too eager for it may attempt to swallow pieces too large and choke to death.— C. J. HEEDE. ee It is said that at least 57 brands of prepared foods are on the market. If you are undecided which is best buy all Variety is the spice of life. pie Dest SN and mix. It takes a lot of pluck to pluck the beam from thine own eye. Breeding Habits of the American Mud Minnow The earliest investigations of the breeding habits of Umbra seem to be those of Carbonnier, who studied the Austrian Umbra krameri, publishing re- sults in the Bulletin de la Societe d’Ac- climatation (Paris, 1874). ‘Later, in the United States, Dr. Ryder made observa- tions of one of the two American species. He found that their adhesive eggs were laid singly wpon the leaves of aquatic Mud Minnow Umbra pygmaea Photograph by Charles M. Breder, Jr. plants and hatched on the sixth day. It has been discovered that some spe- cies of fishes, if removed from their habitat just before or during the early stages of a spawning operation, will con- tinue if placed in a suitable aquarium. Last April, while collecting local fishes, Mr. William L. Paullin discovered Um- bra pygmaea apparently spawning in a bed of Algae. A pair was soon in his can. A medium-sized aquarium, containing . rather dense growth of filamentous Algae, was selected. The fish at once proceeded to form a hollow in the mass, the opening being from the side. Soon the eggs were deposited in the hole and the entrance closed. The female then drove off the male and thereafter guard- Aquatic Lite | 13 ed the nest against intruders. This was the extent of her care. On the sixth day the eggs hatched, and a like period was spent by the fry in the Algae before reaching the free-swim- ming stage. On the thirteenth day after the deposition of the eggs the parents were removed. The young grew at a fair rate, reaching a length of 1% inches in four months. A few eggs were removed from the nest and incubated in another tank, their development and growth ap- proximating those left with the parents. This fish affords a fair reason why the aquarist should use scientific names in preference to common ones. In the genus three species and one subspecies are recognized; the American U. limi, U. pygmaea and U. pygamaea bilineata, and the Austrian U. krameri. ‘To these are applied indescriminately at least five common names: Mudfish, Dogfish, Mud Minnow and Mud Trout. There are several rockfish and several dogfish, and the species are not related to the trouts. Mud minnow is most acceptable. Se An Aquarium Heater HERBERT M. HALE, South Australian Museum The winter in Australia is generally so mild that many sub-tropical fishes may be kept in open ponds all the year round. Occasionally, however, the temperature even indoors falls below the danger point for some of the more delicate exo- tics, and a means of heating the aquar- ium becomes necessary. The apparatus, which I have used with great success, consists of a small copper heater from the top of which a pipe (the outlet), leads over the edge of the aquar- ium into the water; another pipe (the inlet), arises from near the bottom of the aquarium and enters the lower part of the heater. By sucking at a rubber tube temporarily attached to the shorter pipe whilst under water the whole apparatus can be filled. The lamp or gas can then be lighted under the heater. Gas, reg- ulated by the thermostat described in Aquatic Infe, Volume Il, Page 11, is quite satisfactory. As the water in the heater becomes warm it is delivered into the aquarium by the outlet pipe, and the colder water from the bottom is drawn into the heater by the inlet pipe to take AQUARIUM WATER-LEVEL IN INNER VESSEL. its place. If the water in the heater boils it is because no circulation takes place— a condition due to insufficiently filling the apparatus and leaving air in the system. The heater should therefore be of the shape shown, but need not be of large SIZe. It is not desirable that the aquarium water shall be in contact with metal. The outlet and inlet pipes should accord- ingly be led into a narrow glass vessel of greater depth than the water in the aquarium. ‘The water in this inner ves- sel should be kept somewhat below that of the aquarium. Whilst the circulation of the system is thus confined, the heat- ing properties are little diminished. The advantage of this arrangement will be 14 Aquatic Lite apparent should the apparatus break at any point, for otherwise the whole of the water may be syphoned out of the aquarium by the longer tube. ‘The ves- sel and pipes can be effectively hidden by a clump of plants. If instead of metal, the heater and pipes are constructed of glass, a protect- ing vessel is not so necessary. —<—+—_—_ The Hudson Society The Hudson County Aquarium So- ciety was organized on June 3oth, the following officers being elected: Presi- dent, H. A. Van Cott ; Vice-president, W. J. Wright; Secretary, G. C. Albietz; Treasurer, F. W. Hedden. An effort is being made to secure per- mission from the Jersey City Commis- sion to hold the regular meetings in the Public Library building. Present indica- tions point to a favorable decision. In the interval regular meetings will be held on the fourth Thursday of each month at the home of the treasurer. A public exhibition will be given during Septem- ber. The society will be glad to have the aquarists of adjacent towns become members. Communications should be addressed to the writer at 517 Avenue FE, Bayonne, N. J—G. C. ALBIETZ. — While at a large breeding establish- ment I noticed a little goldfish of strange appearance breathing at the surface. Upon examination I found it to be com- pletely disembowelled. The owner told me that half an hour before he had re- moved from it a large insect enemy. From the description I imagine it was a “water tiger,” the most predaceous of goldfish enemies. I was sorry not to be able to examine the animal, as the “tigers” are only supposed to suck the blood of victims through their hollow mandibles. In any case the surgery must have been neatly performed, for the fish to be living half an hour later. Ordi- narily they will succumb to apparently far less serious injury. Of course it could not have existed much longer, so the merciful owner killed it. ‘The fish was about ten weeks old, which empha- sizes that we should not relax our vigi- lance against enemies as soon as the fish develop a little size—Wiutiiam_ T. INNES. ——<____ (Concluded from Page 4) it forms quite dense masses and does not possess particularly large bladders. These are not large enough to entrap the comparatively small fry of Osphro- menus trichopteris, judging from the number the writer has bred in an aquar- ium in which it nearly covered the sur- face to a depth of two inches. The late William FE. Walp was fond of using it to catch goldfish spawn. A good test of the two methods could be made by using Myriophyllum and comparing results. Leaving aside the possibility of the fry being caught in the bladders, the critica! period seems to be during incubation. If this is so, the sterilization of the water, which was re-oxygenated in the act of pouring it into the jar, would go far to- ward eliminating spores of Saprolegmia (fungus) and other organisms which might be detrimental.—Eprror. ) CREE Recently Putter has maintained that fishes absorb food in solution in the water. He found that a goldfish lived for forty-one days in tap water which contained no organized food and the oxygen consumed substantially accounted for the loss in weight. When organic substances were dissolved in the tap water, the goldfish survived for seventy- eight days, and the oxygen consumed greatly exceeded the amount that would account for the loss in weight.—E1cEN- MANN, Aquatic Life An international monthly magazine devoted to the study, care and breeding of native, exotic, gold and domesticated fishes, other animals and plants in the’ home aquarium and terrarium. Win Ate oP ONY. SIR eieceres sie cues srauensies Editor JOSEPH E. BAUSMAN........ Publisher 542 EK. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia. Entered as second-class matter, September 2, 1915, at the Post Office, Philadelphia, Pa., under Act of March 3, 1879. Practical articles and notes on topics per- taining to the aquarium and terrarium are always wanted for Aquatic Lirk. Readers of the magazine are invited to join in mak- ing it a medium of mutual help, and to contribute to it any ideas that may occur to them. The pages are always open for any- one who has anything helpful and practical to say. Manuscripts, books for review and general correspondence should be addressed to the editor. Aguatic LirE has the largest circulation of any magazine in the world devoted to this branch of nature-study. It presents to ad- vertisers a market that can be reached through no other medium. Rates made known on application. Weary StDSCrDEOM oocccccoccnbn0o0cs $1.00 Foreign Subscriptions ................ 1.35 Singlea Copy ete: :wro oe toe ico eee .10 Payments may be made by money order, draft or registered letter. Foreign remit- tances should be by international money order. If local checks are sent, ten cents Should be added for collection charges. Copyright 1918 by Joseph E. Bausman Vol. IV September 1918 No. 1 Feed YOGI to keep your fish in con- ition during winter. 5 to 10 Ib lots are the usual orders from the largest and most successful breeders. Why? results count. At all dealers and Druggists 15c, by mail 17c, | lb. 75c add postage. MAGIC 35c, by mail 38c A COMBINATION OF INGREDIENTS WHICH WILL PRODUCE A VARILTY OF HARMLLSS, NON SHELL INFUSORIA. MAGIC ORIGINATED AND MANUFACTURED BY ROBERT J. SCHAEFFER 1818 FRANKFORD AVE. PHILA., PA. Robert J. Schaeffer 1818 Frankford Avenue _Phila., Pa Leitbol€ Wrotbers BREEDERS OF TROPICAL FISHES A Large Assortment of Many Species in Stock at All Times 281 Southern Avenue Pittsburgh, Pa. YOU CAN JUDGE an aquarist by his library. ‘The pro- gressive aims to secure all the avail- able literature of the subject. His slogan is “read, mark and learn.’”’ The elementary books are stepping stones to the more technical works. Ad- vanced treatises assume that the stu- dent is grounded in the subject; the elementary takes nothing for granted. Both are necessary; one an introduc- tion to the other, and to success and pleasure. For your library we suggest the following: Keystone Volumes AQUATIC LIFE. The recognized standard in periodical aquarium lit- erature. A volume averages 165 pages, and as many or more illustrations— a picture whenever it is needed. Each year brings forth papers on the funda- mentals of aquarium management and the breeding of goldfish, two ever pop- ular phases. Month after month ap- pear articles on the tropical fishes; he who reads may breed them; nowhere else in this detailed information avail- able. A volume is in itself a “com- plete aquarium book.” Volume I has long since been out of print and now commands a premium; Volume II (few copies remain), $2.25, postpaid; Volume III (ready in September), $2.25, postpaid. AQUATIC MICROSCOPY. By Dr. Alfred C. Stokes. This book, whether or not you possess a microscope, will immeasurably add to your knowledge of the minute organisms that play such an important part in the econ- omy of the early life of your fishes. If you have a ’scope it will tell you how to use it to the best advantage. It should be studied by every aquar- ist—it forms the stepping stone to Ward and Whipple’s “Fresh Water Biology.” 324 pages, with 198 illus- trations. $2.25, plus postage on two pounds. THE HOME AQUARIUM. By Eu- gene Smith. A splendid book by a man who was a scientist as well as an aquarist, which bespeaks the accur~ acy of the work. The construction, principles and management of the aquarium, the proper plants, hardy fishes and other animals, methods of collecting specimens and other details are well covered. Particular attention is given to desirable wild fishes. 213 pages, with 137 illustrations. $1.50, plus postage on two pounds. AQUATIC LIFE 542 EAST GIRARD AVENUE. PHILADELPHIA iG MACK’S SUPERIOR FISH FOOD This is indeed the best food ever | produced for tropical fishes as well as for goldfish. It has no equal. Com- 8 pare it with any food, and if it is not all we claim it to be, don’t buy any more. We will refund your money it you wish. No. 1. In powder form: For all young fry of live bearing or spawning fish. No. 2. Fine: For all small fish such as Guppies, Danio Rerio, etc.; also young Goldfish. No. 3. Coarse: For all large tropi- cal fish and Goldfish. Price 15c per box; add 8c postage. For sale at Mack’s Bird Store, 2193 Broadway, New York City, and at H. Rabenau, 1163 Myrtle Avenue, Brook- lyn. Your dealer can get it for you; if not, notify us. We also manufac- ture the only real turtle food at 15 cents a box. Manufactured Only By The Peptoast Company ! 65 GRAND ST., NEW YORK i000 SS crcc000—Do00— 000 DRIED SHRIMP—The Utility Fishfood Per lb., coarse 75c. Ground fine, St. George’s Natural Fish Food, $1.50 per Ib. Sample can, 15c. Aquarium Cement, 50c Ib. Add postage to your zone. CANADIAN BIRD STORE 2139 West Van Buren Street. Chicago, III. COO C——3'000000 C—S000T 50005000 CH S000 C000 000 GS) c0o Fine Broad-tail Telescopes BLACK and CALICO Correspondence Solicited GEORGE WILT, 1519 N. 62d Street, PHILADELPHIA $1.00. | r Goldfish | Blue, Black & Vari-Hued Calicos PRICE LISTS OF BREEDERS, SPAWN AND YOUNG SENT ON REQUEST ( Please note that I am at home only on Saturday ( afternoon and Sunday morning. You are welcome 8 then, but for your convenience I suggest that you telephone first. I have telephone connec- tions in both Mt. Vernon and New York City. 8 GEORGE A. SCHENK 29 Claremont Place, Mt. Vernon, N. Y. OOOO000000: HENRY KISSEL, JR. Fancier & Breeder of Tropical Fishes Young Broadtail Telescopes I have good healthy stock at reasonable prices. Call or phone, Cliffside 461. (Not a dealer) 241 Walker Street, Cliffside, N. J. IOOOOCOC00 C00: Our or Man’s Place in Visible Creation Abook of joy and cheer emphasizing the Beauties of Nature and leading up to Nature’s God. 5th Edition, Illustrated PRICE, $1.00 By Mail $1.10 All Bookstores REV. F. A. HOUCK, 1120 Horace St TOLEDO, OHIO HUGO C. NELLES DEALER & BREEDER OF TROPICAL FISHES Are you looking for first class stock at reasonable prices? I have what you want 1305 Third Avenue (76th Street Station, 3rd Avenue L) (77th Street Station Lexington Avenue, Subway) New York City No Store Then see me. COOCCO000 CMS 000 CS 0GO CD 000000000: GOLDFISH Thirty-seven Acres of Ponds this Season. We will start lowering the water and shipping common goldfish in SEPTEMBE R. : Write us for good Baby Fantai's and Tele- | scopes, and for wholesale price list of common and fancy goldfish, food, aquarium supplies and globes. Sole manufacturer of ‘‘Bug I'ood.’’ dealer for it. Ask your BERT J. PUTNAM, 490 Washington St. Buffalo, N. Y. Meee met sin 8 | SEPTEMBER SPECIALS i i a Paradise’ Wish) 2... .44.- Pair, $1.00 Doz., $4.00 Gambusia Holbrooki ... ‘“‘ Ay 3) ee 3.50 Japanese Water Newts ‘‘ +25 ot 2.50 Am. Chameleons (100, $3.50) (3) Water Lettuce i \WWelte VOOR Gooooooo Each Aaltay G 1.25 Ten kinds of aquarium plants, $1.00, postpaid. Turtles, Alligators, etc. Largest dealers in South. CRESCENT FISH FARM 1624 Mandeville Street, New Orleans, La. | Uh ech SU In cee 4 ar OOO C00 C5000 CJ o000 Coo C5000 M5000 CG EVERYTHING IS FISH THAT COMES TO THE NET OF A NATURALIST Don’t paddle in the water with one hand and be blind with both eyes. In other words, ‘‘keep your eyes open’ for all nature. Our Magazine Che Guide to ature Will Help You Tt is edited by EDWARD F. BIGELOW, who fishes in the heavens and earth, as well as the waters under the earth. Four months’ trial, 25c. One year, THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION ArcAdiA Connecticut ! Ca OOOG 000) THE TERMINAL PET SHOP PETS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION AND KIND Manufacturing and Maintenance of Aquariums a Specialty All Kinds of Cat and Dog Foods and Medicines HUDSON TERMINAL BUILDING Concourse, New York WALTER BELL Breeder of Broad: tail Celescopes BLUES BLACKS CALICOS 4324 WYALUSING AVENUE, PHILADELPHIA Prices Reasonable ENCHYTRAE (White Worms) The ideal live fish food which can be raised indoors all year round. Portion 50c (cash or money order) with instruction how to breed them. CHARLES E. JENNE 1577 Paterson Plank Road, Secaucus, N. J. SHOUP & HECK Wholesale Propagators of Plain and Fancy Jap Goldfish :: Fish Foods, Plants, Snails, Ete. 500,000 Fish Saleable after September 1st WALDRON, INDIANA $1.00. Sound Beach Otto Walter 86 Suydam Street :: Brooklyn, N. Y. Near Central Avenue L Station Breeder and Importer of TROPICAL & GOLDFISHES ‘Telescopes Calicos Japs Fan-tails Dealer in All Varieties of Aquatic Plants All Kinds of Fish Foods Fresh and Dried Daphnia 8 ) AQUARIA, UTENSILS AND SUPPLIES ! Thousands of Young Veiltail Telescopes from the Finest Stock in America. $ 2.50 per Dozen $ 15.00 per Hundred In Mixed Colos, Blues, Calicos, Ete. Franklin Barrett Wyoming Avenue & C. Street, Phila., Pa Blacks 50c Extra for Shipping Can Cash With Order ——>c000 CH >000C 7000 C000 THE BEST BOOK f AQUARIUM Suditee’ is ‘‘Goldfish Varieties & Tropical fp Aquarium Fishes’’, byWm.1T Innes, iM former President of the Aquarium A Society of Phila.; 250 pages, 195 aie illustrations. Tells all about the 4 Wt fancy varieties of the Goldfish and “Q:' nearly 300 tropicals ; how to breed them, etc., etc. For the beginner or the advanced expert. A complete, practical, handsome book, sent postpaid anywhere for $3.00. Enlarged edition now ready. INNES & SONS - 133.N. 12th St. - Phila., Pa. Charles E. Visel Broad-tail Telescopes and Japs Blacks, Blues and Parti-colors 215 Putnam AVENUE, BRrooxk.yn, N. Y. ee a ee | “AQUARIA FISH” A practical work on care and breeding of fish in the aquarium. greenhouse and out- door ponds. Finely illustrated. Every one interested in keeping fish should send for a copy of this book. Price, $1.00. | Tappan’s Natural Fish Food. Three boxes, postpaid. 25c, Guinea Pigs and Thoroughbred Collie Pups, beautifully marked. Write for prices. F. L. TAPPAN oute 2, Hopkins, Minn. ee 000 C—S600' OOO 00 90C—000C00 a aa Mlichaelsen #Hrog ?); HARRY P. PETERS | 1210 N. Warnock Street, Philadelphia, Pa GOLDFISH BREEDER AND IMPORTER BREEDERS Rare and Fancy Fish Plants of iety, Snails and FLORISTS Aquarium Supplies of a Enea times. 58th and Walnut Streets MANUFACTURER OF Green River Fish Food : 9) 110 South 52nd Street 156 Box Philadelphia Green River Baby Fish Food 20c Box Aquarium Fishes A GOOD FISH FOOD is one of the most essential things necessary to. All Kinds ot Aquatic Plants keep fish in good health. After the test of years Green River stands out z i as the best food on the market. It | Aquaria &KX Supplres keeps the fish in good color by pro- moting a healthy, robust growth. It will not sour ot cloud the water. Ask Wholesale and Retail your dealer or send for it today. O00! 000 >> 0000000006508 HERMAN RABENAU, Aquarist 9 YOUNG Broad-tails, Fringetails and SO ae Nymph Telescopes and Japs. All ee PERMANENT DISPLAY OF Colors, $1.00 per Dozen Up. nee Aquatic Life & Terraria BREEDERS—Largest Assortment of ae ue must be seen to be appreciated Blues, Blacks and Calico Telescopes Visitors. Weleoue and Japs at Reasonable Prices. Plants and Tropical Fish a Specialty Importations of New Varieties received Shipping Cans, 50c. Fine Assortment of Lionheads regularly 1163 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y. HARRY P. PETERS, ik: Near Broadway. 1210 North Warnock St., Phila. Pa. i GOLDFISH, FOODS, PLANTS, DIP NETS Nippon Goldtish Co Combination Natural Fish Food - Sample Box 10c Pe NG Imported Shrimp Fish Food - - Sample Can 15c 1749 Buchanan Street, San Francisco, Cal Imported Wafer Fish Food Large Sample Box 10c IT mporters iY and 2 Dealers Mail Orders Promptly Attended to JAPANESE GOLDFISH 6 9? aca Feel ies da cas cca Drrect From BREEDERS IN JAPAN ase Cash With Order. is : Awarded Gold and Silver Medals, Panama- Catalogue Sent Upon Request Pacific International Exposition, San Fran- ; cisco, 1915, AQUARIUM STOCK CO & | & Ali KINDS OF AQUARIA AND SUPPLIES 273 Greenwich Street :: New York City Price Lists Furnished Trade Only. he se REE «ge Pit { = Serre = Pin J ACO b 1G : C AS sel | 915 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pa Manufacturer of AQUARIUMS | Aquarium Ornaments Floral Terra Cotta, Etc. Goldfish Fish Globes Fish Food and all aquarium requisites. Send for Catalog. FRESH WATER BIOLOGY. By HENRY B, WARD and GEORGE C. WHIPPLE WITH THE COLLABORATION OF 25 DISTINGUISHED SPECIALISTS All interested in aquatic biolog gy will find hee answers to their queries on methods of study, conditions of existence, types of life, and inter-relations of the organisms that inhabit our fresh-water bodies, together with data on their life histories, habits and range. : _ ‘This work is the first complete and accurate record of Noo Amer- — ican aquatic life, especially the micro-organisms; among both plants — and animals excluding the vertebrates, higher plants ‘and bacteria, . every form is described that has been reported fro a fresh-water body on this continent. A comprehensive general discussion of each group precedes the description of individual forms, which are arranged under a key to permit of rapid and accurate: determination of the genera and species. - Nearly every form is illustrated, and its diagnostic features are pointed out. Biological data on its habits, frequence and distribution are also given. Fresh-Water Biology is a big book of 1111 pages, ae 1547 illus- “trations. Price, $6.00, plus postage on four pounds. AQUATIC LIFE, 542 E. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. S000 s00 S009 S000 (00 EE ONO EES O00CD =) ee Mature Stuop Review i Support 3 OFFICIAL JOURNAL AMERICAN NATURE-STUDY SOCIETY The Government’s War Activities Buy W. S. oy | The numbers for the coming school year will be filled with special articles from practical teachers dealing with actual works, methods and , suggestions for school gardening, elementary agriculture and nature-study. $1.00 per year, 15c. per copy, 8 Add for Canadian Postage 10° cents. Foreign Postage, 20 cents. | ml With. Aquatie Life, one year, ai: 50. ITHACA, N. x. poec——=s000- 000009000000 GEORGE A. SCHENK Mount Vernon, N. > ie Y In . 55S Fs Fs Ss Fd a eS Pa 6B BP SF BS BB BB SB Bh BB BB BB BB Bf BB Bt CHARLES M. BREDER, JR. me eee ee ee ees a 6 FS A FS A Bs Fh BG Sg i 8 os PS ht hs Fh FF SA A ON A i AY A Sd SY A eh . | AQUARIUM HEATING | i | ee one 6 i ec SB Fs Fs ss i Ss es ie es es mms *. When creatures of warm countries are removed to cooler climes, past the limit of their adaptability or possible acclima- tion, it becomes necessary to furnish the temperatures to which they were accus- tomed in order to meet success in keep- ing them as pets. With many of our exotic fishes it is necessary to do this in most parts of the United States when winter grips us. From the time when tropical fishes were first introduced for study and investigation into temperate countries, the question of warmth for them has been a leading one, and is still much discussed by aquarists, varying F TOP VIEW , wiTH TANKS REMOVED. | 2D SSone VIEW OF HEATING UNIT. 5 9 6 BB BBs FS Fs Bo 9 Bi Bs Bi Fg Sg FS CROSS SECTION OF TANK, SHOWING METHOSO OF HEATIAG. forme, Sa FA fs BG Bk Bg Bg Bk hf 6 Ss | views as to methods being held to a greater or less extent. The types in gen- eral use can be briefly classified as fol- lows: DIRECT HEATING SYSTEMS 1. Gas or oil flame applied direct to metal disc or pan affixed to bottom of the tank. 2. Water from tank circulated through pipes that pass over a flame which heats the water and causes the circulation. 2, isles: Soule im a Gylhimckercall jeu standing or floating in the tank, and ex- tending above waterline (Aquatic Life, November, 1915, and September, 1917). 16 Aquatic Lite INDIRECT HEATING SYSTEMS 1. System of hot water pipes passing through or near the tank, but not con- nected with the water in it (Aquatic Life, September, 1916). 2. Application of any system to the entire conservatory or room, such as the usual steam or hot air house heater, or a small oil or coal stove. 3. Application of heated air to the tanks by means of pipes running close to them, the heat furnished by any conve- nient unit. It is obvious that certain sources of heat are more suited to one than to an- other of the above methods, and the suit- ability of the form of heater used is modified by the purpose for which it is intended. For a conservatory a device that heats the entire enclosure is best, while in a room used for other purposes one of the individual tank heaters is pref- erable. It is the latter which will be dis- cussed in this paper. It is generally assumed that one of the indirect forms gives a more natural con- dition. ‘The form described herein allows the plants to attain a beautiful growth, which cannot be said for all devices. It consists of a heating unit, with suitable piping, that conducts the heat to the closed tray below the tanks, proper draft for the flame being considered. In this manner the heat is evenly distributed immediately below the aquaria, and the water therein thus warmed. The heater used in this particular sys- tem is a common incubator lamp. While other units could be used, it is doubtful if they would be as economical in point of cost of operation, a gallon of kerosene lasting for slightly more than a week during the coldest weather. The chimney of the lamp fits close into the pipe that leads to the length under the tanks. Standard two-inch leader pipe was used, with the required elbows. To help con- serve the heat the piping exposed to the air was covered with sheet asbestos and then taped. The rack or stand which holds the aquaria was boarded in with pine, one- half inch thick, and on this rest the pipes. The device would be more efficient if the lamp was placed directly under the rack, as much heat is lost in the double bend, but the space in the present case 1s occu- pied by tubs which cannot be placed else- where. As it is this lamp heats eight feet of tank space, four on each side. The rack extends upward and holds two more rows of aquaria, but only the bot- tom row is heated, although general radt- ation keeps them a little warmer than the average room temperature. The sketch shows how the lamp is sup- ported, and the provisions made for re- moving it for cleaning and refilling. The strip A is fastened to the floor by hinge C. The strip is slipped from notch B and dropped to the floor in the direction of the arrow, thus allowing the lamp and its holder D to slide down the legs of the rack FE, disengaging the chimney from the pipe F. When in the lower position the lamp may be lifted from its support. The support or holder D is two pieces of wood, separated by blocks the width of the legs FE and sliding on them. A suitable recess was cut for the lamp- base. The short piece of pipe F is fitted into the horizontal part of a T-joint. Four go-degree elbows are used in making the required turns to connect with the long pipes G running below the aquaria. Special aquaria were constructed for connection with this heating method which added to its efficiency. Large two-inch angle iron was used for use in the bottom frame, which was embedded (Concluded on page 18.) a 1a | | - oe ! (al | he ; | a a ced Regardless of the imposing name, FHenuramphus fluviatilis, the half-beak, let not the reader suppose that the fish is striking in appearance so far as color iS COmesmnec Berne mom i, “Ins tae form, not the color, that is interesting, for the little fellow—an adult female measures about two and one-half to three inches, the male half an inch less—is about as plainly colored as any tropical fish I ever saw. The color is uniform light olive brown in both sexes, varying in shade, with a white belly. The general shape is similar to a pickerel. The striking characteristic is the short, broad upper jaw, with the lower one narrow and pointed, and twice the length of the upper one. I was much puzzled when | first saw the species, to understand the reason for this peculiar formation, and why both jaws were not alike, but the problem was solved when 1 saw it eating Daphne. Then I noticed that the Daphne caught in the surface film and unable to descend into the water, were being adroitly taken by the fish with the aid of this broad, circular, or rather semi-oval jaw, which seemed to work more than the lower, contrary to the usual rule. When the “fleas” were swim- ming below the surface the fish were able to catch them just as well. The half-beak is also interesting in that it 18 apparently the only live-bearing or viviparous fish that the Far East has contributed to the aquarium. It is claimed that it invariably gives birth to thirty young at a time, unless immature, in which case none are delivered alive. Jn Hemiramphus Fluviatilis WALTER LANNOY BRIND, F. Z. S. a em es FF Sh PS SF Ss Fs Sd Sky 4 ¥ | | | ! te 1910, when business took me to Furope, I bought a male and three females, one of the latter being the largest. From her I secured a litter of eighteen as I now remember, but, of course, the remainder of the “invariable thirty” may have been devoured by adults before I discovered them. I kept these specimens in quite a large all-glass aquarium, and succeeded in Hemiramphus fluviatilis breeding them as stated. The tank was well-planted and contained clear old water. This was in contradiction to the opinion then held that a slight proportion of sea water (5 per cent.) was necessary to their health. In nature the fish in- habits Java, Malacca and Singapore in fresh water, but always near the sea. This may have given rise to the sugges- tion of slightly brackish water for their aquarium. The half-beak is a quiet and fairly peaceful fish, spending much of the time near the surface of the water. (The fishes of the family Hemiram- phidae, speaking generally, inhabit the warm seas and are widely distributed, mostly along shore, though a few are pelagic or deep-water forms. The group 18 Aquatic Lite includes both viviparous and oviparous species. Mr. Brind is probably right in asserting that H. fluviatilis is the sole viviparous fish thus far brought from the East for our tanks. It is not related to the viviparous killifishes, sub-family Poe- ciliinae, which includes all such fishes studied and bred by the aquarist. Until recently these live-bearing fishes were thought confined to the Americas. Mr. C. Tate Regan, of the British Museum, has described the remarkable Phalloste- thus dunckeri, a new poeciliid and the type of a new sub-family. This fish is from Johore, on the Malay Peninsula. While in all the forms limited to the Americas, it is the anal fin which serves as the so-called intromittent organ, im this new species it is the ventral fins which have become modified into a large muscular appendage to function as the intromittent organ. An interesting paper on viviparous fishes in general will appear in a subsequent number. Mention is made of some quite curious characteristics — Eprror. ) Aquarium Heating (Concluded from page 106.) in the concrete base, with 34-inch pro- jecting above to receive the glass. The other parts of the frame were made of 34-inch iron. Before pouring the con- crete into the mould for the base several inverted pie pans were placed on the bot- tom angle. Through these pans the heat is transmitted to the water. The pans were, of course, waterproofed before being used. No vent was made in the tray to allow for draft, the cracks in the joints in the wood tray being found sufficient. If found necessary holes could be bored through the ends. The portions of the pipes shown in black in my sketches indi- cate those covered with sheet asbestos and taped. Considerable discussion has been evoked at the meetings of the Aquarium Society of Philadelphia by the important query: “What is the best planting medium in the freshwater aquarium. sand, soil, grit or pebbles?” At first a divergence of opinion was expressed, but later experimentation led to an almost unanimous concurrence in what has since been adopted as the best practice. Some desirable plants—Sagittaria, Vallisneria, Anacharis, Cabomba and Nitella—will thrive and exhibit paler green leaves when set directly in the sand; but other plants—Ludwigia, Poto- mogeton, Moneywort and Water-poppy— require soil to continue their growth and to survive under the changed conditions. The best practice, it has been found, is to place a two to two and one-half inch layer of thoroughly washed bar or beach sand in the aquarium, into which shallow dishes or pots containing clean turf in which the last mentioned are arranged. Then those to be planted directly in the sand are introduced, and the whole sur- face covered with a one-inch layer of small beach pebbles known as grit. A few larger pebbles, or brookworn stones. may be scattered over the surface to pro- duce a natural effect. Grit permits the finer particles of humus to sift through to the sand layer to serve as nourishment for the plants, presents a neat and tidy appearance, and a firm layer from which to syphon the excess accumulations.—Aquarium Notes and News. Haplochilus lineatus is the proper name for the fish usually called Haplochi- lus rubrostigma by the aquarist. The latter is not a synonym, but the name of another and distinct species with which “our fish” was confused when first im- ported. i st A A | pe er Be i | | | | | | In habits and actions in the aquarium, though not in color, Molliemisia latipinna resembles the female of NXiphophorus helleri, but is larger and more stoutly built. While both sexes are attractive, the male is more beautiful, the unusually well-developed dorsal making it a dis- tinctive member of any collection. The body is grayish olive, crossed from head to tail by a series of red or orange dots, which appear as stripes or lines; vertical stripes mark the abdominal region. The gill covers have blue markings, which are also present on the dorsal and caudal fins of the male, the latter fin also marked with red. The caudal fin is rather round, with a stout peduncle. The colors are most intense during the breeding season, at other times, and in young examples, rather less distinct, though the stripes are always present. This species may be readily propagated in the aquarium if a temperature of 75 to 8o degrees Fahrenheit, is maintained. Preparations should be similar to those used for other live-bearing or viviparous fishes; a _ well-planted aquarium and prompt removal of the female after the young have been delivered. A consider- able quantity of loose Anacharis can be grouped on the window or light side of the tank. The best foods are Daphne, Cyclops, raw scraped beef, clams, ete., but they will do fairly well on prepared foods. They are largely vegetarian, however, and do not need as much animal foods as carnivorous species such as Gambusia holbrooki. That they are plant-eating ij l | Mollienisia Latipinna l l 4 ( ( { | ( ( Pt Ft A HO Og a a et ey C. J. HEEDE Neer 6 es must not be taken to mean that they de- stroy the higher forms. is to Alge. The reference This fish when first imported from the South, unless previously acclimated to the conditions of the aquarium, is rather sensitive to rough treatment in shipping, changes in temperature and_ transfers Mollienisia latipinna from aquarium to aquarium. It is advis- able to disturb them as little as possible until they adapt themselves to confine- ment. In writing of the abundance of this species, in a past number of Aguaric Lire, Major Shufeldt says: “Many years ago I saw thousands of specimens of this species in the very shallow pools con- necting with the bayous south of New Orleans, La.; they were mating, and, as the gorgeously colored males chased the females about in the clear water of the pools, a scene was presented that I have never forgotten. To the best of my recol- lection I would say that some of the old males exhibited markings of a_ bright 20) Aquatic Lite azure blue in addition to the orange ones ; but I may be mistaken about this. My Louisiana field notes are not at hand at this writing ; but | remember that in them I had drawings of both the male and fe- male of this elegant little butterfly of a 1HISIO, Another fish of the genus, M. formosa, from Mexico, is a nice aquarium speci- men, but is inferior in color. The body is greenish gray, with yellow cross-stripes ; abdominal region, metallic blue; dorsal and caudal fins dull yellow with dark markings. In contrast to M. latipinna, the males are smaller than the females. Breeding habits, temperature and food ‘requirements the same. SS Nobody Works But Father Nobody works but father, He’s on guard all day— Fins in constant motion, Keeping foes away. In the black bass family the male se- lects a nesting place and then seeks and escorts to it a mate. From 3000 to 10,000 eggs are laid, after which the mother bass is driven away, never to re- turn or to know her progeny. Father bass takes a position immedi- ately over the nest, constantly fanning it with his fins and ever watchful for in- truders. “This vigil continues for ten days to two weeks, while the eggs are develop- ing and hatching, and for a few days thereafter while the young are getting ready to try their fins. Woe unto the sucker or other enemy which appears too near to the nest! The faithful paternal guardian darts fiercely after it and at- tempts to rip it open with his dorsal fin. By this means, unless he is attacked by overwhelming numbers of carp or caught by the angler, the father bass is able to hatch his brood and care for them until they scatter for food. The eggs of the basses cannot be arti- ficially manipulated, and for its supply of such fishes the Conservation Commission must accordingly depend upon the vigi- lance of father bass. The spawning time of all fishes is governed by water tem- perature. In normal seasons, in New York waters, the basses do not leave their nests before July 1, and in late seasons the male bass may be seen hovering over his nest until well past the middle of July. Let us, therefore, give father bass a chance to do his bit in food conservation by working for an extension of the close season until July 1, and let us refrain from fishing over the spawning beds. whenever we find him guarding his nest. even if it be during the open season.— New York STATE CONSERVATION CoM- MISSION in American Field. ae I have just read the article on the red bellied newt in the August number. 1 have had them for years, but they neves bred. One pair I have kept with para dise fish, and sometimes with goldfish the latter being nipped and abused should The middle third of my bay window has been ce mented and converted into a swamp, with plants, mosses, frogs, turtles and newts Some time since the ordinary newts they become inactive or ill. crawled out and kept themselves under flower pots or damp moss. A few days ago the red-bellied newts deserted the water almost at once for the more con- genial “swamp.” It seems therefore that they will stay in a tank only when no more atractive surrounding meets their eye —William Leland Stowell, M. D. Se Wired plate glass is better than ordi- nary plate for the bottoms of small aquaria. et i 5 a 6 Fs Fs eS BS Ro < <9 § 5B SB SS 6 8S BS 8 FB 8 BB BF BS FSB 4 Sg $d fd Sd predisposed toward that condition. ~ ee ee ee ee Experiments made in certain European countries have proven beyond doubt that fishes fed on living foods develop these exterior spicules. Daphne, Cyclops and related organisms are rich in the sub- stances producing them. Dr. Francis Ward tells of experiments tried in neigh- boring fish ponds. In certain ponds the fishes reared on Daphne and Cyclops; in other ponds prepared foods were used. In every case the “flea-fed” fishes were more brilliiantly colored. Moral: Feed “fleas” if you can get them. PARENTAL Forms.—The and size of the parents has more or less were coloration to do with good coloration and size in the offspring. Scrubs usually produce scrubs. While the tendency is not inherited abso- lutely, a fish born of scrubby parents is It is therefore well to weed out all the poor, undersized, imperfect specimens. TEMPERATURE. factor. A fish reared in a small, poorly- heated aquarium will be deficient in size and color. The color-cells of the tropical fish will not develop under sub-normal temperature conditions. According to the evolutionist, a fish should gradually adapt himself to his environment, but this theory is disposed over eons of time, and not merely through one generation or a dozen. We all know what low tempera- Tropical This is an important tures will do for our fishes. specimens have never yet been known to become reconciled to chilly tanks, the temperature less than the average to which they are subjected in their native haunts. If one would have fine, healthy, 26 Aquatic Lite beautifully colored specimens, he must keep up the temperature, and keep it as even as possible. Don’t keep it so low that you are flirting with disaster. UnnaturaL TANK Conpitions. The native haunt of the tropical fish differs widely from even the most favorable aquarium conditions, unrestricted move- ment being in contrast with confinement and monotony. Collectors have noted un- usually brilliant colorations in wild speci- mens, which disappears suddenly, or be- comes inferior, under tank conditions. The proverbial “large, roomy, well- planted tank, maintained at an even tem- perture of 72 degrees Fahrenheit,” should be provided. It is better to have three good tanks than thirty small ones. — Si1zE oF AQUARIUM.—It is interesting to take a dozen young fishes, say Platy- ~ poecilus, and put half of them in a small tank, the other half in a large one, con- ditions being similar, and note the sur- prising difference in the result. Not only is growth more rapid, but color likewise is improved by plenty of room. Save in depth alone, a tank cannot be too large for the well-being of the fishes. A Wis- consin friend who boasted of having pro- duced “dwarf Helleri’”’ had yet to learn that the ten-inch jars in which he reared the young were inadequate. Acipity AND ALKALINITY.—These im- portant f actors are too little discussed among us. If the gentle (or “savage”’ reader will evaporate a dozen pails of water drawn from the tap, taking care to use the same pail and retain the sedi- ment, he will be astonished at the “thick soup” which will result. This can be tried on the back of a stove, or on a steam radiator. Aquarium water evap- orates rapidly under artificial heat. The average aquarist adds water from the tap. The water continues to evaporate, while the substances in solution and in suspension remain. All water contains such substances. The Shenango River, in Pennsylvania, was called “Red Water” by the Indians because of the substances in suspension, probably from the Pyma- tuning swamp. In many places the Beaver and Ohio Rivers are acid, and will turn litmus paper red. Northern Wisconsin rivers show strong traces of ore. In other localities salts from the soil, or nitrates from agricultural districts, are to be found in water. Steel mills, iron furnaces, smelter plants, saw mills and- paper factories all add foreign substances to the water. Sewage from cities, decay- ing vegetation, surface drainage, and the character of the stream bed and drainage area play important parts. Water sup- pled through municipal filtration plants often contains considerable proportions of chlorine and alum. It would be inter- esting to procure a supply of litmus paper from a dealer in biological supplies, and to make the following experiments: Fill two tanks, equal in size, and similarly equipped, with plants and fishes. For one use tap water and in the other place water from a clear spring or stream. Test occasionally by dipping a small piece of litmus paper in the water, noting whether it turns the paper red, blue or neutral. Compare the effects on fishes, plants and snails. SELECTION.— Much has been said about selection. But what, really, is selection? It is the proper combining of desirable characters and the elimination of unfa- vorable ones. Parental forms, food sup- ply, proper tank conditions, plant life, temperature, etc., all contribute toward selection. Much remains to be done in this respect. The question of inbreeding plays a part here. But this, like Mark Twain's death, has been grossly evag- gerated. Inbreeding will in time produce haneful results, but the proper combining Aquatic Life | 27 of the above-mentioned conditions will reduce the evils of inbreding to a mini- mum. There are other factors which influence the development of our tropical friends. We have noted nothing new. Every fish- fellow should know that the resultant of it all may be summed up in three words: Use common sense! Snails in Aquaria ALBERT GALE I do not know which is the more to be condemned, an aquarium without sub- merged aqueous foliage or one having no pond snails. It is the combined action of these two accessories that gives health to the fishes. The preservation of health is the most essential factor for the longevity of both the vegetable and ani- mal specimens of an aquarium. Health can only be maintained when the sanitary conditions are fairly perfect. Aids to health must be studied in all details. How the removal of deleterious and decompos- ing matter is to be accomplished to keep the water free from contamination is as much a nature-study as that of the plant life or of the other inmates of the aqua- rium. Nature has provided scavengers in order to keep her many children clean and free from disease germs. ‘The great sanitary scavengers are the too often dis- carded pond snails. They are very abun- dant in all water holes and sluggishly flowing rivers. The life history of these molluscs is very intricate, and_ their method of reproduction is no less so. They increase with great rapidity. _—_ A popular globe-trotter; the common goldfish. Our old friend, Ben Fogel, sends the following set of rules which he thinks seem to govern the deportment of some members of aquarium societies : 1. Don’t come to the meetings. 2. But if you do come, come late. 3. If the weather does not suit you, don’t think of coming. 4. If you do attend a meeting, find fault with the work of the officers and members. 5. Never accept an office, as it is easier to criticise than to work. 6. Nevertheless, get sore if you are not appointed on a committee, but if you are, do not attend the committee meetings. 7. If asked by the presiding officer to give your opinion regarding some import- ant matter mumble that you have nothing to say. After the meeting tell everybody how it should have been done. 8. Do nothing more than is absolutely necessary, but when other members roll up their sleeves and willingly and unself- ishly use their ability to help matters along, howl that the society is run by a clique. 8. Hold back your dues as long as pos- sible, or don’t pay at all. 10. Don’t bother about getting new members. “Let George do it.” SS The preferable time to collect wild fishes is during the autumn months. The breeding season has passed and activities principally concern a full stomach. Fishes taken now are more readily accustomed to the conditions of confinement than spring or summer catches. The black- nosed dace and some sunfishes, especially if the last be quite small, are worth a trial in your community aquarium. pies BOLT aE The “blue poecilia” of the aquarist is Limia caudofasciata. Why not call a spade a spade? Aquatic Life An international monthly magazine devoted to the study, care and breeding of native, exotic, gold and domesticated fishes, other animals and plants in the home aquarium and terrarium. VV eA @)BYS SIECIIN: cee ncnaroretcunrar aia tai dicteiers Editor JOSEPH E. BAUSMAN........ Publisher 542 E. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia. Entered as second-class matter, September 2, 1915, at the Post Office, Philadelphia, Pa., under Act of March 3, 1879. Practical articles and notes on topics per- taining to the aquarium and terrarium are always wanted for Aguatic Lire. Readers of the magazine are invited to join in mak- ing it a medium of mutual help, and to contribute to it any ideas that may occur to them. The pages are always open for any- one who has anything helpful and practical to say. Manuscripts, books for review and general correspondence should be addressed to the editor. Aouatic Lire has the largest circulation of any magazine in the world devoted to this branch of nature-study. It presents to ad- vertisers a market that can be reached through no other medium. Rates made known on appl.cation. Weary Swbseripmom 5oocc5cecc000cc0c. $1.00 Foreign Subscriptions ................ 1.35 SiimelewC piven ae aise mice ae chases acon 10 Payments may be made by money order, draft or registered letter. Foreign remit: tances should be by international money order. If local checks are sent, ten cents Should be added for collection charges. Copynght 1918 by Joseph E. Bausman Vol. IV. ‘October, 1918 No. 2 Try a Box of YOGI from your near- est Dealer or Druggist. If he does not have it, send for it direct with his mamefandiaddrecsill you like it, you can have same by lb. 75c 15 oxestta lb. add postage. Wort 15c box. by mail 17c, MAGIC 35c, by mail 38c A COMBINATION OF INGREDIEKTS WHICH WILL PRODUCE A VARIETY. OF HARMLLSS. NON SHELL INFUSORIA, MAGIC ORIGINATED AND MANUFACTURED BY ROBERT J. SCHAEFFER, 1818 FRANKFORD AVE. Robert J. Schaeffer 1818 Frankford Avenue _— Phila., Pa en Tae ke em ea Youn g Pterophyllum Scalare 1918 HATCHING Same Size as the Gi $7.50 Each Larger Size $12.50 Each WILLIAM L. PAULLIN 425 Wolf Street Philadelphia, Pa COO O00 000 300 SOO DOO GOO DOO COO ODO 000 COO GOO 000 G00 000 O60 000 COS OOO COCO 3 : : : : 8 : 3 : : : : : 3 : : : : : 8 : The Veni: Japanese, Pearl or Angel Fish. Easy to keep and raise. A tank with Me- dakas is always most admired. Clear gold, 50c to $1.00; brown and gold, 35c to 60c each (% to 1% inches). Vallisneria, Si JDC D000 CaCO eee 5c to 25c a Plant. A. FUCHS, 803 Sheridan Roed I Chicago, Illinois SSS SS ee SS S23 SS Fish Food That Is Fish Food Fit For Fish The leading Fish Food on the mark- et today. Once tried, always used Koriyama Japanese Fish Food For Gold and Tropical Fishes rice 15 cents Z : WM. G.SARBACHER Wholesale to Dealers 1318 N. Dover Street Philadelphta COCHIN CH CH O000 CN CDN Ca HUGO C. NELLES DEALER & BREEDER OF TROPICAL FISHES - Are you looking for first class stock at reasonable Then see me. 4 I have what you want 1305 Third Avenue (76th Street Station, 3rd Avenue L) (77th Street Station Lexington Avenue, Subway) New York City No Store prices? Finest Blue and Calico Broad- tail Telescopes in Philadelphia Correspondence Answered. C. J. HANNIG, 1225 N. Randolph Street PHILADELPHIA os MACK'S ee FISH FOOD This is indeed the best food ever produced for tropical fishes as well as for goldfish. It has no equal. Com- pare it with any food, and if it is not all we claim it to be, don’t buy any more. We will refund your money if you wish. No. 1. In powder form: For all young fry of live bearing or spawning fish. No. 2. as Guppies, Danio Rerio, etc.; young Goldfish. No. 3. Coarse: For all large tropi- cal fish and Goldfish. Price 15c per box; add 3c postage. For sale at Mack’s Bird Store, 2193 Broadway, New York City, and at H. Rabenau, 1163 Myrtle Avenue, Brook- lyn. Your dealer can get it for you; if not, notify us. We “elle manufac- ture the only real turtle food at 15 cents a box. Manufactured Only By The Peptoast Company 8 ees GRAND ST., NEW YORK ioe Soe tee en Lee Fine: For all small fish such also [ g=eze7_ 258,88, 322822,@ | DRIED SHRIMP—The Utility Fishfood Per lb., coarse 75c. Ground fine, $1.00. St. George’s Natural Fish Food, $1.50 per lb. Sample can, 15c. Aquarium Cement, 50c Ib. Add postage to your zone. CANADIAN BIRD STORE 2139 West Van Buren Street. Chicago, III. Fine Broad-tail Telescopes BLACK and CALICO Correspondence Solicited GEORGE) WIE, i519 Ne 62d) Street PHILADELPHIA OOOC00C0O C000 C———J0GOTDH000000000 Thirty-seven Acres of Ponds this Season. 8 We will start lowering the water and shipping common goldfish in SEP TE ™M B EH R. Write us for good Baby Fantails and Tele- scopes, and for wholesale price list of common 8 (] and fancy goldfish, food, aquarium supplies and ( globes. 8 Sole manufacturer of ‘“‘Bug I'ood.’’ Ask your 8 dealer for it. 8 BERT J. PUTNAM, 490 Washington St. Buffalo, N. Y. DOOCC0 000 M000 C000 MS 0006000000: re ii =! F or Excellent Conformation 8 n Color Cannot Be Beat : Slhow Their Quality in Finnage ave Blues, Blacks and Calicos qvery Fancier Should Look Them Over ee Them at C. C. VOWINKEL 3 } 5109 Catherine Street 2 Philadelphia, Pa DOO COO COO COC CDOS COO COO SCO G00 HENRY KISSEL, JR. Fancier & Breeder of Tropical Fishes Young Broadtail Telescopes I have good healthy stock at reasonable prices. Call or ’phone, Cliffside 461. (Not a dealer) 241 Walker Street, Cliffside, N. J. = iE) 8 : 8 : p 8 8 8 : Qur or Man’s Place in Visible Creation A book of joy and cheer emphasizing the Beauties of Nature and leading up to Nature’s God. 5th Edition, Illustrated PRICE, $1.00 By Mail $1.10 All Bookstores REV. F. A. HOUCK, 1120 Horace St TOLEDO, OHIO Leitbolf Wrotbers BREEDERS OF TROPICAL FISHES A Large Assortment of Many Species in Stock at All Times 281 Southern Avenue Pittsburgh, Pa. en Mollienisia latipinna We have an extra fine stock of this most desirable Southern aquarium fish, bred in small tanks, and thor- oughly domesticated. While a “live- bearer” it will stand a temperature of 32 degrees. We ship this species dur- ing winter months only. Extra Large, $4 Dozen $20 Hundred Medium, $3 Dozen $15 Hundred All Varieties of Gold Fish, Plants, Etc elas ONT FISH FARM 624 Mandeville Street. New Orleans, La 000000 C5000 C—) 000 000 C5900 C5000 C——D000 ie COO C000 C—————000000 C————S000 M5000: EVERYTHING IS FISH THAT COMES T O THE NET OF A NATURALIST Don't paddle in the water* with one hand and be blind with both eyes... In other words, “keep your eyes open’’ for all nature. Our Magazine 8 Che Guide to ature _ Will Help You . | Jt is edited by EDWARD F. BIGELOW, who fishes in the heavens and earth, as well as the waters under the earth. One year, $1. 00. Four months’ trial, 25c. THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION | ArcAdiA © . Sound Beach Connecticut THE TERMINAL PET SHOP PETS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION AND KIND Manufacturing and Maintenance of Aquariums a Specialty All Kinds of Cat and Dog Foods and Medicines HUDSON TERMINAL BUILDING | Concourse, New York WALTER BELL o Breeder of Broad: tail Celescopes BLUES — BLACKS — ~ CALICOS 4324 WYALUSING AVENUE, PHILADELPHIA | Prices Reasonable : oer (White Worms) The ideal live fish food which can be raised indoors all year round. Portion 50c (cash or money order) with instruction how: to breed them. - _ CHARLES E. JENNE 1577 Paterson Plank Road, Secaucus, N. J. SHOUP & HECK Largest Dealers in Plain and Fancy Goldfish in the U.S. A. . 104 Large Breeding Ponds Jap Fans, Telescopes, Comets, _WALDRON, INDIANA | Se Re a DOOO secee Otto Walter = 3 86 ae Street :: Biocklya, N. Y. Near Central Avenue: L Station Breeder and Importer ope TROPICAL & Aes 9 “Telescopes Calicos Japs Fan-tails” _ Dealer i in All Varieties of Aquatic Plants All Kinds of Fish Foods _ Fresh and Dried Daphnia AQUARIA, UTENSILS AND SUPPLIES c—>coc a 7000 S700 | Society of Phila.; 250 pages, 195 ~ illustrations. Wen the advanced expert. Nymphs, eee Aquatic Plants, Fish Foods, fetic. «4 ie Thousands of Young Veiltail Telescopes from the Finest Stock in America. $2.50 per Dozen $15.00 per Hundred In Mixed Colors, Blues, Calicos, Etc. Fra nklia Barrett Wyoming Avenue & C. Street, Phila., Pa Blacks 50c Extra for Shipping Can Cash With Order OO TS 000 C000 T5000 GS THE BEST BOOK a AQUARIUM uaikts is ‘‘ Goldfish Varieties & Tropical Aquarium Fishes’’, byWm.T.Innes, 4 i former President of the Aquarium Mh Wi. Tells all about the fancy varieties of the Goldfish and nearly 300 tropicals ; how to breed them, etc., etc. For the beginner A complete, practical, handsome book, sent postpaid anywhere for $3.00. ¢ Enlarged edition now ready. INNES & SONS - 133 N. 12th St. - Phila., Pa. Charles E. Visel Broad- tail Telescopes and Japs | Blacks, Blues and Parti-colors 215 Putnam AvENUE, BRooKLYN, N. Y. 66 +) , i ‘AQUARIA FISH A practical work on care and breeding of fish in the aquarium, greenhouse and out- door ponds. Finely illustrated. . Every one interested in keeping fish should send for a copy of this book. Price. $1. 00. Tappan’s Natural Fish Food. Three boxes. j postpaid. 25c. ~ f Guinea Pigs and Thoroughbred Collie Bans, beautifully marked. Write for prices. F. L. TAPPAN | Route 2, Hopkins, Minn | ickanew oe Hlichaelsen Bros? GOLDFISH BREEDERS FLORISTS 110 South 52nd Street Philadelphia : Aquarium Fishes All. Kinds of Aquatic Plants dokag & Supplies Le and Retail a 58th and Walnut Streets Ile 8 | 1210 N. Warnock Street, Philadelphia, Pa eee » your: dealer « or send for it Goes by a : as the best food on the market. It | keeps the fish in good color by pro- HARRY P. PETERS Cee AND IMPORTER Rare and Fancy Fish ers of every variety, Sails: and Aquarium Supplies eo all kinds ee all : ee times. “MANUFACT URER OF Green River Fish Food - -15¢ Box i aes ‘Green River Baby Fish Food i Be - 20c Box Bessy A GOOD FISH FOOD is one of ined most essential things necessary to f} keep fish in good health. After the g test of years Green River stands out 2 moting a healthy, robust growth. Teese will not sour ot cloud the water. Ask 3 — HERMAN RABENAU, Aguerict PERMANENT DISPLAY OF | Aquatic Life & Terraria must be seen to be appreciated © Visitors. Welcome Plants and Tropical Fish a Specialty -Importations of New Varieties received regularly 1163 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, N, Y. Near Broadway. : OOO C——— 000 ———— 000 9000 e00c 0005000 000¢ GOLDFISH, FOODS, PLANTS, DIP NETS Combination Natural Fish Food - Sample Box 10c | Imported Shrimp Fish Food - - Sample Can 15c Imported Wafer Fish Food Large Sample Box 10c Mail Orders Promptly Attended to Agents for ‘“‘ART AQUARIUMS”’ Special Prices on Quantity Lots. Cash With Order, 8 Catalogue Sent Upon Request. AQUARIUM STOCK al 273 Greenwich Street :: New York Ci eet eee _ Colors, $1.00 per Dozen Up. © Oe ea BREEDERS—Largest Assortment of ri hn Scoccsc00 == Se00000==500000000=503 YOUNG Broad-tails, Fringetails aad Ss ae All AYR Kenn ‘Nymph Telescopes and Japs. Blues, Blacks and Calico Telescopes fe and Japs at ‘Reasonable Prices. 50c. Fir ine 2 Assortment of Lionheads Shipping Cans, HARRY P. PETERS 1210 North Warnock St, Be Pa. 1749 Buchanan Street, San Francisco, Cal 8 Nippon 7 a Importers : and : Dealers — _JAPANESE GOLDFISH > Direct From BREEDERS IN JAPAN” Awarded Gold and Silver Medals, Panama- ¢ Pacific International | Esposito San Fran- cisco, 1915. . ALL KINDS OF “AQUARIA AND SUPPLIES Price Lists Furnished Trade Only. J ©00000000e=3000000000 TRI ACSA lor Jacob C. Cassel — 915 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pa ap Manufacturer of AQUARIUMS Aquarium Ornaments Floral Terra Cotta, Etc. Goldfish Fish Globes Fish Food an nea and all aquarium requisites. Rie ; Send for Catalog. | es FRESH WATER BIOLOGY By HENRY B. WARD and GEORGE C. WHIPPLE WITH THE COLLABORATION OF 25 DISTINGUISHED SPECIALISTS All interested in aquatic biology will find here answers to their | queries on methods of study, conditions of existence, types of life, and inter-relations of the organisms that inhabit our fresh-water bodies, together with data on their life histories, habits and range. This work is the first complete and accurate record of North Amer- ican aquatic life, especially the micro-organisms; among both plants and animals excluding the vertebrates, higher plants and bacteria, every form is described that has been reported from a fresh-water body on this continent. 8 A comprehensive general discussion of each group precedes the description of individual forms, which are arranged under a key to permit of rapid and accurate determination of the genera and species. Nearly every form is illustrated, and its diagnostic features are pointed out. Biological data on its habits, frequence and distribution are also SAVE. Fresh-Water Biology is a big book of 1111 pages, with 1547 illus- trations. Price, $6.00, plus postage on four pounds. AQUATIC LIFE, 542 E. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. ‘S c———> 7:00 ce ———c00e ao 7 Grovedale Goldfish Hatchery ; - FRED SCHAEFER : : MAN ee ij e }HE LARGEST AND BEST equipped conservatories | in the United States devoted to the rearing of rare | and fancy Goldfish. All species of tropical fishes Burk’s and aquarium plants. Wholesale and retail D Street above Wyoming Avenue (im) Philadelphia, Pa. Wag OC 000 CC 000 CO 000800 Ca 000 Ca CS 069000: i | Segoe fai 3 oe wae ae by te i ad 2s es Pe Fs FS ss BG FF A Be PS FF SB SF FS fs 8 A American Live-Bearing Tooth-Carps | | DR. E. BADE : Onn | | ( / a a ee The last few years have witnessed a tremendous growth of aquarium societies and an augmented interest in keeping and raising fishes in the balanced aquarium at home. ‘The little live-bearing tooth- carps of America have undoubtedly been among the main factors contributing to the advancement. ‘They are easy to keep and readily multiply in captivity. The male is, as a rule, smaller than the female, and has its anal fin modified into a long intromittent organ. The pos- terior part of its body has more verte- bre than the female. Several of these are modified to form a support for the mass of muscles involved in the compli- cated movements of the anal fin during copulation, the muscles being attached directly to the vertebral column by tough ligaments. The shape of the modified anal fin varies in the different species, especially the clasp-like tip, which is probably used for holding or grasping the small projection (papilla urogeni- talis) just behind the anus of the female. On the underside of the bone-like ray of the anal fin is a small canal for the sperm. When fertilization is carried on the intromittent organ moves forward with a motion not unlike that of a clasp- knife being opened. Through this motion the canal, which at first lay downward, now faces up. ‘This is characteristic of Cnesterodon decemmaculatus and Glari- dichthys januarius. In what respect some of the other species may differ is at pres- ent unknown. fitgroyia and Anableps have tube-like intromittent organs, and the sexes are developed into rights and lefts; a “right” male consorts only with a “left” female, and vice versa. Other tooth-carps cannot be classified in this manner. The eggs are fertilized internally and remain in the ovary during incubation. After one fertilization the female expells Poecilia vivipara a number of broods, even though weeks and months may intervene, for only those eggs which are fully mature are fertilized. A receptaculum seminus for storing the sperm is formed by numerous unsymmetrical folds in the lining of the oviduct. Here the spermatozoa are found in great numbers, even after the expul- sion of a brood. ‘This is used to fertilize eggs subsequently matured as they come forward. The female constantly endeay- ors to escape copulation until all the stored sperm has been used. The period of incubation lasts from four to six weeks, although it may be longer if the water in the aquarium is too cool. The young are expelled when fully developed, the number in a brood vary- ing considerably. Premature births are 30 Aquatic Lite not unknown among these fishes, but the progeny invariably die. It must not be forgotten that the adults, in the aqua- rium, are generally cannibalistc, though seldom perhaps in nature. ‘Therefore, for breeding in confinement, the older fish must be separated from their young or a densely planted aquarium provided for the operation. Among dense masses of plants the young will find a compara- tively safe and sheltered retreat. Consci- entious aquarists place the female, just prior to an expected delivery, in small boxes or glass tanks placed partly into Pseudoxiphophorus bimaculatus the water of the aquarium. These tanks have holes or slits in the bottom just large enough to permit the young to drop through freely, the adult being retained. If this plan is not followed, place the aquarium near a window, massing the plants toward the light. The young when born seek the light, penetrating the plants out of reach of the parent. The young are easy to raise. Their first food consists of infusoria and alge, which is present in all aquaria that have been standing for a number of months; after a few days Daphne and Cyclops may be given. During the winter months the tooth-carps should have a minimum temperature ranging between 60 and 70 degrees, Fahrenheit, according to the species, but in the summer months they may be kept out-of-doors without danger. Under some circumstances females ap- parently about to expel a brood fail to do so. This is a so-called mis-fertiliza- tion. The female, after a few hours of agitated swimming, gradually becomes slimmer, and on the surface of the water appear a number of bright, round spots resembling the “eyes” on bouillon. These persist on the water for several days, and, though the microscope will not solve the riddle, it is known that these “eyes” are over-ripe and dissolved eggs. They consist of a gelatine-like substance that does not subsequently develop. It is very probable that many of these viviparous fishes, which are more or less closely related, interbred in their natural habitat as well as in the aquarium. The majority of these hybrids are no doubt capable of developing progeny. Such an interbreeding between Xiphophorus hellert and Platypoectius maculatus rubra was brought to a successful conclusion by rearing the sexes separately and later placing them together in an aquarium. The resulting hybrids in turn reproduced, the second hybrid generation retaining the characteristics of the first cross. Segregation of the sexes is necessary to induce cross-breeding, as females after having lived with males of their species will repel the advances of others. The tooth-carps are natives of South- ern United States, Central and South America, and are found in great abun- dance, both in numbers and in species, in the small streams, brooks and ditches, which they frequent. Ligitiebets Advertising of character and dignity has much to do with success. a Fool friends are worse than wise ene- mies. 6 6 6 es es ed > ‘The Aquarium 8 Rf Ri St 8g FF Bh FG Fh 8 6 i ss Fs c¥€ i — mes i 6 Ss Fs The meaning of the word aquarium has, in the course of time, been subjected to change. In England, years ago, cellars used for storing liquid medicines, and basins in utilized for growing aquatic plants, were known as aquariums. Later, when tanks of varied construction came into use for the obser- vation and study of aquatic life, it was some time before a permanent name was adopted. way to aqua-vivarium, this subsequently being superceded by the word aquarium. Of the various types of aquaria, the rectangular, with an iron frame, is un- questionably the best. In durability and merit it far surpasses any other form. conservatories The name vivarium soon gave ~ AQUARIUM NOTES ERNESd LEMRO@LE ee ft Ree ra ts es . . * | epics meaner tge: Migiaae Wa BE saul icten — Pe 6 PS Ps PS BA PS FN BS PS PS Ph PS Be SB BG BS BN BR GB i PS BB Be Se GB Be Be Original in Oil by the Author PS 6 FF BF Ps BB GB FP BS PG Pg PS Fs BG FP & PS eee TS Some styles should never be used for large or active fishes—the goldfish globe Most fishes, with the possible exception of the smaller “labyrinth” and the tiny viviparous spe- and “miniature” aquaria. cies, when confined in these “prison cells” soon succumb, the water space and oxy- gen being entirely inadequate to sustain them. The fad of decorating the exterior of an aquarium with painted scrolls ane flowers is reprehensible. It is not only an ornamental but a decided detriment, inasmuch as it prevents free observation and, moreover, destroys any possible internal effect with plants and failure, fishes. 32 Aquatic Life Exact workmanship is an important factor in the appearance of all aquaria. The painting of the frame should be neatly executed; the glass free from smears. A subdued shade of green is the most desirable color. It harmonizes with the plants and brings the bottom into good relief. Avoid “loud” and striking colors, as these detract from the contents of the aquarium. For the practical fish breeder, the dis- position of stones and plants in his tanks most primarily conform to the require- ments of the species to be bred, to facili- tate the observation of spawn and fry, and when necessary, their removal to other vessels. However, in all exhibition and room aquaria of principally orna- ‘mental character, an artistic arrangement, “Composition,” is essential. In creating these we should as near as possible imitate nature in her various They can in a general way be stone and moods. classified as sand, gravel, swamp or mud bottom effects. The latter is not practicable for room aquaria, un- less for a display of plants alone, with a possible association of snails and insects. Fishes keep a bottom of this nature con- tinually stirred up. While some aquarians prefer to use white sand, favoring contrasty effects, the majority use the common river variety. Many fishes become pale in color when placed in a tank with a white sand bot- tom, furthermore strong light on it causes a reflection which is an irritant to some and a tendency to shyness develops. Avoid regularity in arranging an aqua- rium; also indifferent scattering of stones and plants. The first will result in a mechanical effect, while the latter will be void of interest. I have found it most satisfactory to have a single effect in an sand in one, a stone in an- In this way one creates an aquarium other, etc. added interest in the various aquaria in- dependent of their respective inmates. Of course, a certain amount of sand may be used in all tanks to give the bottoms some slant. By this, all excrement will accumulate at one place, facilitating its removal. A very simple and effective composi- tion can be evolved by placing a large mass of stones and plants near one end, with a considerably smaller group near the opposite end, just large enough to give balance to the first. This arrange- ment assures plenty of space for active fishes. If but one aquarium is to be set up, various plants can be used to a good effect. With a large number of aquaria I prefer to use only one or two species of plants in each, making it possible with the variety of plants available to create different plant effects in quite a number of tanks. These in association with varied bottom arrangements will give each aqua- rium a distinct character and interest which will be further amplified by the introduction of different fishes. Fascinating interiors may be construct- ed with tuffstone. However, its numer- ous cracks and openings make inaccessi- ble pockets for the accumulation of filth, and the aquarium soon becomes unsain- tary; hence it had better be avoided for permanent display. This alse applies to the use of sea shells. The plants should be placed either direct in the sand bottom or in irregular shaped vessels made of Portland cement. If these are not available, small pots of symmetrical design may be used, but should be completely concealed among the stones. It is a mistake to try to em- bellish an aquarium by introducing arti- ficial objects such as stone statues, float- ing swans, etc. These only depreciate (Concluded on page 34.) — es A A A A A A A A A a a ee Notes on Krefftius adspersus / ERWIN O. FREUND oer rt rr rp ppp pp ate PS Be Be Be Ro Bk BG A hf kB BG BB FB BG BB Bk BB BF Pe Bf BB Krefftius adspersus | ! ! | | | ( { | ! ! |! ( x About ten months ago I arrived at the conclusion that if my aquaria were to continue to hold the interest for me which they should, I would have to secure some fishes that would be unique in these parts. I had seen the collections of prac- tically all my fellow-members of the Chi- cago Aquarium Society, and all contained the usual run of aquarium pets. To be sure, some of these collections are splen- did, but, taken on broad lines, they are much the same. Nothing new has been introduced for a long time, except the poecilid hybrid. I wanted something which hadn’t been seen here before, a fish which. 1 could study in my pseudo- scientific way, discovering if possible its peculiarities and breeding habits. For Purple-striped Gudgeon Ba 6B 6. Bo BR 6 BR 6S 6 Bs FR 6 i Bh Bg Bc Bc BB BS ds Photograph by H. E. Finckh Fe ees Sa 6 6 A oe po Se ee various reasons my thoughts turned to Australia and New Zealand, and I later discovered that this was fertile territory from my viewpoint, as none of the fishes of that far-off corner of the globe had been brought to the United States. With this object in view I consulted the editor of Aguatic LiFe, whose advice and assistance made the venture a success. It was first necessary to find a devotee in Australia to co-operate with me, and a very capable and enthusiastic one was found in Mr. H. E. Finckh, of the Royal Society. Mr. Finckh suc- ceeded in getting to me a number of native Australian species and, Iam glad to add, has received from me a number of our American warm water fishes. In Zoological 34 Aquatic Life addition it was necessary to secure the services of a reliable man on board ship, and also an aquarist in San Francisco to receive them. Both were found. Mr. R. Borden, of Oakland, voluntered to handle the fishes on arrival, and a very efficient party was found on one of the ships. ‘This man was experienced in transporting birds, reptiles and small mammals, and soon learned to care for fish. During the middle of May the first shipment arrived in San Francisco. Mr. Borden placed them in his tanks, where under his careful treatment they event- ually recovered from the hardships of their three-weeks’ ocean journey. It was not, however, until the end of July that Mr. Borden was successful in sending any on tome. ‘The lot was well worth waiting for, and consisted of eleven specimens of Krefftius adspersus, from two to two and one-half inches long. This fish has been fully described in past numbers of Aguatic LiFr, but the de- scriptions are not glowing enough. It is a beautiful little fish, of exceptionally favorable appearance. While there is no real similarity, it reminds me of one of our own trout in miniature. On August 19th one of the females appeared heavy with roe, and a male was in particularly bright dress. That even- ing the pair were removed from the oth- ers. The following morning they spawned, the eggs and nest appearing exactly as described by Mr. Gale in his article in the July number. The tempera- ture of the water was 80 degrees Fahren- heit. The male continually agitated the eggs with his fins and, not satisfied with merely keeping fresh water circulating about them, he disturbed and shook them frequently. The eggs developed rapidly and became elongated. On the 22d, eyes were plainly visible and the embryos occasionally squirmed; on the 25th they became detached from the egg-capsules and were free swimming. When first liberated the fry are very small, not much larger than those of the Paradise fish. I have fed them freely on infusoria and very green water, and they are doing well. The brood numbers about a hundred, and today (September 4th) averages about one-quarter inch long. The parents spawned again in an- other aquarium on August 26th, this time on a clump of alge instead of on the side of the aquarium. ‘This spawning was in a very obscure place, and impossible to observe. The eggs have since disap- peared, but I have not noticed any fry. Aquarium Notes (Concluded from page 32.) its quality and bring it down to the level of a cheap toy. We must bear in mind that if we desire to reproduce nature in our tanks we must eliminate all artificial makeshifts. While some aquarists are opposed to direct sunlight for aquaria on the theory that it causes an excessive growth of alge, and this in turn green water, years of experience have taught me that a daily exposure of no more than two hours is positively beneficial, the plants and fishes displaying more vitality. I have had an aquarium in an eastern window for over eight years, and the water always remains clear. Goldfish and those species of the tem- perate zones can be held in ordinary rooms temperatures, but those from the tropic require a temperature, varying with the species, from 68 to 80 degrees Fahren- heit. ‘Io insure this it is necessary to install some system for heating the aquarium. The problem of artificial aeration en- ters generally with the keeping of some fishes, especially those frequenting shal- low and rapidly moving streams, and for overstocked and unbalanced aquaria that lack a sufficient number of growing plants to produce the needed oxygen for the inmates. oy PP 6 Be 6 Bf Be SB 6 8S BS SB 8 Sf BS Bf Bf BR 6 ff Bf SA fF Ff 6 Sf 4 3 5 FS fF PF PS EP fF GB SR A FR FS FS Be 4 Sg B ep VVVLVYL VD LLEP Mia of me ese y The Yellow Perch i, Dorsal fin -spinous portion; 2, orifice; 21, air or swim-bladder; 22, kidney; 25, ureter; 26, urinary bladder; 40, skull or cranium. $9 es SF FR FB Bo Bo fl Bg SS BR Si Ss Se dS In the study of any one animal a _ knowledge of other animals is of great help, therefore it may be worth while to briefly review the lower animals in the order of their complexity, from their simplest beginning, that of the single cell, up to and including our present subject, the fish. This review being somewhat dorsal fin—soft portion; 3, portion; 5, anal fin—spinous portion; 4, ventral fin; 6, mandible; 7, maxilla; 8 nostril; 9, teeth; 10, tongue; 11, gills; 12, oesophagus; 13, stomach; 14, pyloric coeca; 15, intestine; 16, spleen; 17, gall bladder; 18, liver; 19, bile duct; 20, anal auricle of heart; 23, ventricle of heart; 24, 27, uro-genital orifice; 28, spinal column; 29, spinal cord; 30, ribs; 31, interspinals ; 32, cerebrum; 33, optic lobe; 34, cerebellum; 35, olfactory nerve; 36, optic nerve; 37, medulla oblongata; 38, ovary; 39, aorta; (Drawing by the author, after Linville and Kelly.) SS Pb 5 Fa 6 FS Fh BB Bh SS SS BS PB 6 SS Bd Sd 9 cae 6 PP A A BF BB A A fA Ff AN BB Be Ft Fe oes (The Anatomy of the Fish PERRY BRUCE CLARK Ieee ag ee epee ene TT Perca flaVescens anal fin—soft +} > 5B fT SB Fo fk A fF kB BS a Fk BB A Be ok Bk 6 FS eo *- evolutionary in character, it might be added that in trying to follow the course of evolution, we know very little or noth- ing at all of many links in the chain, as great numbers of them are now extinct (many more than are living today) of which no geological record has been found. We can, therefore, only guess 36 Aquatic Lite from the evidence at hand approximately what these links were. After the formation of the earth, when the crust had cooled sufficiently to allow the vapors in the air to condense upon it, so forming the oceans, it is supposed that the first forms of life which appeared were unicellular in character, that 1s, composed of single cells—the lowest form in which life can exist. It has been assumed that of the two kingdoms, plant and animal, the former was the first to appear as plants are able to live at higher temperatures and can subsist upon an entirely inorganic diet; animals, on the other hand, require an organic source of food supply. It is reasonable then to suppose that the plant kingdom was the forerunner of the animal kingdom. When animal life first appeared the simplest forms prevailed, namely, the Protozoa or single-celled animals. These varied in complexity from the very sim- ple Amoeba to the more organized Infusoria and highest of all Protozoa, the Tentaculifera. During the subsequent ages the forms of life gradually increased in complexity by very slow steps from the single cells, of which there were al- most countless numbers of species, to the sponge group which is the link from the highest Protozoa to forms like the hydra and the sea-anemone, which are among the first animals to possess a digestive cavity. All animals so far were com- posed of only two elementary layers of tissue; an outer layer or ectoderm and an inner layer or endoderm. ‘The next highest existing group is the first to pos- sess a third elementary layer of tissue, this being a middle layer or mesoderm. An example of this group is the planarian worm, which is about one quarter to three-eighths of an inch long, resembling very much in outward appearance a small leech and generally found around decay- ing vegetable matter in ponds. Up to this stage all the existing animals are in- vertebrates, or, in other words, do not possess a backbone. A vertebrate is an animal with a backbone or spinal column, having a spinal cord or great nerve lying above it.. It is to this group that man and all the higher animals belong. One of the first animals. which shows a ten- dency toward vertebrate structure is the lancelet. This is not a true vertebrate, but forms one of the very few connecting links existing today between vertebrates and invertebrate. This fishlike animal, about two inches in length, lives almost completely imbedded in the sand on the sea bottom. Along its back passes a notocerd or primitive backbone, and above this lies the spinal cord. The noto- cord is soft, but sufficiently strong to act as a support for the body. This brings us to the fish proper. _ One of the most representative of the fishes 1s the perch, consequently a great. deal of the following description relates to it primarily, but may also be applied to a great many other species. We will first consider the external appearance. The body is elongated, compressed from side to side, and tapers at both ends. It is divided into three parts, the head, trunk and tail. One of the first things that strikes our eye as we look at a fish are its fins. ‘These are generally five in number; three unpaired and two paired ones. The unpaired ones are the dorsal, caudal and anal fins; the paired ones the ventral or pelvic and the pectoral fins. There is present in some fishes another, called the adipose fin, situated on the dorsal surface between the dorsal and caudal fins. The dorsal (1 and 2) and anal (3 and 5) fins are divided into two parts, the spin- ous (I and 5) and the soft (2 and 3) portions. ‘These two parts are supported It is usually small. Aquatic by two kinds of fin-rays; the spinous por- tions by hard, unsegmented and un- branched rays or spines; the other by soft, segmented and branched rays. The other fins are of the branched form. The caudal fin or tail is the one generally used for propulsion. A movement of the caudal ‘to the right will bring the fish forward and to the left, a movement to the left brings it forward and to the right ; by means of two strokes in quick succession, one to the right and one to the left, the side motion is counteracted and the fish moves forward in a straight line. The other fins are generally used in steering and in maintaining an equi- librium. Along the side of the body, gen- erally half way between the dorsal and ventral surfaces, 1s what is called the lateral line. Along this line the scales are somewhat modified, and beneath them are situated sénse organs that respond to very low frequency vibrations, it being supposed that these organs stand between those of true hearing and those of touch. Protective coloration, which nearly all fishes possess in greater or less degree, is fairly well developed in the perch. The dorsal surface is of a rather dark shade {0 correspond with the dark bottom of most lakes.and streams when the fish is viewed from above. The ventral surface is of a very light color to correspond with the light of the surface when the fish is viewed from below. And lastly the sides are more or less mottled, which makes the fish much less conspicuous in his vari-colored The mouth consists of of roots, plants and rocks. surroundings two portions; the lower moveable jaw or mandible (6) and the stationary upper jaw or amsxilla (7). Om wae saomt, a short distance above the mouth, are situ- ated two small projections, which are the nostrils (8). They are peculiar in the fishes, as contrasted with other animals, Lite 37 in that they are not connected with the respiratory The moveable, but have no eyelids. apparatus. CViESmra te Behind the eye, on each side of the head, is situ- These opercles protect the delicate gills, and if ated an opercle or gill covering. necessary may be clamped down with surprising strength. It has been said that there are only two things worth while to a perch, and these are “To eat and not to be eaten.” We have already seen how the perch avoids being eaten by his powers of loco- motion and somewhat protective colora- tion. We will now see how he eats. Most fish have teeth, the most primi- tive of which are small papillae or rough elevated spots. The two kinds most gen- erally found, however, are more pro- nounced in form and are the moveable teeth and the firm or fixed teeth. They may be situated on the lower jaw or man- dible only or on both the mandible and maxilla or upper jaw, depending upon The moveable teeth merely imbedded in the skin of the mouth, and generally indicate that the the species. are fish possessing them subsists mainly on a herbivorous diet. The fixed teeth are larger and stronger than the moveable ones, and are firmly set in the bone be- neath the skin. This form is generally possessed by the carnivorous fishes, and helps them in holding fast their prey. In some fish a few of the teeth in the front of the mouth are enlarged and are called incisors, being used for cracking snail and crab shells. In the sharks the teeth are being continually formed on the inner margins of the jaw and the oid On the ventral surface of the mouth is a fleshy, ones pushed out over the edge. generally immoveable tongue (10), which varies in size in the different genera. Back of the tongue is the pharynx, with gill slits on both sides, which allow the 38 Aquatic Life water to pass out over the gills (11), thus aeriating the blood passing through them. From the pharynx a short cesoph- agus (12) leads to the stomach (13); which is a blind tube with the intestine (15) leading out from it a little below the centre. A short distance from the stomach, along the intestine are several pyloric coeca (14), which correspond to some of the digestive glands in the higher animals. These coeca empty digestive fluids into the intestines. Below the be- ginning of the intestine is the liver (18) with its gall bladder (17) anda bile duct (19) through which the bile flows into the intestines. Another small organ along the alimentary canal, but not con- nected with it, is the spleen (16). The function of this organ is still a mystery, it being supposed, but not proven, that it assists in the production of blood. In passing it might be mentioned that herb- ivorous species generally have a very long intestine, which in some fish 1s coiled around the air bladder, while in the car- nivorous fishes the intestine is relatively short. Finally the intestine ends at the anal orifice (20), which is situated a short distance in front of the anal fin. The air bladder (21), or swim bladder, as it is sometimes called, 1s a compara- tively large membranous sac, filled with air, and generally reaching the length of the body cavity. By means of muscular movement it is contracted or expanded accordingly as the fish wishes to sink or rise. ‘his contraction or expansion 1n- creases or decreases the density of the fish, thereby making it heavier or lighter than water. Some fish that spend their lives on the bottom have little or no swim bladder, and are therefore unable to rise or sink without the use of the fins. The gills (11) are eight in number, four on each side. Each consists of a bony arch, which supports the delicate gill flaments. ‘The blood passing through the fine capillaries in the gills gives off its carbon dioxide from the body and takes up a fresh supply of oxygen from the water passing over the gills. Extending into the pharynx from the gill arches are a number of bones arranged like the teeth in a comb these are called gill- rakers and are supposed to act as strait- ers. The heart is fairly simple, possessing only one auricle (22) and one ventricle (23); in the higher animals there are two of each. “lt 1s placed) in- ay matnes large cavity called the pericardial cavity, the posterior or rear wall forming a thin membrane between the pericardial and the digestive or body cavity. The blood coming from the body is received by the auricle, which is a large, thin-walled chamber, it then enters the ventricle, a smaller, thick, muscular-walled chamber, which it is pumped by a muscular contraction through an artery called the aorta (39) to the gills, where it is aeri- ated. After aeriation the blood is collect- ed by an artery called the dorsal artery, through which it is distributed to the various organs. In the fine capillaries of the organs the blood gives up the sup- ply of oxygen it is carrying and collects carbon dioxide and other waste products. It then flows back to the auricle of the heart through the veins, thus completing the circle. There is also a lymphatic system, which acts in a supplementary capacity to the blood. The fluid which circulates in the lymphatic system is a milky fluid called lymph, which helps to distribute food throughout the system, and also, to a certain extent, to pick up waste matter. The principal organs of excretion are the kidneys (24). are long, thin bodies, which extend along the upper surface of the air bladder, These in the perch Aquatic Lite 39 just under the spine. There is a tube called the ureter (25), leading from each kidney. The ureters join and then empty into the urinary bladder (26), which in turn empties into the uro-genital opening (27), situated directly behind the anal aperture. The kidneys filter all waste matter out of the blood as it passes through them; this waste matter is elimi- nated in solution in the form of urine. The skeleton is formed of bones com- posed largely of calcium phosphate. Ex- tending from the head to the tail is the vertebral column or backbone (28). This is composed of a number of separate bones, each being called a vertebra. Along the dorsal surface of this spinal column is a groove, in which rests the spinal cord (29). ‘To the backbone the skull or cranium (40) is attached, and along its length a number of ribs (30) project and serve as a protection and support to the body cavity. A small row of bones calied the interspinals (31) sup- port the unpaired fins.. The pectoral and ventral fins are each supported by a framework of bones called the shoulder girdle and the hip girdle respectively. The brain is divided into four principal parts; the cerebrum (32), the two optic lobes (33) (only one being shown), the cerebellum (34) and the medulla ob- longata (37), which is extended to form the spinal cord. The cord, as has already been mentioned, lies in a groove in the vertebral column, and from this branch most all the main nerves of the body ex- cept some of the sensory nerves. Ex- tending forward from the cerebrum is the olfactory nerve (35) which connects the nostrils. ‘The organs of hearing in the perch are very peculiar, being simple in comparison with the ears of the higher animals. ‘They consist of a closed cavity on each side of the head. Contained in each of these cavities is a small concre- tion or stone, made of calcium carbonate and called an otolith or ear-stone, besides the capacity for hearing they are sup- posed to be of service to the fish in main- taining an equilibrium. These otoliths are also found in some of the lower ani- mals, such as the jelly-fishes and some medusee. The sense of taste is not greatly developed. The vision is fairly clear, though at short distances only. The muscles of the fish differ from those of the higher, warm-blooded an1- mals in that they are generally white in color and are composed of large flakes. The largest of all the muscles is the great lateral one, reaching the whole length of the body on both sides and controlling its movements. There are also other smaller muscles which control the jaw, eyes, is, etc. In some fishes, such as the salmon and herring, the muscles are orange or red, but this color is due to the presence of certain oils and not to blood, as in the higher animals. The reproductive organs consist of the ovary (38) in the female and the sperm- aries or testes in the male. These extend forward from the uro-genital opening and are connected with it by the oviduct in the female and the vas deferens in the male. It will not be necessary to go into details regarding reproduction, as every aquarist is familiar with both the ovi- parous and viviparous forms. The prc- cess of fertilization of the egg and the development of the embryo is a very interesting study, but space will not per- mit its discussion at this time. ee oe, “T wonder if the little goldfish feels that he is penned up?” “T doubt it. Take my own case. Theo- retically I could go anywhere in the world. Practically I merely swim around in a circle like that fish.’—Kansas City Journal. 40 Aquatic Life Beccdine't Habits of The Burmese Eel This eel (Amphipurus euchia), is brought at times to us from China, 1s well known to many of us, and for eight years I have had three of them in a rather large tank. On the 7th of January It noticed that some eggs had just been laid, giving me the opportunity of studying the behavior of the adult fish towards which the eggs. Many of you know how the Paradise Fish (Macropodus) breeds, and have watched the construction of the nest and the method of depositing the eggs. The fish makes a nest of air-bells by inhaling air from the surface, holding it in the mouth for a short time, and then letting it escape mixed with saliva. A mass of coherent air-bells, two to three inches in circumference, is thus formed, and the eggs which have been laid are gathered by the male fish in his mouth and placed amongst the air bubbles. He watches over the eggs until hatched, and the young until old enough to take care of themselves. The Burmese eel acts in a very similar manner. Always the one eel gathers the eggs and places them in the air-bubble nest, watching them unremittingly until hatched. ‘The eggs are fairly heavy and readily sink from the nest when the tank is tapped or the water disturbed ; but the fish replaces them immediately. I have seen the eel gather as many as eight eggs in his mouth at once, and then put them back in the nest. He pokes his head right through the nest and endeavors to place the eggs on top of the mass of bubbles. In about eight days the young are plainly visible, wriggling about in the The eggs, being on top of the nest, 2010 ogy. and in some cases quite half an inch above water-level, are fairly dry, and the embryo eels become very active when the eggs are moistened by sprinkling with water. The eggs hatch in twelve days, and the young remain in the nest for quite a week. A couple of weeks after the eggs were laid I found one of the adults at the bottom of the tank. Perhaps it had been trying to get at the young and had paid the penalty—H. FE. Finckn, in The Australian Naturalist. ent rie The Name ‘“Water-flea’ The origin of “water-flea” as a com- mon name for Daphnia, which are not insects, is explained in the following ex- cerpt from the chapter on the Cladocera, by Birge, in Fresh Water Biology : “\When men began to study nature by the aid of the microscope in the seventh were among the In 1669 de- century the “insects” first objects to be examined. - the Dutch physician, Swammerdam, scribed in his history of insects the ‘pulex aquaticus arborescens —the water- flea with branching arms. ‘This was one of the Cladocera, still called Daphma pulex, the commonest species in shallow These creatures he described and giving an account of their struc- ture and habits and speaking of their pools. figured, sudden appearance in enormous numbers, and their equaily sudden disappearance. For nearly a century little was added to the knowledge of the group. In 1755, the German, Schaeffer, gave the first really good account of their strucutre. In 1785, O. F. Mueller, the Danish nat- uralist, issued the first general systematic work upon Entomostraca. This described many of the species as we now know them, and gave a firm scientific basis for further knowledge of the Cladocera. In the latter half of the nineteenth century the rapid advance of science during the systematic work of the group was sub- stantially done, the Norwegian, G. O. Sars, having contributed more than any other one man. ‘This work showed that the Cladocera constitute the largest group of fresh-water crustacea in number of species; the most diversified im size, in structure, and in habits.” sess Des A Bloated Axolotl EDGAR R. WAITE, F. L. S. It is within the experience of most breeders of these remarkable amphibians that, out of every hatching, one or more larve may be expected to, unintention- ally, of course, become like the frog that wished to be as big as an ox. In his article on these batracians (Aouatie Lire, Vol. I, p. 130) Mr, W. L. Brind states that the “bloating dis- ease” is a result of too frequent feeding ; a friend of mine in Sydney maintains that it is the result of starvation, but It is not, however, my present object to con- sider causes, but merely to record an neither explanation is satisfactory. interesting experience. Though I have seen quite small larvee with the disease, | am here writing of one in which the malady did not become manifest until the larva was fully four inches in length. ‘The swelling took place rapidly, for within three months, when the creature had grown an- other inch, it was unable to descend, but remained at the surface, belly upwards; it was still able and willing to feed if a worm were offered to it. When held to a strong light its body was seen to be transparent, and its weight, when in the air, suggested that it was distended, not with air but with water. . Having reached a stage when it was neither useful nor ornamental, and doubtless a burden to itself, I decided to perform a slight operation: reducing and somewhat Aquatic Lite 4] rounding one end of a 3-16-inch glass tube, I inserted the nozzle thus formed, into the vent, catheter-wise, being careful not to damage the delicate membranes. As soon as I judged the tube had passed the cloaca, a stream of -clear liquid, ap- parently pure water, issued from the tube with considerable force, induced by the tension of the distended body. When the Upper and Lower Views of the Bloated Axolotl liquid ceased to flow, the body of the poor creature was nothing but skin and back- bone. Next day it recommenced to feed, and soon became a respectable member of axolotl society. I regret to say, how- ever, that the operation proved a pallia- tive only, for before long the animal again began to swell, and in a few weeks regained its former bloated condition. I noticed that it now floated with part of its head and chest out of water, and as it could scarcely be supposed to be enjoy- ing its amphibious existence, I decided to put an end to it; its death, however, occurred in a manner I had not antici- pated or intended. Wishing to preserve a memento of this peculiar condition I took two photo- graps (here reproduced) by transmitted 42 Aquatic Lite light and was in the act of returning the animal to the water when it slipped out of my hand and fell to the floor, flop !— and burst! An interesting fact now became re- vealed: the axolotl, being unable to keep its head under water, had been breathing atmospheric air, and the most noticeable objects exposed as a result of the catas- trophe were a pair of well-developed lungs. I also noticed that the gills had greatly diminished ; the larva was, in fact, becoming a Amblystome, though surely an abnormal one. (The Amblystome is the adult stage, wherein the animal lives on land and breathes by means of lungs.) ————— The Hudson County Aquarium So- ciety, of Jersey City, New Jersey, held its first annual exhibition in the Museum of the Jersey City Public Library on the afternoons and evenings of October 5th and 6th. The display of goldfish attracted con- siderable attention, due to the large va- riety and perfection of the specimens. Here were the “old timers” in little groups, heads together and mumbling in low tones, with their eyes focused on cer- tain tanks. There were forty tanks, each containing from four to twenty fish. The section for tropical fishes was well patronized, and justly, too, for here was displayed the largest collection, both as to species and number of specimens, that has been brought together in this vicinity for quite some time. Some almost for- gotten fishes were in evidence. The exhibitors and those who other- wise contributed to the success of the exhibition were: Messrs. Wright, Fidell. Kissel, Fanning, Amelung, Albietz, Sidell, Smith, Renken, Koenig, Savage, Obermiller, Smail, Heath, Shaw, Hedden, Pyle, Krebs, Elliott and Warn.—dAbridg- ed from the report of G. C. Albtets, sec- retary of the society. Statement of the Ownership, Management, Circulation, Etc., Required by the Act of Congress of August 24, 1912, of Aquatic Life, published monthly at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for October 1, 1918. State of Pennsylvania County of Philadetphia } S35 Before me, a notary public in and for the State and County aforesaid, personally ap- peared W. A. Poyser, who, having been duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that he is the editor of Aquatic Lire, and that the following is, to the best of his knowledge and lief, a true statement of the ownership, management (and if a daily paper, the circu- lation), etc, of the aforesaid publication for the date shown in the above caption, required by the Act of August 24, 1912, embodied in Section 443, Postal Laws and Regulations, to wit: That the names and addresses of the pub- lisher, editor, managing editor, and business managers are: Publisher—Joseph FE. Bausman, Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. Editor—W. A. Poyser, 207 South 37th Street, Philadelphia, Pa. : Managing Editor—None. Business Managers—None. That the owners are: (Give names and ad- dresses of individual owners, or, if a corpora- tion, give its name and the names and ad- dresses of stockholders owning or holding 1 per cent. or more cf the total amount of stock. ) —Owners—Joseph E. Bausman, 542 East Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa.; W. A. Poyser, 207 South 37th Street, Philadelphia, Pa. That the known bondholders, mortgagees and other security holders owning or holding 1 per cent. or more of the total amount of other securities 542 East bonds, mortgages, or are: None. W. A. POYSER, Editor. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 26th day of September, 1918. (Seal ) JosEPHINE V. YEAGER. (My commission expires at the end of the next session of the Senate.) Os During the winter ascertain how warm —not how cold—you can keep your trop- ical fishes. Cold is a big factor in re- tarded growth. Aquatic Life An international monthly magazine devoted to the study, care and breeding of native, exotic, gold and domesticated fishes, other animals and plants in the home aquarium and terrarium. WY, As PONTSIBIRG + coco daoccebocooKc Editor JOSIBIPISl 1, VEWWISMUSUN TS candoos Publisher 542 EK. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia. Entered as second-class matter, September 2, 1915, at the Post Office, Philadelphia, aes under Act of March 3, 1879. Practical articles and notes on topics per- taining to the aquarium and terrarium are always wanted for Aguatic Lirk. Readers of the magazine are invited to join in mak- ing it a medium of mutual help, and to contribute to it any ideas that may occur to them. The pages are always open for any- one who has anything helpful and practical to say. Manuscripts, books for review and general correspondence should be addressed to the editor. Aguatic Lire has the largest circulation of any magazine in the world devoted to this branch of nature-study. It presents to ad- vertisers a market that can be reached through no other medium. Rates made known on application. WearlyaSub scription: semester cee $1.00 QOH SOK ASNONS soaccacconosacdc 1.35 SinplewmCop yeree ne seer eens 10 Payments may be made by money order, draft or registered letter. Foreign remit- tances should be by international money order. If local checks are sent, ten cents Should be added for collection charges. Copyright 1918 by Joseph E. Bausman Vol. IV. November, 1918 No. 3 Breeders from all over United States are using Yogi Fishfood. Send for booklet, and read what breeders think of Yogi and Magic (Infusoria.) Ask your Dealer or Srieeice or send for it direct. Yogi 15¢ box; by mail 17c; Ib. 75c ad postage. Magic 50c postpaid FISH FOOD Manufactured only by ROBT. J. SCHAEFFER PRICE, 10c. Robert J. Schaeffer 1818 Frankford Avenue _~Phila., Pa HUGO C. NELLES DEALER & BREEDER OF TROPICAL FISHES Are you looking for first class stock at reasonable prices? Then see me. I have what you want 1305 Third Avenue (76th Street Station, 3rd Avenue L) (77th Street Station Lexington Avenue, Subway) New York City No Store DOO DOO COO COD DOD COD GOO ODO OOO OOS ODO OOS GOO GOD GOO SCO OCS GSO OCN GSN S00! | Wholesale to Dealers [318 N. Dover Street (eee Aaa a aS Ti Pterophyllum Scalare 1918 HATCHING Same Size as the Gu $7.50 Each Larger Size $12.50 Each WILLIAM L. PAULLIN 425 Wolf Street Philadelphia, Pa lec cle eclec cle cele c cee cee clecclee eee elec oe} | Eh eat That Is Fish Food Fit For Fish The Heading Fish Food on the mark- et today. Once tried, always used Koriyama Japanese Fish Food For Gold and Tropical Fishes Price cents WM. G.SARBACHER Philadelph'a Finest Blue and Calico Broad- tail Telescopes in Philadelphia Correspondence Answered. C. J. HANNIG, 1225 N. Randolph Street PHILADELPHIA Pre et ee ee ET Mollienisia latipinna We have an extra fine stock of this most desirable Southern aquarium fish, bred in small tanks, and thor- oughly domesticated. While a “live- bearer” it will stand a temperature of 32 degrees. We ship this species dur- ing winter months only. Extra Large, $4 Dozen $20 Hundred Medium, $3 Dozen $15 Hundred 10 Kinds of Aquarium Plants $1 Postpaid CRESCENT FISH FARM 1624 Mandeville Street: New Orleans, La ! 000000: 000 C3900 —5000 C——)s00 300000 C————> => 000 C=S)co0o or Excellent Conformation i: Color Cannot Be Beat how Their Quality in Finnage lh ave Blues, Blacks and Calicos [her Fancier Should Look Them Over 8 : 8 8 Rellee Them at C. C. VOWINKEL 8 t 1: is 8 Philadelphia, Pa 109 Catherine Street [pies eee ee HENRY KISSEL, JR. Fancier & Breeder of Tropical Fishes — Young Broadtail Telescopes I have good healthy stock at reasonable prices. Call or ’phone, Cliffside 461. (Not a dealer) 241 Walker Street, Cliffside, N. J. Important ! With the number for January, 1919, the sub- scription price of Aguatic Lire will be ad- vanced to $1.25. Single copies, fifteen cents. To conform to the regulations of the War Industries Board, unsold copies of periodicals cannot be returned for credit by newsdealers and other wholesale agents. Readers who pur- chase copies from these sources are urged to place a definite order in advance. The pet shops throughout the country, which are agents for Aguatic Lire, will receive and forward sub- scriptions. This is perhaps the best way to insure against missing a number. JosEpH EF. BAUSMAN, Publisher. a ee The Government’s War Activities Buy sy GEORGE A. SCHENK Mount Vernon, N. Ve | a, | | Per Ib., Sx Serinch Aquarist & Breeder of Tropical Fishes Hundreds of Guppies (Lebistes reticu- latus), the most beautiful ones you ever saw, 25 cents each. Swordtails (Xipho- phorus. helleri), 50 cents each, $1.00 a pair. All kinds of aquatic plants and snails. Aquaria, completely stocked with fishes, plants and gravel—just an ideal Christ- mas present—$1.50 and upward. *"Phone Superior 4415. Scrimshaw’s Fish Hatchery The only tropical fish store in Chicago. 1431 N. Clark Street Chicago, III. COOC00 C000 TM S000! Ja Pa E DRIED SHRIMP—The Utility Fishfood coarse 75c. Ground fine, £1.00. St. George’s Natural Fish Food, $1.50 per Ib. Sample can, 15c. Aquarium Cement, 50c Ib. Add postage to your zone. CANADIAN BIRD STORE 2139 West Van Buren Street. Chicago, III. Fine Broad-tail Telescopes BEACK and CALIe®© Correspondence Solicited GEORGE WILT, 1519 N. 62d Street, PHILADELPHIA S. SILVER Fancier and Breeder of Tropical Fishes Splendid healthy stock at reasonable Haplochilus cameronensis, Betta etc. All kinds of live-bearing prices. rubra, fishes. 235 East 11th Street NEW YORK CITY _ (Between 2nd and 3rd Avenues ) PHILIP KLESPIES 551 18th Avenue - 3d floor - Newark, N. J. Must sell 17 species of tropical fishes. Aquaria and Plants, on account of mov- ing. At home evenings, Saturdays after 1 P. M., and all day Sundays. {ers Sen a2 = [000 °000¢ EVERYTHING IS FISH THAT COMES TO THE NET OF A NATURALIST Don’t paddle in the water with one hand and be blind with both eyes In other words, ‘keep your eyes open’ for all nature. | Our Magazine 8 he Guide to Mature Will Help You It is edited by EDWARD F. BIGELOW, who fishes in the heavens and earth, as well as the waters under the earth. Four months’ trial, 25c. One year, $1.60. THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION ArcAdiA ) Sound Beach THE TERMINAL PET SHOP PETS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION AND KIND Manufacturing and Maintenance of Aquariums a Specialty All Kinds of Cat and Dog Foods and Medicines HUDSON TERMINAL BUILDING Concourse, New York ENCHYTRAE (White Worms) The ideal live fish food which can be raised indoors all year round. Portion, 50c. (cash or money order—no checks), with instructions how to breed them. F. O. B Secaucus, N. J. CHARLES E. JENNE 1577 Paterson Plank Road, Secaucus, N. J. = When they said, “Price sold out,” They knew not what they talked about. Price has the goods, same as of old, So please don’t believe all you’re told. For fine broadtails or tropical fishes, Price is here to fulfill your wishes. 2145 South Lee Street, Philadelphia None Shipped Connecticut << 000 C000: Thousands of Young Veiltail Telescopes from the Finest Stock in America. $ 2.50 per Dozen $ 15.00 per Hundred In Mixed Colors, Blues, Calicos, Etc. Franklin Barrett Wyoming Avenue & C. Street, Phila., Pa Blacks 0c Extra for Shipping Can } Cash With Order ! THE BEST BOOK Ht: AQUARIUM Su8i232 SUBJECTS is ‘Goldfish Varieties & Tropical fy Aquarium Fishes’’, byWm.T.Innes, _// i former President of the Aquarium (in Society of Phila.; 250 pages, 195. Laie illustrations. Tells all about the $$)1't| fancy varieties of the Goldfish and BA nearly 300 tropicals ; how to breed them, etc., etc. For the beginner or the aevaneed expert. A complete, practical, handsome book, sent postpaid anywhere for $3.00. , Enlarged edition now ready. INNES & SONS - 133 /N. 12th St. - Phila., Pa. Leitbol€f Wrotbers BREEDERS OF TROPICAL FISHES A Large Assortment of Many Species in Stock at All Times 281 Southern Avenue Pittsburgh, Pa. Otto Walter 86 Suydam Street :: Brooklyn, N. Y. Near Central Avenue L Station Breeder and Importer of TROPICAL & GOLDFISHES Telescopes Calicos Japs Fan-tails Deslec in All Varieties of Aquatic Plants All Kinds of Fish Foods Fresh and Dried Daphnia AQUARIA, UTENSILS AND SUPPLIES Charles E. Visel Broad-tail Telescopes and Japs Blacks, Blues and Parti-colors 215 PutNaM AVENUE, BROOKLYN, N. Y. “AQUARIA FISH” A practical work on care and breeding of fish in the aquarium, greenhouse and out- door ponds. Finely illustrated. Every one interested in keeping fish should send for a copy of this book. Price, $1.00. Tappan’s Natural Fish Food. Three boxes. postpaid. 25c. Guinea Pigs and Thoroughbred Collie Pups. beautifully marked. Write for prices. F. L. TAPPAN Route 2, Hopkins, Minn. She eee a am Flichaelsen Bros GOLDFISH BREEDERS FLORISTS 58th and Walnut Streets 110 South 52nd Street Philadelphia | Aquarium Fishes A Aquaria & Supplies Wholesale and Retail ll Kinds of Aquatic Plants HERMAN RABENAU, Aauarist PERMANENT DISPLAY OF Aquatic Life & Terraria must be seen to be appreciated Visitors Welcome Plants and Tropical Fish a Specialty Importations of New Varieties received regularly 1163 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y. Near Broadway. GOLDFISH, FOODS, PLANTS, DIP NETS Combination Natural Fish Food - Sample Box 10c Imported Shrimp Fish Food - - Sample Can 15c Imported Wafer Fish Food Large Sample Box 10c Mail Orders Promptly Attended to Agents for ‘‘ART AQUARIUMS’’ Special Prices on Quantity Lots. Cash With Order. Catalogue Sent Upon Request. AQUARIUM STOCK CO 273 Greenwich Street :: New York City HARRY P. PETERS 1210 N. Warnock Street, Philadelphia, Pa BREEDER AND IMPORTER Rare and Fancy Fish Plants of every variety, Snails and: Aquarium Supplies of all kinds at all MANUFACTURER OF — Green River Fish Food 15c Box Green River Baby Fish Food . 20c Box A GOOD FISH FOOD is one of the most essential things necessary to keep fish in good health. After the test of years Green River stands out as the best food on the market. It keeps the fish in good color by pro- moting a healthy, robust growth. It will not sour ot cloud the water. Ask your dealer or send for it today. Young Veiltails, All Colors $5.00 Dozen Up BREEDERS—Largest Assortment of Blues, Blacks and Calico Telescopes and Japs at Reasonable Prices. Shipping Cans, 50c. Fine Assortment of Lionheads HARRY P. PETERS, 1210 North Warnock St., Phila., Pa. IOOOCOC OG Nippon Goldfish Co 1919-21 Bush Street, San Francisco, Cal Importers : and : Pile JAPANESE GOLDFISH Ground Shrimp, Aquarium Plants and General Supplies a Specialty — Price Lists Sent on Request Ba Ee Ne eg LAP Cee OSS CP ee RE ER i Maes ay EY, CES CO NS ay oe ee —>000 Bos ; a \ ee ——3 J aah: c Cassel “il | 915 Arch Street, Piulade| pi Pa Manufacturer of ~ AQUARIU M - Aquarium Ornaments : i ne Floral Terra Coie Etc. x a Goldfish Fish Globes Uc PES Food _ and all aquarium requisites. Send for Catalog. FRESH WATER BIOLOGY | By HENRY B. WARD and GEORGE C. WHIPPLE | WITH THE COLLABORATION OF 25 DISTINGUISHED SPECIALISTS ~ All interested in aquatic biology will find here answers to their queries on methods of study, conditions of existence, types of life, and inter-relations of the organisms that inhabit our fresh-water bodies, _ together with data on their life histories, habits and range. This work is the first complete and accurate record of North Amer- ican aquatic life, especially the micro-organisms; among both plants ~ and animals excluding the vertebrates, “higher plants and bacteria, every form is described that has been reported from a fresh-water body on this continent. ik | A comprehensive SCHeeal discussion of each group precedes the description of individual forms, which are arranged under a key to. permit of rapid and accurate determination of the genera and species. Nearly every form is illustrated, and its diagnostic features are pointed — out. Biological data on its oe frequence and distribution are also given. Fresh- Water Biology is a big faa of 1111 pages, with 1547 illus- trations. Price, $6.00, plus postage on four pounds. ro AQUATIC LIFE, 542 E. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. a ia earns Ta ices ch aoc ta I NM EAA RG: IRIE SSR ee Grovedale Goldfish Hatchery FRED SCHAEFER - 2 — mw jHE LARGEST AND BEST equipped conservatories | and aquarium plants. Wholesale and retail D Street above Wyoming Avenue ca) Philadelphia, -Pa. ic 000 —— S000 ———c7°°oc > —— 2c SC 000) a PA A A olf 5 5 Fa Fs a a Ft Ss Se Ss a 6 Ss se a mee As far as our collections of fishes in America are concerned, Cynolebias belottti is an exceedingly rare fish, in fact, | don’t believe a specimen still per- sists alive. To the best of my knowledge the fish has only appeared in collections in and about New York City, and that some time since. Mr. J. Arthur Osborn, one of the “old-timers” of the Aquarium Society, New York City, was one of the proud owners, and it was in his home that I had the pleasure of seeing the species for the first time. He didn’t suc- ceed in breeding it, nor did others here, but “overseas” the aquarists were more fortunate. The male is a beautiful shade of indigo or sea blue, darker on the back. Over this ground color are numberless sky-blue or pearly gray spots; a vertical black stripe runs from the top of the head downward through the eye to a point below. Dorsal fin, dark blue; anal, metal- lic blue-green. Vertical stripes of dark gray cross the body, with spots of same color on the dorsal and anal fins. The female is garbed in modest grayish- brown, shading to white beneath. The anal and dorsal fins are much smaller. Instead of depositing its eggs on water plants, as in the case of its allies in the genera Rivulus and Fundulus, this fish buries the eggs separately in the sand, the male standing on its head and boring the holes in the bottom with his snout! The female approaches, with trembling and fluttering movements on the part of both sexes, and protrudes her oviduct, or ege-depositing tube, whereupon both dart ae SL bP 6 FE BS BR SB Be GB BB BB Bg Bf Bg Bf Ff ft a i a a ee . Cynolebias Bellottii WALTER LANNOY BRIND, F. Z. S. oo = es ee upward through the water and down again to the hole, wherein the female de- posits a single egg. This the male promptly fertilizes and then covers with sand. From fifteen to twenty eggs are thus stowed away daily, with intervals of eight to fifteen minutes, for perhaps eight to ten consecutive days. If the adults are well nourished a similar period Cynolebias bellottii of sexual activity will commence a week htence> Ihereatter a temperature of 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit should be main- tained ; other than for the fry and during breeding activities, 70 degrees will be sufficient. Schneising, who bred species, claimed that it took six months for the eggs to hatch, but that is most unlikely. He doubtless figured from the time his first eggs were deposited, and they may have been infertile. The concensus of opinion places the period of incubation at from seven to eight weeks, with a the 44 Aquatic Lite slight variability according to the water temperature. There is much still to be discovered concerning the proper treat- ment of the eggs during the hatching period. This Cynolebias is a native of the Argentine Republic, being found espe- cially in the La Plata River. It 1s said to inhabit cool, clear waters which contain a small percentage of nitrate of potash, the mineral salt commonly known as salt- peter. A certain amount is considered essential to the welfare of the fish when kept in the aquarium. Specimens have been imported that measured from three to four inches long, but at half this length have been found sexually mature and have bred in aquaria. It is a fish well worth while. ee Miscellaneous Notes NICHOLAS NACKS A male of Danio albolineatus has been found sexually mature when four months old. A male of that age bred by the editor was used with an older female by George W. Price. ‘Hybrids derived from the following combinations have been reported: Heter- andria formosa x Lebistes reticulatus, Phalloptychus januarius « Lebistes retic- ulatus, Xiphophorus hellert « Lamia caudofasciata. In the spawning operation of Haplo- chromis strigigena, the common mouth- breeder, according to a recent observer, the eggs are gathered by the female as soon as fertilized, without waiting for the extrusion of the full complement. Speaking generally the species of Xiphophorus kept by aquarists do not agree in color patterns with the species of similar names as described in system- atic works. ‘This is probably the result of indiscriminate cross-breeding. Pure species have apparently not been im- ported for several years. Boxes of soil used for the propagation of the white worm, Enchytraeus albidus, soon become populated with a variety of forms of life—larvae of various insects, mites, common earthworms, etc., none of which detrimental. The mites are not relished by the fishes, prob- ably because of the bitter taste incidental to the presence of formic acid. box podurids made their appearance in great numbers, and proved a good food. seems to be In one During the winter meal worms, the larvae of certain bettles, are splendid food) sor the Jarcer fishes. In the fall of the year any whole- “strong-jawed” sale grocer, and some smaller fellows, can supply “wormy meal,” in fact, they'll be glad to have you carry it away. Away off in Australia the aquarists have a number of exotic fishes which would be highly prized in America today, among them Barbus phutumo and Ras- bora cephalotaenia. Some of the native Australian fishes are mighty interesting, and could be carried through our winters at ordinary house temperature. The hornwort, Ceratophyllum demer- sum, 1S a peculiar plant in several par- ticulars. which water. It is one of the few species in fertilization is effected under The plant floats freely in the water; when found attached the condi- tion is purely accidental, as it possesses no roots. The embryo develops a single rootlet, but this soon disappears, and none are subsequently formed. The functions of life are performed indis- criminately by all parts of the plant-body. Mr. William Guild, 33 Main street, Winter Hill Postal District, Boston, Massachusetts, desires to enter into cor- respondence with aquarists interested in snails and willing to exchange specimens. a a DE Tillaea Recurva and Other Notes } H. E. FINCKH ) Royal Zoological Societ) of New South Wales l PE 6 Ba 6 Ps Fs Pd Fs BS In Tillaea recurva, a species peculiar to Australia, I have found a satisfactory aquarium plant. It occurs in various lo- calities around Sydney, in pools, from which it creeps onto swampy banks and even to dry situations beyond. I have met it growing, much stunted to be sure, in perfectly dry places, which, however, are covered with water at times. As an aquarium plant it is useful as well as ornamental. It is graceful, grows freely, and forms dense masses of a pleasing light green. Contrary to expectations (being semi-aquatic), it is always submerged in a tank eight inches deep; in shallow tanks but a few inches deep it will, when it becomes dense, appear above the surface. Roots form on the stems, but generally where branches occur; when a stem lies hori- zontally roots will appear throughout its length. A small piece pinched off and placed in the sand takes root rapidly. In a poorly lighted aquarium it will not do well, and is apt to break up and float near the top, where all the small pieces will develop rootlets. In this con- dition it will not protrude above the sur- face. In my aquaria and ponds it shows no change during the winter, when the tem- perature may drop to 4c degrees Fahren- heit. How it will do under colder condi- tions I do not know. For two years I have had a small tank, holding six gallons, at a window in our sitting room. ‘The position must be ad- mirable. From the first the water has ome Fe 6k 6 6 been crystal-clear, not even has the glass been cleaned. A month ago our piano was tuned and cleaned, naphthaline being employed to destroy any moths. ‘Two days later the water in the tank turned milky. I left it thus for fourteen days, and then fs} “a & 7 y i Tillaea recurva changed the water. Again it turned milky, the odor of the napthaline still persisting in the room. Since I have moved the tank to another room and again changed the water the milky condi- tion has not returned. ‘The fishes, Gam- busia and Orysias (Medaka), were not affected. In my early fish days I was ever at a loss how to keep the inside of the glass 46 Aquatic Lite of my tanks bright and clean. 1 em- ployed scrapers, pads, brushes and good- ness knows what not; all more or less unsatisfactory. One day I picked up a piece of cuttlebone at the seashore, took it home and found it to work wonders. There is nothing equal to it; appears to polish as well as clean the glass. Its use in this connection is mentioned in one of the earlier numbers of Aquatic LIFE, but only quite incidentally. As A. L. has many new subscribers now, it may be well to mention the use of cuttlebone in a more prominent way. No matter how hard the coating, the bone removes it with the greatest ease. (Tillaea is a genus in Crassulacaea, the orpine family—stonecrops, houseleeks, etc. Tillaea aquatica is an allied Ameri- can species, and has been recorded from some New England States, eastern Penn- sylvania, Delaware and probably else- where. The Australian species bears some resemblance to Anacharis in general aspect, but is rather brittle and seems to branch more freely.—Editor.) Another Tank Heater ARTHUR KUHN Mr. H. M. Hale’s description of an aquarium heater (Aquatic LiFE, Sep- tember, 1918) prompts me to describe an arrangement which I have used during two winters with success. It may appeal to aquarists who do not care to use gas or oil for the purpose. The heater consists of a narrow, cyl- indrical flower-holder of glass and an electric bulb of a size to be slipped into the holder, with necessary wiring, socket and plug. The flower-holder, which is greater in depth than the water in the aquarium, rests on the bottom, small lead The electric bulb 1s placed in the holder and connec- shot being used to sink it. tion made to the nearest electric fixture. Aquaria holding from eight to twelve gallons have been kept sufficiently warm by this scheme. ‘The temperature may be regulated by raising or lowering the lamp, or by floating it in water placed in the holder, the proper depth being deter- mined by experiment. To conserve the heat, and also to pre- vent fishes leaping into the heater, some sort of a lid should be placed on the holder. Products of combustion being absent, no consideration need be given to draft. Heating vessels of transparent glass have the advantage that, even in corners not receiving proper natural light, the plants will grow splendidly, while the fishes do not seem to be annoyed by the artificial illumination. Instead of flower- holders, any other vessel of suitable shape and material may be used. The vessel used by Mr. Hale is very similar to mine, which I bought in a “to-cent StOnens I prefer the old-fashioned carbon fila- ment lamps, as more heat is generated than by the modern tungsten bulb, even though the current consumption of the The glare of the light can be softened by grouping plants about it. (By using an outside or waterproof porcelain socket and carefully sealing it with a good elastic aquarium cement placed around the base of the lamp and in the holes through which the wires run, the lamp may be safely immersed in the water of the aquarium without the pro- tecting jar.—Ed.) ee latter 1s smaller. Perhaps the chief concern of all organ- isms is to provide material for carrying on the complicated chemical processes that are going on within—that is, to get food and oxygen.—H. S. Jennings. i tos fs $e ae What is the correct title for a person who understands the management of aquaria? For some years this has been a vexed question. Aquarian, Aquarium- keeper, Aquarist, and other names have been given. A similar difficulty accom- panied the selection of a word to describe a receptacle or building containing live aquatic plants and animals, aquavivariwm and other names having been used before aquarium was finally settled upon. The euphonius and unique name of “Aquarial Garden” was bestowed upon an aquarium opened in Boston in 1860. Professor E. S. Morse, President of the Boston Society of Natural History, thinks it may have been suggested by Agassiz, who was greatly interested in the institution. The Leiswre Hour of 1864 states that Agassiz “may frequently be seen walking towards the Boston Aquarial Gardens.’ As the histories and guide-books of Boston covering that period tell very little about the opening of the Aauarial Garden, it is interesting to learn from Professor Morse that the exhibition consisted of “individual aquaria round the hall, and in the centre a huge tank, in which seals, a shark and other animals were displayed. After- wards a group of Africans, Zulus, Hot- tentots and other negroes danced and sang on the stage.” Such awkward words as aquavivarium and aquarium-keeper are not likely to become popular. A book in our Aquarium library, published sixty years ago in London, is entitled The Aquarian Natur- alist. This is typically English. From Aquarist Versus Aquarian _ IDA M. MELLEN Secretary, New York Public Aquarium a FL sh FA 6 Fs FR BS bs BA BAB BS BF BS BF bs fs id Fs Be oft * i 6 6S 6 ee * ee ee ee me es LF FL FA SF Ps A BR BG Fs SA SS Sg Bl Sd pe old American dictionaries we learn that Aquarians were members of an heretical Christian sect that flourished about the middle of the eighteenth century and were so called because they used only water at the Lord’s Supper. Murray’s English Dictionary, at present the stand- ard dictionary in England, gives this def- nition, and also defines Aquarian as “One who keeps an aquarium.” It also states that the word has been used, though rarely, as an adjective, an article in the Intellectual. Observer for 1865 being en- titled “Aquarian Principles.” The word Aquarist was adopted some years ago by the New York Aquarium. In perfectly correct form, probably, it should be Aquariist; but the contraction is preferable. The publishers of the Century Encyclopedia, conferring with the officers of the Aquarium on the sub- ject several years ago, stated that in view of our adoption of the word, its usage would be regarded as established, and they purposed inserting it in the next issue of their encyclopedia. This has not yet been printed. Mr. W. A. Poyser, editor of Aquatic Lire, revived the word Aquarian in 1916, and has since used it in his magazine, though he also uses Aquarist. Mr. Poyser advised the writer last summer that he had received intelligence of the formation of an astrologica! society in Boston for the purpose of studying mental, moral and physical effects of planets on human beings. As the world was passing through the portion of the universe dominated by the sign Aquarius, 48 : Aquatic Lite the society was named The Boston Aquarian Society, its members being known as Aquarians. Mr. Poyser’s in- formant expressed a humorous fear lest a confusion of the titles Aquarian and Aquarist lead to the latter being accused of star-gazing. But however that might be, aquarium lovers may take assurance from the moral in the old story about the little boy who, being a star-gazer, finally fell into a pond while looking skyward— which only shows that he was obliged to direct his attention to aquatic life sooner or later. It is true that the word Aquarian has proved most versatile, having found a place successively in the realms of re- ligion, pisciculture and astrology; but Aquarist, being capable of but a singie construction, seems to hold the advan- tage.—Reprinted by permission from the Zoological Society Bulletin, New York. Photosynthesis When it was first discovered that green plants take in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen, it was natural to sup- pose that this gas exchange represented the respiration of plants. Since the gas exchange in the respiration of ani- mals is just the reverse, the opinion be- came current that plants and animals differ in their “breathing.” Since this impression is still current, its correc- tion should be emphasized. It is clear that photosynthesis has nothing to do with respiration, for respiration is asso- ciated with what may be called the act of living, and therefore is carried on by every living thing all of the time. If respiration stops, the plant or animal is dead; in fact, we use respiration as a. sign of life. Therefore plants and ani- mals “breathe” alike, both taking in oxygen and giving out carbon dioxide; but green plants carry on the process of photosynthesis also, in connection with which carbon dioxide is taken in and oxygen is given out. The confusion arose from the fact that during the day, when photosynthesis is going on, the amount of gas exchange involved in the manufacture of carbohydrates is so much greater than the amount involved in respiration, that the latter was not noticed. If the observation had been extended into the night, however, it would have been discovered that only the gas exchange of respiration was being carried on. Carbohydrates are by no means the only foods that plants make, and there- fore photosynthesis is not their only process of food manufacture. Another conspicuous group of foods is the group of proteins, which may be regarded as foods in the most advanced stage as liv- ing photoplasm is largely composed of proteins. Carbohydrates, therefore, may be thought of as the first stage of food, and protein as the last stage. It is known that neither light nor chlorophyll is required for the manufacture of pro- tein, for the process goes on in living cells removed from light, and in plants containing no chlorophyll. It is known, however, that carbohydrates are used, and that to the carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen supplied by them, the elements nitrogen, sulphur, and often phosphorus are added, and these elements are ob- tained from their combinations in the salts of the soil. The role of green plants in the world, therefore, is evident. It is only by them that food can be made from that which is not food. For this reason they are the only independent organisms, that is, in- dependent of the work of other organ- isms. When we see the phrase “nothing but leaves,’ with its implication of fail- ure, we must realize that leaves stand for the most fundamental of all the work of the earth, without which there would be no world of living beings——American Museum Journal. es Fd Fs Fe A BA BA PE a I A A ft Sa 6 Fe 6 6 Fs Fe Ss i SR 6 FB BR Bh Fs Have fishes sensibilities akin to those of warm-blooded animals? We know they have the natural feelinys of love, courtship and matrimony. If we watch fish that are under the confinement of an aquarium during the connubial season we see they are actuated in precisely the same way as are warm-blooded animals. Fach sex has its rivals in greater or less degree, and the period of courtship var- ies ; sometimes it is lengthened into days, at other times it is “love at first sight.” When there are several fish of one vari- ety in the tank, and the sexes are not equal numerically, some are left un- paired, and the unfortunate ones are very soon worried and bitten to death. This is a trait with paradise fish. As a rule these are monogamous, although on one occasion I saw a case of polygamy. Where fish live solitary lives their matri- monial traits differ from those of gre- Gold and other carp are communal. ‘Two male zebra fish (Cich- lasoma facetum), when separated one from the other by a sheet of glass only, will for days be striving for a combat. By their pugnacious characteristics we know they have the capacity of hatred and malice. Should they by any chance get together, then begins a struggle for the mastery. First they view each other from a distance with every sign of enmity and rancour, approaching each other with open mouths. They soon become interlocked, the one is held by the upper and the other by the lower jaw; it then becomes a tug-of-war to the finish, unless there be a means of escape. That they garious fish. (The Emotions of Fishes ALBERT GALE Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales ome eee are sympathetic with their own young there is ample proof. When in captivity they are timid and fearful, even when generation after generation have been reared in captivity. We have seen them, when disturbed by a sudden noise, remain for a moment or so motionless, tremble, then sink to the bottom, gasp for breath, and with fins quivering literally die of fright. In an aquarium the most interesting functions of fish life are lost to view if the law to “replenish the earth” be neg- lected. For without the patient investi- gation of the laws relating to procreation and the perpetuation of species, all writ- ten language relating thereto fails to en- lighten the observer of nature’s most in- teresting processes, how she works out her hidden secrets and at the same time reveals to the student how she “replen- ishes the earth.” Discrepancies exist between what is written and what is seen. work, “The Descent of Man,” says “carp (Cyprinidae) appear regularly to follow the practice, rare in the animal kingdom, Darwin, in his of polyandry—when a female carp comes amongst the males she is immediately pressed closely by a male on each side, and when they have been in that position for some time are superseded by two other males.” Carp are gregarious, and their court- ship and marriage are carried on under communistic conditions. ob- served their gregarious habit only, but did not attempt to verify the necessity or otherwise of a male fish on each side of Darwin 50 Aquatic Lite the female and their replacement by other two. In the fructification of the ova, as in the case with most oviparous fishes where they are gregarious and marriages com- munistic, the female discharges the germs of matter (ova) and the male the germs of life (sperm), scattering them at ran- dom among the most suitable weeds that are on the surface of the water, the males VOI TYYPAT? ESSE always intermixing with the females. When these germs or cells of matter are once freed from the ovary, the male at once discharges the sperms or cells of dies cells of the ova and the cells of the sperm are rapidly churned up by the quick move- ments of the excited fish. This prevents them from at once adhering to the weeds (the eggs are glutinous). Each ovum receives one germ cell of life from the sperms through the little gateway, the life, which are microscopic. micropyle, and that must take place be- fore the ovum has found a lodgment on the weeds or elsewhere; therefore, there is no necessity for the females to be pressed by the males. Among the gregarious fish the males have no clasping fins, as is the case with some of the monogamous, or with some that are monogamous for one season only, especially those that are viviparous, POOSO SER STS 38, such as Gambusia affims. The males of the carp referred to by Darwin, as the breeding season ap- proaches, develop excrescences on the gill-covers and pectoral fins. The func- tion of these excrescences is wholly inde- pendent of the extrusion of the germ- cells, but serves a purpose that leads up to the maturity of the ova. ‘That it is essential for two or more males to accom- uany a female to aid her to discharge her ova is not exactly the law of reproduc- tion with other animals. If we test Dar- win’s written language with the facts as seen with this class of fish when confined in an aquarium, we note as the season of procreation approaches that it is far from being so essential as he supposes, to have two males one on each side of a female. If an aquarium has all the healthy con- ditions necessary for the purpose of breeding goldfish, a single pair is as cer- tain of reproducing the species as a dozen of the two sexes intermixed would be. The writer successfully tested this by practical proofs, selecting an aquarium containing all the health conditions neces- sary, and setting it apart for the purpose of observation. Choosing a mature male, 1. €., one showing the excrescences of maturity, also taking a female showing signs of reproduction, and placing them in company in the same aquarium, he observed that, as soon as the two fish saw each other, there was indicated love at first sight. On the morrow it was evi- dent by their movements there was court- ship in full swing, and an engagement soon followed. Two days later there was a clear understanding that maternity would follow. The two fish had taken to hide and seek among the Vallisneria and Nitella growing on the surface of the water. Knowing the glutinous nature of the ova of these fish the writer placed a sheet of glass under the water plants to intercept the eggs in their transit down- ward. ‘The plan was successful. In the evening the two fish were returned from whence they came. Removing the sheet of glass (scores of eggs were adhering thereto) and placing it erect about one- fourth of an inch from the glass front of the tank, it became evident there were only a very few infertile eggs (infertile eges are whitish). The experiment re- sulted as anticipated. From the position of the ova on the sheet of glass, every Aquatic Lite 51 change in the eggs could be seen with an ordinary lens. In eight days the young hatched out healthy and _ strong. The length of time differs according to conditions. And now, fourteen months afterwards, I have the young, and they are healthy and strong, and have grown to about two inches long. —»>—____ Uses for Fishes’ Scales The scales of fishes are used to some extent in the manufacture of glue, and also (recently) in the preparation of gela- tine. They are also used for the pur- poses of ornamentation and for the manufacture of artificial flowers. In 1875 the Royal University of Norway sent to the Smithsonian Institute, Wash- ington, a diadem made from fish-scales and eyes. Ornaments for ladies, made from fish scales, were at one time largely sold at the Crystal Palace, London. The Chinese are said to have a mode of grind- ing up fish scales and using the powder as a dry pigment, to give brilliancy to parts of pictures. In some parts of the world the scales of large fishes—such as the Tarpon of America—are treated in such a way as to make them appear like mother-o’-pearl. They are then worked up into artificial flowers, marquetry arti- cles and other fancy works, and in some cases little scenes are painted on them.— David G. Stead. pee ee FHlerpestis amplexicaulis, often erro- neously called Bacopa, assumes quite a changed appearance when permitted to grow above the surface. The tiny hairs with which the stem is thickly covered become silvery white, the aerial leaves a dull red, with a waxy lustre. ———= Silence may be golden, but withhold- ing facts is robbery. 1 8 6 6 I A Sh GS Fe SF SS SS SSS | i : A “Cigar Box” Aquarium : A. MODESTO : a eee es Mente nn! ee * 5 EE During the winter months, when the evenings are long, the making of various articles out of material that is usually thrown away will generally prove a pleas- ant diversion. Any number of useful and ornamental things, for instance, can be made the ordinary “Boite Nature,’ or natural wood cigar box; a well-made package with dove-tailed cor- ners, hinges and lock. Perhaps you would like to know how to make a very attractive and serviceable small aquarium out of one of them, the only tools necessary being a pocket knife, a ten-cent glass-cutter and some, sand- from ‘The Evolution of the Cigar Box , | } SF fF i 6 Be BB BR PB FF eB Bo fh BE s a 5B 5 6 Ss Fi 6 8 6 Bs sd 8 6 Fs 8 6 Pa Ss Ps paper. A small plane, a saw and a square are also handy, and will save much time and labor, but are not at all essential. If you will follow me through the various steps you will see how easy it 1s to build such a tank. Take a cigar box, such as is shown in the illustration, and remove the cover and fittings, and slip out the inside lining pieces. As the box is a trifle too high, draw a line around the outside, about an inch and a quarter from the bottom. Trim the box down to this line. If the brand marks are not thereby removed, either plane or sandpaper them out, or else make strips from the thin top-board, which is usually found in these boxes, and glue them over the markings so as to make a pleasing panel effect. On the cover fill the depressions left by the hinges and lock with pieces of scrap of the same thickness, or glue strips from the top-board on the side and un- derneath, attractive finish. Take the long inside lining pieces, and from them cut four strips to finish about seven-sixteenths of an inch wide. In making these strips a small plane is very handy, and they can be made smooth and uniform without trouble. Cut them to such a length as will make the tank of the desired height, care being taken to make them all of exactly the same length. For convenience, number them 1, 2, 3 and 4. On the ends of the bottom lay off, on the inside, the width of the strips, select- ing one for each corner as a gauge. and mark the corner with the number corre- sponding to that on the strip used. Do the same with the cover, using the other ends of the strips. Then with a knife cut out these places, so that the strips fit flush into them. Both on the inside and outside cf the cover top, draw a line around the edge about three-quarters of an inch in, and cut along this line from both sides, to avoid splintering the wood. After the centre of the cover is thus removed the edges should be sandpapered or filed smooth and straight. The tank is now ready for assembling. Cover one end of each strip on one side, both edges and the bottom, with glue, and put each piece in its corre- sponding slot. Great care must be taken at this point to set these upright pieces perfectly square in both directions. For this purpose I use an ordinary drawing which g ves an Aquatic Lite 53 board triangle, but if not available the See that the ends of the strips are down against the bottom board. cover of a box can be used. The work must now be allowed to stand until the glue is hard, after which put glue on the other ends of the strips and fit the top in place. From the other lining pieces cut four strips three-sixteenths of an inch wider than those already used. If precaution has been taken not to make the space between the top and the bottom too great, the short lining pieces can be used, other- wise additional material will have to be obtained. Cut these strips to fit between the top and bottom on the sides, and glue in place with the edge flush with the out- side of the adjoining strip. After the glue has set it is advisable to reinforce eac hcorner with three or four small nails Driven at an angle through the inside edge of the strips last placed, and into the top and bottom, they will also mater- ially strengthen the corners. The frame is now completed and should be thoroughly sandpapered and then coated all over with varnish or any color paint desired. I prefer either three or four coats of waterproof varnish or a good quality of white enamel. If there is a photographer handy, par- ticularly one who uses X-ray plates, there should be no trouble securing all the glass needed, and of a quality far better than can usually be purchased. Failing in this the usual paint and glass dealer must be patronized. Cut a piece to fit the bottom and drop it temporarily into place, then cut the pieces for the two sides—the ends should be lertvuntal later) “he mext step is\to cement the glass in place. For this pur- pose get some aquarium cement, which can be bought from any aquarium supply house. If this is inconvenient, a mixture of Stockholm tar and red lead will an- 54 Aquatic Lite Aquatic Life An international monthly magazine devoted to the study, care and breeding of native, exotic, gold and domesticated fishes, other animals and plants in the home aquarium and terrarium. Wi NS IODESIEIRN Ga cacodoo oop ombud dor Editor JOSIE e113, BVMOISINUAUN So ccceec Publisher 542 E. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia. Entered as second-class matter, September 2, 1915, at the Post Office, Philadelphia, Pa., under Act of March 3, 1879. Practical articles and notes on topics per- taining to the aquarium and terrarium are always wanted for Aquatic Lirr. Readers of the magazine are invited to join in mak- ing it a medium of mutual help, and to contribute to it any ideas that may occur to them. The pages are always open for any- one who has anything helpful and practical to say. Manuscripts, books for review and general correspondence should be addressed to the editor. Aouatic Lirg has the largest circulation of any magazine in the world devoted to this branch of nature-study. It presents to ad- vertisers a market that can be reached through no other medium. Rates made known on application. Weary Smlnserioul@n saccesaccsosapeans $1.00 Horas Susermmoms oosdessseuscssdc 1235 Singilem COpyaeeee ksoe ovals sronya tae 10 Payments may be made by money order, draft or registered letter. Foreign remit- tances should be by international money order. If local checks are sent, ten cents Should be added for collection charges. Copyright 1918 by Joseph E. Bausman Vol. IV. December, 1918 No. 4 swer, but is very sticky and very messy to handle. Put a thin layer of the cement around the edge at the bottom and press the bot- tom glass firmly in position, working it down as flat as possible; then do the same with the sides. Cut the glass for the ends and set them in a similar manner. Either with sticks or by filling the tank with sand a considerable pressure can be maintained against the glass until the cement has hardened. Guard against too much strain on the glass as it is then liable to crack. Remove the cement that will be squeezed out on the edges and along the joints of the glass on the inside. When the cement has hardened the glass should be properly cleaned on both sides. Cement may be run along the joints on the inside, but 1f the glass is properly set it will be unnecessary, though it is an additional safeguard against leakage. The tank is now completed and ready for use. ——<>__——_ Florida Notes S. D. CARLTON Last spring while wandering through southern Florida I came across a number of fishes that I think would be suitable for the aquarium. One closely resembles Fundulus chrysotus in shape and size (2 to 5 inches). The ground color of yel- lowish green is thickly covered with metallic gold spots about the size of a pinhead, and wine-colored spots of the same size extend from below the dorsal to the end of the caudal fin. It is oviparous and evidently of bottom Those I caught were lurking in numerous habits. a dense growth of plants; none were seen in open water. They are very active, and must be kept in a deep vessel with plenty of plants. Another species resembled in shape and size the hybrid, Xiphophorus helleri av Platypoecilus maculatus Var. The body was greenish yellow, covered with black blotches, interspersed with tiny metallic gold spots. This, too, was caught amongst dense masses of plants, but in very foul and stagnant water. Altogether it is one of the most beautiful fishes I have seen. A live-bearing species was taken that I first thought was Gambusia holbrooki, but the anal fin was entirely different. In an entirely different class is a fish called the rainbow minnow by the na- tives. It was present in thousands. Evi- dently it is very tender, as it invariably died before I could carry it half a mile. The fish is very slender, and reaches a length of four inches; all the colors of the rainbow, with a metallic lustre. Found in running water, and is fond of skip- ping along the surface. Mollienisia latipinna is found by the all over the State in fresh, I caught one million brackish and salt water. covered with chrome green spots, but did not succeed in getting it home alive. I saw many beautiful sunfishes, some bottle-green, covered with gold spots; others brown and gold. None were found more than three inches long, hence would be very desirable for the aqua- rium. Plant life of the sorts used in the aqua- rium was plentiful. Beautiful Ludwigia could be obtained in the running streams. Acres of ponds are covered by Azolla caroliniana, some bright green and others Entire ponds are covered Frog-bit is Then there rusty brown. with Cabomba plentiful about Jacksonville. was water lettuce and duckweed, and salvimia and water hyacinth were all over the state. (Identifying fishes by mere color de- scriptions is hazardous. The one de- scribed as resembling Fundulus chryso- tus seems to be that species. Specimens so called by aquarists have at times been F’. cingulatus. ‘The remaining fishes may be Jordanella floridae, Heterandria for- mosa and Labidesthes sicculus. If the last named is correct, then Mr. Carlton’s attention is directed to Wolf Lake, Indi- in flower. Aquatic Lite 55 ana, where it 1s abundant. Specimens collected there did well in a cool aqua- rium.—Ed. ) Society News A fine blue calico telescope entered by Mr. Michael J. Moylan carried off the silver cup at the November meeting of the West Philadelphia Goldfish Fanciers’ Association. The specimen scored 82 points. Ribbons were awarded to fishes shown by Messrs. Weinreich, Bell, Moy- lan and Armbruster. ‘The entries were judged by Messrs. Pfeffer, Scheibel and Bausman. Nic Une Aquarium November meeting of The Society, Philadelphia, Mr. Henry W. Fowler, of the Academy of Natural Sciences, gave an interesting talk on the anatomy of the fish, laying emphasis on the characters used in the identification of species.- In his demon- stration Mr. Fowler used fresh speci- mens of the Glut Herring (Pomolobus cyanonoton) and Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens). It was interesting to be told that the black peritoneum—the mem- brane lining the abdominal cavity—of the Glut Herring distinguishes it at once, regardless of other characters, from its two very similar local relatives, P. medi- ocris and P. pseudoharengus. In the lat- ter the membrane is pale. The writer is sure Mr. Fowler greatly appreciated the assistance of Mr. Innes, who provided an old hand towel and a pair of rusty scis- sors, which the lecturer had forgotten to include in his dissecting kit. As an aftermath, Dr. Van Deusen, of the Philadelphia Public Aquarium, enter- tained with a glowing description of the delights of fly fishing for black bass— way down Jersey, not at the Aquarium. Several members have since been ob- served varnishing rods, oiling ancient reels, inquiring as to the cost of flies, etc. 56 Aquatic Lite The inference to be taken is that Dr. Van Deusen is expected to arrange a little party for next summer. A public aquarium under the auspices of The Madison Zoological and Aqua- rium Society has been established in the gardens in Henry Vilas Park, Madison, Wisconsin. ‘The collection contains both native species and the hardy and inter- esting tropical fishes. This is the only permanent exhibition in the State, in fact, in all the Middle States, excepting De- troit. There seems to be no real reason why every town boasting of a zoological garden should not have a collection of fishes. A separate building would not be necessary. The tanks could be disposed through the various buildings, the tem- perature factor being overcome by plac- ing the tanks of tropical fishes in the houses given to animals of that zone. The South Australian Aquarium So- ciety was organized with twenty founda- tion members, a remarkably good “start.” The program for the initial year included sundry papers, collecting excursions and visits to the private aquaria of members. A number of years ago an aquarium society flourished in Sydney, Australia. Later, finding its work to somewhat coin- cide with that of The Naturalists’ Club of New South Wales, it merged with it. This proved mutually valuable and brought together specialists in the various departments of nature-study. A recent announcement of a meeting of the Chicago Aquarium Society starts off with: Little Guppies have little fleas Upon their backs to bite them, And these, again, have smaller fleas, and so ad infinitum. And this without apology to Dean Swift, or whoever started the “ad infim- tum business” a few hundred years ago. The parody was not without appropri- ateness as Dr. George R. La Rue, of the University of Michigan, who has made a study of the parasites of fishes, was pres- ent to tell of his researches. And there also was Dr. H. B. Ward, of the Univer- sity of Illinois, and so ad infinitum! The Chicago Aquarium Society leaves no stone unturned to do its bit to main- tain the prestige of the city slogan— I will. President Orsinger and his fel- lows will do it if it can be done. Some- thing going on all the time, with Keedy as punchologist thrown in for good meas- ure, which makes us wonder what sort of a substitute Keedy will pull off six months hence. The second annual exhibition of the Aquatic Association of Maryland was held in the Hotel Sherwood, Baltimore, on December 3d. ‘The affair was a com- bined social gathering and competition. The exhibition room and tanks had been tastefully arranged by the president of the association, Mr. Ernest Gill, and Mr. J. Shelton Hill” Mr and = MissGill received the guests. After calling the meeting to order President Gill explained the purpose of the exhibition, and appointed Messrs. George A. Wieman, W. J. Smith and J. Shelten Hill as judges. This being the first competition for fish raised by mem- bers, it was announced that no attempt would be made to segregate the breeds, but that the awards would be made to the best specimens regardless of type. After a careful examination the three winners were determined and placed in a tank together. The first prize, a cup offered by the president, was awarded to Mr. H. A. Altpeter for a fine calico telescope; sec- ond, to Mr. W. Hl. Cassell on a Jap fringe-tail; third, a calico telescope en- tered by Mr. Louis Hens. . It was estimated that at least 150 vis- itors were present during the meeting. ie Con aerate, eso re maya : : : 8 ; 8 : : 8 : : : : 8 8 8 ; 8 : 8 Young Pterophyllum Scalare 1918 HATCHING Same Size as the Cut $7.50 Each Larger Size $12.50 Each COO COO O00 G00 COO ODO COO COO COO 000 OOO COO 800 000 COO OOO COO WILLIAM L. PAULLIN 425 Wolf Street Philadelphia, Pa le eelec cee cle ce cle cele e cee cleo eee cle e eje.0 cleo e} Ve S00 000 CH 000 C000 ce. Goldfishes Blues and Vari-hues 2 Blacks ———co°oc> None for sale at present! GEORGE A. SCHENK Mount Vernon, INI M6 ote g 8 | 8 | aa ; : # 3 | See COO S000 T0000 CS} 000000 CS) 000T S000 Mollienisia latipinna We have an extra fine stock of this most de- sirable Southern aquarium fish, bred in small tanks, and thorough’y domesticated. While a “Jive-bearer,’’ it wil! stand a temperature of 32 degrees. We ship this species during winter months only. Extra Large, $4 Dozen $20 Hundred Medium, $3 Dozen $15 Hundred 10 Kinds. of Aquarium Plants $1 Postpaid CRESCENT FISH FARM 1624 Mandeville Street, New Orleans, La ge 000000c—>} 000 > 000e— 000000 O00 000 C4000 C000 000 C———J000C 000000: | Wholesale to Dealers 1318 N. Dover Street *2000C DCI CI C00 000 So OOOO Wer Gardening Winter with its cold and discontent. Don’t mark time and wish for spring. Make plans now for your outdoor ponds and ar 8 | tanks, ( ! ! | | is here, merely THE BOOK OF WATER GARDENING will help you create a picture that will never- more be called (by your neighbors) stagnant pool.’’ The book contains 140 illustrations, more than enough to give you a comprehensive idea of the decorative possibilities of $2.65. THE BOOK DEPARTMENT Philadelphia “a durn old water plants, The price is AQUATIC LIFE 3000 GG GS 9599595565000 COOP? P9900 AMP 000, Have you ever tried Yogi Fishfood or Magic (Infusoria?) If you have, no doubt you are using it now. If not ask your dealer or druggist, or send direct. Booklet free, tells what breed- ers think of Yogi and Magic. Yogi 15c box; by mail 17c. Pound (averaging 15 boxes) 75c add postage. Magic 50c box postpaid Robert J. Schaeffer 1818 Frankford Avenue _— Phila., Pa HUGO C. NELLES DEALER & BREEDER OF TROPICAL FISHES Are you looking for first-class stock at reasonable prices? Then see me. I have what you want. Manufacturer of the ‘‘Faultless Fish Food,’’ 20 cents per box; per pound, $2.50. 1805 Third avenue, New York city (76th Street Station, 3d Avenue L; 77th Street Station, Lexington Ave- nue Subway). No store. Fish oud That Is Fish Food Fit For Fish The leading Fish Food on the mark- et today. Once tried, always used Koriyama Japanese Fish Food For Gold and Tropical Fishes Price 15 cents WM. G.SARBACHER Philadelphia SELL OR EXCHANGE Japanese Medakas at $4 to $6 per dozen. Will exchange for red snails, broad-tail te escopes, lion-heads or other fancy goldfish. Vallisneria, 5c. to 20c. per plant. ALBERT FUCHS :: 803 Sheridan Road Chicago, IIl. b KIameD[O.0.010, 00,00 010 0010.0 0)0.0 010 0010.0 c10,0.010.0 [0.0 olo.o cammntn, The RYUKIN or JAPANESE FRINGETAIL AE HAVE an especially fine lot f of large and very large fish of ty this variety suitable for use as Breeders, or for display in pools or large aquaria. Write us for prices. Retail or in quantity SUNDOWN FISH HATCHERY Coachella, California CD COOOCOOCOODOO OOO 000000 000000 000 COO CoO Cc: FOOD CONTAINING THE NECESSARY INGREDIENTS TO KEEP YOUR FISH IN GOOD HEALTH. FEED DAILY YOGI Fi ey Ue FOOD ‘actured only by ROBT. 1 SCHAEFFER PRICE, 10c. : 8 : 8 ; 8 : : 8 : : 8 8 | | a” ON COOCOOOO0 000000 C———]700 000000 00G or Excellent Conformation [T|t Color Cannot Be Beat 8 [now Their Quality in Finnage 8 ! [Hike Blues, Blacks and Calicos I Lavery Fancier Should Look Them Over 8 |e Them at C. C. VOWINKEL : Philadelphia, Pa 5109 Catherine Street : Nee a as Finest Blue and Calico Broad- tail Telescopes in Philadelphia - Correspondence Answered. C. J. HANNIG, 1225 N. Randolph Street PHILADELPHIA Important ! With the number for January, 1919, the sub- scription price of Aguatic Lire will be ad- vanced to $1.25. Single copies, fifteen cents. JosEpH E. BAUSMAN, Publisher. LIVE FOOD IS THE BEST and grow on Enchytraeids, the Generous box by mail, 50 propagating Fishes thrive little white worms. cents. Full directions given for them. S. W. BURGESS, 3224 Hurley Street ' PHILADELPHIA 000000000000 CDM 000000000000 GDF Che Mature Study Review OFFICIAL JOURNAL AMERICAN NATURE-STUDY be filled with special articles from practical teachers dealing with actual works, methods and suggestions for school gardening, elementary agriculture and nature-study. $1.00 per year, 15c. per copy. Add for Canadian Postage 10 cents. Foreign Postage, 20 cents. With Aquatic Life, one year, $1.50. ITHACA, N. Y. SOCIETY The numbers for the coming school year will g2} 000000000C>000000000e = 700000000000 >> c00000000000@ = fo os ee S. A. Scrimshaw Aquarist & Breeder of Tropical Fishes Hundreds of Guppies (Lebistes reticu- latus), the most beautiful ones you ever saw, 25 cents each. Swordtails (Xipho- phorus helleri), 50 cents each, $1.00 a pair. All kinds of aquatic plants and snails, plants and gravel—just an ideal Christ- mas present—$1.50 and upward. "Phone Superior 4415. Scrimshaw’s Fish Hatchery The only tropical fish store in Chicago. 1431 N. Clark Street Chicago, III. Lo a : : ) ) : : | | : : : : () Aquaria, completely stocked with fishes, (| i 8 : | | 8 : : : | | : : DRIED SHRIMP—The Utility Fishfood Per lb., coarse 75c. Ground fine, £1.00. St. George’s Natural Fish Food, $1.50 per lb. Sample can, 15c. Aquarium Cement, 50c Ib. Add postage to your zone. CANADIAN BIRD STORE 2139 West Van Buren Street. Chicago, III. Fine Broad-tail ‘Telescopes BLACK and CALICO Correspondence Solicited GEORGE WILT, 1519 N. 62d Street, PHILADELPHIA S. SILVER Fancier and Breeder of Tropical Fishes Splendid healthy stock at reasonable prices. Haplochilus cameronensis, Betta rubra, ete. All kinds of live-bearing fishes. 235 East 11th Street NEW YORK CITY (Between 2d and 3d avenues) PHILIP KLESPIES 551 18th Avenue - 3d floor - Newark, N. J. Must sell 17 species of tropical fishes. Aquaria and Plants, on account of mov- ing. At home evenings, Saturdays after 1 P. M., and all day Sundays. ESF - 2145 South Lee Street, Philadelphia PT ee EN ee ee EVERYTHING IS FISH THAT COMES TO THE NET OF A NATURALIST Don’t paddle in the water with,one hand and be blind with both eyes. In other words, “keep your eyes open’’ for all nature. Our ‘Magazine he Guide to sPature Will Help You It is edited by EDWARD F. BIGELOW, who fishes in the heavens and earth, as well as the Soo X waters under the earth. Four months’ trial, 25c. One year, $1.00. THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION ( ArcAdiA ! Sound Beach Connecticut ! THE TERMINAL PET SHOP PETS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION AND KIND Manufacturing and Maintenance of Aquariums a Specialty All Kinds of Cat and Dog Foods and Medicines HUDSON TERMINAL BUILDING Concourse, New York WHITE WORMS—Enchytraeus The ideal living fish food. Can be raised indoors the year round. Portion, 50c.; add postage on one pound. (Send cash or money order only— no cheeks). Full directions given for breeding this worm. pon tera E: JENNE, 1577 Paterson Plank Road Secaucus, New Jersey When they said, “Price sold out.” They knew not what they talked about. Price has the goods, same as of old,. So please don’t believe all you're told. For fine broadtails or tropical fishes, Price is here to fulfill your wishes. None Shipped ane Thousands of Young Veiltail Telescopes from the Finest Stock in America. $2.50 per Dozen $ 15.00 per Hundred In Mixed Colors, Blues, Calicos, Etc. Franklin Barrett Wyoming Avenue & C. Street, Phila., Pa Blacks 50c Extra for Shipping Can } Cash With Order THE AQUARI U Ss SUBJECTS is ‘‘Goldfish Varieties & Tropical i, Aquarium Fishes’’,byWm.T.Innes, // former President of the Aquarium ‘A Society of Phila.; 250 pages, 195 illustrations. Tells all about the S$ fancy varieties of the Goldfish and nearly 300 tropicals ; how to breed them, etc., etc. For the beginner or the advanced expert. A complete, practical, handsome book, sent postpaid anywhere for $3.00. 4 Enlarged edition now ready. INNES & SONS - 133 N. 12th St. - Phila., Pa. —-Leitbol€ Wrotbers BREEDERS OF TROPICAL FISHES A Large Assortment of Many Species in Stock at All Times 281 Southern Avenue Pittsburgh, Pa. Charles E. Visel Broad-tail Telescopes and Japs Blacks, Blues and Parti-colors — 215 — AVENUE, BROOKLYN, N. Y. C00 C900 Cae Otto Walter 86 Suydam Street :: Brooklyn, Near Central Avenue L Station i i Breeder and Importer of TROPICAL & GOLDFISHES Telescopes Calicos _ Japs Portail Dealer in All Varieties of Aquatic Plants All Kinds of Fish Foods Fresh and Dried Daphnia P. q AQUARIA, UTENSILS AND SUPPLIES i od “AQUARIA FISH” A practical work on care and breeding of fish in the aquarium, greenhouse and outdoor ponds, Finely illustrated. Everyone interested in keeping fish should send for a copy of this book. Price $1.00. j Tappan’s Natural Fish Food. Three boxes, post- paid, 25c. Guinea Pigs and Thoroughbred Collie Pups, beau- tifully marked. Write for prices. F. L. TAPPAN Route 2, Hopkins, Minn. rE —000——— coo 000 3 Micheclicn Bros GOLDFISH BREEDERS FLORISTS | 58th and Walnut Streets 110 South 52nd Street Philadelphia Aquarium Fishes All Kinds of Aquatic Plants Aquaria & Supplies Wholesale and Retail HERMAN RABENAU, Aquarist PERMANENT DISPLAY OF — Aquatic Life & Terraria must be seen to be appreciated Visitors Welcome Plants and Tropical Fish a Specialty Importations of New Varieties received regularly 1163 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y. Near Broadway. GOLDFISH, FOODS, PLANTS, DIP NETS Combination Natural Fish Food - Sample Box 10c Imported Shrimp Fish F - - Sample Can 15c Imported Wafer Fish Food Large Sample Box 10c Mail Orders Promptly Attended to Agents for ‘‘ART AQUARIUMS’”’ Special Prices on Quantity Lots. Cash With Order. Catalogue Sent Upon Request. AQUARIUM STOCK CO 273 Greenwich Street New York City nme atti ecg eS Scar HARRY P. PETERS. BREEDER AND IMPORTER _ Rare and Fancy Fish - Plants of every variety, Snails and Aquarium Supplies of all kinds at a times. MANUFACTURER OF Green River Fish Food 15c Box Green River Baby Fish Food. | 20c Box most essential things necessary to — keep fish in good health. After the — test of years Green River stands out as the best food on the market. It keeps the fish in good color by pro- will not sour or cloud the water. Ask your dealer or send for it today. Young Veiltails, All Colors | $5.00 Dozen Up _ BREEDERS—Largest Assortment. of | Blues, Blacks and Calico Telescopes — and Japs at Reasonable Prices. Shipping Cans, 50c. Fine Assortment of Lionheads _ HARRY P. PETERS, 1210 North Warnock St., Phila. Bas Nippon Goldfish Co moting a healthy, robust growth. It {| . 1210 N. Warnock Street, Philadelphia,Pa 8 a A GOOD FISH FOOD is one of the 8 1919-21 Bush Street, San Francisco, Cal CaS | Importers : and : Dealers JAPANESE GOLDFISH Ground Shrimp, Aquarium Plants and General Supplies a Specialty — Price Lists Sent on Request ~| b ie. | « ® aN OHDO DCO OOO DODO OCOD0000O CD OOOCO0000 CD05 Sit: TB ip ER od Ae RN a RE PER is a BY SOARS aay ) tee i Peis oS a eae SO ; Rae uen : : at et esc e t com R AA i — ce i Aquatic Life An international monthly magazine devoted to the study, care and breeding of native, exotic, gold and. domesticated fishes, other animals and plants in the home aquarium and terrarium. RYE AUC OV VSB RG coun aca ook esineiaye Scie . Editor NOS HB Pe EUW SIVEAIN oi occ. Publisher 542 E. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia. Entered as second-class matter, September 2, 1915, at the Post Office, Philadelphia, ane under ‘Act of March 3, 1879. Practical articles and notes on topics per- taining to the aquarium and terrarium are always wanted for Aquatic Life. Readers of the magazine are invited to join in mak- ing it a medium of mutual. help, and to contribute to it any ideas that may occur to them. The pages are always open for any- one who has anything helpful and practical to say. Manuscripts, books for review and - general correspondence should be addressed to the editor. Aquatic Life Hes the largest circulation of any magazine in the world devoted to this branch of nature-study. It presents to ad- vertisers. a market that can be reached through no other medium. Rates made ‘known on application. Mea rly MUMS Crp LtOme ciakieny selec ices $1.25 orciamiSuDScHipLiOnsi em ar epee 1.50 MOVE COP Vet ea srueelomeety Cothel susp notaries ya velo. Payments may be made by money order, draft or registered letter. Foreign remit- tances should be by international money order. If local checks are sent, ten cents’ should be added for collection charges. Copyright 1919 by Joseph E. Bausman Vol. IV. January, 1919 No. 5 S003 GGG GE G000: Jacob C. Cassel 915 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pa Manufacturer of AQUARIUMS. Aquarium Ornaments Floral Terra Cotta, Etc. Fish: Globes and all aquarium requisites. Send for Catalog. Goldfish Have you ever tried Yogi Fishfood or Magic (Infusoria?) If you have, no doubt you are using it now. If not ask your dealer or druggist, or send OR NATURAL FOOD CONTAINING THE HECESSARY INGREDIENTS TO KEEP YOUR FISH 1M GOOD HEALTH: FEED DAILY ers t hink of Yogi and Magic. Yogi |5e x; by mail 17c. Pound (averaging 15 thie) 75c add postage. Magic 50c box postpaid — Robert J. Schaeffer 1618 Frankford Avenue __ Phila., P. HUGO C. NELLES DEALER & BREEDER OF TROPICAL FISHES Are you looking for first-class stock at reasonable prices? Then see me. I have what you want. Manufacturer of the ‘‘Faultless Fish Food,’’ 20 cents per box; per pound, $2.50. 1805 Third avenue, New York city (76th Street Station, 3d _ Avenue L; 77th Street Station, Lexington Ave- nue Subway). No store. FISH FOOD Menufactared only by ROBY. J. SCHAEFFER PRICE, 10c. : Fish Food That Is Fish Food Fit For Fish The leading Fish Food on the mark- _ ettoday. Once tried, always used Koriyama Japanese Fish Food For Gold and Tropical Fishes Price 15 cents WM. G.SARBACHER Wholesale to Dealers 1318 N. Dover Street Philadelphia SELL OR EXCHANGE Japanese Medakas at $4 to $6 per dozen. Will exchange for red snails, broad-tail telescopes, lion-heads or other fancy goldfish. Vallisneria, 5c. to 20c. per plant. ALBERT FUCHS :: 803 Sheridan Road Chicago, Ill. Co Water Gardening Winter is here, with its cold and discontent. Don’t merely mark time and wish for spring. pare plans now soe your outdoor ponds and anks THE BOOK OF WATER GARDENING 0 ) ! will help you create a picture that will neyer- more be called (by your neighbors) ‘‘a durn old stagnant pool.’ The book Orie ne 140 illustrations, more than enough to give you a comprehensive idea of the decorative possibilities of water plants. The price is $2.65. THE BOOK DEPARTMENT AQUATIC LIFE Philadelphia Fish Food ; direct. Boer free, tells whabbreeds a | Be 1 ect OS SEIS Smee ee es be 6 Be 6 Fa 6 Bs Fs Fe Fs a Dt Perhaps in no other class of fishes do we find such individual species as in the cyprinodonts, and par- ticularly in the viviparous ones. Fossil remains of both the oviparous and vivi- parous forms have been found in the tertiary deposits of Aix and Bonn, France, and at Frankfort, Germany. This suggests that the tooth-carps are of recent origin. Moreover, the many tran- sitory varieties in present species in the genera [Haplochilus and Fundulus bear out this theory. Hence it is quite probable (as some ichthyologists aver) that species are in process of formation today. While variations in in nature this may require many years, the aquarist has, to a certain extent, within a few generations, developed con- stant color varieties. Thus four color forms of Platypoecilus maculatus have been evolved, the most aberrant being that known as rubra. Even in nature this genus 1s notable for its variable species. The variability in coloration shown in a single brood of young is well known, but is notable in the subject of this article, the so-called “blue Poecilia” of the aquar- ist, which has lately been identified by Dr. Carl H. Figenmann as Limia caudo- fasciata Regan. This Limia makes a rather attractive addition to a collection of exotic fishes. The back or dorsal region of the female is a greenish olive, the scales of the sides and abdomen having a transparent qual- ity, varying with the light from olive to a shade cast with pink or violet under- neath, the surface with a bluish sheen. The scales along the sides are edged with Limia Caudofasciata ERNEST EEMMHOLE Ree ies eee eee eb Se (Gi Mads 5 Fe 6 Fe iridescent light blue, some individuals having a broken black lateral streak, with occasional vertical bars, though this is more pronounced and characteristic of the male. The base of the dorsal fin is light amber with a dusky spot or several dashes, these, however, may be absent. Limia caudofasciata Onginal in Oil by the Author The caudal fin is yellowish with a trans- parent margin. The colors of the male are more in- tense. The dorsal and caudal fins may be yellowish orange, the former with the characteristic dark blotch at the base. A few individuals have been favored wiin a flush of orange over the breast and abdomen, which, with the complimen- tary blue of the sides, are exceptionally attractive. For several years we have had a form identical with the one described other than that it is more humble in coloration. It has the olive back and blue sides, but lacks the glistening light blue spots and the yellow fins and breast. The breeding habits do not differ from other live-bearing poeciliids. Pregnant females soon give evidence of the im- 58 Aquatic Lite pending increase by the greatly distended abdomen. When this stage has been reached the female should be placed alone in a small aquarium containing quite a mass of plants, which should be grouped at the bright or window-side. The tank should be frequently examined, and when the young have been expelled the parent Daphnia and the tropical fishes should be removed. foods usually supplied should be used. The temperature should average from 70 to 75 degrees. SS Classification of Fishes DAVID G. STEAD, F. L. S. For purposes of reference, fishes— which belong to a class called by Natural- ists Pisces—are separated into two main sub-classes known as Elasmobranchu and the Teleostomi; with a third and smaller one called Dipneusti or Dipnor,; the latter including the remarkable lung-fishes. ‘These sub-classes are again divided into orders, sub-orders and many families; the families themselves being split up into genera and species; the genus and species forming what is called the scien- tific name. For instance, in the case of the Nannygai, the scientific name is Beryx affinis; the former being the genus, and the latter the species. Fishes having certain slight affinities with one another are grouped together under the main di- visions, while those showing a greater and still greater natural relationship to one another are placed in the more re- stricted groups. Generally speaking, this is the plan followed by all Zoologists and Botanists in classifying animals and plants; the idea being to make the system of classification as natural as possible, and as far as possible obviating the formation of artificial divisions. —urtun- ately, however ardently a person may desire it, the latter cannot always be car- ried out in practice; in many cases, through our imperfect knowledge of the groups that we are dealing with. This being so, scientific nomenclature is likely to, and does, change in accordance with the state of our knowledge. Incidentally, I might here mention, that a great many people find it difficult to understand the utility of technical names for animals and plants; and I here take an opportunity of giving a suitable answer. In doing so, I cannot do better than quote the words of Professor Hux- ley, who, in his work on ‘The Crayfish,” says: “Many people imagine that scien- tific terminology is a needless burden im- posed upon the novice, and ask us why we cannot be content with plain English. In reply I would suggest to such an ob- jector to open a conversation about his own business with a carpenter, or an engineer, or, still better, with a sailor, and try how far plain English will go. The interview will not have lasted long before he will find himself lost in a maze of unintelligible Every calling has its technical terminology ; and technicalities. every artisan uses terms of art, which sound like gibberish to those who know nothing of the art, but are exceedingly convenient to those who practice it. “In fact, every art is full of concep- tions which are special to itself; and, as the use of language is to convey our con- ceptions to one another, language must supply signs for those conceptions. There are two ways of doing this; either exist- ing signs may be combined in loose and cumbrous periphrases, or new signs, hay- ing a well-understood and definite sig- mification, may be invented. The practice of sensible people shows the advantage of the latter course; and here, as else- where, science has simply followed and improved upon common sense.” ( ( ( ( ( ( | oh b A) oe 66 Fs | pom Ss FR 6 Bs Fs 8 Bs fs Fs es A well-known ichthyologist tells of an interesting experience which once befell him while collecting fishes on the reefs of Panama. Among numerous other gaudily marked little fishes he obtained one which he wished to observe further. This fish he placed in a brightly tinned vail. Returning an hour or so later, he was surprised to find what appeared to be a different fish, pale and plain in color. Leaning over to obtain a closer view he chanced to touch the edge of the pail; in an instant the whole color pattern of the little fish was displayed in all its former conspicuousness. I have had somewhat similar experiences on the reefs of California. Certain sculpins, caught there in the deeper algae-filled tide-pools, were found to be almost uni- form blackish in color; when placed in a light sandy pool or held in my hand they brought out on their bodies, before my astonished gaze, a pattern of black and Color Changes of the Chub-sucker CARL L. HUBBS Field Museum and Chicago Aquarium Society a 6 BS BS BA BB i BB Fs BF BS Bh Bs BB Fe Ph Pe SS Be SS Bf Young Chub-sucker (Erimyzon sucetta), showing full complement of color markings NT ee eee ees SS Pes Pe Pe es es ‘y 5 FS Fh Fst SP SS PSS SSP FSB SF SF SSP SS SSS white almost as contrasting as the ink and paper on this page. Anyone favored with a normally curious frame of mind, upon seeing such color changes exhibited by fishes, would inquire into the significance and the causes of the phenomena. A_ search through fish literature reveals quite a number of articles dealing with this subject. Would it not, however, prove far more entertaining and instruc- tive to study the problem independently, by direct observation of the changing coloration of some suitable aquarium fish, and then compare our results with those that others have obtained written of? For a few weeks past I have kept a young chub-sucker (Erimyzon sucetta), a neat little fish of our own creeks, in a and * With five original drawings from nature by Leon L. Pray, Field Museum of Natural History. 60 Aquatic Lite medium-sized all-glass aquarium on the top of my desk. From day to day or from hour to hour I have watched it change its color-pattern back and forth, from one type or phase to another, each ap- pearing like the marks of a distinct spe- cies. When kept in the dark, either dur- Striped Phase ing the night or during the day (by cov- ering the sides and top of the aquarium with pasteboard), the whole complement of dark colors is brought out, as shown in the figure at the head of this article: a black lateral streak, extending from the tip of the snout to the base of the caudal fin, is crossed by about thirteen dark bars; the fins, too, are largely blackish. The darkest color and most extensive pat- tern, it thus appears, are displayed in a similarly dark environment. The darken- ing of the fish by darkening the tank in the daytime would seem to indicate that light, rather than temperature, influenced the change. In the morning hours the little sucker actively swims about in the increasingly bright light of the aquarium, usually in clear water away from weeds and stones. The vertical bars now more or less grad- ually fade out, leaving the back a nearly uniform dark shade, separated by a bright streak from the black lateral band or stripe, which thus by contrast is ren- Can this pat- tern tend to conceal the fish in open water? Though we cannot be certain in our answer, it appears probable that this black stripe enters the classification of dered very inconspicuous. “ruptive” markings, that is, those that conceal an animal or other object by breaking its outline in two, making it appear what it is not. To produce analagous results, a camouflage artist paints a black streak, or several of them, across a field gun. Though conspicuous in itself, the marking 1s concealing in ref- erence to the fish—or to the gun, de- pending on whether Nature or Man is the artist. Under certain conditions the chub- sucker loses the black longitudinal stripe, but gains in its stead a series of vertical bars. It is hard to believe that this barred fish is the same individual as the streaked one observed before. But it really is the self-same fish, exhibiting another and dis- tinct color pattern. By combining the bars and stripes, the chub-sucker develops the complete color pattern illustrated at the head of this article. We have not yet exhausted the color phases which the young sucker is able to display at appropriate times. Often when browsing over a gravelly bottom it takes on a blotched appearance. This blotched phase, it appears on a moment’s analy- Barred Phase sis, combines features of both the barred and striped phases. As the blotches ren- der the fish extremely inconspicuous (under natural top light) against the gravel background, it is obvious that we are dealing here with a typical example of concealing coloration. Thus we discover that the young chub- Concluded on page 62. FS Fs Fs Fs Fs Es (Starner | The illustration gives a good general idea of the appearance of Neetroplus carpintis; it is easily recognizable as a cichlid and somewhat like Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum. In fact the genus Nee- troplus occupies a doubtful position. Its claim as a valid genus, distinct from Cichlasoma, rests upon certain incisor- like teeth. Dr. Seth Eugene Meek, who had opportunities to examine numerous specimens, found that these teeth were not always evident. So it will not be surprising if we find the next ichthyolo- gist who works over the cichlids placing carpintis in Cichlasoma. From a_ standpoint of appearance, which is of prime interest to the aquar- ist, this cichlid is not unattractive. The large, distinct pearly scales are scattered sufficiently apart on the yellowish-olive or bluish-olive ground color to make them stand out in bold contrast. Younger fish show dark vertical bars which dis- appear with advancing age. These, how- ever, as in all fishes of the family, are more or less evanescent all the time. A dark spot at the base of the tail, and another on the body, are somewhat more persistent. Sexual distinctions are much as in others of this group. The males are angular, with coarse mouths, and acute dorsal and anal fins. The females are more rotund, with fins blunt. During the breeding season the males are much brighter in color. ‘If at any time you become the pos- sessor of a pair of Neetroplus, don’t waste plants in the aquarium. Like our boys of the Tank Corps, their slogan, as Neetroplus Carpintis eee. 1 co eee eee | q i | | WALTER LANNOY BRIND, F. Z. S. FE ES ALS FS FS Bs Bs FS gS 4 9 FS Fs $F ome ees far as perfectly good plants are con- cerned, is to “treat ’em rough.” They will assiduously uproot every shoot. This, of course, is incidental to clearing up pre- paratory to breeding. This cichlid is a large fish, reaching a length in nature of twelve inches, though in the aquarium one-half this size will be a big one. It follows that a large, Neetroplus carpintis shallow tank should be supplied for breeding. In it should be placed several large stones or a flower pot laid on the side. On either, according to the desires of the pair, the adhesive eggs will be laid in a cluster and carefully guarded until they hatch. This being successfully con- summated, the fry will be removed to a hole previously excavated in the sand, where they will be kept clean and free from debris by the parents, who care- fully keep the water in circulation about them by means of the constantly-moving pectoral fins. With the absorption of the yolk-sac the fry reach the free-swimming stage, and move about in a shoal, guarded by the parents, in search of microscopic live food. During breeding activities, and for the young for some time there- 62 Aquatic Lite after, the temperature should be main- tained at about 80 degrees; at other times 75 degrees will be sufficient. This fish is decidedly carnivorous, hence should be fed Daphnia, worms, larvae of aquatic insects, meal worms, shreds of raw beef and similar materials. The young should, of course, be supplied with Daphnia until large enough to take the food of adults. Ee Our knowledge of aquatic life has long been accumulating. Those who have con- tributed have been of very diverse train- ing and equipment and have employed very different methods. Fishermen and whalers, collectors and naturalists, zoolo- gists and botanists, with specialists in many groups; water analysts and sani- tarians, navigators and surveyors, plank- tologists and bacteriologists, and_ biolo- gists of many names and sorts and de- grees, all have had a share. Horethe water has held something of interest for every one. Fishing is one of the most ancient of human occupations, and doubtless the beginning of this science was made by simple fisher-folk. Not all fishing is, or ever has been, the catching of fish. The observant fisherman has ever wished to know more of the ways of nature, and science takes its origin in the fulfillment of this desire. The largest and smallest of organisms live in the water, and no one was ever equipped, or will ever be equipped, to study any considerable part of them.— Life of Inland Waters. i The life of daphne and fish buckets will be lengthened materially if given several coats of asphaltum varnish. After each coat has hardened, bake overnight in a very slow oven. Concluded from page 60. sucker, like most other fishes of tem- perate waters, is protectively colored. In this case, as is many others, which we learn about in our reading, the fish has several color patterns with which to ren- Blotched Phase der itself inconspicuous—and thus often to save itself from its enemies—in the different and changing types of environ- ment through which it passes in the course of its hourly and daily wanderings. NEED ee Plans are under way for the construc- tion of an aquarium on Santa Catalina Island. Novel features are promised. It is proposed to insert great pieces of plate glass in the rocks near Sugar Loaf, through which the fishes will be viewed in their haunts. Food will be supplied regularly to attract the fishes to the de- sired location. <> Doing business without advertising is like winking at a girl in the dark. You know what you are doing but nobody else does. So why not come out into the open, in Aquatic Life, where all the world’s aquarists may see? Then if you have something good, aquarists will “beat a path to your door even though you live in the backwoods.” Without advertising you have about as much chance of coming through as a man with a wooden leg in a forest fire. sSRe ea There can be no better way to employ one’s leisure hours than by scientific work, or even by scientific play.—Stokes. te PL Ph Bk SP fh fh J SP 1 A Simple Heated Aquarium ee Ee EIINGKhrl Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales Pion : of atin | Bottom a. ‘ Gen - unders se) el Za “OT wv ss feld plale on LLY These tines. | a 6 8 tf ee ee ee es moms a 6 Cn a LS Even in aquarian nature-study the war has taught us to rely upon our own re- sources, and this in my case has proven I have in my collection a number of species of the smaller fishes which I keep in separate tanks, each Until last year I have used the “Thermocon,”’ a blown- an advantage. heated individually. elass tank with a glass bulb in the centre of the bottom, which answers very. well. Requiring additional tanks, and the one mentioned being no longer obtainable, I decided to.make some on the same prin- ciple. follow my example, in addition to a de- scription, I present a As others may feel disposed to drawing giving 9 eh BR Bs 6 Bo BG Bs Bg BF i Fo BR Bs BS BS i GB BS PS SS BS Be SG a | 6 FL 6 6 6 Bf 5 6 Rl BB 6 BB 6 Bt BS 6 Bt FS BS 6 SR Pe $e Ef Pd fe es a construction details and a photograph showing how inconspicuous the “heating glass” appears when the tank is equipped. My tanks measure 15 by 10, by Io inches, and are constructed of galvanized sheet iron. This is a’ handy size, and best suited to my needs, but can be varied as desired. The “heating glass” is an ordinary drinking glass, measuring two and three- fourths inches in diameter and three and one-half high. Now for the frame, bottom first. Cut a piece of the sheet metal 17 by 12 inches, draw lines an inch from the edge on all sides, snip the square inch from each 64 Aquatic Lite corner and then fold the edges, thus forming a tray one inch deep. Then a round hole in the centre, one-fourth inch less in diameter than the glass, is cut with a one-fourth inch chisel and a hammer. Lay the tray on a solid piece of wood and the work can be done so neatly that filing will not be necessary. The position of the circle should be mark- ed with a pair of dividers. Next cut a strip of metal ome-inch wide and as long as the circumference of Draw a line lengthwise in the the hole. centre and, with tinners’ shears, make cuts half an inch apart from one edge to this line. Bend the sections thus form- ed at right angles, fit the collar into the hole from below, and solder into place. Make another collar one-half inch wide and sufficiently large to slip over the first collar and still leave sufficient space for the glass:between both. Solder this sec- ond collar to the bottom. The glass should fit loosely between the collars, and will be cemented in place later. For the balance of the frame cut strips one inch wide; 4 pieces 10 inches long for the corner uprights, 2 pieces 10 inches long and 2 pieces 15 inches long for the top frame. Bend the strips lengthwise to form angles with each face one-half inch. One by one solder the corner up- rights to the corners of the tray or bot- tom, and then the strips forming the top. Make certain, as you proceed, that each is square, otherwise there will be trouble Paint the inside of the frame, not the bottom, and, after it has dried, cement the glass in place. Or- in fitting the glass. dinary window glass will do for a tank of this size, but it should average one- eighth inch) thick. Hold the glass jim position while the cement is setting by. means of strips of wood wedged from side to side and from end to end. Now lay a little cement in each corner, from top to bottom, and let the tank stand for a day to dry. Fill the groove formed by the two collars with cement, then press the glass firmly in place, trimming away the sur- plus cement. In an ordinary tank made after the plan described, I also cement a sheet of glass over the bottom to prevent the water coming in contact with the metal.’ In the present case this is not possible, so | melt marine glue (a sort of pitch) and pour it over the bottom while hot. In this proceeding the bottom should be kept warm, as the glue sets quickly Any small kerosene lamp can be used, but it should be as short and compact as possible, as the aquarium must be rais- ed to permit it being placed underneath. Glass-bodied lamps are to be preferred as one can see at a glance the amount of oil still unconsumed at any time. I clean the wicks and remove the charred por- tion every other day. a In rare cases the male of Xiphophorus helleri will not develop the sword-like extension of the tail until nearly a year old. This usually means a fine big spect- men. When the sword reaches its maxi- mum length body-growth has ceased; hence precocious tendencies in this direc- tion indicate the “runts.” i | | | * |! |! | | | |! |! ! ! ( | | ( | | ( ( ( ( ( More than a year ago, through the courtesy of the United States Bureau of Fisheries, the writer received a number of specimens of the pigmy — sunfish, Elassoma zonatum, collected at Mound, Louisiana. These, barring two or three which have died in the interval, have been under close observation to determine, if possible, ‘the breeding habits. Nothing has heretofore been published in this connection, in fact the species has re- ceived little attention save at the hands of the systematic ichthyologist. ‘The ex- amples when received were about half- grown, measuring from one-half to three- fourths of an inch long. ‘Today, four- teen months later, the average maximum of one and one-fourth to one and one- third inches has been reached. Suitable food enters largely into the problem of maintaining this species in the aquarium. Dry prepared foods of the usual sorts and ground dried shrimp will at times be taken while falling, but very little and without avidity, particles reaching the bottom being left unnotic- ed. Shredded fresh fish flesh and raw scraped beef did not seem much more de- sirable. Its predilection for entomostra- cans and the larvae of mosquitoes has been recorded by Dr. Robert E. Coker. In the absence of the mosquitoes the writer had recourse to the white annelid worm, Enchytraeus albidus, with an occasional lot of Daphnia pulex. While the fish were small it was necessary to use only the tiniest enchytraeids, lest larger ones be tackled with disastrous ef- fects. To this end a small mass would be placed in a shallow, flat-bottomed Pa EP SS FS SF A sh A Fs FF Bs BS es A Sg Fo StF FF Fs Notes on the Breeding Habits of (The Pigmy Sunfish We A} POMSER ~ 6 es ee ee ees glass dish, with dark cardboard beneath to bring the worms into relief, and quick- ly teased apart, the larger being removed with slender dissecting forceps. ‘These worms are obviously preferred, a reason- able number being consumed in a short time, whereas an equal bulk of Daphnia will persist through several days. Though Pigmy Sunfish Elassoma zonatum I have used enchytraeids extensively for quite a number of species of fishes, only in the pigmy have I seen it penetrate through the gills and wriggle free. ‘This, however, rarely occurred, and only when a particularly greedy fish would seize several large ones. Beyond a few spas- modic jerks, the affair did not seem a matter of much moment. The pigmy takes its food with a peculiar little sidewise snap quite unlike other fishes. Several color descriptions would be necessary to describe this fish in its varied moods, I say moods because the changes do not altogether seem in the nature of protection, and because the greatest extremes, in both sexes, are in- cidental to sexual activity, and in the male to combat. Usually the basal color is given as olive-green, which, taking fishes as a whole, is an “elastic” color, to be used when we cannot be more definite. The sides are marked hy ten 66 Aquatic Lite to twelve vertical bars, with pale it-ter- spaces. Technical descriptions give the bars and interspaces as equal in wicth, and somewhat less in width tha) the diameter of the eye. In this my speci- mens disagree. ‘The interspaces are quite wiform, but the bars just behind the head are three times this width, decreas- ing gradually backwards until at the caudal they do equal the interspaces. variation, almost instantaneous, both in mere intensity and in the appearance and disappearance of the vertical bars. At times a fish may be quite pale, so much so that it appears nearly uniform in col- or, or it may be dotted or mottled ; again the bars may be either faint or promi- nent. Among a number all phases will be apparent under identical conditions, but the most intense display is reserved Habitat of the Pigmy Sunfish, Elassoma zonatnm, at Mound, Louisiana When the coloring is deep they are much more sharply defined than in the iliustra- tion. On the sides, just below the for- ward portion of the dorsal, appears a large, more or less evanescent black spot, most pronounced in the male, with an- other spot at the base of the caudal. In the absence of bars numicrous fine spots, hecoming confluent at times and forming lignt blotches, cover the body. Similar put larger dots are disposed in more or less regular rows on the ns. The coloration is subject to wide for the male. In breeding dress) hevis altogether a handsome little fellow. The head and the bars become intense black, the interspaces dusky, the forward spaces flashing with yellowish metallic green, with deeper spots on the gill-cov- ers. The fins, all save the pectorals, heretofore pale and transparent become decided blue-black, just short Gf being opaque, with the numerous spots «aiute prominent. When the color which it will do momentarily to return as quickly, the fading becomes notice-ble recedes. in the greater transparency of the fins, and in the tendency of the interspaces to become yellowish. Breeding females are consistently pal- lid, a pale dirty straw, showing, if at all, but mere traces of bars. Even the tiny dots may be scarcely discernible. The abdominal wall appears salmon-pink, the color extending from the gills to the vent. When the eggs have been expell- ed the color has vanished, indicating that it was incidental to fertility. In spent females there is a slight deepening of color, the dots appearing and becoming confluent. Females are uniformly more chunky than the males. The wide di- vergence in the colors of the sexes (di- morphism) while breeding is in marked contrast to the sunfishes proper (Cen- trarchidae), which develop little if any differences in coloration at any season. Last summer a pair. was segregated in a tank that had been allowed to be- come messy, and intentionally so. The usual rubbish accumulated, Algae flour- ished, but the water remained sweet and was probably more pure than that in the stagnant ponds frequented by the pigmy in nature. At times the male was highly colored, while the female waxed fat and grew lean, but nothing eventuated. The others, placed elsewhere, fared likewise. During September a 20-gallon tank was released by the removal of its fishes to other quarters, so it became the habi- tat of the pigmies. This aquarium has been standing for a long time, more than a year, and as a result is rather unsightly. Perhaps a dozen plants of Cryptocoryne griffithst are surrounded by thickets of Sagittaria, with here and there a little Nitella, Tillaea, Elodea and some other things, with a luxuriant growth of fila- mentous Algae (Vaucheria, etc.) be- twixt all. Strewn over the sand is con- siderable debris, mostly decaying and dy- ing leaves, for the plants show lack of Aquatic Lite 67 nourishment. But altogether the condi- tions probably simulate closely those to which FKlassoma is accustomed. Until the middle of December nothing unusual was noted. About this time two males took up stations at remote ends and were in rather good color. A num- ber of females were obviously gravid. As by common consent the spots selected for nests were avoided by the others, including the females, in fact it was rather unwise to approach. If an in- truder did appear, it was greeted by a Eggs of E. zonatum courageous little warrior with color flash- ing, and one short dash was sufficient. One of the sites was amid a dense growth of Algae and nothing could be observed other than that the male was constantly there ; certainly there was no attempt to form a nest. This instance leads me to believe that under certain unfavorable bottom conditions no attempt may be made to clear a space, if indeed this is not the normal method. ‘The other nest was more in the open. ‘This was a space two inches in diameter and surrounded by plants of S. subulata; the observer’s side was fairly free from Algae. While I did not see the operation, the rubbish was cleared and heaped about the peri- phery, but not with the nicety of Eupo- motis gibbosus, as much flocculent matter was allowed to remain. This stage reached, the male at various times was observed making obvious efforts to at- tract a female, indulging in most amus- ing gyrations for such a “stiff” and usually sedate fish. During these plays the body assumed the most intense col- 68 Aquatic Lite oring. ‘The movements were sinuous, but quick, possibly to be described as re- sembling peristalsis—not unlike the mo- tions of Betta or Polyacanthus when two “measure up to one another” side by side. ‘Ihe dorsal was flabby but erect, waving with the movement, while the ac- tion of the caudal fin was quickened. A peculiar and conspicuous feature of the play was the rapid, rythmic, alternate backward and forward “clicking” of the ventrals, a feature I have not noticed in any other mating fish. This remained the extent of my studies up to December 22d. That day, being Sunday, I was prepared to spend more than the usual time in observation. The result was the discovery of fry in the free-swimming stage. ‘Twenty were counted, some near the nest and others elsewhere. ‘To these the male gave not the slightest attention and, | am glad to add, neither did the others—at that time. Within a week all but one had disap- peared. ‘The fry were quite transparent, with pigmented eyes, and approximately three-sixteenths of an inch long. A few days later a single fry, much smaller and with yolk-sac still unobsorbed, evidently from another brood, was noted trying to rise from the bottom. On December 27th it was my good fortune to observe the spawning oper- ation. | had paused before the tank attracted by the antics of the male in the nest best visible, when a _ female approached ‘quite unostentiously and without the slightest hesitation. When the two met, the play of the male gave way to rapid trembling on the part of both, the male taking a position immediately below the female, his mouth snapping not unlike a person with a chill. Ex- trusion and fertilization took place im- mediately over the nest, the non-ad- hesive eggs falling to the bottom seven inches below. So little were they dis- persed in the effort that a half dollar would have covered all. The number was small, probably not more than fifty. Though the female did not seem to be spent, she was quite exhausted, sinking to a decumbent leaf close by, where she rested for more than an hour. The male assumed his position “on guard” and ere long was indulging in another love-play, but spawning was not repeat- ed. From this I am inclined to think polygamy may be practiced in event of more than one gravid female being present. Should this subsequently prove true, we have in the pigmy a most adapt- able species as far as affairs are concerned, monogamy, poly- gamy and polyandry being practiced. This spawning occurred at 9.30 A. M.., with the water at 72 degrees, Fahren- heit ; weather cloudy. On the 31st another spawning was witnessed. This took place on the edge of the nest just below the surface of the water (depth, 11 inches). I was too late for the preliminaries arriving in time to see the legitimate male and an in- truder take a position, side by side, just below the female. The orgasm lasted a number of seconds, the eggs being ejected continuously. The female seem- ed completely spent and immediately swam from view among the plants. Both males guarded the nest and maintained sort of an armed neutrality for several hours, until one none too gently per- suaded the other to depart. But this was. decidedly under protest, as it loitered about the outskirts, making an occasional iOneye ibolKo) wae wesc, Mihene {SAN MIL. weather clear and sunny; temperature matrimonial 7h The endeavors of the male do not seem to extend beyond guarding the site of the nest. At no time, not even when the eggs were entangled among the Algae in plain view, did he evince the slightest in- terest. His usual station is five or six inches above the nest or immediately by. Occasionally he has dashed quickly to the bottom, which merely seemed to stir up the humus. The infrequency of these dashes inclines me to regard them as caused by the fancied presence of an enemy in the nest. From the last spawning I was able to remove a small number of the eggs which Aquatic Lite 69 Kichigoro Akiyama Last month, figuratively speaking, we visited Australia and looked with wonder at the beautiful aquarian conservatory of Mr. Albert Gale, wherein plants and and birds vie with fishes, for Mr. Gale finds everything in nature worth while and interesting. Homeward bound we will visit the Orient and become ac- quainted with Mr. Kichigora Akiyama, The Goldfish Breeding Plant of Kichigoro Akiyama were entangled in the Algae Drawings are given made one hour and twelve hours after fertilization. At thirty-six hours all the remaining eggs had been destroyed by fungus. I am unable to ex- plain the pecular process shown encircle- ing the eggs at the first period. Six were examined and it was present on all; at the second period it had disappeared. The loss of the eggs effectually preclud- ed the possibility of determining the period of incubation. The eggs are very transparent and measure approximately one millimeter. the largest goldfish breeder in Japan. Perhaps this qualification is inapt. What we really mean is that Mr. Akiyama has the largest breeding establishment in Japan, both in area and in number of fishes bred. More than 25 acres of ponds are in service, all devoted to the fancy or toy breeds, so we may further say that this is the largest fancy goldfish hatchery in the world. It is to be regretted that a single photograph cannot show all they interestine features) sor then: tani: Some of the devices in use are quite r-imitive. A well-sweep will be noted 70 . Aquatic Lite where an occidental would use a wind- lass, not to mention an up-to-date pump. We are indebted to Mr. Ejichiro Na- kashima, who took the photograph, for thoughtfully posing Mr. Akiyama before the portal of one of his sorting and equip- ment houses. Several other views are in hand, including a series showing the various implements used by Japanese breeders. ——_— >__— The annual meeting of The Reading Aquarium Association was held on Tuesday evening, December 17, 1918, in the store of Mr. George S. Breneiser. The work of the past year was reviewed and plans formulated for 1919. Accord- ing to the report of the secretary the or- ganization has forty-three members, most of whom are active, in whose col- lections may be found “anything” from common goldfish to lionheads, and wild fishes from native minnows to the regal Pterophyllum scalare. The financial con- dition is sound. The following were elected to office: President, John Kershner; wice-presi- dent, ‘I. Ralph Wilson; secretary and treasurer, S. D. Mellert; assistant sec- retary, Oscar A. Becker; official judge, George S. Breneiser. It was decided to continue awarding ribbons at the monthly competitions, with a special prize to the member who cap- tures the greatest number of firsts dur- ing the year. A dinner was served at the conclusion of the meeting—Oscar A. Becker, Assistant Secretary. RO ETS The inaugural meeting of the South Australian Aquarium Society was held last March, the formation of which was suggested partly by the interest taken in aquaria, established in the South Aus- tralian Museum. ‘The society was estab- lished “‘with the object of promoting the study of aquaria and aquatic life by the association of its members and others who may be interested.” During the past eight months excursions and meet- ings have been held, including visits to various aquaria, and the reading of pa- pers by members. On Tuesday evening, November 5, 1918, the first annual meet- ing was held at the residence of Mr. J. W. Hosking, Norwood. The balance sheet and report, read by Mr. H. M. Hale, secretary, indicated that the in- augural period had been eminently suc- cessful, and that the organization was justified in continuing and extending its operations. The following were re-elect- ed to their respective officers: President, Edgar R. Waite, F. L. S.; vice-president, J. W. Hosking ; commuttee, C. G. Pilking- ton, Ro-Rash and) Us Ro Cates awdnorass. A. E. Wadey and B. B. Beck; honorary secretary and treasurer, H. M. Hale. A syllabus of meetings and outings was ar- ranged for the coming year. — Leche oe Of all the fins of a fish the pectorals are the most transparent and usually so de- void of color as to escape ordinary atten- tion. This, to originate an expression, is “protective absence of color.” The pec- torals are in constant motion even when the individual is still. If they were col- ored it is obvious that the eye of a pass- ing enemy or prey would at once be ar- rested. This was shown in an interesting way by a poeciliid hybrid in the collec- tion of George W. Price. The fish was one of the “darks” or dominants of the One pec- toral was deep velvet black, while the other was normal (transparent). When viewed with head or tail toward the ob- server the effect of the waving black fin was startling. cross, deep orange and black. REISS AS You think your job is the hardest in the world, but it’s soft compared to the one your mother had raising you. COOCOOOSOG00G00 000000 000000 cj: The RYUKIN or JAPANESE FRINGETAIL wee HAVE an especially fine lot ; : of large and very large fish of NW this variety suitable for use as it Breeders, or for display in 7 pools or large aquaria. Write us for prices. Retail or in quantity SUNDOWN FISH HATCHERY Coachella, California of l Le Goldfishes J | Blacks aia Blues ste and Vari- hues | None for sale at present! GEORGE A. SCHENK Mount Vernon, IN, WG b glammnlo 0.0100 6100010, 000.0 00 0.00.0 00 0.00.0 0 am) D000 00T CODOOD 000 000 COO COO COO CS | bo 3 : 8 : 8 3 : 8 ; 3 8 : | te C000 M4000 C000 CS) 0005000 C000 000C—S700 70070 >000 cc FRESH WAITER BIOLOGY | 8 _t By HENRY Bs WARD and GEORGE. ©. WHIPPLE : WITH THE COLLABORATION OF 25 DISTINGUISHED SPECIALISTS | ae eRe 8 | ; | | All interested in aquatic biology will find here answers to their queries on methods of study, conditions of existence, types of life, and inter-relations of the organisms that inhabit our fresh-water bodies, tegether with data on their life histories, habits and range. ‘This work is the first complete and accurate record of North Amer- ican aquatic life, especially the micro-organisms; among both plants and animals excluding the vertebrates, higher plants ‘and bacteria, every form is described that has been reported from a fresh-water body on this continent. A comprehensive general discussion of each group precedes the description of individual forms, which are arranged under a key to permit of rapid and accurate determination of the genera and species. Nearly every form is illustrated, and its diagnostic features are pointed out. Biological data on its habits, frequence and distribution are also Piven. Fresh-Water Biology is a big book of 1111 pages, with 1547 illus- trations. Price, $6.00, plus postage on four pounds. > :00 GS 000c 000 C000 ae ey ees | - AQUATIC LIFE, 542 E. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. US a an oe oe a | ee a ee ee r ! Grovedale Goldfish Hatchery | | FRED SCHAEFER : : MANAGER “j]HE LARGEST AND BEST equipped conservatories in the United States devoted to the rearing of rare D Sees ae es Avenue e (hk) Philadelphia, Pa. | oe Bae M999 9009 G99 C9) C9) 99000 900 GSN CI CI CHO CS CS CS CD THOOOOOO iV) =} a » 2 [= » = [= iS} ‘S, p =} lou w a 2 S n Se @ r¥) i=} a = @ - » = ee ae see | Youn g Pterophy!lum Scalare 1918 HATCHING Same Size as the Gu $7.50 Each Larger Size $12.50 Each WILLIAM L. PAULLIN 425 Wolf Street Philadelphia, Pa 8 : : 8 : 8 8 8 : 8 8 : : 8 8 : : Were ie eee en ee IDOOCOOD COO COO OOO GOO OOS O00 000000000000 DRIED SHRIMP—The Utility Fishfood Per lb., coarse 75c. Ground fine, $1.00. St. George’s Natural Fish Food, $1.50 per Ib. Sample can, 15c. Aquarium Cement, 50c Ib. Add postage to your zone. CANADIAN BIRD STORE 2139 West Van Buren Street. Chicago, III. Fine Broad-tail Telescopes BLACK and CALICO Correspondence Solicited GEORGE WHEL, 1510 N: 62d Street: PHILADELPHIA S. SILVER Fancier and Breeder of Tropical Fishes Splendid healthy stock at reasonable prices. Haplochilus cameronensis, Betta rubra, etc. All kinds of live-bearing fishes. 235 East 11th Street NEW YORK CITY (Between 2d and 3d avenues) PHILIP KLESPIES 551 18th Avenue - 3d floor - Newark, N. J. Must sell 17 species of tropical fishes. Aquaria and Plants, on account of mov- ing. At home evenings, Saturdays after 1 P. M., and all day Sundays. a or Excellent Conformation = | F I 8 n Color Canneé Be Beat tw Jlhow Their Quality in Finnage 8 8 8 8 ave Blues, Blacks and Calicos rel—| very Fancier Should Look Them Over Silee Them at C. C. VOWINKEL 109 Catherine Street Philadelphia, Pa lo eo efe 0 cleo cle 0 cle co aun /e 0 cle'e ele 0 ole 0 ele 0 0) C00 COODOOCO0 TS O00000000000 ile Finest Blue and Calico Broad- tail Telescopes in Philadelphia Correspondence Answered. C. J. HANNIG, 1225 N. Randolph Street PHILADELPHIA Important ! With the number for January, 1919, the subscription price of Aquatic Life advanced to $1.25. Single copies, fifteen cents. JosrpH EF. BAUSMAN, Publisher. LIVE FOOD IS THE BEST and grow on Enchytraeids, the Generous box by mail, 50 Fishes thrive little white worms. cents. Full directions given for propagating them. S. W. BURGESS, 3424 Hurley Street PHILADELPHIA iC 000000000000 TSC S000 00000000C C———— Che Mature Studp Review OFFICIAL JOURNAL AMERICAN NATURE-STUDY SOCIETY | The numbers for the coming school year will 8 \CDOOO0 000 C——r ¥* be filled with special artie’es from practica’ teachers dealing with actual works. methods and suggestions for school gardening. Agriculture and nature-study. elementary $1.00 per year. 15c. per copy. Add for Canadian Postage 10 cents. Foreign Postage, 20 cents. With Aquatic Life, one year, $1.50. ITHACA, N. Y. %.»M! 000000005 C= 000000000000 CDC 000000000000 Dey SO es | a? ae cco 7000 C700 2145 South Lee Street, Philadelphia i EVERYTHING IS FISH THAT COMES i TO THE NET OF A NATURALIST ( Don’ t paddle in the water with.one hand and be blind ‘with both eyes. In other words, “keep your eyes open’’ for all nature. Our Magazine Che Guide to ature Will Help You It is edited by EDWARD F. BIGELOW, who fishes in the heavens and earth, as well as the waters under the earth. Four months’ trial, 25c. One year, $1.00. THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION ArcAdiA Connecticut | | (comma [00 o err saa= [ea] THE TERMINAL PET SHOP PETS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION AND KIND Manufacturing and Maintenance of Aquariums a Specialty All Kinds of Cat and Dog Foods and Medicines HUDSON TERMINAL BUILDING ' Concourse, New York WHITE WORMS—Enchytraeus The ideal living fish food. Can be raised indoors the year round. Portion, 50c.; add postage on (Send cash or money order only— Full directions given for breeding Sound Beach. one pound. no. checks). this worm. CHARLES E. JENNE, 1577 Paterson Plank Road Secaucus, New Jersey When they said, “Price sold out,” They knew not what they talked about. Price has the goods, same as of old, So. please don’t believe all you’re told. For fine broadtails or tropical fishes, Price is here to fulfill your wishes. None Shipped j Wanted Pantodon buchholzi (Butterfly Fish) and Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum. Address Aquatic te Ty housands of Young Veiltail Telescopes from the Finest Stock in America: $2.50 per Dozen $ 15.00 per Hundred In Mixed Colors, Blues, Calicos, Etc. Franklin Barrett Wyoming Avenue & C. Street, Phila., Pa Blacks SS 50c Extra for Shipping Can Cash With Order O00 000 C000 000 Sa THE BEST BOOK ie AQUARIUM susiaers is ‘‘Goldfish Varieties & Tropical Aquarium Fishes’’,byWm.T.Innes, 4 former President of the Aquarium A Society of Phila.; 250 pages, 195 7} & illustrations. Tells all about the >000 56005000 H Aquatic Life & Terraria must be seen to be appreciated PERMANENT DISPLAY OF Visitors Welcome 8 Plants and Tropical Fish a es Importations of New Varieties receive regularly 1163 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y. Near Broadway. COO C3000 > 900 S70 ERMAN RABENAU, naueeeE. g OOOC0O loeelooe) Young Veiltails, All Colors $5.00 Dozen Up | BREEDERS—Largest Assortment of Blues, Blacks and Calico Telescopes — and Japs at Reasonable Prices. — Shipping Cans, 50c. Fine Assortment of Lionheads HARRY P. PETERS, 1210 North Warnock St., Phila. Pa. — ———So00 CSC ]o000000cd' eee a | GOLDFISH, FOODS, PLANTS, DIP See Combination Natural Fish Food - Sample Box 10c i Imported Shrimp Fish Food - - Sample Can 15c Imported Wafer Fish Food Large Sample Box 10c Mail Orders Promptly Attended to Agents for ‘‘ART AQUARIUMS”’ Special Prices on Quantity Lots. Cash With Order. Catalogue Sent Upon Request. AQUARIUM STOCK CO 273 Greenwich Street New York City i S000C 000: OOO TM >000 000000000 [oo cle 0 cle 0 eo ema) Nippon Goldfish Co 1919-21 Bush Street, San Francisco, Cal Importers : and : Dealers Japanese Goldfish and Supplies Special Combination Offer: 12 Sagittaria natans, 2 Sagittaria gigantica, 6 Valli- sneria, 1 box Ground Shrimp, 1 box Mikado Fishfood : All for $1.00 Postpaid j 4 OOO C—D DOD 000000000 000000000: ing. Time is is Here! mek stock Le ae it ae Th he fishes I offer I have bred, in my eee ee inbred, _ none DO DOO COO @ vio e O Q ‘0 oe 1) | | | 100000, 2 | HUGC NELLES eae hird ee _New Yor: City >000 =D CCO — rth Street, oe uem : nue Subway). me es SLL cy Do me ee ee mes a 6 Ps 8 Fs smeommiehy Here indeed is a rare fish, and | have seen it alive but once. ‘The name signi- fles a fish with many spines and abbrevi- ated tail. It is not a large species, a mature specimen averaging between two and two and one-half inches long, but it is a voracious rascal, and must therefore be kept alone. The illustration shows this species with Nandus marmoratus below, a whim of the artist bringing the two forms together, though it would not be advisable to associate these species in an aquarium. . In color our subject is warm brown with dark mottlings. The eye is reddish chestnut; mouth very large. fin and the extremities of the soft dorsal and anal fins are transparent and nearly invisible, thus adding to the foreshort- ened appearance of the fish. Sexual differences are difficult to de- termine. During breeding activities a short ovipositor protrudes from the vent of the female, the abdominal line being convex, due to the distended ovaries; in the male the abdominal contour is quite straight. | The breeding habits are interesting. The male constructs a nest of bubbles under floating leaves. After close con- tact between the sexes the female as- sumes a position under the nest, back downwards, thrusts her ovipositor into the nest, and therein deposits the eggs singly. In the aquarium, with this accom- plished, she should be removed. The eggs number about one hundred, and hatch in five or six days. The tank should contain not more than three inches of water, and be maintained at a tempera- Polycentropsis Abbreviata WALTER LANNOY BRIND, F. Z. S. om et Pt Ps Fs Ps Fe Miercaticdall: a 6 Ps Fh PA Fs Fi Ss FF BF A FN A BN SB Gb ee ol om mo mes 5 tt si ture between 80 and 85 degrees; 75 de- grees will be an agreeable temperature at other times for older fish. The water should be well aerated and contain abundant microscopic life to sup- port the growing fry. Tiny daphne should follow, and then the live foods usually provided for carnivorous fishes— mosquito larvee, small mealworms, fry of live-bearing fishes and similar materials. The species is a native of tropical West Africa, and was first discovered by Dr. W. J. Ansorge, in 1900, in the Niger delta. It is described as rare, and when found occurs in brooks, rivers and ponds. Polycentropsis and Nandus are mem- bers of the group of fishes called Nan- didze, which has representatives in South- east Asia and South America as well as a ANG KCA 72 Aquatic Lite Reactions of Fishes to Habit-forming Drugs The reactions of goldfish to certain habit-forming drugs is the subject of an article in the Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association, by Prof. Victor E. Shelford, of the University of Illinois. ‘The craving engendered by the use of habit-forming drugs is not under- stood. Most of the pharmacologic stud- ies in this connection have been made on mammals (a few have been on frogs), but almost none on the lower vertebrates. By chance Professor Shelford discovered that fishes are peculiarly affected by nu- merous organic substances in aqueous solution when put under special experi- mental conditions. The conditions are established in a tank approximately 48 inches long, 5 inches deep and 6 inches wide, in which water containing a drug flows into one end and out at both top and bottom, at the middle, while water which contains none of the drug flows into the other end at the same rate. The two flows meet at the middle and with most substances there is a mixture of the two kinds of water which occupies the centre third of the tank. In this mixture a fish moving from the pure water end toward the drug-containing end encoun- ters a gradual rise in concentration of the drug. ‘This region of change of concen- tration is called the gradient. The char- acter of the gradient in these tanks has been fully determined by taking samples, by measuring and by the use of colored If a fish encounters no change in water, 1t moves freely back and forth water. without showing preference for either end of the tank. If it encounters water containing an excess of carbon dioxide, it backs away and starts again, often re- peating the operation before going for- ward. It gives other evidence of stimu- lation. ‘The opercles are lifted, the lower jaw protruded, or the mouth moved in a yawning, coughing or gulping motion. When a fish enters a solution containing ethyl-alcohol, cocaine, morphine or any one of several other substances tried, there is no apparent rejection of the drug, but, on the contrary, after a time the fish is found to have a preference for the drug-containing end of the tank. With cocaine the fishes, after a short exposure, refused to leave the drug solution, soon became intoxicated and died. With ethyl-alcohol the fishes reacted more and more positively as the concentration in- creased up to 10 per cent. The experi- ment was discontinued because the sub- jects became semi-intoxicated. In 20 per cent. ethyl-alcohol the fishes avoided the full strength, but still reacted positively. With morphine no preference is shown in concentrations of 0.15 g. per litre. Jn I g. per litre positive preference was shown by one individual, but not by an- other. Some the With naphthalene in half-saturated and _ sat- avoided strongest solutions of morphine. individuals urated solutions, the fishes reacted pos- tively, although they died after a time. Some species of minnows were less sensi- tive to ethyl-alcohol than goldfish. ped The goldfish is becoming a great pest. It has multiplied in the River Murray to such an extent that a frayed rope-end let down into the water will in a few days be a mass of goldfish spawn. ‘These wild goldfish grow up to two or three pounds in weight, many of the largest being red. —Hersert M. Hate, Australia. vans Sg rae We recently heard of a house that found a tenant solely because it happened to have a glass-enclosed sleeping porch. To aquarists, nuf sed; to property own- ers, a hint of a desirable improvement. Chologaster cornutus 3 | ¢€The Fish of the Dismal Swamp | W. W. WELSH, United States Bureau of Fisheries re Pa BR BG BR BG BB BG fh BR A BG BF fg BB fg Pe Bs Bf FP The first recorded description of this curious and little-known fish was pub- lished by the elder Agassiz in the Ameri- can Journal of Science and Arts, in 1854. The fish then described was taken in ditches in the rice fields of South Caro- lina. In 1853, on his return from a tour through the Southern and Western States, Professor Agassiz gave a sum- mary of some of his ichthyological dis- coveries in a letter to Professor J. B. Dana. In this letter are the following remarks: “T would mention foremost a new genus which I shall call Chologaster, very similar in general appearance to the blind fish of the Mammoth Cave, though provided with eyes; it has, like Ambly- opsis, the anal aperture far advanced under the throat, but is entirely deprived of ventral fins; a very strange and unex- pected combination of characters. | know but one species, Ch. cornutus Ag. It is a small fish, scarcely three inches long, living in the ditches of the rice fields in South Carolina. I derive its specific name from the singular form of the snout, which has two horn-like projec- tions above.” Since the discovery of this species by Prof. Agassiz, two other species of Chologaster have been described, both being found in subterranean streams and caves. The family to which Chologaster cornutus is assigned, together with the so-called blind-fishes, is the Amblyop- side, composed of small, ovoviviparous fishes living in caves, swamps and ditches om me memes Ps of Southern and South Central States. In this family the body is elongate, com- pressed posteriorly, the head long and flat, with projecting under jaw. Super- ficially ther’ is a strong resemblance to the Poeciliide, or Top Minnows, but the mouth is smaller, the scales finer, the ventral fins are absent or rudimentary, and the vent is placed far forward. Of the four or five known genera, the genus Chologaster is the only one that has func- tional eyes and a pigmented skin, all the others having skin-covered eyes and col- orless body. In Chologaster cornutus the ventral fins are absent, and the vent is placed for- ward of the pectoral fins. The body and head are dark brown above, white below, with three narrow longitudinal black stripes on the sides, the middle one ex- tending through the eye and snout. In some examples the belly and sides of the trunk are flushed with red of various shades. The dorsal fin is white with dark spots. There is a black blotch at the base of the tail, beyond which is a white area or bar; remainder of caudal dusky. The length does not exceed two and one-half inches. Cholgaster cornutus is found from Virginia to Georgia, in swamps, ditches, and backwater of small rivers. It ap- pears to be solitary in habit, but is locally abundant. In April, 1916, the writer ob- tained six examples in the Little Peedee River, all being captured in drifts of dead leaves at the foot of sand-bars, and in shallow indentations of the river bank. Associated with them in such places were 74 Aquatic Lite numerous larval salamanders, and the resemblance of the two in shape, color and movement, was striking. Four males and two females were secured at this time, the latter containing large yel- low eggs, I to 114 mm. in diameter. This species appears to be nocturnal in habit, invariably attempting to hide in the daytime, and when disturbed moving from hiding place to hiding place in short, wriggling dashes of astonishing rapidity. One example, taken in the Peedee River, survived a trying journey to Washington, where it lived in a small aquarium for several months. Although supplied with a variety of live food, it was never ob- served to feed in the daytime. Considering the apparent hardiness of this species, and the character of the waters it inhabits, it would appear to be well suited for observation in the aqua- rium, which might throw some light on its habits and life-history. A Wood Aquarium C. G. PILKINGTON At the present time, in Australia, it 1s difficult to secure all-glass aquaria. Inas- much as not all aquarists are sufficiently adept with tools to make tanks of metal, with reinforced concrete base, the follow- ing specifications for a tank with ends and bottom of wood, one of which I have had in use for fifteen years, may make an appeal: All wood one-inch red pine, dressed (cypress or first-grade white pine may be substituted in America). Screws (60) where shown in sketch; all other parts nailed, including top and bottom corner plates, which are cut out of thin sheet iron. Give all woodwork three coats of paint, and the piece of iron, which covers the bottom and two ends three coats of white bath enamel after it has been bent to fit. The pieces of timber marked C, D and E, are nailed through the sheet iron to the bottom and end boards. It is most im- portant to see that all parts are marked out accurately with a square, and that bottom and end boards are square before nailing together; also square everything before nailing on the top and bottom cor- ner plates. If the clamps are beveled off a mA la ja See ai Stee ee Front} View Sheet Iron in| one piece 125 ies .) End _of Clamps Corner Plates 4.0f each. | 21.02. Glass>| | Section AB 4-21.0z.Class \ cael 7 Z SSO EZZ] at the ends as shown the appearance is lighter. Any gcod aquarium cement will an- swer for fixing the glass. That used on this tank was composed of equal parts of fine sand, cement, white zinc and rosin mixed with boiled linseed oil. In making a number of aquaria the height should be uniform, as a miscel- laneous collection is difficult to arrange. pie ee You cannot run away from a weak- ness; you must some time fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now and where you stand?—Robert Louis Stevenson. Ss ¥ ( ! | Ss me mes * 4 lS In the Madras Journal of Literature and Science, for 1849, Jerdon describes Perilampus malabaricus, canarensis and mysoricus,; Bleeker, in 1864, describes Danio micronema and lineolatus from Ceylon; Day, 1869, describes Paradanio aurolineatus. All were merely variants of one species, the fish we now know as Danio malabaricus, and as synonyms are handled by Day in his larger and later work on the fishes of India. In color it is one of the most beautiful of the genus. The back is gray-green; abdomen silvery; the sides with three one sapphire-blue bands, the central somewhat wider at its base gradually tapers toward the caudal. Between these are two luminous golden lines, with an- other line about three-fourths of an inch long, sometimes very broken and irregu- lar, and seemingly a continuation of a number of irregular golden streaks and dashes directly behind the gills, extends partly through the centre of the central band. The ventrals, anal and abdomen are tinged with reddish salmon. Extend- ing through the caudal fin are three or four dusky rays. Some writers maintain that these rays, in the female, incline toward the upper lobe, and that the irreg- ular marks behind the gills are more numerous, but I have not found these de- tails very convincing guides. The number of irregular marks varies considerably, a particular male may have more than the average, and a certain female less. Before maturity it is practically impos- sible to distinguish the sexes, but when Fh Fs Fs FA A SF A A A A Fl BS FF FG tg Hg Be bg ey Danio Malabaricus ERNEST LEITHOLF Fe 6 Fe 6 Fs Fs Ps Fe PS SP 6 FB A A FR A FB SY Ft Be a fully developed the coloration of the male is more intense and the body more slen- der and graceful. In proportions the length of the head is contained four or five times in the length of the body—two and one-half to three and one-half times its height. ‘The dorsal contains from 12 to 15, anal 15 Danio malabaricus (Male) to 19, pectorals 8 and the ventrals 15 rays. Lateral line with 35 to 37 scales, transversely 7 to 8. Of the four barbels the two lower ones are very minute and rudimentary, often entirely absent; the upper pair correspond in length to one- half the diameter of the eye, and may also be absent. The breeding of this Danio in confine- ment has not met with any great degree of success, and as none have been im- ported since 1914, the species at this writ- ing is nearly extinct in our collections. We secured our stock at the time men- tioned, and since then the original pairs and later their offspring have frequently spawned in our tanks. Fortunately some of the fry always survived to maturity, though each succeeding year marked a decrease in number until, in 1918, only three were found, and these succumbed 76 Aquatic Lite when about an inch long. Inability to infuse new blood undoubtedly has been the main factor in this decline. For breeding purposes a large tank should be used. The vegetation should be arranged in one dense group at one side or in a corner, as this affords protec- tion for the spawn, and gives ample swimming space for the fish; moreover it facilitates locating and removing the eggs, which can be accomplished with a glass dip-tube or a rubber hose. In our tanks the species has never spawned more than three or four times during a summer. ‘The operation takes place while the fish force their way through the densely planted section of the aquarium. After incubation, which requires from two to five days, the fry can be seen sus- pended from the plants, stones or sides of the aquarium. They will cling to the same spot for hours, only changing their positions when disturbed. This inactiv- ity, broken only by an occasional effort to swim, continues from one to two days, the yolk-sac supplying nutrition during this time. When able to swim about, and supplied with an abundance of infusoria, and later daphne, small mosquito larve, etc., their growth is remarkable, individ- uals attaining a length of three-fourths to one inch in less than four weeks. This seems to be the most critical period. The majority, if an apparently healthy lot of fry, will in a few days’ time be trans- formed into a sickly lot, with arched backs, shrunken abdomens and_ con- tracted fins. This has frequently hap- pened in tanks that were painstakingly maintained in the best of condition, and so far we have been unable to determine the cause. Our experiences lead us to conclude that in order to raise this species in large numbers, an exceedingly large tank, or, better still a pond or basin in a conserva- tory, must be employed, with artificial aeration if available. Mir W. Hh. Cassell, of The Aquatic Association of Maryland, is very much exercised over the following note, which appeared in the Baltimore Sun. W. H. C. is anxious to know if fishes hatched by this method develop feathers or fins. Seems to us that the problem should be solved in Baltimore. The clipping spe- cifically states that hens’ eggs were used, so the question is referred to the treas- urer of the Aquatic Association, Mr. Louis Hens. ‘The clipping: “The Chinese have a novel way of propagating fish. The spawn is carefully collected from the surface of the water, and when a sufficient quantity has been obtained they take a number of hens’ eggs, the contents of which have been carefully emptied through a small aper- ture, and refill the shells with spawn. The holes are sealed up and the eggs put under broody hens. ‘The hens are allowed to incubate the eggs for a certain number of days, when the eggs are again broken and their contents put into water that has been previously warmed by the sun. In a very short time the spawn hatches, and the young fry are then kept in pure, fresh water until a sufficient size to be put into the ponds. At one time a considerable business was done in this style of spawn hatching.” et ae The West Philadelphia Goldfish Fan- ciers’ Association met on Thursday even- ing, January 2d, in their new quarters, Hamilton Hall, 5236 Market street. The competition was for blue ribbon winners. Awards were made as follows: Scaleless Telescopes—Silver cup to Michael Moylan; blue and yellow rib- bons, Howard EF. Demuth; red ribbon, E,, Weinreich. Scaled Telescope—Blue ribbon, E. Weinreich. Lionhead—Blue to Michael Moylan. Scaled Jap—Blue to Frank Merges——Earte W. Roak, Sec- retar\. ¥ | | | ( | | | i 6 PS Fs SS Sg Notes on Native Fishes in Aquaria LEON L. PRAY Field Museum of Natural History Se Pe ees tc » ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( } For a number of years I have main- tained a small aquarium or two on the back of a table at my place of employ- ment. A few seasons ago, in June, I netted some fishes from a body of water adjacent to the building. With the rubble brought by the net from the bottom of the pool were pieces of mussel shell and pebbles, which I kept to add to the col- lection at the bottom of my aquarium. Large-mouth black bass were nestling along the shore of the pool, but I didn’t suspect I had taken eggs until several days later, when I noticed half a dozen newly-hatched babies moving uncertainly about over the bottom. ‘They were too small to identify, but I suspected imme- diately that they were bass. Each con- sisted principally of a pair of goggle eyes, a stomach attached below and a little to the rear, and a pointed, apparently finless tail. The tail was held curved around at one side, except when the owner wanted to get somewhere, when it was energetically flipped backward to produce forward motion. At this time there countless minute, whitish creatures dodging about over the bottom and through the plants. To these the baby fish turned their atten- tion, seeming to depend upon them for food at this stage of their career. In a few days the little fish, which at first were scarcely more than one-sixteenth of an inch in length, began to straighten their oddly-curved tails. the same time the yolk-sac was absorbed, their mouths became larger and the fins began to take shape and become visible. were During After three weeks they exhibited the form and markings of the species, though they were not more than a fourth of an inch long. Soon a rather surprising thing hap- pened. The baby bass turned cannibals. The larger and stronger ones quickly swallowed the smaller, afterward going slowly about, rolling their eyes wisely, Ve WZ _ W SS. a SSS, SS = a QYy 8 ee J vg ~ Youns Larse-Mouthied B8SS, Sorsed. aN eh f'’ CIS AS 1 with the tail-fins of their brothers and sisters protruding from their mouths. In a few days but two remained. ‘There was but slight difference in size. When I came in one morning one was gone. Carefully I watched the survivor and, sure enough, there was the bulging belly and the tell-tale caudal fin sticking out of his mouth. In outline he resembled a mature bass. He was paunchy and full-throated, just like many an old “crab- cracker” that has fallen to my rod. It was laughable. There swam the lordly little savage, sole proprietor and tenant of the tank, ruthless destroyer of his kin 78 Aquatic Lite that he might live. After this I caught a swarm of minnow fry and turned them in with the little bass for company and for food. Until his appetite prodded he ignored them, but when the spirit moved he gave them un- swerving attention. Then he would slide up through the water toward the elinting drove, all of which were longer than him- self, and aim his baleful eyes and bulldog nose at the one he intended to kill. Time and again I watched him make his selec- tion. ‘They were in limited space, and he could be deliberate. The minnow chosen seemed to know that ill was brewing and would rush alone from the throng, wildly seeking an escape. A wire screen cover- ing the tank prevented an aerial egress. The little bass fed twice daily, as regu- lar as a clock, in mid-forenoon and mid- afternoon. He rarely missed his first strike, usually catching his prey by the middle, then quickly and deftly shifting his hold to the head, and swallowing with a quick gulp and a wriggle of his body. Nearly always the tail of the minnow protruded from his mouth for two or three hours after. A few times I saw him snatch a frantic minnow by the tail and try to swallow him that way. Usually the vibrating tail of the victim would work out through his gills, when he would shake it free and then take head first. When he struck he sped in a slight arc, so fast that he resembled a silvery dart thrown with incredible speed from a sling. If he missed he became angry and the speed of his next seemed dou- bled, if indeed greater speed be possible. There was no perceptible “open mouth effect” when striking; he snapped as his snout met the minnow, its scales flying in a shimmery shower. The other minnows would soon be playing and feeding again, not showing any particular alarm, even when the gorged bass would lazily swim among them. I kept this interesting little fellow three months. In that time he consumed 160 minnows, including his own relatives. He grew about an inch a month, and was slightly under three inches in length on the first of September. Among the many other fascinating lit- tle native fishes which I have kept was a young Warmouth or Mud bass. ‘This fellow was even more bulldog-like in ap- pearance than the black bass, but was fairly gentle and as proud as a peacock. He would change his colors and dark mottling into several beautiful combina- tions in less time than it takes to tell it. Once I put a piece of mirror behind his tank. Whether this delighted or in- censed him I could never make out. Be- fore it he would bristle and strut with mouth agap, his colors blazing and gills expanded until they resembled a_ rosy blossom. With all fins spread, he would wriggle about, rolling his fiery eyes at his reflection. A dog would have laughed at his antics. He would eat almost anything, and was altogether a very satisfactory aqua- rium pet. Goldfish shared his tank, and to them he made love. This he did in the most ardent and murth-provoking style, until the goldfish in consternation would flee into the weeds. Last summer I had a mud minnow and two young bluegill sunfish. The two spe- cies engaged in a feud which ended in disaster. Not a day passed but the three staged a battle or two, in which the mud minnow nearly always bested his two doughty antagonists. The longer they lived together the more savage the fights became. The minnow usually started hostilities by sliding out from his weedy retreat with his head twisted sidewise, fins spread and undulating with nervous energy. Slowly he approached the hid- Aquatic Lite 79 ing sunfish. Then with a motion exactly like the swing of a pugilist’s fist, he would strike so fast that one could see him only as a blurred, brown arc. Bing! When his tough little “mug” hit a sunfish, and he never missed, that sunny went sailing like a flat stone. But the sunnies came back every time, game as bantam cocks. Then it would be bing! biff! bang! for a few seconds, until the combatants re- tired to the weeds to glare and bristle and accumulate energy and courage for the next round. It came to an end one Sunday when I was not on hand to witness the final scrap. I wish I had seen it. On Monday morning the sunfish were around with an air of triumph. ‘The mud minnow floated dead at the surface of the water, with his snout bruised and swollen, his sides gouged and half the scales stripped from his body. It must have been some scrap! pl eS With the end of the war the interest of the members of the Essex County Aqua- rium is reviving, and prospects look bright for the future. The following officers have been elected for the current year: President, Rev. B. Coltarti; vice-presi- dent, F. Hoernig; treasurer, Dr. William Bachmann; recording secretary, C. M. Breder, Jr.; financial secretary, C. F. Hermes. Membership, exhibition, entertainment and publicity committees have been ap- pointed—the machinery has been set in motion for a big and prosperous year. The members were glad to welcome back to the fold the Hoernig boys, who have been wandering in other fields for more than a year. They have plans for a fine goldfish hatchery in the nearby country, so New Jersey is now to have a real fish establishment near her metropo- swimming - lis—C. M. Breper, Jr., Recording Sec- retary. a One reason why consumers have con- fidence in advertised wares and buy them freely is that an advertisement consti- tutes a reliable record of the terms upon which the seller offers his goods to the buyer. The personal salesman may or may not truthfully represent the quality of the product he urges upon his customer. If he misrepresents it, and afterwards repu- diates his description of it, or his prom- ises in its behalf, there is no come-back for the purchaser. An oral statement is unsubstantial. It is matter of record. The magazine advertisement is a pro- tection to the buyer. It is always avail- able for reference; it is first-class evi- not a dence. Buyers and sellers alike recognize the advantage of the printed word as a pro- moter of square dealing and clear under- standing. The aquarist who commits himself to print in the magazine adver- tisement is fully accountable, and is therefore a safe man to deal with. CESS, Blood circulation in the frog is read- ily observed by placing the web of a hind foot under a moderate-powered mi- croscope. ———— A chanchito with a shoal of fry is about as busy as a cross-eyed boy at a three- ring circus. —<+—>_— Some men are like musical glasses—to produce their finest tone you must keep them wet.—Coleridge. MNEs Even the things we get for nothing may cost an effort. GAM eee . Don’t brag about your goldfish; let them do the talking. a 1 Se i is on i Blue Calico Comet 2 ees Se 6 PR i SF se Sk 6 6 There is one question which the be- ginner always asks of the experienced aquarist— ‘How often should I change the water?” The answer: Except under unusual circumstances, not at all. This is sure to bring forth expressions of sur- prise and wonderment, and a demand to know how in this way one may avoid having the water become stagnant and ill-smelling. Asa matter of fact, a prop- erly conditioned aquarium only needs water added to make up for evaporation, while a general house-cleaning and re- planting may be desirable (but not neces- sary) from one to three years apart. The governing principles are so simple that it is surprising to find the general public ignorant of them. The big fact 5 6 Fa 6 BS 8 a FS SR Fs SF 6 BS Bs BS Bs BB FS Bs PS BS Se Ss Fs i 8 Original Water Color by Franklin Barrett 0 ) a 5 B 6 S s S a Fs Fs i 6 6 Bs Fs Fo 8 Fs sd Ss fe MANAGING THE AQUARIUM WILLIAM T. INNES | BE 9 ES FT Gf FG Bk Se 6 Be 6 FR 6 FF SB 6 6 Be 6 Be 6 Fe 1 Fe a 5 6 PS Bs BS Ss BS Bs Bt 6 BB Bs Pt Ss 6 Fs 8 Ps Ps Os Ps Ps 9 Pi 6 aD is that the fish exhale carbon dioxide, which the plants need in feod-making, the plants breaking up the combination, retaining the carbon and returning the oxygen to the water, to again be used by the fishes in respiration. ‘The answer, in a general way, then, is to have enough handle the products of the This arrange- plants to breathing of the fishes. ment makes what is known as a “bal- anced aquarium,” which is capable of remaining undisturbed for years. ‘The writer has an aquarium which has not been drained for five years. The proper conditions naturally group themselves into five considerations— plants, light, number of fishes, feeding and temperature. The general principle regarding the benefits exchanged between plants and fishes has already been stated, but the plants in order to do their part of the work must have light—not too lit- tle nor too much. ‘They give off oxygen only under the influence of light, but most aquarium plants will be “burned” if ex- posed to too much direct sunlight. A strong north or other diffused light is generally successful. An hour or two a day of direct sunlight is beneficial, but more than this is not recommended, par- ticularly as it is apt to turn the water green by promoting a rapid growth of minute alge. Some plants are better oxygenators Three of the best are giant Anacharis, Vallisneria, the Italian or diminutive form, and Sagittaria. ‘The latter two are probably the most satisfac- tory of all aquarium plants. The Wash- ington Grass, Cabomba carolimiana, fre- quently sold by dealers, is not recom- mended. It breaks up easily, and unless the conditions are just right it soon looks shabby. There cannot be too many plants as iong as the fishes have room to swim. The surplus oxygen passes off into the than others. atmosphere. For the bottom of the aquarium use washed, coarse sand, or sand and gravel. Do not use fine ocean sand. If the plants have roots, spread them well. From one to two inches of sand will be found suffi- cient. The next important subject is the num- ber of fishes which may be placed in the In spite of advice to the con- over- aquarium. trary, the beginner insists on crowding, and only learns by repeated failures. As a large fish consumes more oxygen than a small one, there can be no satisfactory rule as to the number of fish used, but there is a very good rule which it will be well to remember—one inch of fish to the gallon of water. his Aquatic Lite 81 is not counting the tail. That is to say, a five-gallon aquarium will properly maintain either one five-inch or five one- inch or ten half-inch fish. To calculate the capacity of an aqua- rium in gallons, if it be rectangular, mul- tiply the depth, length and width of the water measurement in inches, and divide the total by 231. Avoid globes where possible, but if they must be used, do not fill more than two-thirds full. This gives more air sur- face than when they are filled to the top. The greater the air surface the better, and this applies to any aquarium. ‘Therefore a broad, flat shape is better than a deep, narrow one. Fish undoubtedly do better in rectangular aquaria than in globes, and they can be seen to much better advan- tage. An aquarium of less than five-gallons capacity is not very satisfactory for go!d- fish. A ten-gallon size is a good one to start with. For many of the tropical fishes it 1s possible to use quite small aquaria, even down to quart jars. Many persons kill their fishes by kind- mess, Winey Cvericedl Gaem, Iaisin in the confinement of an aquarium should not be fed more than will be entirely con- sumed in a few minutes. In moderate and warm weather they may be fed once daily ; if the water is cool (50 to 60 deg. F.) every other day is sufficient. If be- low this, once a week. The white rice wafer, the food generally used by the inexperienced, is the least desirable. Nearly all dealers sell a better food in granular form, composed of dried insects, egg and farinaceous substances. The best temperature for goldfish is irom 65 to) 7o deerees EH, They can maintain life down to the freezing point, but under artificial conditions necessarily pertaining in an aquarium this is to be avoided. Higher than 80 degrees is also 82 Aquatic Lite dangerous. A ten-gallon aquarium should be pro- vided with about half a dozen snails such as dealers sell. They will keep down the green growth on the glass and also con- sume particles of food which the fishes may have overlooked. For the latter purpose some aquarists use tadpoles. The writer does not care for them, as they keep the water and sand stirred up too much. The snails should be watched and dead ones promptly removed. A mussel helps to keep the water clear, and is a desirable addition, but should not be used unless one is willing to frequently observe whether it is alive. When dead their decomposition is rapid and very offensive. Once in a while, when the sediment in an aquarium becomes unsightly, siphon it off with a rubber tube of from one- fourth to one-half inch in diameter and- about three to four feet long. Fill the tube with water, holding one end closed while the other is quickly placed in the aquarium. Hold the closed end as far down as possible below the aquarium and then open into a suitable receptacle. The water will run out as long as the dis- charging end of the tube is lower than the surface of the water in the aquarium. Move the end of the tube about in the water just above accumulations of dirt, which will be rapidly sucked up. Care must be taken not to draw in small fish and snails. If the time can be taken, let the drawn- off water settle somewhat and filter the clear portion through fine muslin back into the aquarium. ‘This is better than new water if the aquarium is right. If new water is used, see that it is of nearly the same temperature as the old. This is important. Violent changes in tempera- ture produce contagious diseases known At the airst sign of a whitish coating on a fish, or as “white fungus” and “tail rot.” — a general splitting of the fins, separate it from the others and place in salt water This may take from one day to a week. ‘The water should be salt enough to be just notice- able to the taste. Salt water should be changed daily. Feed sparingly. Some- times this treatment is beneficial to fish until improvement is distinct. which are generally run down, but show no external signs of disease. It is believed that sea water, properly diluted, is more effective than common cooking salt. Do not use advertised brands of non-caking table salt, as injurious to fish. On cloudy days, even in a properly conditioned aquarium, fishes will come to the surface of the water to breathe, but if they do this in clear weather, it is a sure sign that something is wrong. It may be from too high a temperature, too few plants, decomposition of snails, mus- sels or unconsumed food, but in all cases it is from overcrowding. some contain chemicals Whatever the cause, it must be found and quickly reme- died. To delay is to invite disaster. Baws I should like to express my great ap- preciation of Aguatic LiFe, and wish it the very best of succes, which it greatly deserves. It has given me many hours of pleasure and instruction—A. E. ATKINS, England. nantes Let our object be our country, our whole country, and nothing but our country. Let us then stand by the constitution as it is, and by our country as it is, one, united, and entire; let it be a truth en- graven on our hearts; let it be borne on the flag under which we rally in every exigency, that we may have one country, one constitution, one destiny.—Daniel Webster. ——— Nature yields only to work. Aquatic Lite 83 The Boston Show WALTER N. CHUTE The third annual exhibition of the Boston Aquarium Society was held in the 14th to 19th inclusive, in conjunction with the Boston Poultry and Pet Stock Show. Five hundred fishes were shown in 73 tanks, 23 of which were “balanced.” More than a hundred goldfish were Mechanics’ Building, January turned up the flame to see how it worked and forgot to turn it down again! After that the aquarium was maintained at 120 degrees, presenting its unfortunate owner with an entirely unexpected fish This If exhibition chowder the following morning. is mentioned as a warning. tanks must be heated, heat the air, not the water, and by all means have an attendant present at all times, even if you The End of a Perfect Day— Members of The Chicago Society Aquatic Life at the Daph Pond entered in the sixteen classes. In the tropical section twenty-nine species were shown, together with two hundred native fishes, representing fourteen species. The tropical were shown in electrically heated cases, the heat being applied to the air and not to the water direct. One member showed a _ beautiful community tank, heated by an oil lamp. This worked ad- mirably, maintaining a temperature of 75 degrees, while the hall temperature dropped as low as 50, until some curious individual in the absence of the attendant. have to hire one. The greatest interest centered in the special awards. ‘Mr. F. S. Blodgett car- ried off the honors for the best fish shown with a big black. A younger black, en- tered by W. N. Chute, was awarded sec- ond, while F. A. Packard’s blue was third. In the class for balanced aquaria une SO-ealllon tame eatusrecl ly ©. IL. Hauthaway was far and away the best. The writer took first in the “under five- gallon” class. Mr. Hauthaway also car- ried off the honors for the largest collec- 84 Aquatic Lite tion of plants, the most species of tropical fishes and the largest number of native fishes, and also received first prize for the number of classes entered, showing fishes in 45 classes against 32 entered by his nearest competitor. No record was kept of the attendance, but 900 copies of a little pamphlet called “The Daphnian” were distributed. a A True Fish Story Professor Roy lL. Moodie, of the Unt- versity of Kansas, related a good fish story in the American Naturalist for March, 1909. He said that cattle in Ne- braska were seriously infested by the Texas horn fly, Haematobia serrata, a pest that had been introduced from Fu- rope. These flies “literally swarmed around the cattle, and since the majority of the stock was dehorned, the insects would settle all over the backs and sides of the animals, although they were in some cases observed to cluster around the horn bases.” “At Harris’ ford, where the collecting parties crossed Running Water, several hundred cattle watered all summer... . “The cattle would almost always enter the stream at the shallow part of the ford and gradually wade up stream, drinking as they went, until they came to the deep place near the fence where the water reached well up on their bellies. The chubs, Semotilus atromaculatus, seemed to be unusually numerous at the ford, and we often wondered at the great num- bers of the little fishes which we could see in schools in the clear water. Their presence was soon explained. As soon as the cattle entered the stream at the shallow place in the ford the chubs would come out from their cool and shady re- treats under the grasses along the sides of the bank and hasten to meet the cattle at the shallows. Often we saw as many as a dozen or more chubs following a sin- gle cow. As soon as the water came near the bellies of the animals the chubs would leap out of the water and catch the horn flies from the sides of the cattle. Often we saw them leap as much as half their length out of the water to secure a fly which was high up on the animal’s side. These observations were made on several consecutive days, and on the last day but one I was so fortunate as to secure a photograph of a chub in the act of catch- ing a fly from the side of a cow, and the photograph is published herewith. “That the fishes actually learned that the dark spots on the sides of the cattle made good food there can be no doubt. Just how they first learned it we may not know. The chubs had further learned that the coming of the cattle meant food for them, hence they would meet the cat- tle in the shallows and follow them to deeper water.” Dr. Moodie proves his story with a good photograph. Se Scientific education is necessary with practical education, for if we raise the standards of work we must also raise the standards of knowledge in our na- tion. eS ee You can gauge an aquarist by the con- Are you preserv- ing for reference every available scrap of literature ? tents of his bookcase. reer ahe If you think you have troubles, just watch a fat man trying to catch a sword- tail in a 75-gallon aquarium—with a 3- inch net ! —————_— Keep a note book near your aquaria and jot in it every little observation of interest. Don’t trust to memory. The best of us err at times. ba) COOCOCOOOSD ODO OCOUD00 000 000000c— The RYUKIN or JAPANESE FRINGETAIL pam HAVE an especially fine lot / K : : of large and very large fish of hy this variety suitable for use as H| Breeders, or for display in : pools or large aquaria. Write us for prices. Retail or in quantity SUNDOWN FISH HATCHERY Coachella, California : Goldfishes Blacks Ae Blues 56 and Vari-hues None for sale at present! 8 GEORGE A. SCHENK 8 Mount Vernon, INE YG l COO OOO COO COO0SD 000000000 000 >: aa ! MD OOO COO COO COO COCO COO COO C00 00c: | 5 [eo ofamas/ : 004, a he ee ee oo mee, RRESH WALLER BIOLOGY By HENRY Bo WARD and GEORGE ©. WHIPPED WITH THE COLLABORATION OF 25 DISTINGUISHED SPECIALISTS All interested in aquatic biology will find here answers to their queries on methods of study, conditions of existence, types of life, and inter-relations of the organisms that inhabit our fresh-water bodies, together with data on their life histories, habits and range. This work is the first complete and accurate record of North Amer- ican aquatic life, especially the micro-organisms; among both plants and animals excluding the vertebrates, higher plants and bacteria, every form is described that has been reported from a fresh-water body on this continent. A comprehensive general discussion of each group precedes the description of individual forms, which are arranged under a key to permit of rapid and accurate determination of the genera and species. Nearly every form is illustrated, and its diagnostic features are pointed out. Biological data on its habits, frequence and distribution are also given. Fresh-Water Biology is a big book of 1111 pages, with 1547 illus- trations, Price, $6.00, plus postage on four pounds. AQUATIC LIFE, 542 E. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. ae oe ee —<——>000 000 C——S000 C700 |. ee a | AQUATIC MICROSCOPY By DR. ALFRED C. STOKES A splendid, not too technical hand- book of the lower organisms for the ( inquiring aquarist who dislikes to be (| nonplused by scientific verbiage. 324 ‘pages, with 198 illustrations. SS SS ES) $2.25, plus postage on 2 pounds. Address Aquatic Life ee ee := eae 300 C000 C000 M000 S000 —SD 7000 c—000 —] 000 ——Sc7r1°1c——>000c— 000 GS ee ee ea JAPANESE GOLDFISH | By DR. HUGH M. SMITH A guide to the methods of breeding fancy goldfish practiced in Japan. The result of the personal investigations of the author. Ten breeds are illus- trated in color, with numerous text cuts; 112 pages. 000000000 C>c=== $2.00, plus postage on 2 pounds. Address Aquatic Life 500000000 —) eS CCS CD T5000 500000000 CSc Cac OOOOCO COCO OOS OCOOG0000000 800000000000 Wm. L. Paullin Importer and Breeder of Rare Gold fishes & Tropical Fishes 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 Has Moved To 119 Folsom Avenue 8 8 : : 8 PROSPECT. PARK DELAWARE CoO.. PA. ee ee || Orders booked for 1919 hatching of Pterophyllum Scalare ee le ccleeclee elec cee elec elec cleo clee cle cele e cle ee) Have your spawns as early as you wish Magic will raise your fish for you. If you have not tried Magic send for free booklet and see what leading breeders think of Yogi Fish Food and Magic. Ask your dealer or send for it direct. Magic 50c Postpaid; Yogi 15c box by mail 17c; Yogi 75c lb add postage. Robert J. Schaeffer 1818 Frankford Avenue _Phila., Pa 5 a COMBINATION 5 “OF, INGREDIENTS, WHICH WILL ff rropuce’, VARIETY.cOF HARMLLSS, C00000000000 C—S>e¥ | Che Mature Studp Review OFFICIAL JOURNAL 8 AMERICAN NATURE-STUDY SOCIETY The numbers for the coming school year will UO be filled with special articles from practica! teachers dealing with actual works, methods and suggestions for school gardening, elementary agriculture and nature-study. 8 $1.00 per year. 15c. per copy. 8 Add for Canadian Postage 10 cents. Foreign Postage, 20 cents. With Aquatic Life, PS ITHACA, N. Y. one year, $1.50. pe as a el CS o0H0 000000000 MIC 000000000000 CT) ota rh he EVERYTHING IS FISH THAT COMES TO THE NET OF A NATURALIST Don’t paddle in the water with one hand and be blind with both eyes. In other. words, “keep your eyes open’’ for all nature. Our Magazine Che Guide to sPature Will Help You It is edited by EDWARD F. BIGELOW, who fishes in the heavens and earth, as well as the waters under the earth. ic >000 C700 CH——Ss700 cS Four months’ trial, 25c. One year, $1.00. THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION ArcAdiA ! Sound Beach Connecticut | | GOOG Ga OOO Ge JOO Gs GOOG) S. SILVER Fancier and Breeder of Tropical Fishes Splendid healthy stock at reasonable prices. Haplochilus cameronensis, Betta rubra, etc. All kinds of live-bearing fishes. 235 East 11th Street NEW YORK CITY (Between 2d and 3d avenues) WHITE WORMS=—Enchytraeus The ideal living fish food. the year round. one pound. no checks). this worm. CHARLES E. JENNE, 1577 Paterson Plank Road Secaucus, New Jersey Can be raised indoors 1. Portion, 50c.; add postage on (Send cash: or money order only— Full directions given for breeding When they said, “Price sold out,” They knew not what they talked about. Price has the goods, same as of old, So please don’t believe all you’re told. For fine broadtails or tropical fishes, Price is here to fulfill your wishes. 2145 South Lee Street, Philadelphia None Shipped Wanted Pantodon buchholzi (Butterfly Fish) and Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum. Address Aquatic Life Rn Ge aan a Thousands of Young Veiltail Telescopes from the Finest Stock in America. $2.50 per Dozen $ 15.00 per Hundred | In Mixed Colors, Blues, Blacks (| Calicos, Ete. Franklin Barrett Wyoming Avenue & C. Street, Phila., Pa 50c Extra for Shipping Can Cash With Order c——>c0e 0007000000 THE BEST BOOK ft AQUARIUM Sdie2 is ‘Goldfish Varieties & Tropical fi Aquarium Fishes’’, byWm.T.Innes, _ My, former President of the Aquarium ft Society of Phila.; 250 pages, 195 if. illustrations. Tells all about the $$ fancy varieties of the Goldfish and nearly 300 tropicals ; how to breed them, etc., etc. For the beginner or the advanced expert. A complete, practical, handsome book, sent postpaid anywhere for $3.00. « Enlarged edition now ready. INNES & SONS - 133 N. 12th St. - Phila., Pa. Charles E. Visel Broad-tail Telescopes and Japs Blacks, Blues and Partt-colors . 215 PutNaAM AVENUE, Brooxkiyn, N. Y. | i. | 4 i Mollienisia latipinna We have an extra fine stock of this most de- Sirable Southern aquarium fish, bred in smali tanks, and Whorgae ly domesticated. While a “‘live-bearer,’’ it will stand a temperature of 32 degrees. We ship this species during winter months only, Extra Large, $4 Dozen $20 Hundred Medium, $3 Dozen $15 Hundred 10 Kinds of Aquarium Plants $1 Postpaid CRESCENT FISH FARM 1624 Mandeville Street, New Orleans, La ee 59 300000000 SS 000000-¥ ee 300 C000 CS 500000: #000900C 000 —— 0000005 000 000000:% —<——Sc00 C000 “AQUARIA FISH” a A practical work on care and breeding of fish ‘in the aquarium, greenhouse and outdoor ponds. for a copy of this book. Price $1.00. 8 Tappan’s Natural Fish Food, Three boxes, post- paid, 25c. | Guinea Pigs and Thoroughbred Collie Pups, beau- Finely illustrated Everyone interested in keeping fish should send |} tifully marked. Write for prices. F. L. TAPPAN. : | Route 2, Hopkins, Minn. | So FM#iichaelsen Bros GOLDFISH BREEDERS FLORISTS 58th and Walnut Streets 110 South 52nd Street Philadelphia Aquarium Fishes All Kinds of Aquatic Plants Aquaria & Supplies Wholesale and Retail HARRY P. PETERS 1210 N. Warnock Street, Philadelphia, Pa ) BREEDER AND IMPORTER Rare and Fancy Fish Plants of every variety, Snails and Aquarium Suppliés of all kinds at all times. MANUFACTURER OF Green River Fish Food Green River Baby Fish Food 20c Box A GOOD FISH FOOD is one of the most. essential things necessary to keep fish in good health. After the test of years Green River stands out as the best food on the market. It keeps the fish in good color by pro- moting a healthy, robust growth. It will not sour ot cloud the water. Ask ! your dealer or send for it today. HERMAN RABENAU, ‘Aquarist PERMANENT DISPLAY OF Aquatic Life & Terraria must be seen to be appreciated Visitors Welcome Plants and Tropical Fish a Specialty Importations of New Varieties received regularly 1163 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, N. ¥. ! Near Broadway. Young Veiltails, All Colors $5.00 Dozen Up BREEDERS—Largest Assortment of Blues, Blacks and Calico Telescopes and Japs at Reasonable Prices. Shipping Cans, 50c. Fine Assortment of Lionheads HARRY P. PETERS, 1210 North Warnock St., Phila. Pa. GOLDFISH, FOODS, PLANTS, DIP NETS Combination Natural Fish Food - Sample Box 10c Imported Shrimp Fish Food - - Sample Can 15c Imported Wafer Fish Food Large Sample Box 10c Mail Orders Promptly Attended to Agents for ‘‘ART AQUARIUMS’”’ Special Prices on Quantity Lots. Cash With Order. Catalogue Sent Upon Request. AQUARIUM STOCK CO 273 Greenwich Street :: New York City S000! | sneria, 1 box Ground Shrimp, 1 box sneer Nippon Goldfish Co 1919-21 Bush Street, San Francisco, Cal Importers : and : Dealers Japanese Goldfish and Supplies - Special Combination Offer: 12 Sagittaria natans, 2 Sagittaria gigantica, 6 Valli- Mikado Fishfood. All for $1.00 Postpaid 000000000000 000000008: f ) 15c Box c ee ph ea) SO Oe eet er oy eee eT es oe as a Ee A we See oo ES re ee RT ee & F : F = jc TT li - cs Km A A ae =~ AS na ET ul il a i i ii HL Jacob C. Cassel 915 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pa Manufacturer of AQUARIUMS Aquarium Ornaments Floral Terra Cotta, Etc. Fish Globes Fish Food and all aquarium requisites. Send for Catalog. Goldfish Aquatic Life Vol. IV. March, 1919 No. 7 An international monthly magazine devoted to the study, care and breeding of fishes and other animals and plants in the home aquarium and terrarium. W. A. POYSER.......... AG ASO ooo Oe EDITOR JOSEPH E. BAUSMAN .......... PUBLISHER 542 East Girard Avenue .......... Philadelphia Entered as second-class matter, September 2d, 1915, at the Post Office, Philadelphia, Pa., under Act of March 3d, 1879. 8 Popular and scientific artic’es and notes on sub- jects pertaining to the aquarium and terrarium. and to the habits of fishes in general, are always wanted for “Aquatic LTife.’’ Readers are invited to join in making it a medium of mutual help by contributing to it the results of their studies. The pages are always open to anyone having informa-- 8 tion of interest to the aquarist and student of aquatic biology. Manuscripts. books for review (] and general ‘Correspondence should be addressed to the editor. (] “Aquatic Life”? has the largest circulation of any magazine in the world devoted to aquatic (] nature-study. It offers to advertisers a market that can be reached through no other medium. Rates made known on application. & YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION................ $1.25 FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTIONS............... 1,50 SINGLE COPY............- eee eee eee e eee 15 Payments should be made by money order, draft or registered letter. If local checks are sent, ten cents should be added for collection charges. For- eign remittances should be by international money order, Copyright 1919 by Joseph E. Bausman OOO C00 000 C00 GS G9 GSH] GVHOOOOOO000 000 800 CS CS CS S000 000000600! CODCOD COOO00OS8 GD ED GSE DOOOOSOGOOOOCOSGO >, 44M COOOOOCOOOOO O00 O00000G0C GO000C [e,0'0]e.0.0[0'0,0|0,0.0[0,0,0|0.0.0/0,0'0)0.0.0[0,0'e\0.0.0]e 0 clam=a)> eS ee | Wm. L. Paullin Importer and Breeder of Rare Gold fishes & Cropical Fishes Has Moved To 1119 Folsom Avenue PROSPECT PARK DELAWARE CoO.. PA. 8 § § 8 8 : 8 8 g : 8 8 8 8 8 ; Orders booked for 1919 hatching of Pterophyllum Scalare (ammn|@.0.0|e.0.010 0.00.0. 010.0 0]0 0 010.0 010.000.0010 0 0)0,0 010 0 ol am=n]) © Water Gardening Winter is here, with its cold and discontent. Don’t merely mark time and wish for spring. Make plans now for your outdoor ponds and 8 p p p eee BOOK OF WATER GARDENING ! p 8 » will help you create a picture that | will never- more be ealled (by your neighbors) stagnant pool.’’ The book contains 140 illustrations, more than enough to give you a comprehensive idea of the decorative possibilities of price is $2.65. THE BOOK DEPARTMENT Philadelphia “a durn old water plants. The AQUATIC LIFE #2009 HI INICIO NHOIONI GHG OOO COOCD CD CDN CDHCDOOOOCN CN CHa CSCS S000 Here is a chance to make money ™, _ Write for Proposition Give References — ADDRESS — COVINGTON, KENTUCKY a A Pt FP A FE A A EB A SY Gg, BREEDING THE GOLDFISH DR. FRANK B. HANNA imme es The goldfish is at once the most inter- esting and the most exasperating of the fishes commonly cultivated; the most easily bred and the hardest to develop to the degree of perfection necessary to a place among the winners at a big show. The problem of selection while the fish are quite small, to eliminate the undesir- ables, is really the important feature and, judging from average results, the least practiced. How to breed goldfish is a common question. The answer is that the fish will breed whether you want it to or not, using the term breeding to concern the deposition of eggs, allowance being made for individual barrenness. The control- ling factors, assuming the fish are prop- erly “housed,” are foods and tempera- ture. Spawn will be developed during any part of the year if living foods, such as Daphne and mosquito larve, are pro- vided and the water temperature con- sistently maintained above 60 degrees. Thus sexual activity is not difficult to in- fluence, and this flexibility proves the pit- fall of many. It is not uncommon to hear an aquarist gloating over a spawn in January, thinking an advantage is se- cured over his fellows. Here we wish to emphasize why rearing is more important than mere breeding. The early fry appear when weather conditions are far from favorable, Daphne scarce and the water cool and uncertain in temperature, not to mention its variable condition as to soluble contents due to natural spring thaws. Fry reared under such conditions are outstripped by those hatched three months later. Therefore happy is the > 6 Fe 6 PS BS PS 8 BS SB PB SB SB SP SB BG A A BB BF Rg BG Fg Se 6 Ff Ss Ss et mom er me —— man, and fortunate, who holds back his fish until April at the earliest, even though he possesses a conservatory. For spawning and rearing no recep- tacle excels the common, 24-inch wood or composition washtub. Of course, when a new one is brought into service it must be properly seasoned. Fill with water and furnish a generous mass of Myrio- phyllum, which the writer much prefers Black Telescope Goldfish Original Water Color by Franklin Barrett to water hyacinth All dealers catering to aquarists carry this “spawning grass” during the spring and summer months. Place in the tub a trio of breeding fish, two males to one female being a good general combination, though often one vigorous male will be sufficient, especially if he is the larger of the two. More than two males may be used if much smaller than the female, it being believed that fewer infertile eggs will result. In the parlance of the fancier the pre- nuptial play of the goldfish is called 86 Aquatic Lite “driving.” To the uninitiated one fish seems to be chasing and annoying the other. The pursuer is the male, to be further distinguished, on close examina- tion, by the presence of more or less prominent excrescences (white spots) on the gill-covers and along the first rays of the pectoral fins. The object of his attentions, especially when viewed from above, will appear broader across the back at the rear, one side perhaps more distended than the other, making the fish orgasm by removing and separating the fish should either show signs of exhaus- tion. While it is commonly said that the male assists in the extrusion of the eggs by bringing his body into more or less violent contact with the female, I am in- clined to voice dissent. His movements solely concern the ejection of the sperm and his desire to eject it where it will soonest meet the falling ova. In the ab- sence of a male, a female is well able and does rid herself of ripe ova. Many a Goldfish and Lilies in the Garden of Miss J. L. Cornwall lop-sided, this being due to the unequal development of the roes. When the at- tentions of the male become so constant as to make it appear that the female is being harassed, then spawning may be expected soon. The desired individuals should be placed in the tub previously prepared, if not already transferred be- fore this stage has been reached. The climax is reached during the early hours of the morning, and is usually fin- ished by noon, the period being deter- mined by the size and vigor of the par- ticipants. It is well to terminate the fancier has had this experience with a choice fish, to his sorrow. The eggs are expelled during the spasmodic rushes through the plants and adhere to them. When the action becomes desultory, the fish apparently nearing exhaustion, re- move the sexes to separate tanks to recu- perate. Within about twenty-four hours the unfertilized eggs will be attached by fungus and appear as tiny, white, fuzzy balls. Remove them with forceps, lest the infection spread to the fertile ones. (Continued on Page 96. ) — es cf As in most other countries of the world, all the various forms of terrapins, turtles and tortoises are well represented here in the United States, and when taken as a group of the Vertebrata, these repre- sent the Chelonia of North America. Our tortoises are wholly terrestrial forms and so will not concern us in the present connection (Terepene, the “Wood Ter- rapin,’ and Testudo) ; possibly the large marine species (Sphargis, Thalassoche- lys, and Cheloma) may be referred to further on, while it is my intention, in this series of articles, to devote the space to brief, illustrated descriptions of our turtles and terrapins, as these, at various ages, are kept in aquaria everywhere. Strictly speaking, the true turtles are the big marine species; though in various parts of the country nearly all of the smaller fresh water species are called tur- tles—the edible ones sold in the markets are usually known as terrapins. Fre- quently we find these two vernaculars applied indiscriminately. ‘The name ter- rapin is very generally given to the famous “Diamond-back” (Malacoclem- mys palustris) ; next to it the pond tur- tles of the genus Chrysemys, while the snappers and soft-shell species are almost without exception referred to as turtles. Our largest genus of pond or river turtles is the genus Chrysemys, and it contains quite a long list of species that occur in suitable localities all over North America, the West Indies,-and parts of South America. This great host of forms has been but partly worked up. As they doubtless hybridize in many districts Sm cf | | Observations on the Chelonians | (| of North America. I. | | | | SDR Wy SIMMUUISUOT, CG Wis | ereromrn Ol ae ie Os el where the limitations of range of various species and sub-species are defined, and, further, as shape, size and coloration var- ies immensely within the species and sub- species for every known one of these in the list, the problem of exact identifica- tion is still further complicated by such sexual variations as may be present in the case of any species of the genus. Our eastern form has a distribution over all eastern Northern America, where, among those who have studied these animals, it is known as the Eastern Painted Turtle or Terrapin (C. picta). I have examined and compared a great many hundreds of them, and expect to study others in the future. Typical indi- viduals of this species are not difficult to identify. As we know, the shell of a tur- tle is divided into an arched upper part or carapace, and a lower, ventral, or flat part, called the plastron. ‘These are gen- erally overlaid with shields of various sizes and contours, and in the main they have a pretty definite pattern for any par- ticular species. ‘The outer, terminal row on the border of the carapace are called the marginal scutes, or shields. C. picta rarely exceeds eight inches in length, and its markings usually fade in old age. Don’t sit back and wax envious of the city having an aquarium society—get busy and organize one in your town. In order to be a success, the position of an aquarium is important. Water- plants cannot grow nor can fishes live very long without sunlight, and in this connection the term sunlight much not be confused with sunshine. As most aquariums are placed near a window, direct sunshine, by raising the temperature of the water, robs the latter of its oxygen, and it is conducive to the growth of conferva, which soon coats the tank and plants with green, slimy vege- tation, and the water becomes turbid, and objectionable to the fishes, plants and the owner. A window facing the north is best, but any position will do if the aquarium does not receive direct sunshine. In London and other large towns many houses are constructed with basements and narrow areas. An aquarium under a basement window in such circumstances is usually a real success, particularly when nearly all the sunlight which reaches the tank is more or less “top light” and ap- proaches natural conditions of lighting. An eastern position is by no means bad if care is taken to shade the early morn- ing sunshine in the summer time. Any other aspect requires a little man- agement, and it is highly important that a suitable and effective screen or shade be provided against strong sunshine dur- ing the hottest hours of the day.—Fish- ing Gazette. At the annual meeting of The Aqua- rium Society, New York City, the fol- lowing officers were elected for the cur- rent year: President, Richard Dorn; Vice President, Henry Kissel, Jr.; Treasurer, Je >Re Wowelss Secretara ns Co eB esuGiie Assistant Secretary, William Pelzer; Librarian, William Pukall; Assistant Librarian, J. T. Dye—C. B. Rusu, Secretary. jy— as Pe a 1m em mes Sts | | ! a mm mm mes a 6 PR 6 Ft Pi 6 Apistogramma A gassizi Sa 6 Pa 6B 6B 6 ST 6 Bs Fs Bs BE Bs Bs Bs BG Fs FS Fg Fd Se C. J. HEEDE om ee mes i mm mes SR 6 Fs FS Bs FS Fs FS Bd Fs a Os mmf Apistogramma agassizi a 6 FS Fs FS Bs Sg Ft 6 Bs Fs Bs Fs Ss Fs ss es < The Amazon a 6B 6 5 6 Bs 8 FB Fs Fn Ft 6s pS SB 6 8 FF FS SBS FF SF SS 6 SS Ss HG BS PS 6 Bs Bs BS 8 Os BF yl In South America the cichlids, in untold numbers of species, are analogous to the sunfishes of the northern continent and in general surpass them in those features dear to the aquarist—interesting breeding habits and attractive colors. Not the least is Apistogramma agassizi (syn. Heterogramma agassizt) of the Amazon. Here is a gorgeously colored fish which possesses the added attractions of small size (about 2 inches) and the character- istic breeding habits of the family. With any species of fish it is of prime importance to the aquarist to know the distinguishing features of the sexes. In this connection our subject is eminently satisfactory. The male averages larger than his consort, is much more brightly colored and, above all, bears a tail fin differing in contour. The central rays are prolonged after the manner of Polya- canthus cupanus, whereas in the female the rays are alike in length, giving the fin an unbroken outline. The color pattern is quite complex, and is persistent and not merely donned dur- ing the nuptial season. From the head to the tip of the caudal rays runs a black- brown stripe. Posteriorly this is bor- dered by scales of bright blue, while for- ward and above appears yellow. From the eyes extend lines of blue. The black is dark violet and the abdomen light rose. The dorsal fin is violet and bluish white 92 Aquatic Lite with a dark seam; spinous rays yellow with web bright red; rear or soft por- tion, spotted; anal similar. The ventrals are light blue, the first ray orange. The female is less prominently marked, with a yellow cast over all. In breeding habits the species of Apts- togramma do not differ from others of the family observed in the aquarium. The eggs will be deposited on a smooth stone, or on a flower pot if one is provided, and assiduously guarded and kept free from silt until hatched. When the babies appear they are moved into a nest, a mere hole in the sandy bottom, being carried in the mouths of the parents, this moving process being repeated at intervals. When about ten days old the young will be swimming free, clustered in a school, and still under the watchful care of the adults. In another ten days it will be well to remove them to another tank. The spawning tank should be well pro- vided with infusoria, as also the tank to which they are removed for rearing. The smallest Daphne, separated from the larger by sifting, or rotifers if obtainable, should follow when the fry attain the size necessary to master these larger foods. Finely ground artificial food may also be used. Larger fish may be given enchy- treids (white worms). For the welfare of Apistogramma it should have an old established aquarium, with clear water and a temperature from 75 to 80 degrees. Plant life will not be disturbed by the fish, even during nesting operations, so a luxuriant growth should be present. The related species, A. corumbae, pleu- rotaenia and pertense, are similar in habits and require the same treatment. The Water Fleas C. H. TOMPKINS There are many water fleas, the species being widely distributed over the world. Some will be found in almost any ditch or pond, no matter how shallow, and with little regard for purity of the water. The true water-flea (Daphnia) is oval in ap- pearance and may be distinguished by the two arm-like swimming organs (the an- tenne) with which it jerks itself along. The rest of the limbs and the whole body are enclosed in a saddle-shaped, bivalved shell; the legs bear the gills. Daphnia is so transparent that by the aid of a micro- scope all the internal organs and the action of the heart may be seen. The eggs are laid and pass into a brood pouch situated between the back and the shell. The species are remarkably prolific, re- producing their kind in remarkable num- bers. During the spring and summer months, in stagnant pools free from fishes, they become so numerous as to color the water reddish-brown. Such a situation is sure to be the mecca of local aquarists. With gatherings of water-fleas one often takes Cyclops. This averages much smaller and has a segmented, pear-shaped body, with two pairs of long antenne and five pairs of swimming legs. While constant motion characterizes the true water-fleas, Cyclops spends much of the time at rest. On the front of the head is a single central eye, from which its name is derived. The females may generally be seen carrying two comparatively large bags of eggs. The young differ from the adult form, and are known as “nauplius” larvee. Crawling and swimming about near the bottom of pools one often meets the com- mon ostracod, Cypris. These are little brownish or greenish animals, more fond of running about on the mud than Daph- ma, and when swimming the motion is steady and direct, not jerky. The body is enclosed in a bivalved shell, between the valves of which some appendages may be partially extended when the animal is in motion. There are seven pairs of limbs, but only the last two pairs are used as legs. The antennz. are used for swim- ming. Cypris is not much relished by fishes, but at least does do harm. The reproduction of fishes in general may be carried out in one of two ways: 1. By the production of living young. 2. By means of eggs. Those species which produce living young (and which are, consequently, called viviparous), are in the minority, and are principally confined to the Elas- mobranchs (sharks, rays, etc.) At the same time there are many viviparous CONPRPSRIHE cS Lebistes reticulatus Teleosteans or “bony-fishes.” Some of these produce young which are fully de- veled and practically exact counterparts of the parent fish. This condition of things reaches its greatest development, perhaps in the Embiotocidae, a family of fishes inhabiting the waters of California and Japan. They are small or moderate- sized fishes, chiefly marine, though one species has been taken from fresh waters. At birth the young are relatively large and similar in form to the adult fish. Most of the species of these Embiotocids DAVIDIGSSMEAD Els S: ap ! Viviparous Fishes - in - General ) | Naturalist to Board of Fisheries, ING Sh WY. / Pa 6 BS Pa Ps be 6 Bs ee td ee ee are to be found in the vicinity of the surf on sea beaches, from which habit they are often known as “surf-fishes.” Another family of teleosteans that must be mentioned as containing many viviparous species is that of the Poeci- ludae, known in America as “killifishes.” The species of this family are usually of small size, inhabit fresh waters and prin- cipally abound in America. Some are egg-producing, or oviparous, while others, as pointed out, are viviparous. In the Oviparous species the males and females are very nearly alike, both in point of size and in color, but in many of the vivi- parous forms there is a great difference between the sexes. ‘This shows itself particularly in the form of the body which, in the male, is only about half the length of that of the female, and in which also the anal fin is placed far forward. It will be of interest here to note that these viviparous killifishes include amongst their number those highly re- markable forms known as the “four-eyed fishes” (Anableps), which inhabit Cen- tral America. In these the integuments of each eye are divided into an upper and lower portion by a dark-colored trans- verse band, the pupil becoming incom- pletely divided into separate lobes. These “four-eyed” fishes swim at the surface of the water, with the upper half of the eye (which projects above the upper sur- face of the head) out of the water, this enabling them to clearly distinguish ob- jects, both above and below the water, at the same time. Other families of teleostean fishes 94 Aquatic Lite which contain amongst their numbers cer- tain viviparous forms are the Scorpae- nidae—a familiar member of which 1s the common Red Rock cod, Scorpaena cruenta, though itself not viviparous— and the Scombresocidae or Garfishes. In the latter the viviparous members are restricted to fresh water. The family of Blennies (Blenniidae) also contributes its quota to the fishes showing viviparity, and a number of remarkable instances have been at times brought forward. As far as our present knowledge car- ries us, viviparous forms of fish life do Limia ornata not appear to be abundant in the waters of Australia, but at the same time there are some rather striking examples, prom- inent among which are the “Crested Weed-fishes” of the genus Cristiceps. These are usually rock-frequenting fishes of a conformation and color to suit their weedy surroundings. The young are very small at birth. A highly interesting viviparous fish 1s that known as Comephorus. It occurs in the great depths of Lake Baikal, and is remarkable because of the fact that it dies after having given birth to its young. This fish, like many bathybial forms, is practically colorless, and is provided with very large eyes. ‘The skeleton, also, is very thin and papery. Amongst viviparous teleostean fishes inhabiting great ocean depths should be mentioned the curious forms known under the generic names of Saccogaster, Diplacanthopoma and Hephthocara, the last two of which have been taken in the Indian Ocean at a depth of about 1000 fathoms. In another member of the same family, known as Cataetyx messieri, a most remarkable state of affairs has recently been disclosed by Dr. Gilchrist, Marine Biologist at the Cape of Good Hope. The fish referred to, which is a native of the deep seas in the neighbor- hood of South Africa, produces well de- veloped young which are most pro- nounced cannibals, eating each other while still unborn. Though this reads like a fairy story, it is founded on very positive, indisputable evidence. All of these, here mentioned, are closely allied to the family Ophidudae, of which our Australian Rockling (Genypterus bla- codes) is a familiar member. We are not yet acquainted with the mode of repro- duction of the latter. As I before mentioned, most of the sharks and rays are viviparous. Amongst familiar instances of species which occur on the New South Wales coast may be mentioned the large predaceous sharks, such as the “Grey Nurse” (Odontaspis taurus), the “Tiger” (Galeocerdo ray- mert), and the “whaler” (Carcharias brachyurus). These produce relatively large, well-developed young. ‘The vari- ous Sting-lays (Dasyatis) also may be cited as belonging to this group. In regard to the fecundity of vivipar- ous fishes, it may be taken as a rule that they produce comparatively few within one breeding season as compared with the bulk of the oviparous species. But then, as will readily be seen, the risk of de- struction is more and more lessened, in accordance with the degree of advance- ment reached by the embryo, before birth (Concluded on Page 98.) a a Ph Ps FR A fs i Fe BREEDING THE STRIPED GOURAMI D. A. SIMPSON ! FS PL 5 PE 6 BT BG 9 SB SB SB BS BS BS BS BS SB a BG Bh Bt FB GB 6 Bf Bf Bf SF The striped gourami, a shy member of the Labyrinthici from India, is a particu- larly beautiful fish. Larger than its brother, the dwarf gourami, it is equally interesting and pretty, though not so in- tensely colored. A nature aquarium- grown specimen is about three inches long, though in the wild state it reaches a length of five inches. The male is more brilliant in color than the female, and has the characteristic pointed dorsal fin. His “feelers,” the very much elongated ventral fins, show a more decided orange than his mate, while the pale, vertical fins are bordered by dark reddish orange. The body exhibits vertical bluish stripes on a grayish silver background. To breed this fish successfully you must have a fairly large aquarium, one 30 by 15 by 10 inches being a nice size. The tank should be allowed to stand for a long time without fishes, over winter if possible, to promote a good growth of algze and abundant infusoria for the pros- pective young. Provide a goodly number of plants, not forgetting the small floating species, which are used in the construc- tion of the nest. The water should be clear and old, and about five inches deep. After the familiar bubble nest has been built, the male coaxes the female beneath it, and there fertilization takes place with the characteristic entwining of bodies. After the eggs have been extruded from the female in this manner, fertilized and placed in the nest by the male, he drives her from the vicinity, sometimes killing her in his frenzied zeal to guard the spawn from harm. It is best to remove po —ome a a es the female immediately after the spawn- ing process, though if the tank is large enough she may not be harmed, provided, of course, she does not interfere. Incubation generally takes from 36 to 72 hours, depending on the temperature of the water. During the time preceding, Striped Gourami Trichogaster fasciatus and for about three days after hatching, at which time the youngsters begin to leave it, the industrious male guards the nest, replacing the eggs should they fall, adding more bubbles when needed, and returning the fry to the nest in his mouth should they attempt to depart prema- turely. When the fry begin to leave the nest in numbers, the male should be removed. His usefulness is then at an end and, with the usual cannibalistic tendencies, he will proceed to devour the young. In no case should the young be removed from the tank in which they were hatched until they are plainly recognizable as young of the species, at which time they are gen- erally about one-fourth of an inch long. 96 Aquatic Lite Breeding the Goldfish (Continued from Page 86.) The good eggs are somewhat transparent, with a slight tinge of yellow, and are very evident to the naked eye. hatching is governed by the temperature of the water; at 70 to 75 degrees the fry may be expected in 5 or 6 days. Daily examinations with a compound micro- scope will be both interesting and instruc- tive. Cool water during incubation, with slow development of the embryo, and high temperature and rapid development, are equally undesirable. hie wnnstetoodmor ithe trys aiter the absorption of the yolk-sac, consists of the minute forms of animal life collectively called infusoria by the aquarist, though other forms are taken, including the roti- fers, a higher group of animals. These organisms are present in all water, but not ordinarily in sufficient numbers to meet the needs of our ravenous fry, as we may have from several hundred to several thousand. To this end several tubs should have been previously pre- pared—about two to three weeks. Any method by which water is made stagnant will answer. A little sheep manure, a wisp of hay and a handful of dried leaves of water plants or lettuce, placed in the tub of water will cause a condition favorable to the rapid development of infusoria. Preparations are now sold for this purpose, which need only be added to the water. The “infusoria tub’ should be kept with that containing fry, that the temperature of both may be alike. When the fry are three to four days old, de- pending upon the degree to which the yolk-sac has been absorbed, remove sev- eral quarts of water from the tub and replace with an equal quantity of “‘infu- soria water.” This can be made a mere exchange, and should be repeated daily until the fry reach a size sufficient to The time of ~ warrant supplying the tiniest Daphne. Meanwhile, powdered shrimp and _ pre- pared foods, ground to the fineness of flour, may be used sparingly. Spread a pinch on a piece of cardboard with a knife blade, incline the card and a whiff of the breath will distribute the powder evenly over the surface of the water. If sprinkled from the fingers it will invar- iably fall in clusters, and the tendency will be to use too much. The yolk of a 30-minute boiled egg, diluted with water to the consistency of cream, can also be used. This is best squeezed through a cheesecloth bag, to eliminate lumps. This is more apt to pollute the water than the prepared food or shrimp. In stagnant ponds it 1s sometimes pos- sible to collect rotifers in quantity, skim- ming them from the surface, where they may collect in such numbers as to give the water a decided reddish color. These shculd follow the infusoria. Change to Daphne as soon as the young are able to take the smallest, and from this point on use it persistently as long as obtainable. To rear fine fish the aquarist must be absolutely ruthless. Just as soon as the fish reach a size sufficient to permit the detection of single-tails and cripples— spiked dorsals, twisted tails and all mal- formations—destroy them. They con- sume valuable food and occupy the even more valuable water space to the detri- ment (of the) better specimens ys limetne parents are transparent-scaled, also elimi- nate all opaque-scaled young, unless you have bred from a combination designed to produce some black telescopes. In sorting give preference to dark colored youngsters, though others light in color may later develop attractive hues and markings. In thus proceeding the be- ginner will undoubtedly throw away some good fish, but until the knowledge in this connection that only experience and study can give is acquired, this cannot be pre- vented. In other words, the beginner should retain only those which seem de- sirable to him. ‘The fewer the fish re- tained for rearing, the better they will be individually, in point of size and vigor. In the process of eliminating the “unfit” the survivors enjoy more room, and the more room you give them, coupled with proper food, the faster they will grow, and we all lke good big fish—any one “Spread ’em out” is the You may have can raise runts. slogan of the successful. a hundred fish an inch long, body in- cluded, in the tub described, but when the body alone is this length, let the number be half or less. This presupposes that the tub has a water connection and over- flow pipe, and that a trickle, perhaps the Giameter Oia Soda) Stra wee nlns amtomit This is" the method, and is in a great measure re- continually. prevailing sponsible for the great size attained in a few months by fishes so treated. Such rearing tanks contain no plants, and are kept rather scrupulously clear and free from sediment and dead, unconsumed Daphne by frequent syphoning. If the old still water method is followed, plants in pots should be used and more water allowed per fish. It may seem heartless to advocate a radical destruction of imperfect fish, but only by so doing can really desirable specimens be reared. Most fanciers have a sufficient number of breeding fish to provide them with ten times as many fry as they can handle to an age of a few weeks. This is an advantage. The best practice is to handle a great many spawns and to early get rid of all but the best. The percentage of good fish varies. Some- times it may run high, and again be not more than one in five hundred. ‘The others grade from good to those “not worth a plugged nickel.” Aquatic Lite 97 In rearing goldfish a lily pond of “home size” can be used to an advantage, not to mention it as a beautiful feature of the garden. It is possible to raise a few youngsters by merely placing therein the breeding adults, but this is the waste- ful way, as but a small percentage will survive. Better results are obtained by spawning the fish in tubs and later plac- ing the well-grown young in the pond. Such fish grow surprisingly fast, even if the food question is left to nature. The disadvantage of the pond lies in its lux- uriant growth of plants, which conceal the bottom and render the detection of enemies very difficult. A few dragonfly larve will work havoc, not to mention numerous other insects. ‘The larger the young when placed in the pond the better the chances of survival, though quite large fish may be attached. But all in all the pond is well worth while, especially as our interest may not entirely be cen- tered in the fish. Moral: fish. To raise good fish, raise few —@__ To get proper food and oxygen; to find or construct a proper place to dwell: to arrange for the production and growth of the young; to protect one’s self and one’s progeny from enemies and from the forces of nature—these, and the activities growing out of them, form the groundwork of life in the lowest as well as the highest creatures —H. S. Jennings. Epi ves lee ee dither: = Some tolks) are fond of raising “Cain ;” others prefer the quiet pastime of raising fishes. ——— Inclinations Love making, even among fishes, may not be “real work,” but surely it can’t be classed with non-essential occupations.” —— Never cry over spilled milk. is enough water in it already. There 98 Aquatic Lite Viviparous Fishes (Concluded from Page 94. ) or liberation from the egg. (Similarly, the production of large eggs carries with it fewer numbers, and generally an ad- vanced state of development of the ambryo, the latter being usually more and more like the parents as the eggs are larger. From relatively tiny eggs, such as the majority of pelagic ones, are hatched highly undeveloped larval fishes, totally unlike the species which produce them. )—Abstract from a paper read be- fore the New South Wales Naturalists’ Club. (The familiar “guppy,” Lebistes retic- ulatus, one of the killifishes, presents the best known example of sex dimorphism—- dissimilarity of sexes—among fishes.— Editor.) a The common or popular names of these fishes are even more mixed up and poorly applied than usual. Cynoscion nobilis, the “sea bass,” is not a bass, and Sert- phus, sometimes called the herring, does not even remotely resemble the herring. The young “sea bass” is known as “sea trout.” No possible stretch of the imag- ination could make it suggest a trout, and, having wrongly called its parent a bass, to eall it a trout is a very good commentary on how loosely common names are used. Genyonemus, the fish that is usually known as the kingfish, is sometimes called “tomcod” on the southern Cali- fornia coast. It resembles a tomcod as little as Seriphus, the queenfish, resem- bles a herring. When Genyonemus, the kingfish, is called “tomcod” the name kingfish is transferred to Seriphus, the queenfish, or white croaker. Cynoscion parvipinnis, a close relative of the “sea bass,” is sometimes called “bluefish,” though it has nothing whatever in com- mon with the famous bluefish of the At- lantic. ‘The names croaker, roncador, and corvina are not at all consistently applied, but are shuffled back and forth between various of these fishes. Hence in the use of vernacular names among these or any other fishes the reader is again cautioned that there is no constancy nor rule for their applica- tion, and he can only be sure of defi- nitely indicating a given fish by using its scientific name. Though such names will probably never be used by people at large, and certainly not by unlettered fish- ermen, the scientific name is nevertheless the one true name for a species, and a name that will be recognized by scientific men in all countries the world over.— Edwin Chapin Starks in “California Fish and Game.’ ——— There is a type of fish fancier who derives more pleasure from pulling down than in building up; in saying the unkind thing, rather than the kind; the sort of a man who goes gladly forty miles out of his way if he thinks he can “put one over.” It takes a peculiar mental con- struction to gloat in “knocking”—a sort of self-hypnosis, which makes the knocker think he is doing himself good by doing another fellow harm. The knocker believes that others take his story at its iace value. But note the consistent knocker. He is seldom a_ successful When he gets a fish he can’t hold it; when he has a friend, he loses him. He has to buy for cash, for the knocker has no credit. Nobody trusts him, nobody believes him. The knocker does a lot of harm, but in the long run it is only to himself. aquarist. The man who knocks is always among the down-and- outs, the has-beens, the never-to-bes. The successful aquarist ignores the knocker. He is too busy studying his fishes. The discreet man, if he can’t say a good word, says nothing! CoCo C— , ODDDDODODOOCOCO COO C00 OG000U 000 G00 000000 c—' 000 The RYUKIN 3 (] a or JAPANESE FRINGETAIL 8 Goldfishes | Blacks :: Blues :: and Vari-hues : O00 8 : 8 [freee E HAVE an especially fine lot 8 iy if of large and very large fish of 3 ; } this variety suitable for use as 8 AAS EAR! Breeders, or for display in : pools or large aquaria. Write : : None for sale at present! us for prices. Retail or in quantity GEORGE A. SCHENK SUNDOWN FISH HATCHERY Misuse Ven Coachella, California O00 CH #2000 > 000 cS cco Sj cc0cD C000 C————)000C>000c——D 000 000— 000) <—9000 SS FRESH WATER BIOLOGY By HENRY B. WARD and GEORGE C. WHIPPLE WITH THE COLLABORATION OF 25 DISTINGUISHED SPECIALISTS All interested 1n aquatic biology will find here answers to their queries on methods of study, conditions of existence, types of life, and inter-relations of the organisms that inhabit our fresh-water bodies, together with data on their life histories, habits and range. This work is the first complete and accurate record of North Amer- ican aquatic life, especially the micro-organisms ; among both plants and animals excluding the vertebrates, higher plants and bacteria, every form is described that has been reported from a fresh-water body on this continent. A comprehensive general discussion of each group precedes the description of individual forms, which are arranged under a key to permit of rapid and accurate determination of the genera and species. Nearly every form is illustrated, and its diagnostic features are pointed out. Biological data on its habits, frequence and distribution are also elven, Fresh-Water Biology is a big book of 1111 pages, with 1547 illus- trations.. Price, $6.00, plus postage on four pounds. AQUATIC LIFE, 542 E. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. eee ee O00 M5000 C900 cS 70°C) SS) CCOC——>70°08c— 000 SS AQUATIC MICROSCOPY ( JAPANESE GOLDFISH By DR. ALFRED C. STOKES |] By DR. HUGH M. SMITH A splendid, not too technical hand- A guide to the methods of breeding fancy goldfish practiced in Japan. The result of the personal investigations of the author. Ten breeds are illus- trated in color, with numerous text cuts; 112 pages. book of the lower organisms for the ll inquiring aquarist who dislikes to be ( nonplused by scientific verbiage. 324 ( i 300000000 {CS pages, with 198 illustrations. Sa) SS SS SS $2.25, plus postage on 2 pounds. $2.00, plus postage on 2 pounds. Address Aquatic Life = 300900000 C> ———— — a | | Address Aquatic Life a ie C9 C5 CSCS C00 600 —D CCS OO iC C59 C9000 500000000 Cae ir 8 : § 8 8 8 8 [Jlee Them at C. C. VOWINKEL 5109 Catherine Street [Ft Excellent Conformation oo (i Color Cannot Be Beat low Their Quality in Finnage Laljave Blues, Blacks and Calicos E very Fancier Should Look Them Over ISDOOOCO COCO 000 CMS 000 000000000 Philadelphia, Pa COO DODO COO COO00O0C——DB00C00000 600000 Le =) (oe ele 0 ele cele o clammmle colo cele e elec momma (Seo. Aquattc Ltte Vol. II soe Vol. Ill $2.25 each, postage paid many illustrations. Substantial cloth binding, with title page and complete index. (Stock of Volume II is small.) WANTED: One hundred Volume I, loose or bound. copies of Can use : 8 8 8 Volumes average 165 pages and as ( : 8 8 8 single issues. Address publisher. coon! SELL OR EXCHANGE exchange for lion-heads or other fancy goldfish. Vallisneria, 5c. Japanese Medakas at $4 to $6 per dozen. Will red snails, broad-tail te escopes. to 20c. per plant. ALBERT FUCHS :: 803 Sheridan Road Chicago, III. Important ! With the number for January, 1919, the subscription price of Aquatic Life advanced to $1.25. Single copies, fifteen cents. JosEPH EF. BAUSMAN, Publisher. LIVE FOOD IS THE BEST S. | 8 : ; | Fishes thrive and grow on Enchytraeids, the little white worms. Generous box by mail, 50 cents. Full directions given for propagating them. W. BURGESS, 3424 Hurley Street PHILADELPHIA MS 000000000000 GDC 000000000000 C—— Che Mature Studp Review i OFFICIAL JOURNAL AMERICAN NATURE-STUDY SOCIETY The numbers for the coming school year will be filled with special articles from practical teachers dealing with actual works, methods and ( suggestions for school gardening, elementary 8 fy agriculture and nature-study. $1.00 per year. 15c. per copy. Add for Canadian Postage 10 cents. Foreign Postage, 20 cents. With Aquatie Life, one year, $1.50. ITHACA, N. Y. O00 000CCOC00 CDC 000000000000 C—— HUGO C. NELLES DEALER & BREEDER OF TROPICAL FISHES Are you looking for first-class stock at reasonable prices? Then see me. I have what you want. Manufacturer of the ‘‘Faultless Fish Food,”’ 20 cents per box; per pound, $2.50. 1805 Third avenue, New York city (76th Street Station, 3d Avenue L; 77th Street Station, Lexington Ave- nue Subway). No store. If Your Fish Are Not Doing Well. -Try ENCHYTRAEIDS - White Worms the natural and best food for goldfish, barring none. Package 50 cents (cash or check), with instructions for rais- ing a constant supply. PAUL MARQUARDT, 829 Teutonia Avenue, Milwaukee, Wis Thousands of fanciers use Yogi Fish- food and Magic Intusoria. They say there is nothing like it. If you have never used them, send for free booklet and see what leading breeders think of them. Ask your dealer for Yogi and Magic or send direct. Yogi 15c box; by mail 17c. Magic 50c Postpaid Robert J. Schaeffer 1818 Frankford Avenue _‘ Phila., Pa A COMBINATION OF INGREDIENTS WHICH WILL PRODUCE A VARIETY OF HARMLLSS, NOM SHELL INFUSORIA. SG a as 1818 FRANKFORD AVE, SoG PHILA..YPA. “A” Fine Brosdall Telescopes BLACK and CALICO Correspondence Solicited GEORGE, Wilk, 1519 N= o2dmsticet, PHILADELPHIA HENRY KISSEL, JR. Breeder & Fancier of Broadtail Telescopes Tropieal Fishes, Plants and Snails. Booking or- ders now for spawn and fry. Telephone, 461 Cliff: ~ Breeder of Fancy Broadtail Telescopes and Japs Mack’s Su- Baby Healthy stock at reasonable prices. perior Fish Food (best by test), 15 cents. food, 20 cents. Wholesale to dealers. Plants, snails and aquaria. 3reeder of Pomeranian and Pekingese dogs. Appointments by mail. PS16 Street, Jasper Philade!phin. EVERYTHING IS FISH THAT COMES i te TO THE NET OF A NATURALIST Don’t paddle in the water with one hand and be blind with both eyes. In other words, “keep your eyes open’”’ for all nature. Our Magazine | 8 Che Guide to Mature | Will Help You : l It is edited by EDWARD F. BIGELOW, who fishes in the heavens and earth, as well as the waters under the earth. 000 C—=Sc00 cS 000 Four months’ trial, 25c. One year, $1.00. THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION ArcAdiA Sound Beach Connecticut aaa Se OOO S. SILVER Fancier and Breeder of Tropical Fishes Splendid healthy stock at reasonable prices. Haplochilus cameronensis, Betta rubra, etc. All kinds of live-bearing fishes. 235 East 11th Street NEW YORK CITY (Between 2d and 3d avenues) WHITE WORMS—Enchytraeus The ideal living fish food. Can be raised indoors the year round. Portion, 50c.; add postage on one pound. (Send cash or money order only— no checks). Full directions given for breeding this worm. CHARLES E. JENNE, 1577 Paterson Plank Road Secaucus, New Jersey I am now booking orders for early ship- ment. $6.00 per dozen, including can. Money order must accompany all re- quests (not less than one dozen sold). Shipments by express at purchaser’s risk. GEORGE W. PRICE, 2145 South Lee Street, Chaetodons Philadelphia Wanted Pantodon buchholzi (Butterfly Fish) and Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum. Address Aquatic Life ES Ieee of Young Veiltail Telescopes from the Finest Stock in America. | $2.50. per Dozen | $15.00 per Hundred ll In Mixed Colors, Blues, : oR Blacks Calicos, Etc. Franklin Barrett Wyoming Avenue & C. Street, Phila., Pa 0c Extra for Shipping Can Cash With Order Pl iol UNI ae qT HE BE S T B O O K THE AQUARIU SUBJECTS is “‘Goldfish Varieties & Tropical i, Aquarium Fishes’’, byWm.T: Innes, y i) former President of the Aquarium qi | Society of Phila.; 250 pages, 195 Pain illusteations. Tells all about the ref 4 Ne = fancy varieties of the Goldfish and nearly 300 tropicals ; how to breed them, etc., ete. For the beginner on (ha advanced) expert. ~ A complete, practical, handsome book, sent postpaid anywhere for $3.00. « Enlarged edition now ready. INNES & SONS - 133 N. 12th St. - Phila., Pa. Charles E. Visel Broad-tail Telescopes and Japs Blacks, Blues and Parti-colors 215 PutNaAM AVENUE, Brooktyn, N. Y. %2000000C > 000C———5000000=——> 000 000000+¥ Mollienisia latipinna We have an extra fine stock of this most de- sirable Southern aquarium fish, bred in small tanks, and thoroughly domesticated. While a “live-bearer,’’ it wil! stand a temperature of 32 degrees. We ship this species during winter months only. Extra Large, $4 Dozen $20 Hundred Medium, $3 Dozen $15 Hundred 10 Kinds of Aquarium Plants $1 Postpaid CRESCENT FISH FARM 1624 Mandeville Street, New Orleans, La ue oes ee w= 8 9000900 === 0005000000 ad “AQUARIA FISH” ie 8 * practical work on care and breeding of fish i the aquarium, greenhouse ao outdoor ponds. Finely illustrated. Everyone interested in keeping, fish should send |} for a copy of this book. Price $1.00. Tappan’s Natural Fish Food. Three boxes, post- 8 paid, 25c. Guinea Pigs and Thoroughbred Collie Pups, beau- tifully marked. Write for prices. F. L. TAPPAN Route 2, Hopkins, Minn. soe FMichaelsen BHrog GOLDFISH BREEDERS FLORISTS 58th and Walnut Streets 110 South 52nd Street Philadelphia Aquarium Fishes : All Kinds of Aquatic Plants Aquaria & Supplies Wholesale and Retail HARRY P. PETERS 1210 N. Warnock Street, Philadelphia, Pa. BREEDER AND IMPORTER Rare and Fancy Fish Plants of every variety, Snails and Aquarium Supplies of all kinds at all times. MANUFACTURER OF Green River Fish Food | 15c Box Green River Baby Fish Food 20c Box A GOOD FISH FOOD is one of the most essential things necessary to keep fish in good health. After the test of years Green River stands out as the best food on the market. It keeps the fish in good color by pro- moting a healthy, robust growth. It will not sour ot cloud the water. Ask Vee oa ee dealer or send for it today. ) ee ERMAN RABENAU, Aquarist H PERMANENT DISPLAY OF Aquatic Life & Terraria must be seen to be appreciated Visitors Welcome Plants and Tropical Fish a Specialty Importations of New Varieties received regularly 1163 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y. Near Broadway. OOOSCOC0O lo ele ae] Young Veiltails, All Colors $5.00 Dozen Up BREEDERS—Largest Assortment of Blues, Blacks and Calico Telescopes and Japs at Reasonable Prices. 50c. lee! Shipping Cans, Fine Assortment of Lionheads HARRY P. PETERS, 1210 North Warnock St., Phila., Pa. OCC 000 CS 000 MSCS 000000000: GOLDFISH, FOODS, PLANTS, DIP NETS Combination Natural Fish Food - Sample Box 10c Imported Shrimp Fish Food - - Sample Can 15c Imported Wafer Fish Food Large Sample Box 10c Mail Orders Promptly Attended to Agents for ‘“‘ART AQUARIUMS’’ Special Prices on Quantity Lots. Cash With Order. Catalogue Sent Upon Request. AQUARIUM STOCK CO 273 Greenwich Street :: New York city | 000 C000 C000 S000: 8 | | I Nippon Goldfish Co IOCOCCO CSCO T000000000800 TM SaG00000000' 1919-21 Bush Street, San Francisco, Cal Importers : and : Dealers Japanese Goldfish and Supplies Special Combination Offer: 12 Sagittaria natans, 2 Sagittaria gigantica, 6 Valli- sneria, 1 box Ground Shrimp, 1 box Mikado Fishfood All for $1.00 Postpaid [o © olammlo 0 0 0 0 010 0 ce 0 clam 20 eo ce oo] OOOT 000000000000 TTT ae ch i Mt ee Jacob C. Casson 915 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pa Manufacturer of AQUARIUMS. Aquarium Ornaments Floral Terra Cotta, Etc. Goldfish Fish Globes Fish Food -and all aquarium requisites. Send for Catalog. Y2CODCODODNDSOSS9 GF GDC 800000800000008 Aquatic Life Vol. IV. ‘April, 1919 An international monthly magazine devoted to the study, care and breeding of fishes and other animals and plants in the home aquarium and - terrarium. No. 8 W. A. POYSER.......... AOD Rae Apion EDITOR JOSEPH E, BAUSMAN .......... PUBLISHER - 542 East Girard Avenue Philadelphia Entered as second-class matter, September 24d, 1915, at the Post Office, Philadelphia, Pa., under Act of March 3d, 1879. ; j : 8 8 : | I | cee Popular and scientific articles and notes on sub- 8 8 8 8 | ! | g : 8 jects pertaining to the aquarium and terrarium. wanted for ‘‘Aquatic Life.’’? Readers are invited to join in making it a medium of mutual help by contributing to it the results of their studies. The pages are always open to anyone having informa- tion of interest to the aquarist and student of aquatie biology. Manuscripts, books for review and general correspondence should be addressed to the editor. : “Aquatic Life’? has the largest circulation of any magazine in the world devoted to aquatic nature-study. It offers to advertisers a market that can be reached through no other medium. Rates made known on application. YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION.............--- $1.25 FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTIONS............ WE SINGLE COPY..........see eee e eee eee eeee .15 Payments should be made by money order, draft or registered letter. If local checks are sent, ten cents should be added for collection charges. For- eign remittances should be by international money order, 4 Copyright 1919 by Joseph E. Bausman (] Wm. L. Paullin Importer and Breeder of Rare 8 Croptcal Fishes CE Has Moved To 1119 Folsom Avenue PROSPECT PARK DELAWARE CO., PA. Orders booked for 1919 hatching of Pterophyllum Scalare : : : § p ! ! 8 : and to the habits of fishes in general, are always 8 p ) p * a Water Gardening Winter is but a memory (wasn’t so bad, either) and the gladsome warmth of Spring is here. Now is the time for preliminary work on your outdoor ponds and tanks. p ) THE BOOK OF WATER GARDENING 8 p p | ) 8 will help you create a picture that will never- more be called (by your neighbors) ‘‘a durn old stagnant pool.’’ The book contains 140 illustrations, more than enough to give you a comprehensive idea of the plants. The decorative possibilities of water price is $2.65. THE BOOK DEPARTMENT Philadelphia AQUATIC LIFE Moo 000 9 9 HOE ee ge000 C99 C99 CHOCO OOO SC 8 : 8 Gold fishes & 8 8 C0OC DC CCH MHOC 000 CDI HS DNIOD DOO SF SNAILS An assortment of 100 snails, with a sprinkling of ‘‘reds,’’ delivered to any part of the U. S,, all charges prepaid, for $1.75. Stock moving briskly —get your order in at once, ‘The PEARL PRODUCTS CO 236 Park Street, Benton Harbor Michigan 000 CSCS CSCC 000000 CaaS IS 0900 CN C000 : 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 | 8 8 : p p ! ) 8 p f ) p § é bs ‘ : Uo ee wip Va eee ag fe ae RY RON EE Te pan c 4 q I A I A I tI te tm tcf The SURINAM TOAD ( | RICHARD DECKERT | New York Zoological Society) » SP 6 FS FS As BS fF SP GP SP 6 PS BS SF SF FR ES PS BS Bt Sg PR Ba Sa Fs Se 4 Pt Fe Bt The Surinam Toad, Pipa americana, belongs in the sub-order Aglossa (mean- ing without tongue), of the order Salien- tia, the frog-like amphibians. It is a large aquatic toad, living in the creeks and back-waters of rivers and in the larger ponds, in the forests of the Guianas, Ven- ezuela and, as rediscovered by R. R. Mole, on Trinidad, off the Venezuelan coast. In spite of its ungainly shape the Surinam toad is a powerful swimmer, moving along in its native element with slow strokes like the measured wing- beats of a gull, and covering as much as three feet with two strokes of its im- mensely webbed feet. In captivity it is fairly hardy, provided the aquarium is large, the temperature maintained at 70 to 80 degrees, and food offered freely. According to Mr. Mole, the latter should consist of small frogs, preferably newly metamorphosed Leopard frogs (Rana pipiens), Pond frogs (R. clamitans) and Bull frogs (R. catesbiana). With the writer it refuses all small fishes, worms and insects, though Sclater and Bartlett, of the London Zoological Gardens, were successful in inducing it to take these articles of ordinary frog-diet. The females are remarkable in their nursing habits. During oviposition the oviduct is protruded to a length of sey- eral inches, and shoved up on the female’s back, where it discharges the spawn, which is absorbed into enlarged pores, each egg Occupying a separate pore or cell. The eggs number from 40 to 120. The skin becomes very much swollen and almost half an inch thick, appearing like PS Se 9 6 es ee acushion. After about 80 days the young begin to emerge, some as perfect little toads, though the majority still possess the tadpole tail. By rubbing against rough objects, the female then rids her- self of the now useless epidermis or outer skin. These observations were made on captive specimens for the first time by Sclater, in 1895, in the London Zoological Pipa americana By the Author from Life Gardens, and a year later by Bartlett in the same place. The “Pipa” is large for a toad, the males measuring six inches and the fe- males up to eight inches from snout to vent. The shape is bluntly oblong, with a limb at each “corner.” The head is triangular, very thin and flat, with fleshy appendages at the tip of the nose and at the mouth-angles. A fringe of fine, white 100 Aquatic Lite papille surrounds the eyes, which are exceedingly small. Teeth are absent. The skin above is finely shagreened, while below it is smooth and of a silky texture. The “arms” and “hands” are slender, with long, delicate fingers, each of which is tipped with a star-shaped appendage. The legs are long, thick and very muscu- lar. ‘The long toes are webbed to the pointed tips, and when the web is spread the toes curve inward, the foot thus some- what resembling an open umbrella. The aquatic life of this creature has resulted in a peculiar specialization of structure, which is evidenced by the very much flattened body, loss of tongue, eye- lids and teeth, uniting of the eustachian tubes of the ear into a single opening in the rear of the mouth, and eyes looking up instead of to each side. The skeleton is also peculiar in being composed of only seven vertebre. The diapophyses or “wings” of the sacral vertebree are broad- ened enormously, serving to prevent any sidewise movement of the backbone, and thus stiffening the whole body. The color above is a dirty sepia brown or dark gray, without markings. Below it is dirty white, often with a black cross, the long arms of which extend the length of the body, and the short ones across the chest. There may be numerous brown spots on the belly, and the males are usually iron-gray underneath, with large whitish patches, but without the cross. These toads, when lifted from the water, emit a loud, deep moan. When coming to the surface voluntarily they protrude their head entirely, breathe long and deep, and sink to the bottom again with a sighing sound. ‘These sounds, in addition to a peculiar ticking noise which the males often make under water at night, are all I have observed in this species. I don’t believe the Surinam toad ever leaves the water voluntarily, though it may burrow under mud and debris on the bottoms of ponds and creeks which sometimes dry up completely. This it does in order to estivate, a summer rest period which corresponds to the hiber- nation, or winter rest, of our. local species. Father Explodes a Theory Did I tell you about Mother and the goldfish? Well, you see, in December, when it became a little cool, Mother con- tracted a bad cold, and so Father bundled her off to Florida with Betty and Mary, and they did not come back until the end of last month. Just about a month before they went away Mother, who is very fond of pets, had bought some goldfish, and it was her delight to watch them. And every morning and evening they would come swimming up to the top of the bowl, searching for the food which she scat- tered on the water’s surface for them. While Mother and the daughters were away the little fish all died, but Father was not to be conquered by that, and so the day before the family’s return he hied him downtown and bought a whole new set of fish. Well, Mother had scarcely been home more than an hour before she wanted to see her dear little fishies. Upstairs they all trcoped and Mother gazed lovingly at the fish, and as the glinting little things swam up to the top she smiled tenderly, and, turning to Father, murmured, “See, see; they know me, dear.’—WNancy Wynne, in the Philadelphia Evening Ledger. AE a The point of view depends upon which is you your side of the fence. AL What a delightful world this would be if it were possible to size a man up by his opinion of himself. rect SF a oa 6 Fa 6 5s Ss $s Ss 2 mee In the spring of 1904, a Mr. Umlauff, who had a pet shop in Hamburg, import- ed a few specimens of a new species of cichlid from Brazil. Later a Mr. Eng- mann, of Berlin, wrote an account of his experiences with the fish, and how the male of his pair jumped out of the aquarium and “dried up.’ He bewails the loss and mentions that it cost him thirty marks to replace. Eneman’s weeping reminds me of an experience I had with a Brooklyn aquar- ist, back in the days when the Guppy (Lebistes reticulatus) was new and novel. He lamented the fact that I charged him $2.00 for a pair. I could have told him that I paid Paul Matte $2.50 for my first pair, in Berlin, in 1910. But I did not feel that I was “held up.” I merely locked upon it as an indication of the value of a species soon after first impor- tation, and while it was comparatively scarce. What a fish will fetch is a matter of agreement between buyer and seller at the time. ‘The selling price is not sta- ple, as it is for a commodity like sugar, for instance. : Through ignorance of the requirements of Cichlasoma nmigrofasciatum, which the new cichlid proved to be, all of the first importation died from cold, save the pair owned by Engmann, which he then wisely turned over to Paul Schame, the Dresden fish culturist, as he possessed considerable knowledge of this class, and the necessary facilities for breeding them . During November the pair bred, and Mr. Schame succeeded in raising thirty- cight youngsters. From this stock was derived all the fish of the species raised | | ; | Cichlasoma Nigrofasciatum | WALTER LANNOY BRIND, F. Z. S. fom mm es LF PF PF SF SV Ss fg es A PA FR A PY A A rk aa in, oI oo mes in Germany in 1905. In later years many more were imported, so that new blood was infused. In the United States, Gustave Sebille, of New York City, can claim the distinc- tion of having first brought this fish to this country direct from its native waters, together with C. mojarra and C. stein- dachneri, in the summer of 1912. The Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum specimens averaged about three inches long. This does not take into considera- tion any possible importations from Ger- many, such as used to occur frequently with tropical fishes generally before the war. Owing to the general unpopularity of the cichlids, among aquarists, both here and in Europe, no special efforts have been made to breed this species of late years, and in consequence it is well-nigh extinct in the United States, though iso- lated pairs still persist. Last year it was reported that a Pittsburgh man had bred it. It is plentiful enough in its native habitat. 102 Aquatic Life Owing to the difficulty in distinguishing the sexes, and the ferocity of the species, most aquarists have “passed it up.” The handsomest male I ever saw, and the largest, was long in the possession of Dr. Frederick Schneider, of Brooklyn. But he could never find a female sufficiently large and self-assertive to mate with this seven-inch warrior. Franklin Barrett, of Philadelphia, has long had a big one, whose disposition earned for itself the name of “Relentless Rudolph.” The coloration of the species, like all cichlids, is extremely evanescent. ‘The male during breeding periods is truly a handsome fish. The entire ground color becomes velvet black, speckled with large, metallic, turquoise-blue scales, while the outer margins of the fins, except the pec- torals, are scarlet-red. The abdominal region is dirty white. In body contour the female is more rotund than the male. In the male the fins are prolonged into points, while those of the female are rounded. Her general color is dusky olive. In breeding time, when the water be- comes warm enough in their native haunts, the cichlids-in-general seek clear, shallow places, depositing their eggs on the surfaces of flat stones. These are fanned zealously with the pectoral fins, and are thus kept clean until they hatch. As with. our North American sunfishes, all intruders are driven none too gently from the vicinity. Within three or four days the fry appear, helpless and very unlike the parents. The family is then moved to a nest, a mere hole in the sand, a proceeding oft repeated during the days following, until the yolk-sac is absorbed and the fry become able to swim freely. Then the babies rise in a shoal, guarded by the parents as they prey upon the minute life of the water, passing as they grow from the infusorians to the more satisfying and growth-promoting Daphne. For about two months the old fish guard their swarm against all comers. After this time the parents should be removed and separated from each other. Few cichlids are “better scrappers” than nigrofasciatum, and the aquarist who elects to try them should provide himself with a ten-inch globe for every adult. For breeding activities a wide, shallow tank, free from plant-life, will be needed. This should be as large as pos- sible, and certainly not less than three feet long. See BNL Brooklyn Society A very successful meeting of the Brooklyn Aquarium Society was held on Thursday evening, March 11th, at the Bedford Branch of the Public Library. _ An exhibition of tropical fishes was on, and seventy-five enthusiastic aquarists were there. Mr. Hugo C. Nelles, Presi- dent of the Ridgewood Society, spoke of the growth of the organization, and em- phasized the need of closer fellowship, harmony and co-operation. The exhibition was competitive, awards being made by Judges Heede and Moody as follows: Best display (P. scalare), silver cup to F. B. Johonnot; greatest variety, cup to IX, ID, Jsieetaut. Diplomas were the high awards in the following classes: Barbus—first, Johon- not; second, Bright. Haplochilus camer- onensis—first, Bright; second, Shenk. Platypoecilus maculatus rubra—first, Jo- honnot; second, Donovan; third, Miss Bright. Dama rerio—first, Shenk; sec- ond, Hoare. Xiphophorus helleri—first, Johonnot. Labyrinth fishes—first, Shenk (Trichogaster lalius); second, Shenk (Macropodus opercularis). — Poeciliid hybrids—first, Johannot; second, Hoare. Balanced aquaria—first, Mrs. Post.—J. H. SHENK, Corresponding Secretary. », Ss Ss es, No fish culturist ever seems to have as much storage space for living foods as he would like. The best practice, therefore, is to utilize available space to the utmost advantage. This is not always done, as is shown by the fact that many breeders gather live food daily, even in cool weather, when it keeps well if given half a chance. TO a w@reat extent wne kegome Ox Daphma and of fishes works on the same general principles. Both breathe the free oxygen in the water. This is renewed by absorption from the atmosphere, and by aquatic plants. For Daphnia it is not practicable to replenish the oxygen by plants, because they would be disturbed too often; hence we must depend upon absorption from the air. The tanks need not be deep—three inches of water is plenty. The writer uses two inches with good success. However, as large a surface area as possible should be pro- vided. The amateur is often quite limited as to space, but as a rule he could use what he has to a better advantage. For instance: If a space will permit the use of a tank measuring three by four feet, the usual plan is to have it about sixteen to eighteen inches deep. Far more efficiency could be had by using several trays four inches deep, stacked in a pile and sep- arated by about seven inches. According to the observations of the writer, Daphnia survive better in shallow than deep water. Many are slightly injured in catching and are unable to swim near the surface. These sink to the bottom, where the in- creased water pressure lessens their chances of survival. Another important point is to keep all KEEPING LIVING FOOD ALIVE WILLIAM T. INNES | ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( I ( PS a6 6 es es living food cool, especially Daphnia. Cool water holds more oxygen than warm, and it also slows down the life actions of the animals, which then make less demand on the available supply of oxygen. Meth- ods of keeping the water cool can be best decided in individual cases, but it is cer- tain that direct sunshine should be en- tirely excluded in warm weather, and also Calico Telescope Goldfish Photo by F. Schaefer that a draft should be maintained over the water’s surface. . Owing to their small size, it is difficult to supply Daphma with running water, as they would be carried away in any ordi- nary overflow. Several large wicks of thick felt carried over the edge of the tank, and allowed to hang outside to a length of several inches will carry away enough water to allow a constant drip from a faucet to strike on the water sur- face. An important point is to remove at once all insect enemies that have unavoid- ably been taken when catching the Daphma in the pond. These feed raven- 104 Aquatic Lite ously on Daphnia and mosquito larve, and materially deplete the supply if per- mitted to remain. Most enemies can be sifted out under water through a tea strainer or flour sieve. A consideration is usually overlooked that is probably worth thought. ‘That is, the water in which the Daphmia are kept. The common practice is to place them in clean, fresh water. This would seem to be crystal clear, and many young Daphnia will be observed. Cypris or “hard-shell daphnia” are not quite such good food, but make an accept- able second choice. They are extremely hardy, and may be bred in large numbers by supplying them with decaying leaves, etc. They will stand heat and extreme crowding. Mosquito larve, on the other hand, SSS oie oy . a 6 a BF SF 6 A 6 Fo i Bh 6 6 Fe ks Scrimshaw Working a Florida Pond 5 5 6 FR 6 8 6 Bs 8 Bs Fe 6 be 6 8 8 8 6 8 PS EB 5B 6 0 6 Eh 6 Fy be a mistake unless they are intended for immediate use. The water of the ponds in which they occur naturally is well charged with the food they require. To rob them of this entirely is to weaken them and shorten their lives. It is better to use the same water, but dilute it. If green aquarium water can be had it is better than clear water, the microscopic vegetal organisms being perfectly good for Daphnia. ‘This can be well demon- strated by removing fishes from a green- water aquarium and introducing a supply of Daphma. Ina few days the water will should not be allowed to feed. In clear water their development is retarded, par- ticularly if kept cool. However, when they have developed to a good size it is impossible to prevent their turning into fully developed mosquitoes. A good plan to prevent the escape of mature indi- viduals is to keep the larval stock in a large bottle, partially filled with water, inverting it to pour out larve desired for feeding. After the bottle is emptied, the hatched mosquitoes may be drowned by filling the bottle with water, pouring it through mosquito netting fastened over the mouth. Beware the Dragonfly HARRY S. GORDON The dragonflies form possibly the most conspicuous feature of the insect fauna in the neighborhod of a pond—barring personal familiarity of mosquitoes. But the mature form is not nearly such a mat- ter for serious consideration on the part of the aquarist as the result thereof ; pop- ular fables to the contrary notwithstand- ing. The females of the species deposit the eggs on water plants, just below the wa- bp all — The Larva of a Dragonfly ter’s surface. From these hatch the larve—the bane of the fish culturist. These infantile insects are provided with a peculiar elbow-jointed jaw, which at rest is retracted and hidden; but if prey comes within reach it is quickly thrust out, the jaws at the end gripping the vic- tim and drawing it to the larva’s mouth. Little imagination is required to picture the havoc it will wreak when it happens to find a home in the aquarist’s rearing tank. Its appetite seems insatiable, and killing a pleasure. Ina garden pond, with plants affording it protection, it is fully capable of getting away with hundreds of fry before it reaches maturity or is dis- covered and destroyed. This illustrates why it is possible to rear a greater pro- portion of fish in the small portable wood tank, free from plants; the bottom is clear and may be examined frequently. After casting its skin several times the larva becomes full-grown, the wing-cases become conspicuous, and the body shorter and thicker. stage the larva continues active. Event- Aquatic Lite Though now in the pupal. 105 ually it ascends some convenient reed or stick, and remains at rest above the water, and in due time the perfect dragonfly emerges through a split along the thorax of the pupal skin. West Philadelphia Society The West Philadelphia Goldfish Fan- ciers’ Association met on Thursday, April 3d, at Hamilton Hall, 5236 Market street. The competition was for broad-tail Japs bred last year, the best fish to receive a silver cup presented by Dr. Clark, of the Board of Governors. Mr. Gustav Arm- bruster achieved a unique distinction by winning all prizes, being awarded the cup, blue, red and yellow ribbons.—EariEe W. Roak, Secretary. ah SOR To the series of handbooks published by the American Museum of Natural History, New York City, has been added the Fishes of the Vicinity of New York City, by John Treadwell Nichols, Assist- ant Curator of Recent Fishes in the Mu- seum. The volume contains 122 pages, with 60 illustrations, and a frontispiece in color. It may be obtained from the Museum, in paper cover, for 50 cents; cloth bound, 75 cents. It is a popular account of the fishes of the region indi- cated by the title, though it is serviceable over a much greater area. A detailed list is given of the fishes known to occur within fifty miles of the city, with a key for identifying them. The introduction, by Dr. William K. Gregory, treats of the structure of fishes and their adaptations for an aquatic life. The book is well worth a place in every aquarian library. as AN With the number for January, 19109, The American Museum Journal becomes “Natural History,’ a much more appro- priate title. 106 Aquatic Lite Copper Wire Lead (Anes esate: oe Copper, Wire Lead (Cat hode) } ae Small Glass lube Enclosing Lead Exit for ee al eaeem <—— Rubber Tube Section cy YI Large Glass Tube Joining ites Inverted Glass Cup Below, (Holds Rings of Platinum Wire in Place) Small Glass Tube Enclosing Lead—s B<-Rubber Tube to Hold Anode in Place water Level mee eee ee . Bubbles of Oxygen: oy hes of Oxygen Outer Cup TaN ELEVATION ee Wire to Hold Cathode in Place Soldered Junction between Platinum Wire and Copper Lead Sore Inner Cup Ring Inverted Glass Cup La «Open at Bottom Fring of Coiled Platinum Wire (Cathode) Inside Inverted Cup os \ Glass Cup, Open at Top; Ay “Feld in place with yy Small cork wedges Sealed Tring of Coiled Platinum Wire (Anode) Outside Inverted Cup Putnam: An Electrolytic Aerator JOHN P. PUTNAM Massachusetts Institute of Technology Pe ies 8 . 3 | AN ELECTROLYTIC AERATOR | Ee To those over-zealous aquarists who are wont to overstock their tanks, I sub- mit a device which I believe may be of use. Nature’s method of providing oxy- gen for the inhabitants of water cannot be improved, but Nature never intended large numbers of fishes to live in small receptacles. We cannot, therefore, ex- pect her to produce a plant that will com- pete quantitatively with the oxygen gen- erator. Commercially the purest oxygen is generated by electrolysis. I have ac- cordingly applied this method of produc- tion to the problem of aeration. Electrolysis is in effect the interchange of ions brought about by the passage of an electric current through a liquid. Or, looking at it from another point of view, these ions carry minute charges of elec- tricity. Chemically pure water is but slightly ionized, and therefore does not conduct electricity appreciably. Tap water, however, contains salts which are ionized, and is, in a limited extent, a con- ductor or electrolyte. Water is composed of two gases— hydrogen and oxygen—in the proportion, by volume, of two to one. Hydrogen is an inert gas. I believe it has no physio- logical effect other than that of “blanket- ing” the oxygen, as does the nitrogen of the air. When a current of electricity is passed through water it is split up into its chemical constituents, hydrogen and oxy- gen. It is the latter gas which is of use in aeration, so the former may be dis- carded. During electrolysis the ionized salts dissolved in the water are also split up; thus acid is formed at the positive pole or anode, while alkali appears at the cathode. If the acid and alkali are allowed to mix they will recombine to form the same salts originally present in the water. This must be accomplished if the chemical con- stituency of the water is not to be altered. The device I have mentioned consists of a glass tube about one centimeter in diameter, expanding below into an in- verted cup, which is open at the bottom. This cup fits down into another glass cup, open at the top, leaving a clearance be- tween the two of about two or three milli- meters. ‘The two are held together with wedges of cork. The oxygen is gene- rated at a ring of coiled platinum wire encircling the inverted cup just above its rim. Bubbles of this gas rise up between the two cups, through the water of the aquarium, to the surface. The hydrogen, evolved from a similar ring just inside the inverted cup, passes up the glass tube and escapes. The electricity reaches these rings along copper wire leads, sealed in small glass tubes. It passes from the outside ring under the rim of the inverted cup to the inner one. The acid and alkali become thoroughly mixed in the bottom of the outside cup. This cup also pre- vents the fishes from coming in contact with the electrodes. As electrolysis procedes the water within the glass tube becomes slightly alkaline and, in consequence, the water outside of the tube becomes correspond- ingly acid. For this reason, when the apparatus is first set up, it is best to put one drop of caustic soda into the glass tube. This should be done but once. I have figured that with electrical en- 108 Aquatic Life ergy for sale at eleven cents a kilowatt hour this device, using one-tenth of an ampere, will produce half a liter of oxy- gen gas in one day for three cents, using four-fifths of a cubic centimeter of water in so doing. The apparatus must be used on direct current, and the anode must be connected to the positive pole. The proper pole may be ascertained as follows: Take an old carbon electric light bulb and knock the tip off under water, allowing it to fill up. Put in a drop or two of phenol- phthalein. Connect to socket. A pink stream will be seen issuing from the broken end of the negative wire inside the bulb. The glass tube should be placed ver- tically in the aquarium, so that the glass cup just clears the bottom. It may be conveniently supported by an iron-ring stand and clamp. On one occasion I kept thirty-two fishes, averaging two inches in length— goldfish, dace and shiners—in a three- gallon tank for three weeks without changing the water. At the end of this time a chemical analysis of the water was made for oxygen. The result, 8.95 parts per million (by weight) of dissolved oxy- gen, showed the water to be in a state of 3 per cent. super-saturation. Beef vs. Liver An interesting experiment has just been undertaken at the Wytheville ( Va.) station in the feeding of beef liver and beef heart to young rainbow trout. In each of two 14-foot troughs 10,000 fish just ready to take food were placed. The water temperature for the first 30-day period was approximately 55 degrees F., and a flow of about seven gallons per minute was maintained. All the fish in- cluded in the experiment were selected from the same lot, and their treatment in the troughs was identical in every way, with the exception that those in one trough were fed on heart and those in the other trough on liver. The results were as follows: Fed on beef heart: Weight at beginning........5 oz. per 1000 fish Weight after 30 days. ...10% oz. per 1000 fish Fish lost during period................. 156 Fed on beef liver: Weight at beginning........5 oz. per 1000 fish Weight after 30 days......10 oz. per 1000 fish Fish lost during period................. 275 From this it will be seen that the rain- bow trout fed on beef heart suffer less mortality and also gain slightly in weight as compared with those fed on beef liver. With the continuance of the experiment the results may be more striking. Much discussion has been carried on at the various stations as to the relative merits of heart and liver as food for fish, and it is thought this experiment if extended and confirmed, may be of practical value. —Fisheries Service Bulletin. During April How foolish ’tis to sit and sigh, how needless is the pain; thinking every cloud in the sky means bucketsful of rain. ee To derive the maximum enjoyment from aquarian nature-study one should possess and learn how to use a micro- scope. Avoid instruments for which ex- travagant powers are claimed, especially when the price is ridiculously low. Such usually lack the name of the maker. The maker of a good stand has reason to be proud of his work, and therefore places his name upon it. The cost of a micro- scope sufficient for the needs of the aquarist, made by a reputable firm, need not be great. —— eee For “pep and punch” does any other fish beat the Chanchito ? Sy a it Pe Fs Fe A A FE A AIP, LLB Some Historical and Cultural Notes G. H. PRING, be et Al SEP SF BRS SB Fs Fs Bs Fs 9 Ss ss ss The cultivation of water lilies is one of the most fascinating branches of hor- ticulture. This is undoubtedly enhanced by their exquisite flowers and the import- -ant feature of water in beautifying the landscape. Water gardening holds an important place in our parks and private estates. Unfortunately, however, a fal- lacy prevails in supposing that water lilies in general demand large bodies of water, combined with expert knowledge of cultivation. On the contrary, an ordi- nary half-barrel is large enough to grow a representative of certain varieties. The cultivation is an easy matter, providing a few rules are followed, which will be dis- cussed later. The history of water lilies dates from the ancient Egyptians, who held the so- called Egyptian Lotus as a sacred flower. It was also deemed sacred by the natives of India, China and Japan, being to a FS Fs FS FS FS SB BB SB BB BS SB BG Bf fF 6 Sd Bg fA 6 6 Bg Fk Nature’s Lily Pond Books, good reliable books, as well as tanks, plants and fishes, are necessary to a successful nature-student. Statement of the Ownership, Management, Circulation, Etc., Requred by the Act of Congress of August 24, 1912, of Aquatic Life, published monthly at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for April 1st, 1919: Nese Before me, a notary public in and for the State and County aforesaid, personally ap- peared W. A. Poyser, who, having been duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that he is the editor of Aouatic Lire, and that the following is, to the best of his knowledge and belief, a true statement of the ownership, management (and if a daily paper, the circula- tion), etc. or the aforesaid publication for the date shown in the above caption, required by the Act of August 24, 1912, embodied in Section 443, Postal Laws and Regulations, to wit: State of Pennsylvania, County of Philadelphia. That the names and addresses of the pub- lisher, editor, managing editor, and business managers are: Publisher—Joseph E. Bausman, 542 Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. Editor—W A. Poyser, 207 South 37th Street, Philade’phia, Pa. Managing Editor—None. Business Manager—None. East That the owners are: (Give names and ad- dresses of individual owners, or, if a corpora- tion, give its name and the names and ad- dresses of stockholders owning or holding 1 per cent. or more of the total amount of stock. ) —Owners—Joseph E. Bausman, 542 East Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa.; W. A. Poyser, 207 South 37th Street, Philadelphia, Pa. That the known bondho‘ders, mortgagees and other security holders owning or holding 1 per cent. or more of the total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other securities are: None. W. A. POYSER, Editor. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 27th day of March, 1919. (Seal) (My commission expires at the end of the next session of the Senate.) JOSEPHINE V. YEAGER. HUGO C. NELLES DEALER & BREEDER OF TROPICAL FISHES Are you looking for first-class stock at reasonable prices? Then see me. I have what you want. Manufacturer of the ‘‘Faultless Fish Food,’’ 20 cents per box; per pound, $2.50. 1805 Third avenue, New York city (76th Street Station, 3d Avenue L; 77th Street Station, Lexington Ave- nue Subway). No store. pp orc cc cre The Florida Jungles HAVE just : | reached Chicago : after a winter spent in searching 8 the waters of Florida for fishes. As a result I have many beauti- 8 ful species in my collection. 8 Come and make your selection while the | assortment is good. Have lots of other fishes—native and exotic—plants, snails | and a complete line of supplies. : : : I keep an extensive line of aquaria in stock, and am prepared to make any style to order. SCRIMSHAW’S FISH HATCHERY 1431 N. Clark Street, Chicago, III. 3 Telephone, Superior 4415 Auto Delivery a eee Thousands of fanciers use Yogi Fish- food and Magic Infusoria. They say there is nothing like it.. If you have never used them, send for free booklet and see what leading breeders think of them. Ask your dealer for Yogi and Magic or send direct. Yogi 15c box; by mail 17c. Magic 50c Postpaid Robert J. Schaeffer 1818 Frankford Avenue _ Phila., Pa LIVE FOOD IS THE BEST Fishes thrive and grow on Enchytraeids, the little white worms. Generous box by mail, 50 ‘A COMBINATION OF INGREDIENTS WHICH WILL PRODUCE A VARIETY. OF HARMLESS, _ MON SHELL INFUSORIA, MAGIC ORIGINATED AND MANUFACTURED BY ROBERT J. SCHAEFFER 1818 FRANKFORD AVE. PHILA., PA. cents. Full‘ directions given for propagating them. S. W. BURGESS, 3424 Hurley Street PHILADELPHIA an ee ee JAPANESE GOLDFISH By DR. HUGH M. SMITH ) A guide to the methods of breeding (] fancy goldfish practiced in Japan. The 8 result of the personal investigations 8 Ten breeds are illus- 8 with i of the author. trated in color, cuts; 112 pages. numerous text cS>—000000000C DC $2.00, plus postage on 2 pounds. Address Aquatic Life | eee! — (SES 000) COO COOO0CCO0C00C——S9000000000000 or Excellent Conformation n Color Cannot Be Beat : 8 [low Their Quality in Finnage : Lellave Blues, Blacks and Calicos Paljrery Fancier Should Look Them Over [lee Them at C. C. VOWINKEL 5109 Catherine Street Philadelphia, Pa ! COO DDO COO OOOCOOC——DONGONG0000000000 OCOOOCCO0CO COO C00 GS] 000 000000000000: Aquattc Ltte Vol. Il re Vol. Iil $2.25 each, postage paid many illustrations. Substantial cloth binding, with title page and complete index. (Stock of Volume II is small.) WANTED: One hundred copies of Volume I, loose or bound. Can use single issues. Address publisher. : : : : ll Volumes average 165 pages and as (] : : : : : cin Leitbolf Wrotbers Fine, healthy stock of Trichogaster fasciatus, Osphromenus trichopterus, Polyacanthus day, P. cupanus, Acara bimaculata, Heros facetus, Barbus conchonius, B. Semifasciolatus and many other species. 281 Southern Abenue, Pittsburgh, Da Fine Broad-tail Telescopes BLACK and CALICO Correspondence Solicited GEORGE, Willa 1510) Ne ozdiSimect PHILADELPHIA 000000000 —>-¥ If Your Fish Are Not Doing Well—Try ENCHYTRAEIDS - White Worms the natural and best food for goldfish, barring none. Package 50 cents (cash or check), with instructions for rais- ing a constant supply. PAUL MARQUARDT, 829 Teutonia Avenue, Milwaukee, Wis 42-5 00000000000000000000000U000000000000C rf Oriental Fish Food For All Species of Fishes Put up in neat, attractive boxes, each package containing a pamphlet giving exact instructions for the proper care of the aquarium 8 8 3 : 8 9 Gross $6.00 Oriental Goldfish and Suppl) Co 8 3757 - 3761 Cottage Grove Avenue | Chicago, Illinois ne TM DO000000 SOO ODO OOO COO C00 000000000 COO C00 CT $2 000000G00000 B00 000000000000) The Practical Fish Fancier My new popular work on tropical fishes, goldfishes, plants, etc., shows fishes and plants in natural colors as well as in half-tone plates. Detailed description sent on request. WALTER L. BRIND, F.Z.S., 449 W. 206th St., New York City (00 > 000 S000 000-4 Goldfishes | | 42000 Blacks :: Blues and Vari-hues None for sale at present! GEORGE A. SCHENK Mount Vernon, N. Ye | | : : | : . * Oe ee ee ee er IN a eer Fe eee ee ee Sa ee eee Cee ort UY EVERYTHING IS FISH THAT COMES TO THE NET OF A NATURALIST Don’t paddle in the water with one hand and be blind with both eyes. In other words, “keep your eves open’’ for all nature. Our Magazine 8 Che Guide to Mature | Will Help You It is edited by EDWARD F. BIGELOW, who fishes in the heavens and earth, as well as the waters under the earth. 8 Four months’ trial, 25c. One year, $1.00. THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION ArcAdiA coco 70c°o c——S77c°oc Sound Beach Connecticut | | Co >= 000 S000 $$ 5000 S. SILVER Fancier and Breeder of Tropical Fishes Splendid healthy stock at reasonable prices. Haplochilus cameronensis, Betta © rubra, etc. All kinds of live-bearing fishes. : 235 East 11th Street NEW YORK CITY (Between 2d and 3d avenues) I am now booking orders for early ship- ment. $6.00 per dozen, including can. Money order must accompany all re- quests (not less than one dozen sold). Shipments by express at purchaser’s risk. GEORGE W. PRICE, 2145 South Lee Street, Philadelphia Chaetodons HENRY KISSEL, JR. Breeder & Fancier of Broadtail Telescopes Tropical Fishes, Plants and Snails. Booking orders now for spawn and fry Fishes, Plants, etc., Sold at Conservatory Telephone 461 Cliffside 241 Walker Street, Cliffside, N. J. %000000C—>000 —>cd0c> 0000007 The Paradise Fish We have the largest stock in the country. Large, $4 per dozen; medium, $3 per dozen. Gambusia Holbrooki Extra large females. Fine colored males, Shipping Cans, each 35c. and 50c. .30 doz. plants .50 doz. plants Vallisneria (narrow leaf)...... Vallisneria (wide leaf)........ Water Poppy .......--.-.0+06. $1.00 doz. plants Water LeEGtU Ges Vek cette. We letaiciele .75 doz. plants Frogbit (floating) ............ .50 doz. plants AOD aad ree tte is chores soe otaeabe -75 doz. bunches : 8 | 8 8 8 (giant) sooo hetoou .73 doz. bunches 8 : : | : : : fe Anacharis — Potomogeton .......-..+..++s .75 doz. bunches ISOM OUD Ue Bie shia cere sens CaO -75 doz. bunches Egyptian Lotus (pink)........ (Postage paid on all plants.) The best fish food in the world is fresh water shrimp. pound. Sample box, 15 cents. your, zone. Coarse, medium and fine, $1.00 per Add postage to CRESCENT FISH FARM 1624 Mandeville Street, New Orleans, La i> 7cc0000-——> 000000000 8 | Fine Blue Veiltail Telescope Spawn : $1.00 per Dozen $7.50 per Hundred From Established Strain of *“Blues’’ ranklin Barrett Wyoming Avenue & C. Street, Phila., Pa Ml 35c Extra for Shipping Can Cash With Order WA ge THE BEST BOOK m, AQUARIUM S.ai&2 is ‘*Goldfish Varieties & Tropical Aquarium Fishes’’, byWm.T.Innes, / former President of the Aquarium A | Society of Phila.; 250 pages, 195 a illustrations. Tells all about the re wil fancy varieties of the Goldfish and ~*~ nearly 300 tropicals ; how to breed them, etc., etc. For the beginner or the advanced expert. A complete, practical, handsome book, sent postpaid anywhere for $3.00. « Enlarged edition now ready. INNES & SONS - 133 N. 12th St. - Phila. 5000S ———000000C 5000000 M000 , Pa. Charles E. Visel Broad-tail Telescopes and Japs Blacks, Blues and Partt-colors .215 PuTNaM AVENUE, BROOKLYN, N. Y. ne ae 66 99 AQUARIA FISH 8 A practical work on care and breeding of fish in the aquarium, greenhouse and outdoor ponds. Finely illustrated. Everyone interested in keeping fish should send for a copy of this book. Price $1.00. 8 Tappan’s Natural Fish Food. Three boxes, post- 8 paid, 25c. Guinea Pigs and Thoroughbred Collie Puns, beau- tifully marked. Write for prices. Route 2, Hopkins, Minn So coed smear 2 FMichaelsen Bros GOLDFISH BREEDERS FLORISTS ——>900 S000 C000! 58th and Walnut Streets 110 South 52nd Street Philadelphia Aquarium Fishes : | | | ! | | All Kinds of Aquatic Plants | Aquaria & Supplies 8 Wholesale and Retail COO CS cooc—' OOO >c00 cM >000c 000 cS 000 000c > 000c 06 ; HARRY P. PETERS 1210 N. Warnock Street, Philadelphia, Pa BREEDER AND IMPORTER ‘Rare and Fancy Fish Plants of every variety, Snails and Aquarium Supplies of all kinds at all times. MANUFACTURER OF Green River Fish Food 15c Box Green River Baby Fish Food 20c Box A GOOD FISH FOOD is one of the most essential things necessary to keep fish in good health. After the test of years Green River stands out as the best food on the market. It keeps the fish in good color by pro- moting a healthy, robust growth. It will not sour ot cloud the water. Ask your dealer or send for it today. i000 CS000CSCS000CS000G5000 HERMAN RABENAU, Aquarist PERMANENT DISPLAY OF Aquatic Life & Terraria must be seen to be appreciated Visitors Welcome Plants and Tropical Fish a Specialty Importations of New Varieties received regularly 1163 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y. Near Broadway. <> 000 C000 ne FOODS, PLANTS, DIP NETS Combination Natural Fish Food -. Sample Box 10c Japanese Shrimp Fish Food - - Sample Can 5c Baby Fish Food Sample Box 15c Glass Feeding Rings 15c, 25c 35c Each Mail Orders Promptly Attended to Special Prices on Quantity Lots. Cash With Order. Catalogue Sent Upon Request, AQUARIUM STOCK CO 273 Greenwich Street :: New York City lo eo} Young Veiltails, All a $5.00 Dozen Up BREEDERS—Largest Assortment of Blues, Blacks and Calico Telescopes and Japs at Reasonable Prices. Shipping Cans, 50c. Fine Assortment of Lionheads HARRY P. PETERS, 1210 North Warnock St., Phila., Pa. | Nippon Goldfish Co J. MURATA, Proprietor. . 1919-21 Bush Street, San Francisco, Cal Importers and Dealers 2 GOLDFISH PLANTS SNAILS Dried Shrimp, Birds, Cages and All 9 Supplies NEW STOCKS ARE COMING! Price List Sent on Request CD ee | _ Me Jacob S Cassel 915 Arch Street, Philadelp Manufacturer oy AQUARIUMS Aquarium Ornaments _ : ; Floral Terra Cotta, Etc. Goldfish Fish Globes and all aquarium requisites. Send for Catalog. Aquatic Life Vol. IV. May, 1919 No. 9 An international monthly magazine devoted to the study, care and breeding of fishes and other animals and plants in the heme aquarium and terrarium. JOSEPH E. BAUSMAN ...... .... PUBLISHER 542 East Girard Avenue ....c..<-> Philadelphia Entered as second-class matter, September 2d, 1915, at the Post Office, Philadelphia, Pa., under Act of March 3d, 1879. _ Popular and scientific artic’es and notes on sub- jects pertaining to the aquarium and terrarium, and to the’ habits of fishes in general, are always wanted for ‘‘Aquatic Life,”’ Readers are invited to join in making it a medium of mutual help by contributing to it the results of their studies. The pages are always open to anyone having informa- tion of interest to the aquarist and student of aquatie biology. Manuseripts. books for review and general correspondence should be addressed to the editor. ‘‘Aquatie Life’? has the largest circulation of any magazine in the world deyoted to aquatic nature-study. It offers. to ndyvyertisers a market that ean be reached through no other medium. Rates made known on application. ; YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION.......-.....+-- $1.25 FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTIONS.........-+ see. 1.50 SINGLE COPY... 2 cece cence cece eens 15 Payments should be made by money order, draft or registered letter. If local checks are sent. ten cents should be added for collection charges. For- eign remittances should be by international money order. Copyright 1919 by Joseph E. Bausman i 200 000600000008 > —SG >A DOSOOSO G00 G00 000}, Has Moved To i 1119 Folsom Avenue | Win. Le Paulie Importer and Breeder of Rare Gold fishes & Fishes — PROSPECT PARK. Pterophyllum Scalare a= Water Gardening Winter is but’a memory (wasn’t so bad, either) and the gladsome warmth of Spring is here. Now is the time for preliminary work on your outdoor ponds and tanks, THE BOOK OF WATER GARDENING will help you create a picture that will, never- more be called (by your neighbors) ‘‘a durn old stagnant pool,’’ The book contains 140 illustrations, more than enough to give you a comprehensive idea of the of The decorative _ possibilities water plants. price is $2.65. THE BOOK DEPARTMENT : Philadelphia AQUATIC LIFE ; | En] DELAWARE CO,PA. 8 Orders booked for 1919 hatching of f Be ; Here is a chance to make money \._ Write for Proposition Give References. hia, Pa Fish Food a | od Fs Fs Fs 6 Ss 7 Goat | Lt About nine years ago, Nanostomus eques—call it Poecilobrycon marginatus if you prefer the latest dictum of the sys- tematic ichthyologist—was brought to the attention of aquarists in four small speci- mens, an inch long, taken in the Amazon. These were thus half-grown, the maxi- mum size being usually recorded as two inches. It is one of the characins, the dominating group of fishes in South America. The sexes seem quite alike, though there is some difference in the anal fins. A dark red stripe runs from the snout back through the eye to the caudal fin, there meeting the same color in the lower lobe; this is bordered above with a golden band. On the sides are two broad, dark, vertical bands, one just in front of the dorsal and the other behind; the latter sometimes almost invisible. The anal and tail fins are carmine, which is par- ticularly evident when the fish 1s viewed by artificial light. The intensity of the colors is subject to variation, being influ- enced by light, temperature and other conditions. The back is grayish-brown, the abdominal regions white. On the back, between the dorsal and caudal fins, is situated the adipose dorsal or fat-fin characteristic of the family. Nanostomus has not been bred in con- finement. Eventually it should be accom- plished. Should it breed like its relatives the eggs will be placed on finely divided leaves of water plants, or their rootlets, adhering singly as in the case of the familiar goldfish. A large, sunny aqua- rium, well planted with Myriophyllum, but with a clear space for play and pre- me mes a te NANOSTOMUS EQUES ! WALTER LANNOY BRIND, E£. Z. S. PL 5 Pe 6 BR SPS BS BS Se SBS BS BS Bf FS BS BF BF BA Bf fe nuptial addresses, and clear, pure water, would be most apt to induce spawning, provided the temperature is maintained around &o degrees and ample live food, such as Daphne, is given consistently. When commerce with South America be- comes normal, we should be able to se- cure this fish from Brazil, and, if some one is fortunate in having it spawn, it will be well to immediately remove the par- Nanostomus eques ents to another tank, rather than transfer the plants with the adhering eggs, thus saving all. This species is peculiar in possessing a habit of “standing” stationary in a corner of the aquarium with its body pointing upwards at an angle of forty-five de- grees. This probably concerns its feed- ing habits. la orae Many a man pins his faith to a star, only to discover that it is a firefly. UES. Some people are born lucky. It isn’t every fellow who can fall in love and land on his feet. 114 Aquatic Lite The Water Horse-tail J.CHARLES WOBLER During the Carboniferous Age, ferns and allied plants were the dominant fea- tures of the landscape. The giant cala- mite, now known solely from its fossil remains, grew as large as our present- day forest trees, and is the prototype of our scouring rushes or horse-tails—the EQUISETACEAE. ‘These vary in height from a few inches to thirty feet, and are seldom greater than two inches in diam- eter. The average American species is but a few feet high, and as thick as a lead pencil, often less. About twenty species are known, mostly from the tem- perate zones, North America containing more than half of the species in the world. The name Equisetum is from two Latin words meaning “horse” and “bristle.” While its application is not always ap- parent, some kinds have many slender branches that render the plant not unlike the tail of a horse. The Water Horse-tail, Equisetum flu- viatile, in North America extends from Virginia northward and westward ; occur- ring in Europe and Asia, it belts the earth in a zone perhaps a thousand miles wide. As its name implies, it prefers the water, growing in the sand and mud of shallow ponds and ditches. With its root-stock protected by the unfrozen mud, it early feels the vernal impulse and shoots its stems upward. The root-stock and stems are made up of sections or joints quite unlike any other plant. One writer likens them to a line of drain pipe, each section of which fits into the flaring end of the one below. Growth consists merely of the lengthen- ing of the sections or internodes. ‘The flaring top of each section is composed of a circle of teeth that are said to be the remains of leaves which were present in an ancestral form. Existing species bear no leaves, the stems and branches per- forming the necessary functions. The stems are produced from the nodes of the creeping root-stock. Spores are born in cone-like spikes or catkins, at the tips of the stems. Not all stems are fertile, but end in a whip-like prolongation. Each spore has two hair- like appendages attached by the middle. When moist they coil around the spore. As the catkin matures and dries, the elators uncoil and assist the spores to float about in the air. Too, they are equally important in entangling two or more spores together, as the development of two spores in close proximity is neces- sary to reproduction. ‘The actions of the elators may readily be observed with a magnifying glass. The Water Horse-tail might be grown in a pan or box in a breeding tank. In winter it should require no attention if the water does not freeze solid. If this is apt to happen, place the pan in a cold cellar, keeping it moist. The “Guppy” in Golf It was the office of the great sporting newspaper. The golf editor was home, sick. The baseball editor was doing the golf stuff. “Which is the better course,’ wrote in a Constant Reader, “to fuzzle one’s putt or to fetter on the tee?” The b. b. ed. tilted back in his chair, smoked a cigarette and wrote: “Should a player snaggle his iron, it is permissible for him to fuzzle his putt; but a better plan would be to drop his guppy into the pringle and snoodle it out with a niblick.”—The Guide to Nature. pain ee cA At the twenty-eighth meeting of the Aquarium Society of Washington, held in the Zoological Laboratory of the George Washington University, May roth, Dr Re We Sshuteldt readvay paper on the Basses of the waters of the Dis- trict of Columbia. be BE FP FI dF Fe Fd a 6 6 Fe Ss FS FE aS me me . Y—ome, 6 FR 6 Fi 6 Fi 6 Bi 6 Fi 8 FF 6 8 Be 8 6 8 6 es In my first article of this series of brief contributions on our native chelonians, a short account was presented of Bell’s Terrapin of the genus Chrysemys. ‘This group will be taken up again later, as it embraces many interesting species of wide distribution; for the present they ‘are passed by, in that a more or less nearly related genus may be touched upon. This is the genus Malacoclemmys, which up to date is said to comprise some half a dozen species. Generally they are of good size, the largest forms attaining a length of a foot or more. famous and very widely known Diamond- backed Terrapin (M. palustris), we have in this interesting assemblage such ele- gant types as the Geographic Terrapin (M. geographica) ; Kohn’s Terrapin (M. Observations on the Chelonians of North America. Il. De ee Ys SIHMOUAEUIOW, C Iwil, Zo. S. a es ts Right Lateral View of Lesueur’s Terrapin 5 6 BF 6 6 Fa 6 Fa 6 FS Fs Bs Bs Bs Bs Bs Pg Bs PS Bs Fs Fs BS 6 Ps Ss Ss Ss Fs Besides the’ te mem tm mm te PO ee Sa 6 6 Ps kohnu) ; Maur’s Terrapin (M. pulchra) ; Lesueur’s Terrapin (M. lesw urii), and the Ocellated Terrapin (M. oculifera). While these six species differ consider- ably, in some instances, do not depart so very much from certain species of the genera Chrysemys. Popularly, as in the case of the latter, they are known as “sliders,’ and they are sold in manv of our markets under that name, a prominent contradistinction being seen in the “Dia- mond-back,” large examples of which often sell at the stalls for no less than eight dollars. One of the species of this genus is but rarely seen away from its range, and that is Lesueur’s Terrapin, listed above. Re- cently Mr. Edward S. Schmid has re- ceived a large consignment of these from 116 Aquatic Lite = Illinois, where they are abundant, and he has favored me with both living and dead specimens of several sizes. Of the for- mer I have made a number of photo- graphs, a very good one of which is here reproduced in Figure 1. It is natural size, and was a most difficult subject to photograph—that is, with its head, limbs and tail in full sight. This achievement cost me nearly six hours spent in con- secutive trials. The dorsal and ventral views (Figs. 2 and 3) are from a specimen that had been Superior and Ventral Views of Lesueur’s Terrapin dead but a few hours previous to my pho- tographing it. These cuts present many of the specific, as well as generic char- acters of this form, and special attention is invited to the large feet and long tail, as well as the tuberculated ridge down the median line of the carapace seen on side view in Figure 1. In several specimens before me at this writing I find the color of the carapace to be of a deep olive brown, varying somewhat in different individuais. Blackish-brown splotches, one on each shield, are more or less distinctly seen. In some cases they are very well marked, but they unfortunately do not come out in these photographs. Below, the pias- tron is of a grayish yellow, and sometimes presents a deeper marbling near the mar- gins of the scutes (Fig. 3). The head, limbs and tail are of a deep brownish olive, figured in various ways by fine lines of yellow, with a sharply defined small area of the same color on either side of the head—back of and above either eye. A median stripe of yellow runs the length of the tail, one above and one below. The median length of the carapace in this species may sometimes be found to measure nearly ten inches and its width over seven. Lesueur’s Terrapin is an abundant spe- cies throughout the valley of the Missis- sippi, and may be found as far to the east- ward as Ohio; it is sold in numbers in the Chicago markets. It is a delicate form by nature and does not bear cap- tivity well. Its habits are much the same as those of any of the ordinary fresh- water terrapins of its own size, and oc- curring in the same locality. As a rule, in the species of this genus the females are larger than the males—markedly so in some examples, while the long tails are very conspicuous, this latter character being particularly noticeable in the males. Lesueur’s Terrapin feeds largely upon fresh-water snails and other small mol- lusca, and such food they can easily crush through the use of the broad, hard sur- face just within the margin of the man- dible on either side, as well as in similar localities, and opposite them, in the upper jaw. These gringing surfaces are accu- rately opposed to each other—that is, the pair above and the pair below; so that adult individuals of this terrapin are, through their use, quite capable of crush- ing the shells of ordinary snails and other small molluscs. ee . | aE *. LS 5 Fe 6 Ff Fs Fs Fg me To plan and lay out a garden, build a fountain, and thereaticr ‘ndulge ic the delights of raising water lilies and othe, aquatic plants had long been a smolder- ing ambition. Some time ago I purchased a property which, while not large, proved well adapted to fulfil my desires. Within a week the ground was broken for a pond twelve feet in diameter. In its construc- tion two inlets were provided for fresh water, with an adequate outlet, while an additional line of pipe ran to the centre to supply the fountain. The pond was of concrete. - Now my attention turned to the selec- tion of water lilies. Large white, pink, red and yellow ones were chosen and set in boxes under eighteen inches of water. Four weeks later I was rewarded with three beautiful blooms and, though I have since had as many as twenty-five in a sin- gle day, none have seemea as wonderful as that first success. But, beautiful though water lilies may be, one needs other plants, and our native species are not to be despised. About five miles from town I discovered a large pond. I will never forget my delight as I came upon this spot, so wild and almost unknown to man. I have visited famous gardens from coast to coast, and not even Santa Catalina, with its wonderful marine gardens, could vie with this little inland pool. The surface was covered by lilies, with Arrowheads, Anacharis, Hornwort, Starwort and mosses in profusion, each seeming to strive to excel the others in daintiness and beauty. Saucy green frogs blinked from the lily pads, seemingly proud of the hundreds of tadpoles bask- a eT I Became a Fancier ! l EDITH PROCTOR PS Pa 5 Pe 6 PS PS SS BS FS 9 FG FS PF BB SP 6 Pf BA Fd SP Fg ae ing in the warm June sunshine. As I stood there, lost in profound admiration, the opening lines of Thanatopsis flashed through my mind: “To him who in the love of Nature holds communion with her visible forms, she speaks a various language.” Water Lily (Nymphaea) From Bisset’s “Water Gardening” Many times I visited the pond, and thus the pool in the city grew more lovely. The snails multiplied and strange insects began to inhabit the water. A little turtle appeared and, later in the season, as un- ceremoniously disappeared. Then came a frog and still another, and again six baby frogs. With these we parted as soon as possible. Four sprightly goldfish com- 118 Aquatic Life pleted the ensemble. One morning I was startled to hear a shout from my little son, “Mother! Come see the funny little things in the water. They look like fish.” And, sure enough, there were hundreds of baby goldfish. Let me say, for the benefit of the inex- perienced, that I had never before seen a young goldfish. In planning the life for the pond I had endeavored to repro- duce natural conditions. The result was a rank growth of submerged plants, lilies other ills and natural enemies, but there is not a sick fish among the hundreds I have at present. The secret is to simulate nature. The same principles have been applied to a larger pool, fifty feet long and four feet wide, constructed when the original pool became too small to handle the number of fishes needed. eee They were looking at the kangaroo at the “zoo,” says the Boston Transcript, when an Irishman asked his neighbor in The Author’s Garden Pool and cat-tails, among which the young fish had hidden and found protection. The babies were all of six weeks old, and had subsisted entirely on the foods naturally found in the water. About four hundred were successfully reared. That was the beginning of four suc- cessful years. A market was found and the demand now exceeds the supply. But this has not been without ups and downs, for I have battled congestion, fungus and the group: “Beg pardon, sor; can you tell me phwat kind of a crature is that?” That?’ said the man} isa matiyeson Australia.” “Good hivins!” exclaimed Pat. “And me sister Julia married wan o’ thim.”— The Youths’ Companion. oakcle. eee Those who boast that they never take water may find themselves between the devil and the deep sea. Yoo met = < SO ( Lo ean A tank containing among other things a number of local pond snails (Planorbis Sp.) of rather small size, was taken by the writer as a prize, during December, 1917, at a drawing held by the Essex County Aquarium Society. These mol- luscs were very prolific, the aquarium soon becoming the home of numerous off- spring. But having on hand more atract- ive species with which to grace this tank, they were pooled with some Jap snails, Viviparus malleatus, in a large aquarium used for rearing young exotic fishes, and no notice was taken of them for more than a year. Recently one rather odd individual drew attention. Apparently the common condition that 1s responsible for the ero- sion of the shells of snails had eaten a hole completely through the centre of the shell, and the animal was still alive and in good health. Further examination dis- closed that half of the individuals of the species were in the same condition; liter- ally living doughnuts! The perforations varied from pinholes to ones making the animal suggest the mentioned pastry. It is reasonable to believe that as the snails grow and the shells increase in size, the water becomes deficient in lime. Co- incidentally the water dissolves parts of the shells previously built up, usually the oldest portion—the spire—which for some reason 1s less resistant to its action than the more recently formed body whorl. It should follow that the greater the number of snails to a given body of water, the greater the degree of erosion. From the observations of the writer this is generally substantiated. Be the cause a Ps Ps bis FAS FF BF Ff SF FF SS Nf 4s Fd i | ~ A Peculiar Planorbis | l i GEAR DESI Vi sR ENO se enh | ‘ oe me ee ee ees 5 6 TS Fs Fs FF Fd FG what it may, there is evident weakness or lack of resistance at the apex of the shell, and this has been noted in a large number of species. Such snails have invariably died when the etching perforated the shell and thus exposed the body of the animal, this being especially the case with the red variety of Planorbis corneus. ‘The un- usual feature of the eroded local Planor- bis is that the animals live and appear to enjoy perfect health. Can it be that a race of snails is thus developing with power to render innocuous this ordinarily fatal condition? Experiments in artifi- cial selection along this line would be in- teresting, and some sort of result could be expected when it is considered how readily these univalves adapt themselves ‘to changed conditions. The following experiment will serve to show the effect of environment on a pond snail. Eggs of Physa heterostropha were allowed to hatch and develop in a small, 120 Aquatic Lite tightly sealed jar, which contained a body of water an inch and a half deep and two inches in diameter. Six were thus grown, and in due time reached maturity and spawned, though measuring but a sixteenth of an inch across the widest part. One deposit contained five ova, and to remove it the jar was opened for the first time. The eggs were hatched in a much larger vessel and eventually the resulting animals grew to the normal size for the species. Later, when placed with other and normal specimens, they could not be distinguished. It must be mentioned that the annular Planorbis grew in company with normal Jap snails, as well as with the ever- present Physa, neither of which exhibited any departure from the type. Lime in the form of plaster of paris had been added from time to time for the benefit of the desired Japs, and, of course, the others likewise profited. From this fact it is evident that there must have been a weak- ness of shell peculiar to the Planorbis. Biologists have conducted experiments similar to that with Physa, and the results with other organisms have been similar. Bearing this fact in mind, the aquarist with a limited purse should not hesitate to purchase small specimens for breeding if the stunting has been brought about by small quarters. Succeeding generations need not inherit the dwarfish size, and dealers naturally will not charge as much for such small individuals. The Bladderworts We have in England two varieties of water-plants known as_ bladderworts, both of them veritable death-traps. For- tunately for tiny fish fry and other minute aquatic animals, they are some- what rare and local. On the other hand, as they inhabit ponds and gentle streams, they are particularly well placed to do the maximum amount of mischief. Attached to the plants are many small bladders of a purple tint. These bladders serve two purposes—as buoys to the leaves and as traps for small aquatic ani- mals. The trap is formed in such a manner that an entrance is particularly easy; not so the way out. No eel trap is more cun- ningly devised. An eel-trap is a human contrivance de- void of life and power to assist in effect- ing a capture. The bladderwort is a thing possessing vitality and cunning. There are many traps on each plant, and if an examination be made it will be found that all or nearly all contain a vic- tim. The plant never lacks for food. Many long and careful investigations have been made respecting the harmful- ness of the bladderworts, and in some cases every trap contained a little fish.— Fishing Gazette. os Trainer Simpkins was telling some ad- miring ladies how he first discovered that Teddy, the famous Mack Sennett dog, has brains. “I had an armchair in which I always liked to sit,” he said, “but Teddy, even as a pup, also showed a fondness for it, and it became a habit that I had to drive him from the chair in order that I might sit down. One day I had a bright hunch, so, stepping to the window, and, peering out intently, I cried out, ‘Cats! cats!’ Teddy made a bound for the window and I grabbed the chair. A few days later came the sequel. I was in the chair reading a book when Teddy strolled into the room. He looked at me, and then ambled over to the window. Suddenly his fur ruffled up stiff and he began to growl. I tossed my book aside and dashed to the window, and, will you believe it, that dog made one leap and landed in my chair.” Bap aes Too many men are measured by the size of their bank accounts. 0 6 Ps FP FF PS hh A Gh tk I fg fg Ff fo fg of . in Mudminnows and Sticklebacks na ! ; Association and Color Discrimination | GERTRUDE. M. WHITE, Ph. D. » a BB 6 BF Bs BB BG Ps PR 6 BG Bs BG Ps Pg BG Fl Bo Pg Bs BS Fe Ff Ff Observations were made on the activi- ties of the mudminnow, Umbra lumi, and the stickleback, Eucalia inconstans, with special reference to the acuteness of their sense organs, their ability to form asso- ciations and to discriminate colors and patterns. The experiments were carried on in the Zoological Laboratories of the University of Wisconsin. In these fishes the senses of sight and smell are most used in seeking food. The Stickleback displays more alertness in using both senses, and a much higher de- gree of acuteness of the sense of smell. This was tested as follows: Cloth packets one of which contained meat and the other cotton, were suspended at opposite ends of the aquarium. The mudminnows did not show that they perceived either packet though they swam in close prox- imity to both. The sticklebacks behaved differently since the appearance of the packets at- tracted them at once. Those fishes which went towards the packet containing meat darted furiously upon it, and pulled at it with great excitement, but those which swam in the direction of the packet of cotton stopped about 4 cm. away, and turned off in another direction. Only once or twice did they actually snap at the cotton packet. Then, perceiving the struggles of the rest of the fishes with the other packet, they swam over and joined them. In the use of the sense of sight the mudminnow compares more favorably with the Stickleback, though the latter reacts more quickly. Both pursue mov- ing objects without odor, such as bits of a 6 6 FS 6 6 Fs aS paper, or objects above the surface of the water ; both are stimulated by shadows or an increase in the amount of illumination. A series of experiments were carried on to discover whether these fishes pos- sess color vision. ‘The general problem presented to them was that of learning to associate food with a certain color, and at the same time associate unpalatable sub- stances, such as paper, with another color. In order that there might be no chance to smell the food, the bait was not drop- ped into the water, but the fishes were taught to leap out of water and take it from forceps. Repeated trials determined that the fishes were not able to distin- guish between the imitation baits and the food when both were offered out of water under the same conditions. In the first set of experiments colored papers were used. Discs cut 7.3 cm. in diameter and stiffened with cardboard. An aperture was cut in the centre of each large enough to allow the discs to be ship- ped down over the ends of the forceps from which the fishes were fed. After a mudminnow had been given food in this way for some time, the appearance of a colored disc became a signal for the fish to dart to the surface and spring out of water after food. When this associa- tion with one color seemed to be thor- oughly established, a disc of another color was substituted, with paper closely resem- bling the food in color and appearance in the forceps. The fish first snapped at the paper, but soon came to avoid it, and refused to snap at paper or food under the disc with which it had come to asso- ciate unpalatable substances, though it 122 Aquatic Lite continued to take food under the colored disc beneath which it had first been fed. In this way red and blue, and red and violet papers were distinguished. Since colored papers are never spec- trally pure, monochromatic lights were used in order to make more accurate tests. The following lights were discriminated by mudminnows, as was shown by asso- ciations formed with them: Red and green, red and blue, yellow and green. Varying the intensity of the red and green lights did not affect such discrimi- nation, indicating that the reactions of the fishes were to color rather than to inten- sity. Sticklebacks also disinguished be- tween red and green lights forming asso- ciations of food and paper with them. An interesting piece of evidence was »btained from an aquarium containing fourteen Sticklebacks. ‘These fishes were kept under observation for several months, during which they were regu- larly fed, and became very tame. Calves’ liver was given to them nearly every day from forceps. It was very amusing to see all fourteen of them dart to the top at a slight movement of any one near them and begin sticking their noses out of the water in anticipation of food. When food was held a slight distance out of the water, they would with one accord leap out after it, and at times hang on so tightly that they could be lifted sev- eral inches out of water before letting go their hold. On one occasion, after the Sticklebacks had been given a small piece of calves’ liver, the forceps were held out to them empty. None of the fishes ap- proached the forceps, but the merest bit of dark red liver was sufficient to attract them. Small pieces of bright red and dark red paper rolled into balls and sub- stituted for the food were at once at- tacked; lavender which had a pinkish tinge was snapped at twice, while tan yel- low, yellow, dark blue, gray and green elicited no positive response. This ex- periment indicates that the color of the food which Sticklebacks take habitually makes an impression difficult to eradicate. Since the theory has been proposed that fishes see colors as shades of gray, as a totally color-blind human being perceives them, further experiments were per- formed. If the fishes were reacting to in- tensity rather than to color in the experi- ments described above, they ought to be able to form associations of food and un- palatable substances with gray lights as they had done with the colored lights. Accordingly photographic plates were “fogged” to different shades of gray and food offered on the appearance of one shade and paper on another. No asso- ciations were formed by the fishes, since they attempted in the same manner to take whatever was offered with both plates, which supports the conclusion that the discriminations in the experiments cited were due to the wave length of the light. Only negative results were obtained in experiments to test the perception of dif- ferences in background by mudminnows and sticklebacks, suggesting that such discrimination does not have a very im- portant function in their search for food. The perception of color and movement seems to be of the most importance.— Author’s abstract of paper in the Febru- ary, 1919, number of The Journal of Ex- perimental Zoology. sigh DEE The “one-time” advertiser abandons the field right after sowing, and the weeds of public forgetfulness grow over his immature plant. To be sure, there are exceptions to this rule. Some “one-time” advertisements are highly productive, just as some seeds grow into fine plants with practically no care or attention after the planting. However, these only prove the rule. PL 65S be Sa SSS FS BS HS SR FF GB FG A Gs FAC 1s FS Fe FS Id Be Sg Professor of Biology in Yale University | The HAY INFUSION MICROCOSM : of l l LORANDE LOSS WOODRUFF ) ( os a Since the days of Leeuwenhoek and Joblot hay infusions have been a prolific source of material for amateur and pro- fessional microscopists, but there has been relatively little scientific study of the sequence and interrelations of the various organisms which abound in them. As a matter of fact there is probably no better introduction to microscopic organisms in general, or indeed to general biology, than a careful study day by day of the kaleido- scopic series of changes which an infusion presents from its inception until it reaches a stage of sterility or, in the presence of sunlight, of practically stable equilibrium in which animals and green plants become so adjusted that a veritable microcosm exists. Hay, tap water and air are all sources of the life of an infusion, but in order to get a representative series of forms for study it is better to “seed” the ma- terial with a small amount of debris and water from the superficial slime of a pond. Divide the infusion into several equal parts and put each into a large bat- tery jar, weighting the hay down so that it does not float. Cover the jars loosely with glass plates and stand them near a window where they will get but little direct sunlight. When hay and water are combined a complex series of physical, chemical and biological phenomena are initiated. The liquid rapidly becomes straw colored, and within a few days, depending largely on temperature, bubbles of gas rise to the surface. Gradually the liquid appears darker, until a brownish color is assumed. The lighter and darker shades are due respectively to relatively high and low acidity. When infusions are first made up the liquid, though slightly colored, is trans- parent, but within a day or so it becomes markedly turbid, due to the development of countless bacteria. The bacteria at first are about equally distributed throughout the medium, but soon a scum appears on the surface, and gradually in- creases in amount until it finally falls to the bottom and another is formed. In some cases, however, after reaching its maximum thickness, it merely thins out and disappears. The hay and smaller amount of oxygen at the bottom and the more abundant supply of oxygen at the top, offer attractions for different forms of bacteria, with the result that approxi- mately the same number are to be found in each region. After the surface scum has fallen or disappeared the centre of bacterial life is at the bottom amongst the remnants of disintegrating hay. As soon as the bacteria have become numerous, there occurs the great growth of Protozoa—saprophytic, herbivorous, carnivorous and omnivorous forms rap- idly succeeding each other in dominance, and illustrating within the confines of a drop that struggle for existence which is one of the fundamental facts of biology. It is this phase of the life of the infusion which we shall emphasize. After the period of greatest protozoan fauna has passed, rotifers become numer- ous, and as the diatoms, desmids and fila- mentous blue-green and green alge flour- ish under proper conditions of illumina- tion, various species of aquatic worms, 124 Aquatic Lite crustacea, etc., are more or less abundant. This condition of the fauna and flora merges imperceptibly into a condition of nearly stable equilibrium, in which green plants and animals, under optimum condi- tions of light and temperature, are so ad- justed that for a considerable period a practically self-supporting microcosm exists—but with the balance of nature established neither Protozoa nor Bacteria can ever again attain their maximum abundance. Turning now to the protozoan fauna of the infusion. No one, of course, can predict just what forms or what the sequence of forms will be in any given infusion, since both are the result of so many variables. But if several infusions are studied which have been “seeded” with representative material from a num- ber of sources, the general results can be foretold with reasonable accuracy. The variety of species of Protozoa which appear in such infusions 1s so great that it is necessary, at first at least, to concentrate attention on a few typical forms, and neglect the many transient species which appear apparently at ran- dom. ‘The groups or genera to be con- sidered first are Monads, or simple flag- ellates, Colpidum and Colpoda, Oxytricha and various closely related hypotrichous forms, Paramecium, Vorticella and Amoeba, because all these organisms are present in practically every infusion. These forms ordinarily succeed each other in maximum numbers at the sur- face of infusions in the order in which they are named above. That is, first there is a great growth of monads, rising to a sharp maximum and then declining as Colpidum and Colpoda gradually assume the ascendancy. Then creeping ciliates, like Oxytricha and Stylonychia, devour the Colpidia and flourish. Paramecium, which feeds chiefly on bacteria, comes next—and so the series proceeds. Although there is this fairly definite sequence of typical protozoan forms at the surface of infusions, the data at hand does not indicate any definite sequence in the middle or bottom regions. The mid- dle seems to be more or less neutral ter- ritory, which is encroached upon by ani- mals from the top and bottom regions. The bottom protozoan fauna is also, until late in the life of the infusion, relatively meagre; the main types emphasized above, with the exception of certain Amoebz being essentially surface dwell- ers, and seldom resorting to bottom, ex- cept during or after a period of great development at the top. However, there is no invariable correlation between a fall in numbers at the top and a rise in num- bers of the same organism at the bottom, and it seems clear that, in the majority of cases, when a form declines in one region, most of the animals encyst or die. The latter is certainly true for Parame- cium, because many hundreds of passive and dying individuals, affording a feast for Coleps, sometimes may be seen at the bottom among the debris. Again, myriads of cysts of hypotrichous forms are fre- quently found at the bottom as the sur- face decline proceeds. Amoebze among the general types mentioned give some evidence of migrating from the surface to the bottom, which is their chief abode. - On the whole, the bottom dwellers are largely independent of those at the sur- face, though it is usually possible to find there a few struggling individuals which have survived from an earlier prosperous surface population. It is impossible to discuss briefly the factors determining the relative number and sequence of the Protozoa. Chief among these are, however, food condi- tions, chemical changes due to bacteria, the excretions of the Protozoa them- selves, and the relative reproductive pow- ers of the different forms. The compe- —————— Aquatic Lite tition between the various organisms is so keen and the cycle is so rapid that even daily observations are hardly sufficient to study the factors involved; though now and then some prominent case of compe- tition, such as between Paramecium and Didimium is forced upon the attention and the reason for the extinction of one form is clear! The premature elimination of Paramecium obviously may disturb there- Paramecium Didinium hay infusion microcosm becomes the “in- fusoria tank,’ the source of food for newly hatched fishes.—Ed. ) LEAS ae The South Side Aquarium Club was organized on March 16th, at a meeting called for the purpose at the home of the writer, 6711 Parnell avenue. Fifteen aquarists were present, the following offi- cers were elected for the initial year: Vorticella Amoeba Photograph of Vorticella by Philip O. Gravelle; others at Yale University after the “normal” cycle of such infusion. But enough has been said to indicate the possibilities which hay infusions offer for becoming acquainted with many of the fresh water Protozoa. And by be- coming acquainted, I do not mean learn- ing their names, but rather, getting an inside glance, as it were, at the daily life and strife in the “world of the infinitely little’—a world beyond the ken of un- aided vision but within that of any one with a compound microscope at his dis- posal.—By permission, with courtesy of illustration, from The Guide to Nature, organ of the Agassiz Association. (In the language of the aquarian the President, M. Stubbs; secretary and treasurer, A. A. Maima; importation committee, Carson, Zemke and Maina. Aquatic LIFE becomes the official organ of the club. Meetings will be held regu- larly on the first Thursday of each month. The secretary will be glad to furnish in- formaticn to aquarists desiring to become affiiated.—A. A. Maina, Secretary. You wouldn’t know many a fellow was making an ass of himself if he didn’t bray so much about it. Likewise many a fellow would be credited with knowing a lot more about fishes if he didn’t talk so much on “meetin’ night.” 126 Aquatic Life A “get together” dinner was given on April 22d by the Chicago Aquarium So- ciety, Anglers’ Casting Club, Chicago Fly and Bait Casting Club, and the Lincoln Park Casting at the Hotel Breevoort. According to reliable reports, in the bat- tle, the fish culturists cleaned the boards under the leadership of Fred Orsinger. For an unbiased account of the affair see Jamison, the bait man.—Commumcated. SS Max G. Hammerschlag, of the Essex County Aquarium Society, says Newark, New Jersey, is far and away in the lead of all cities. The slogan of the city 1s “Newark Knows How.” To substantiate the assertion Mr. Hammerschlag sends the program of a_ local theatre, which announces that the orchestra will play “Excerpts from Xiphophorus Hellert” and “Gems from Platypoecilus Rubra.” Colorful music. ere Mr. William T. Innes, Twelfth and Cherry streets, Philadelphia, is one of those fortunate individuals who seldom have sick goldfish. This places him in a quandary. ‘To continue his researches into the causes and cures of the diseases of goldfish he must have patients. To this end he will be glad to have Philadel- phia aquarists turn over to him all their sick goldfish, except those suffering from constipation, and is especially interested in cases of dropsy. Fishes restored to health will be returned to owners. aR, Visitor—“Why don’t you advertise ?” Town Storekeeper—‘No, siree; I did once, and it pretty near ruined me.” Visitor—‘How so?” ‘Town Storekeeper —"“Why, people come in and bought durn near all the stuff I had.”—Judge. ie Instead of running away from your work, try to find a more efficient way of doing it. That is the secret of success. I would like a little information con- cerning red snails. I have found that many have white spots on different parts of the shell and, in a great many in- stances, it is eaten through. I was told that it was due to a lack of lime in the water, but under a microscope I find a small white organism, which is appar- ently responsible for the condition. Can any one tell me how to prevent or kill this parasite °—F. S. Boston. (Referred to readers.—Ed. ) ES la “Love is like a dear little kitten,” gur- gled the sweet young thing of 45. “It is born blind.” “But it takes a kitten only nine days to get its eyes open,” replied the masculine brute. ; ARES “There are some queer ways about building operations.” “How do you mean?” “When a man wants to expand his building for business reasons he calls in a contractor.” —Baltimore American. a Blobbs—* Doolittle is a miserable speci- men of humanity, and yet he is forever boasting of his ancestry.” Slobbs—‘Oh, many a man is completely cast in the shade by his family tree.” ee | If you want to kill an aquarium society let a member monopolize the floor, meet- ing after meeting, with a lot of “small _talk,” but remotely connected with the. study of fishes. Pes eet We are often asked how much does so-and-so fish cost a pair. Don’t know in many cases. It depends upon the gen- eral supply and demand, and how anxious you are to possess it. ——<+»>_—_ “What is the connecting link between the animal and vegetable kingdoms ?” asked the teacher. “Hash!” yelled the class with one voice. Aquatic Life 1918—1919 SEPTEMBER, 1918. The Blood-fin (Heedc) ; 3reeding Haplochilus cameronensis (Nelles) ; The Spotted Gourami (Kearns); Japanese Snail (Boyd); Aquarium Water and_ Its Restoration (Dormeier); Aquarium Heater (Hale); Fish Foods (Heede); Happy Fam- ilies, Breeding Habits of Mud-minnow, notes and news. Ocroper. Aquarium Heating (Breder) ; Hemiramphus fluviatilis (Brind); Mollienisia latipinna (Heede); Blue-tailed Skink (Deck- ert); Factors Controlling the Development of Tropical Aquarium Fishes (Webber); Snails in Aquaria (Gale) ; Habits of Black Bass, The Pipe-fish, notes, etc. NovemMBer. American Live-bearing Tooth- carps (Bade); Aquarium Notes (Leitholf) ; Notes on Krefftius adspersus (Freund) ; The Anatomy of the Fish (Clark) ; Breeding Habits of Burmese Eel (Finckh); A Bloated Axolotl (Waite); The Name “Water Flea,” notes and news. DECEMBER. Cynolebias bellottii (Brind) ; Tillaea recurva and Other Notes (Finckh) ; Another Tank Heater (Kuhn); Aquarist vs. Aquarian (Mellen); Emotions of Fishes (Gale); A Cigar Box Aquarium (Wodesto) ; Florida Notes (Carlton) ; Photosynthesis, Mis- ceilaneous notes, news, etc. Janu UARY, 1919. Limia caudofasciata (Lett- holf) ; @lassitcation of Fishes (Stead) ; Color Changes of the Chub-sucker (Hubbs) ; Neetro- plus “eairpannias (Brind); A Simple Heated Aquarium (Finckh); Notes on the Breeding Habits of the Pigmy Sunfish (Poyser) ; Gold- fish Farm of Kichigoro Akiyama, notes and news. FEBRUARY. Polycentropsis abbreviata(Brind) ; Chologaster cornutus, the Fish of the Dismal Swamp (Welsh); A Wood Aquarium (Pil- kington); Danio malabaricus (Leitholf) ; Notes on Native Fishes (Pray); Managing the Aquarium (/nnes) ; Reactions of Fishes to Habit-forming Drugs, The Boston Show, A True Fish Story, notes and news. Marcu. Breeding the Goldfish (Hanna) ; Observations on the Chelonians of North America, Part I (Shufeldt) ; Lucania ommata (Welsh); Apistogramma agassizi (Heede) ; The Water-fleas (Tompkins); Viviparous Fishes-in-general (Stead); Breeding the Striped Gourami (Simpson); Notes and news. Apri. The Surinam ‘oad (Deckert) ; Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum (Brind); Keeping Living Food Alive (Junes); Beware the Dragonfly (Gordon); An Electrolytic Aerator (Putnam); Water Liles, Some Cultural and Historical Notes (Pring) ; Beef vs. Liver, notes and news. es A sign noticed in a pet shop window: “Water Snewts, the Best Acquarum Scalvengers. -15 sents.” *C——0000000000007> 000000000000 ——> -# ;Leading Fishfood on the Market Onee Tried Always Used ORM EARP Fe LRPANEAE FStt FOO. 5 For GOLD sno TROPICAL F/SH ois. / Feed fish, food that is fish- iv food fit for fish. The only 8 Dealers, write for prices ~ 8 8 food co d ot t 3 (7) mposed ot aquatic, ( 8 8 | animal and yegetable sub- stances from which good results are obtained. Price 15c Box Baby Food 20c Box WM. G. SARBACHER, 1318 N. Dover St,, Phila., Pa {Sapp ee emis eee oe HUGO C. NELLES DEALER & BREEDER OF TROPICAL FISHES Are you looking for first-class stock at reasonable prices? Then see me. I have what you want. Manufacturer of the ‘“Faultless Fish Food,’’ 20 cents per box; per pound, $2.50. 1305 Third avenue, New York city (76th Street Station, 3d Avenue L; 77th Street Station, Lexington Ave- nue Subway). No store. Sale or Exchange Breeding pairs of Hemichrotis bimaculatus, Heros facetum, Heros spurius and Acara tetramerus. Dr. G. A. Preusker, 1348 Wellington Ave Chicago, III. Magic answers a two-fold purpose. You can raise your daphnia and your young fish. Booklet free. Magic 50c Postpaid Yogi Fishfood 15c box. By mail I7c. Yogi Fishfood 75c lb. Postage extra Robert J. Schaeffer 1818 Frankford Avenue _Phila., Pa LIVE FOOD IS THE BEST Fishes thrive and grow on little white worms. cents. Full them. S. W. BURGESS, 3424 Hurley Street PHILADELPHIA COCCI CICS 000000000000 CCS JAPANESE GOLDFISH By DR. HUGH M. SMITH A COMBINATION OF INGREDIENTS WHICH WILL PRODUCE A VARIETY. OF HARMLLSS. NON SHELL INFUSORIA, (MAGIC ORIGINATED AND MANUFACTURED ‘BY 1818 FRANKFORD AVE. Enchytraeids, the Generous box by mail, 50 directions given for propagating (| A guide to the methods of breeding ( 8 fancy goldfish practiced in Japan. The 8 8 result of the personal investigations 8 8 of the author. Ten breeds are illus- 8 1 trated in color, with numerous text l | cuts; 112 pages. $2.00, plus postage on 2 pounds. Address Aquatic Life | RIG See UES RNC | C00000000C00000C 700000000000 Dior Excellent Conformation Bahn Color Cannot Be Beat 8 8 yhow Their Quality in Finnage : [ellave Blues, Blacks and Calicos 8 a Lavery Fancier Should Look Them Over ReJlee Them at C. C. VOWINKEL 5109 Catherine Street Philadelphia, Pa ! 000900000000000C———S900000600000000' OOO ODO 000 000 CT 000000000000 OCO C00 C00 C———]C00 000000000000 Aquattc Ltfe Vol. II ae Vol. Ill $2.25 each, postage paid many illustrations. Substantial cloth binding, with title page and complete index. (Stock of Volume II is small.) WANTED: One hundred copies of 8 8 8 8 (| Volumes average 165 pages and as 8 8 Volume I, loose or bound. Can use OODDDOO00 C00 G00000000 800 single issues. Address publisher. lee ele oc cleo oe} | Leitbolf Wrothers Fine, healthy stock of Trichogaster fasciatus, Osphromenus trichopterus, Polyacanthus day, P. cupanus, Acara bimaculata, Heros facetus, Barbus conchonius, B. Semifasciolatus and many other species. 281 Southern Avenue, Pittsburgh, a Fine Broad-tail Telescopes BLACK and CALICO Correspondence Solicited GEORGE WILT, 1519 N. 62d Street, PHILADELPHIA AQUATIC MICROSCOPY By DR. ALFRED C. STOKES A splendid, not too technical hand- book of the lower organisms for the (Pelee ey inquiring aquarist who dislikes to be nonplused by scientific verbiage. 324 pages, with 198 illustrations. SSeS S_—>) $2.25, plus postage on 2 pounds. Address Aquatic Life SCS] eS 6536553) Shana Oa CINE %c——D000000000000C > C5 000000000000C SF Lincoln Park Pet Shop MADAM TUZEE, Manager. TROPICAL FISHES OUR SPECIAIING BIRDS & SMALL PETS OF ALL KINDS Aquaria, Bird Cages and all Supplies. Displayed and Sold on Commission. 1509 North Clark Street CHICAGO $2} CoC SCO COO CCN CDC D000000000000 GS Dogs CD 000000000 TD 000000000 C—— S000 0000CIC— 000000000 CS “K, D. A.” Wanted A teader wishes to purchase a “K. D. A.” Aquarium Pump. Address Editor, giving size, price and other details. Aquatic Life, Philadelphia eo eee 8 riental Fish Food For All Species of Fishes Put up in neat, attractive boxes, each package containing a pamphlet giving exact instructions for the proper care of the aquarium, 8 8 8 8 8 Gross $6.00 : : 8 ) x” lo o ole 0 ele 0 ele 0 ele 0 ale 0 ole 0 olamm) Oriental Goldfish and Supply Co 3757 - 3761 Cottage Grove Avenue Chicago, Illinois 5000000000 000000000000000000000000000C ey The Practical Fish Fancier My new popular work on tropical fishes, goldfishes, plants, etc., shows fishes and plants in natural colors as well as in half-tone plates. Detailed description sent on request. WALTER L. BRIND, F.Z.S., 449 W. 206th St., New York City f CCOc———jocr°rcSo00c¥ Goldfishes Blacks :: Blues and Vari-hues GEORGE A. SCHENK Mount Vernon, IN eae %.000C 000 C000 C= 0005000 8 : None for sale at present! 8 : : te loo oe} EVERYTHING IS FISH THAT COMES TO THE NET OF A NATURALIST Don’t paddle in the water with one hand and be blind with both eyes. In other words, “keep your eyes open’’ for all nature. ‘Our Magazine he Guide to sPature | e * | Will Help You It is edited by EDWARD F. BIGELOW, who fishes in the heavens and earth, as well as the waters under the earth. $1.00. Four months’ trial, 25e. One year, THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION ‘ ArcAdiA ! Sound Beach ; : Connecticut ! S. SILVER Fancier and Breeder of Tropical Fishes Splendid healthy stock at reasonable prices. Haplochilus cameronensis, Betta rubra, etc. | All kinds of live-bearing Syoe NISILOGey a 235 East 11th Street NEW YORK CITY (Between 2d and 3d avenues) I am now booking orders for early ship- ~ ment. $6.00 per dozen, including can. Money order must accompany all re- quests (not less than one dozen sold). Shipments by express at purchaser’s risk. GEORGE W. PRICE, 2145 South Lee Street, Philadelphia HENRY KISSEL, JR. Breeder & Fancier of Broadtail Telescopes ; Tropical Fishes, Plants and Snails. Booking orders now for spawn and fry ~ CBualien, Plants, etc., Sold at Conservatory Telephone 461 Cliffside . 241 Walker Street, Cliffside, N, J. Chaetodons i The Paradise Fish - We have the ‘largest stock in the country. 8 Large, $4 per dozen; medium, $3 per dozen. || Gambusia Holbrooki Ue Extra large females. Fine colored males. Shipping Cans, each 35c. and 50c, . Plants . plants . plants » plants - plants . bunches . bunches . bunches PRT ORNGVORT aie ass vee ard ele era co aee ade 3 . bunches Egyptian Lotus (pink)......../. .50 each 8 wis (Postage paid on all plants.) % | “The best fish food in the world is fresh water Vallisneria (narrow leaf)....., Vallisneria {wide leaf).. ’ Water Poppy .....: ' Water Lettuce . | Frogbit (florting) .. Cabomba - Anacharis. (giant)............ Potomogeton ie ee i ee a shrimp. Coarse, medium and fine, $1.00 per ‘pound, Sample box, 15 cents. Add postage to "your zone, : E i 5 1624 Mandeville Street, New Orleans, La : : i Fine Blue Veiltail | Telescope Spawn $1.00 per Dozen $7.50 per Hundred From Established Strain of *“Blues’’ Franklin Barrett Wyoming “Avenue & C. Street, Phila., Pa 35c Extra for Shipping Can Cash With Order THE BEST BOOK & AQUARIUM Susie? SUBJECTS is ‘Goldfish Varieties & Tropical Aquarium Fishes’’, byWm.T.Innes, ¢ former President of the Aquarium i Society of Phila.; 250 pages, 195 illustrations. Tells all about the $ fancy varieties of the Goldfish and nearly 300 tropicals ; how to breed them, etc., etc. For the beginner or the advanced expert. A complete, practical, handsome book, sent postpaid anywhere for $3.00. 4 Enlar ay edition now ready. INNES & SONS - 133 N. 12th St. - Phila., Pa. Charles EO Vise! Broad-tail Telescopes and Japs Blacks, Blues and Parti-colors 215 Putnam AVENUE, BrookLyn, N;: Y. ie “AQUARIA FISH” { A practical work on care and breeding of fish in the aquarium, greenhouse and outdoor ponds. Finely illustrated. f Hveryone interested in keeping fish should send for a copy of this book, Price $1.00. Three boxes, post- 8 Tappan’s Natural Fish Food. tifully marked. Write for prices. F. L. TAPPAN | Route 2, Hopkins,- Minn. paid, 25c. Guinea Pigs and Thoroughbred Collie Pups, beau- | —S900C 500 c——o°rc'°"m SCRIMSHAW’S FISH HATCHERY 1431 N. Clark Street, Chicago, Il. ' Telephone, Superior 4415 Auto Delivery Importer and Breeder of a Large Variety of Gold and Tropical Fishes AQUARIUMS KEPT IN STOCK & MADE TO ORDER Aquatic Plants and Snails Baby Alligators Aquarium Cement Everything for the Aquarium- -Pond and Lake. Aquariums stocked, maintained and repaired. Thirty-six Kinds of Fishes Wholesale and Retail Warbling Canaries Cages Food and Supplies ‘Out-of-Town Customers name County when Ordering . °° Gm => © 0 © amu °° oe au © ce HERMAN RABENAU, Aquarist PERMANENT DISPLAY OF Aquatic Life & Terraria . must be seen to be appreciated Visitors Welcome Plants and Tropical Fish a Specialty Importations of New Varieties received regularly 1163 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y. Near Broadway. GOLDFISH, FOODS, PLANTS, DIP NETS Combination Natural Fish Food - Sample Box 10c Japanese Shrimp Fish Food - - Sample Can 15c Baby Fish Food Sample Box 15c Glass Feeding Rings 15c, 25c 35c Each Mail Orders Promptly Attended to Special Prices on Quantity Lots. Cash With Order. Catalogue Sent Upon Request. AQUARIUM STOCK CO 273 Greenwich Street :: New York City HARRY Ff: PETERS. hoe 1210 N. Warnock Street, Philadelphia, Pa BREEDER AND IMPORTER Rare and Fancy Fish Plants of every variety, Snails and Be Aquarium Supplies of all kinds at = times. MANUFACTURER OF Green River Fish Food. 15c Box — Green River Baby Fish Food 20c Box A GOOD FISH FOOD is one of hes most essential things necessary to f) ™f keep fish in good health. After the ato cohaidl test of years Green River stands OWE Ratiie as the best food on the market. It Yo keeps the fish in good color by pro- 8 moting a healthy, robust growth. It [| will not sour ot cloud the water. Ask ! your dealer or send for it today. I « a 4 Young Veiltails, All Colors” et $5.00 Dozen Up Be ea BREEDERS—Largest Assortment of || a Blues, Blacks and Calico Telescopes — and Japs at Reasonable Prices. Shipping Cans, 50c. eae, as Fine Assortment of Lionheads |} HARRY P.PETERS, = & 1210 North Warnock St., Phila., Pa. Nippon Goldfish Co: J. MURATA, Proprietor. 1919-21 Bush Street, San Francisco, cal | Importers and Dealers ; & GOLDFISH PLANTS SNAILS \. Dried Shrimp, Birds, Cages and All Q | Supplies NEW STOCKS ARE COMING! i Price List Sent on Request i il HA Te a ID Aquatic Life Vol. IV. June, 1919 No. 10 An international monthly magazine devoted to the study, care and breeding of fishes and other animals and plants in the home aquarium and terrarium. Wi Als POW SB Re. ae Speen ..... EDITOR JOSEPH E. BAUSMAN .......... PUBLISHER 542 East Girard Avenue .......... Philadelphia Entered as second-class matter, September 2d, 1915, at the Post ae Philadelphia, Pa., under - Act of Mareh 3d, 1879 8 Popular and scientific artic? es and notes on sub- jects pertaining to the aquarium and terrarium. and to the habits of fishes in general, are always wanted for ‘‘Aquatie Life.’ Readers are invited to join in making it a medium of mutual help by contributing to it the results of their studies. The pages are always open to anyone having informa- tion of interest to the aquarist and student of aquatic biology. “Manuscripts, books for review and general correspondence should be addressed to the editor. ‘‘Aquatie Life’? has the largest circulation of any Magazine in the world devoted to aquatic nature-study. It offers to advertisers a market that ¢an be reached through no other medium. Rates made known on application. Pe) YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION................ $1.25 FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTIONS......... Babs ae 1.50 SINGEB COP Reis cinco shoe is clu elaiejalsisiceelin wl als 15 Payments should be made ‘by money order, draft or registered letter. If local checks are sent, ten cents should be added for collection charges. Wor- eign remittances should be by international money order, Copyright 1919 by Joseph EH. Bausman er oa are oc ake eR PR Re Jacob C. Cassel 915 Arch Street, a Manufacturer o7 AQUARIUMS Aquarium Ornaments : Floral Terra Cotta, Etc. Goldfish. Fish Globes Fish Food and all aquarium requisites. Send for Catalog. \ fea Wik Pall Importer and Breeder of - Rare Gold fishes & Tropical Fishes 7 11 19 Folsom Avene PROSPECT PARK DELAWARE CO., PA. (Formerly 425 Wolf Steet, Philadelphia, Pa. a > Orders aaked for 1919 hatching of Pterophyllum Scalare | B : 8 a : 8 8 8 : 5 : : fe 3 & it b } %,000e CC 009000 CC C000 oF? Water Gardening Winter is but a memory (wasn’t so bad, either) | and the gladsome warmth of ‘Spring is here. ( Now is the time for preliminary work on your ( outdoor ponds and tanks, THE BOOK OF WATER GARDENING, will help you create a pieture that will never- more be ealled (by your neighbors) stagnant pool.’’ The book contains 140 illustrations, more than enough to give you a comprehensive idea of the The ‘a durn old decorative possibilities of price is $2.65. THE BOOK DEPARTMENT water plants, AQUATIC LIFE Philadelphia IDO HGR Leading Fishfood on the Market Once Tried Always Used RGATERML PRDVANESE ee econ For GOLD ann TROPICAL FISH Feed fish, food that is fish- ! F food fit for fish. The only he food composed ot aquatic, animal and vegetable sub- stances from which goo results are obtained. Dealers, write for prices Price 15c Box Baby Food 20c Box WM. G. SARBACHER, 1318 N. Dover St,, Phila., Pa | B | ¥ ( = 6S 6 Fe es | ne cf mmm oe Aromochelys odoratus %, hs ss 8 Bs Fd Fs ds ee No group of turtles in our chelonian fauna are more thoroughly aquatic in their habits than are those composing the family Cinosternidae. Most of the spe- cies are North American in the matter of habitat, and herpelotologists generally have relegated the eight or nine known species to the two genera Aromochelys and Cinosternum. They are all small types, and upon comparison have pretty much the same general appearance. Their best differentiating characters are to be seen in the plastron or ventral part of the Observations on the Chelonians of North America. III. DR IRs Wes SNUUBISICIDIIG, (Ca hale Ze S, 9 6 8 6 Ft 6 Ft Si 5 Fi 6 8 PS Fs Pe 6 PR 6 Fs BS Bs Fs PS Bs PS A 6 PS PS PS 8 8 FS PE SF 6 Fs Fs ( ( l | & 6 Pe 6 Ee 6 6 6 | ( | i i ( | l l l | l CO TD Common Musk Turtie Py BB 6 6 hi 6 6 PB FP 6 Ff PP 6 Ps Ss Bs PP shell. The inner median margins of the carapace are joined by a transverse rigid bridge, to which is hinged in front and behind the plastronic lobes, which are ligamentously hinged, and so movable. They close up tightly before and behind at the will of the animal, and much in the same way as it is accomplished in our well-known terrestrial box tortoises. In- deed, so perfect is this closing in Cimo- sternum, that in some localities these forms are known as box turtles. Superficially, the carapace is extremely 128 Aquatic Lite smooth in these small chelonians, oval in outline, and devoid of any projecting bor- der. On an average they possess a length of some five inches, with a corresponding width, while their general coloration is a dark brown, with but very few markings of any kind. We have three species of Musk Turtles (Aromochelys), and they are confined to ,—o— ss Cinosternum pennsylvanicum a 6 Pa 6 Pd Os Fs Ps Ps PS Os Fs Bs Fs es Fs 9 ed Ps ed Pd es ee PP eastern North America. In them the plastron is extremely narrow, and af- fords but indifferent protection to the body and limbs. Our common Musk Turtle is here shown in Figure 4, somewhat reduced; it is easily recognized by the two yellow stripes on either side of its head, and by the unkeeled carapace. Its scientific name is Aromochelys odoratus, which is well deserved on account of its musky odor, given off whenever the animal is angry or excited. It ranges from lower Canada to the Florida peninsula and westward to the Rockies. It quite closely resembles the Southern Musk Turtle (A. tristycha), which is found from Georgia westward to Texas, and in all the Gulf States. In A. carinatus, the Keeled Musk Tur- tle, the gray head is speckled all over PS PS eg Fs ds aR ss es rm Common Mud Turtle FS BS P| Fs PS PS 5 BS Pa 8 Fs Ps Fs Ps i SF Pi 6 Ps i 8 es Pi 8 Ps Pe 8 | | ! | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | i with small, round, dark-colored spots— black in some individuals, while its cara- pace is conspicuously keeled. We meet with it in favorable localities from Geor- gia to eastern Arizona. Sufficient material is now in the hands of science with respect to the genus Aro- mochelys to make more or less extensive comparisons of the three species referred to above, as well as with those of the forms inhabitating certain parts of the . Guinas, Brazil, Mexico and Central America. As a result of such examina- tions, it can be shown that the external characters presented upon the part of these musk turtles exhibit but very slight differences in the various species most nearly affined to each other. Asa matter of fact, so close is the approach of one species to another in several instances that to scientifically distinguish the forms compared is by no means always an easy matter. Up to the present time the mat- ter of color, of the form of the shields of the plastron, and of the head markings have chiefly been employed for specific distinction; but these appear to have been of no avail in many instances, and what is really needed in the premises is a far more extensive series of specimens from the entire range of the two genera, and a very careful review of characters and morphology of the representatives of the entire group. Turtles of this family are entirely aquatic by nature, and are inhabitants of swampy localities in the neighborhood of sluggish, muddy streams, in which they are perfectly at home. Their form and brown colors tend largely to protect them, as they are not easily observed in such places. Very young specimens, and even some of the adults, often have a growth of green moss on their backs, and this circumstance still further enhances their chance of being taken for some stone on the bottom, of similar size and shape as the turtle, with such a growth upon it. When caught, Musk Turtles promptly snap at anything within their reach, being as vicious and vindictive in such respects as any true snapping turtle (Chelydra) that ever lived. Indeed, there is some- thing about them that reminds one of a true snapper. When excited and handled, they give forth a powerful musky odor, which is responsible for the vernacular name that Aquatic Lite 28) has been bestowed upon all members of the family. This odor is peculiar, and I know of nothing which exactly resembles it in nature outside of the chelonian order. Sometimes an old snapper will have a faint smell about him that is gen- erally recognized with promptness by the naturalist who studies living specimens of them. As most fishermen will tell you, musk turtles are great fellows to get after baited hooks in the water, while the fish- erman is angling in streams where these turtles live. If hooked, they cramble about in all directions, and with such forceful determination to free them- selves that the gentleman of the rod is frequently—prior to exposing the victim —led to believe that he has hooked the prize fish of the entire season. Some by no means polite language usually follows upon the luckless turtle being pulled into sight at the surface of the muddy water of his otherwise peaceful home. In Figure 4 of the present article we have the reproduction of a photograph -of mine of an adult male specimen of the Common Musk Turtle (A. odoratus), which I had in my possession for several months; the stripes-on the side of the head are well shown. Upon the other hand, a fine front view is given of an adult example of the Common Mud Tur- tle (C. pennsylvanicum), which is also from one of my photographs, the animal having been loaned me by Mr. Edward S. Schmid, of Washington. Much is yet to be learned about these abundant forms of our common turtles, especially with respect to their breeding habits, their eggs, their young, their structure, and their exact ranges. Such point will be touched upon in the next following part of the present series, where additional figures of them will be presented. NE aN Sail Contented men—aquarists. 130 Aquatic Lite Goldfish in China a missionary who has spent twenty years They're selling goldfish within the in China. During this time the only gold- shadow of the great gate of Shanghai shown in the illustration. When Mr. Erwin O. Freund, of the Chicago Aqua- rium Society, told the editor of his inten- tion to prowl through strange lands, he was admonished to keep an eye open for fishes and ‘“‘make connections.” Thus far, in China, nothing has been found to make an American goldfish fancier envious of the Orient. The goldfishes seem little fish she saw were common sorts brought by the Chinese pupils to the teachers as gifts. During our talk about fishes Miss Wood told me of an interesting experi- ence in Japan. During the Boxer upris- ing in China many of the missionaries were hurried out of the danger zone and taken to Japan, her objective being Hako- date. Here rooms were secured at one more than the average double-tails annu- ally brought from the East in great quan- tities by the Pacific coast importers. In the streets of Shanghai itinerant dealers offer the fishes in spherical globes, with short, narrow neck, so small that a fish can barely be dropped through! Every dealer sells Daphnia. China has ever been a land of mys- teries, and no less so far as goldfish are concerned. Peculiar forms have been described as being bred there, but on information so meagre that a doubt has existed as to their being established breeds. Mrs. Poyser recently entertained place and meals at another. One day, at the restaurant, she was surprised to come upon a gentleman, obviously an Ameri- can, garbed in big hip boots, etcetera, and looking anything but a tourist. She con- cluded he was a farmer, but wondered what an American farmer could be doing in Japan. Later, when an opportunity was afforded to ask the question, the gen- tleman replied that he was sort of a farmer, and extended an invitation to view his produce—a collection of fishes! Then the mystery was solved. The farmer was David Starr Jordan. I won- der if Doctor Jordan recalls this inci- dent !—W. A. P. aD | S| e re a | | 2 me my The name Gambusia is derived from the Spanish word “gambusio,” meaning an insignificant little thing, next to noth- ing. Our American representative of the genus, Gambusia affinis, is known to all aquarists, and episcopi is but slightly more attractive, which isn’t saying very much. In nature this fish is restricted to the Canal Zone, and is found in ditches along the waterway from coast to coast. It was first made known to aquarists by Rachow, of Hamburg, who secured speci- mens in 191t. The identity of the exam- ples was established by Professor Stein- dachner, of Vienna, to whom Rachow forwarded specimens. [I am under the impression that it was Steindachner who later, probably when in a more critical mood, placed it in the genus Priapichthys, and under this name it will be found in some of the systematic works. The spe- cific name comes from the Latin word “E/piscopus,’ meaning Bishop (Spanish, Obispo), and its use as the specific name of our subject concerns the occurrence of the fish about the Spanish-American town of Obispo. The Obispo Gambusia is somewhat like G. micaraguensis, but rather more slender. The most distinctive markings appear to be the six to ten vertical, narrow, dark stripes, which, however, are more or less evanescent, varying in intensity and dis- appearing entirely when an example is caught and placed in a glass vessel for examination. ‘The back is olive, similar to affims and nicaraguensis, shading to silvery white below. The anal fin, in both sexes, bears a characteristic blue-black spot; dorsal and caudal clear, with rows Pe so Ps PS FS Pe SP FS a FS PP FF SS Bg FS WALTER LANNOY BRIND: FE. Z. S. GAMBUSIA EPISCOPI ! | l fm es Sa 6 Ps PP Fs FS be sg 5 ts pes of small dots. It is a more graceful fish than others of the genus, and in size does not exceed one and three-fourths inches, the male being smaller than the female. Breeding in the aquarium is no more difficult than with other and better known viviparous fishes. Gravid females should be isolated, each in a separate shallow Gambusia episcopi tank, with plenty of bushy plants among which the young may find shelter and protection from the appetite of the mother, who will surely devour them upon discovery; hence wise aquarists watch the breeding tanks and remove the female when she is apparently spent. In such tanks be not niggardly with the plants, there can scarcely be too many, and the mass had well be grouped at the bottom as well as floating. Anacharis, Myriophyllum—most anything that can be spared from other tanks—can be utilized. Aquarium conditions suitable for most tropical fishes will be to the liking of this one. The tank should be clean, covered with a sheet of glass, well planted, and so situated with relation to the source of light that a luxurious growth will be de- veloped. The temperature should be SZ Aquatic Lile maintained between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. All the species of Gambusia are carni- vorous, so living food, such as Enchy- treids and Daphne should be provided, but if nothing better can be had, raw scraped beefsteak may be used. At the present there are few if any specimens of this species in American aquaria, but it shouldn’t be hard to ob- tain. Let me urge those who may be for- tunate enough to secure it to avoid sense- less attempts at hybridization. Though a beautiful cross has been secured from Xiphorus helleri and Platypoecilus macu- latus rubra, it does not follow that all attempts will, even if progeny be secured, bring desirable results, and especially as few aquarists seem inclined to make stud- ies sufficiently exhaustive to be considered contributions to science. With reference to indiscriminate crossing, let me point to the numerous mongrels from the vari- ous forms of Platypoecilus maculatus, none as desirable as the parental varieties. Insomnia in Goldfish Recently in “All Sorts” you sagely ad- vised a correspondent signing “Sam Hill” to add half a pint of laudanum to the water containing his goldfish in order to cure them of sleeplessness. I think this is too much laudanum. For many years I have made goldfish a study, and while I usually have the high- est regard for your opinion, I am obliged to disagree with you in this instance. I do not believe in administering lauda- num, even in small quantities, to goldfish suffering from insomnia. If goldfish are given sleeping potions to induce slumber it will not be long until they become dope- fish, and then they will require drugs all the time. I once had two goldfish which were troubled with sleeplessness, and I cured them in a very simple manner. After mature deliberation, I decided that the reason the goldfish could not _sleep was owing to the absence of wave motion in their natural environment. To supply this wave motion, I placed two small rockers on the bottom of the bowl, and when the hour arrived when all respectable goldfish ought to be abed and asleep I would take my place beside the bowl and rock it gently, at the same time crooning a soft lullaby. In a few moments the two goldfish would be sound asleep, then I myself would sneak softly upstairs to bed. Possibly the reason Sam Hill’s gold- fish could not sleep was because they were too cold at nights. I made for each of my goldfish a cunning little nightie out of red flannel, also a nightcap for each one, crochetted from baby blue yarn, with long strings and tassels. When the goldfish were asleep these tassels would float on top of the water. When I first put the nighties on the goldfish they tore around the bowl until they made the water fairly boil. You see, not being used to wearing flannel next to their skin, they found it scratchy, but they soon became accustomed to it. In the morning all I had to do in order to wake them up was to tug gently on the tassels, whereupon they would open their eyes and swim to the top of the water and lie on the surface, waiting for me to remove their nighties. After that I would give them a good rub-down and then they would be ready for the day’s swim.— “Queenie,” in The Boston Post. ee When you hear a man boasting that he understands women, you may know that he has never been married. Stet eka Plenty of plants, plenty of water in a big aquarium, and few fishes, means fine, healthy fishes if you meet their demand for living foods. I SS Sm DRE, BADE ! (The Wheel Animalcules l ( ( pS BG BP Bs PG Bg Bg Bg Fg Bf Bg Bf Fe Among the minute animals which peo- ple the water, the rotifers or “wheel bearers,” Rotatoria, form a very inter- esting class. Only a few of them reach even three millimeters in length, and they are giants of the race; usually they vary between one-twentieth and one-tenth mm. in length (a millimeter is approximately one twenty-fifth of an inch). ‘These lit- tle fellows put dramatic movements into the life of the pond. Some sport around in the clear water, “Knights of the Lists,” bearing mighty lances, as do _ others thorns. Others are sessile on plants, on the lower surface of lily pads, for in- stance. A few live in the sea; some, in the intestines of worms and molluscs, lead parasitic lives, but the species most nu- merous are those that prefer the quiet backwaters of streams, the bottoms of plant-grown ponds or the puddles in swamps. One family, the Bdelloidz, oc- curs in the moss of house-roofs and in the lichen-growths of tree-trunks and rocks. The older naturalists called them wheel animals, and this popular name has per- sisted. The anterior end of the body car- ries a retractile ciliated apparatus, the so- called “wheel organ,” which varies con- siderably in appearance in the different species. This organ, thickly beset with cilia, has a twofold purpose, serving for locomotion and also creating a current in the water whereby edible substances are brought to the ever hungry maw. The “wheel” appears circular for one mo- ment, escalloped the next, then frilled, lobed, even branched or armlike. Through a compound microscope the ceaseless play om tm of the cilia gives the impression of the spokes of a revolving wheel. ‘This ap- pearance is so deceptive that the first ob- servers assumed it as a fact that the ani- mals carried a wheel; hence the name. By adding a little cocaine or quince- gum to the water in which the animals are being examined microscopically the oe yy LT. Brachionus urceolaris, Melicerta ringens and Stephanoceros eichhorni play of the cilia slackens, and it can then be seen that the apparent wheel in motion is simply very minute hairs (the cilia), which rhythmically beat the water. But the little wheel organ is not the sole point of interest with these fellows. Even now their exact position in the zoological sys- tem is not quite clear. 134 Aquatic Lite Ehrenberg classed them as “Infusoria,” but that was a century ago, when the uni- cellular animals, the Protozoa, were not definitely understood. Similar looking creatures were grouped together, and as one-celled ciliated infusoria frequently re- call many rotifers in appearance, all were promptly put together as of one ralation- with certain larval forms of the Trocho- phora type. In them the cilia are at first much developed, but in the end are re- stricted to certain localities of the body, one of which appears constant about the mouth. Hence the conclusion that our wheel animalcules are exceedingly primi- tive forms, with close relations to the pro- mes ss os ms 6 Pa 6 FS 6 6 et Oe os Fe of . 3 Epitome of all the art of Asia, Slow waving fins of black and silver sheen, And gold-rimmed eyes a-staring mid the green; A wealth of grace and beauty without measure, A living, moving, Oriental treasure. A surfeit to mine eyes, a happy mesne Betwixt the flare of life and death’s dull screen, The best effort, physical and mental, is done on an empty stomach. Bho o0cto oso oo ooo 000000 Po 50 fon f3 9-30 foacfoacf>aPoachoacPoactoachoacoacto0Y New York City prices. oo oooSoeds econ Hoctro toactootooctoctooc Please Take Notice! After August Ist my address will be 10440—115th Street, Richmond Hill My aim is to continue breeding first class stock of all available Tropical Fishes, as I have done in the past years and to sell at reasonable To reach the above address take Brooklyn Rapid Transit Fulton Street Elevator, ride to the end of the line, (Lefferts Avenue Station) , then walk back one block to 115th Street. ocsocto0es50e450 E ° y we Aquatic Life 1918—1919 SEPTEMBER, 1918. The Blood-fin (Heede) ; Breeding Haplochilus cameronensis (elles) ; The Spotted Gourami (Kearns); Japanese Snail (Boyd); Aquarium Water and_ Its Restoration (Dormeier); Aquarium Heater (Hale); Fish Foods (Heede); Happy Fam- ilies, Breeding Habits of Mud-minnow, notes and news. Ocroprr. Aquarium Heating (Breder) ; Hemiramphus fluviatilis (Brind); Mollienisia latipinna (Heede); Blue-tailed Skink (Deck- ert); Factors Controlling the Development of Tropical Aquarium Fishes (Webber); Snails in Aquaria (Gale) ; Habits of Black Bass, The Pipe-fish, notes, etc. Novemser. American Live-bearing Tooth- earps (Bade); Aquarium Notes (Leitholf) ; Notes on Krefftius adspersus (Freund) ; The Anatomy of the Fish (Clark) ; Breeding Habits of Burmese Fel (Finckh); A Bloated Axolotl (Waite) ; The Name “Water Flea,” notes and news. DECEMBER.. Cynolebias_ bellottii (Brind) ; Tillaea recurva and Other Notes (Finckh) ; Another Tank Heater (Kuhn); Aquarist vs. Aquarian (Mellen); Emotions of Fishes (Gale); A Cigar Box Aquarium (Modesto) ; Florida Notes (Carlton) ; Photosynthesis, Mis- ceilaneous notes, news, etc. January, 1919. Limia caudofasciata (Leit- holf) ; Classification of Fishes (Stead) ; Color Changes of the Chub-sucker (Hubbs) ; Neetro- HUGO C. NELLES DEALER AND BREEDER OF TROPICAL FISHES 4 1305 “Third Avenue, New York City oo Bo0 Go ooeoeo0 Boos HoocBoo cfo00 > Hoa Boe Pon ooo ooo 00 035 04 050504 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 > So Sv So oo Su oo Sooo a Poo S50fy plus carpintis (Brind); A Simple Heated Aquarium (Finckh); Notes on the Breeding Habits of the Pigmy Sunfish (Poyser) ; Gold- fish Farm of Kichigoro Akiyama, notes and news. Frepruary. Polycentropsis abbreviata(Brind) ; Chologaster cornutus, the Fish of the Dismal Swamp (Welsh); A Wood Aquarium (Pil- kington) ; Danio malabaricus (Leitholf) ; Notes on Native Fishes (Pray); Managing the Aquarium (/nnes) ; Reactions of Fishes to Habit-forming Drugs, The Boston Show, A True Fish Story, notes and news. MarcH. Breeding the Goldfish (Hanna) ; Observations on the Chelonians of North America, Part I (Shufeldt) ; Lucania ommata (Welsh); Apistogramma agassizi (Heede) ; The Water-fleas (Tompkins); Viviparous Fishes-in-general (Stead); Breeding the Striped Gourami (Simpson); Notes and news. Apri. The Surinam Toad (Deckert) ; Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum (Brind); Keeping Living Food Alive (Innes); Beware the Dragonfly (Gordon) ; An Electrolytic Aerator (Putnam) ; Water Lilies, Some Cultural and Historical Notes (Pring) ; Beef vs. Liver, notes and news. May. Nanostomus eques (Brind); The Water Horse-tail (Wobler) ; Observations on the Chelonians of North America, Part III (Shufeldt); I Became a Fancier (Proctor) ; A Peculiar Planorbis (Breder) ; Association and Color Discrimination in Mudminnows and Sticklebacks (White); The Hay Infusion Microcosm (Woodruff); The Bladderworts, notes and news. = = = lez] SCRIMSHAW’S FISH HATCHERY 1431 N. Clark Street, Chicago, III. Telephone, Superior 4415 Auto Delivery Importer and Breeden it a Large Variety of Gold and Tropical Fishes AQUARIUMS KEPT IN STOCK & MADE TO ORDER Large Pairs of Mollienisia latipinna $1.00 Swordtails (X. helleri) 1.00 Lebistes recticulatus (Guppy) 50 Aquatic Plants and Snails Baby Alligators Aquarium Cement Everything for the Aquarium-Pond and Lake. Aquariums stocked, maintained and repaired. Thirty-six Kinds of Fishes Wholesale and Retail Warbling Canaries Cages Food and Supplies Out-of-Town Customers name County when Ordering 000 C——> 000 > 7°:°0c——>c00c>000c—> 000 D000 000 COO GSS 000 SS 000 GSS 000 000 GS) 000 G=— 000 Gs 000) << >000C 000 C——D>ov°~1c——Do000c The Breeders choice is Yogi Fishfood Ask your dealer or druggist for Yogi or send for it direct. Yogi |5c box. Yogi 75c Pound Magic (Infusoria) By mail 17c Add Postage 50c Postpaid Robert J. Schaeffer 1818 Frankford Avenue _Phila., Pa sii Oo” factured only "PRICE, 10 LIVE FOOD IS THE BEST Fishes thrive and grow on Enchytraeids, the little white worms. Generous box by mail, 50 cents: Full directions given for propagating 1em. S. W. BURGESS, 3424 Hurley Street PHILADELPHIA 000000000000 Cor tence Park Pet Shop MADAM TUZEE, Manager. 8 8 TROPICAL FISHES 5 OUR SPECIALTY : BIRDS & SMALL PETS OF ALL KINDS | x Aquaria, Bird Cages and all Supplies. Displayed and Sold on Commission, Dogs 1509 North Clark Street CHICAGO 9009000000008 > 000000000000 ——>} CS 0000000CDIC— 000000000 ——> O00. or Excellent Conformation T n Color Cannot Be Beat 8 Whow Their Quality in Finnage 8 ave Blues, Blacks and Calicos 8 8 <2 jivery Fancier Should Look Them Over = (AlRe/E=ea Ie lee Them at C. C. VOWINKEL 5109 Catherine Street Philadelphia, Pa DCOSOOSOCO 000000 CT SDSOONOOOOCOCCOCCO Leitbolf Wrotbers Fine, healthy stock of Trichogaster fasciatus, Osphromenus trichopterus, Polyacanthus dayi, P. cupanus, Acara bimaculata, Heros facetus, Barbus conchonius, B. Semifasciolatus and many other species 281 Southern Abenue, Pittsburgh, Da C00000 000000 CMF 000 000000000 Fine Broad-tail Telescopes BIUACIX and CAILMCO Correspondence Solicited GEORGE WHET, 15190) Ne o2de Streets PHILADELPIIIA The Practical Fish Fancier IS THE NAME OF My new popular work on tropical fishes, goldfishes, p’ants, etc., shows fishes and plants in natural colors as well as in half-tone plates. Detailed description sent on request. WALTER L. BRIND, F.Z.S., 449 W. 206th St., New York City Sale or Exchange bimaculatus, and Acara Breeding pairs of Hemichromis Heros facetum, Heros spurius tetramerus. Dr. G. A. Preusker, 1348 Wellington Ave Chicago, III. ———>c7:°:°c—— o00cDo00e¥ Goldfishes Blacks :: Blues and Vari-hues None for sale at present! GEORGE A. SCHENK Mount Vernon, N. AG, #2000 5000 ——S c00 —S 000 000 | | 300 ; ! Sound Beach ad : | ; 8 s Shipping Cans, each 35c, and 50c, | 8 i EVERYTHING IS FISH THAT COMES f TO THE NET OF A NATURALIST Don’t paddle in the water with one hand and be blind with both eyes. In other words, “keep your eyes open’’ for all nature. Our Magazine Che Guide to ature Will Help You It is edited by EDWARD F. BIGELOW, who fishes in the heavens and earth, as well as the waters under the earth. 8 Four months’ trial, 25e. One year, $1.00. THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION S000 7000380 SH ArcAdiA Connecticut S. SILVER Fancier and Breeder of Tropical Fishes Splendid healthy stock at reasonable prices. Haplochilus cameronensis, Betta rubra, etc. All kinds of. live-bearing fishes. 235 East 11th Street NEW YORK CITY (Between 2d-and 3d avenues) Water Lilies Red or white night bloomers; yellow, white or blue day bloomers. Large flow- ering plants, $1.00 each, postpaid. CRESCENT FISH FARM, 1624 Mandeville Street NEW ORLEANS, LA. HENRY KISSEL, JR. Breeder & Fancier of Broadtail Telescopes | Tropical Fishes, Plants and Snails. Booking orders now fer spawn and fry Fishes, Plants, etc., Sold at Conservatory Telephone 461 Cliffside 241 Walker Street, Cliffside, N. J. The Paradise Fish We have the largest stock in the country. Large $4 per dozen; medium, $3 per dozen. Gambusia Holbrooki Extra large females. Fine colored males. Vallisneria (narrow leaf)...... .30 doz. plants Vallisneria (wide leaf)........ .50 doz. plants Water SP Onpyy ir. cite. vic cle iele ci $1.00 doz. plants Water Lettuce ............... Frogbit (floating) ............ OaDOMBAe Pirie aise oie Manas cratele Anacharis (giant)............ Potomogeton Hornwort Egyptian Lotus (pink)........ .75 doz. plants -50 doz, plants -75 doz. bunches .75 doz. bunches -75 doz. bunches -75 doz. bunches 50 each Ce ee ee Cee ee ee ee ; (Postage paid on all plants.) The best fish food in the world is fresh water shrimp. Coarse, medium and fine, $1.00 per ‘pound, Sample box, 15 cents, Add postage to your zone, CRESCENT FISH FARM 1624 Mandeville Street, New Orleans, La ib C= 000 = 000: ia eae of Young Veiltail Telescpoes from the Finest Stock in America $2.50 per Dozen $15.00 per Hundred Mixed Colors, Blues, Blacks Calicos, Etc. Franklin Barrett Wyoming Avenue & C. Street, Phila., Pa 35c Extra for Shipping Can Le Cash With Order ( THE BEST BOOK it AQUARIUM S.ds2e2 is ‘Goldfish Varieties & Tropical Fy), Aquarium Fishes’’, byWm.T.Innes, //f/ former President of the Aquarium A Society of Phila.; 250 pages, 195 illustrations. Tells all about the & SONS - 133 N. 12th St. - Phila., Pa. Diatoms | Wish\to secure diatomaceous material, recent freshwater and marine gatherings and from fossil deposits. Editor, Aquatic Life “AQUARIA ae A practical work on care and breeding of fish | in the aquarium, greenhouse and outdoor ponds. Finely illustrated. Hyveryone interested in keeping fish should send for a copy of this book. Price $1.00. Route 2, Hopkins, Minn. Tappan’s Natural Fish Food, ‘Three boxes, post- ' paid, 25e. Guinea Pigs and Thoroughbred Collie Pups, beau- tifully marked. Write for prices. [o.2 oe 0 sie 0 ele 0 ojo oe] Vol. II sie $2.25 each, postage paid Volumes average 165 pages and as many illustrations. Substantial cloth binding, with title page and complete index. WANTED: One hundred copies of Volume I, loose or bound. Can use Ce issues. Address publisher. ] A guide to the methods of breeding 8 fancy goldfish practiced in Japan. The result of the personal investigations OSOG20600' [ames lee ele 0 e]e 0.0.0 © clam | aman] JAPANESE GOLDFISH By DR. HUGH M. SMITH of the author. Ten breeds are illus- trated in color, with numerous text cuts; 112 pages. $2.00, plus postage on 2 pounds. Aquatte Lite Vol. III (Stock of Volume ITI is small.) : : 8 8 l 8 : 8 8 Q Address. Aquatic Life ) HERMAN RABENAU, Aquarist ‘ PERMANENT DISPLAY OF Aquatic Life & Terraria must be seen to be appreciated Visitors Welcome Plants and Tropical Fish a Specialty Importations of New Varieties received regularly 1163 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y. Near Broadway. ’ OCC D000 Cc 3005 8 vour dealer or send for it today. — f Oc S505 OC 000c509 HARRY P. PETERS} 1210 N. Warnock Street, Philadelphia, Pa ay BREEDER AND IMPORTER _ Rare and Fancy Fish . ee Plants of every variety, Snails and V ee Aquarium Supplies of all kinds at pe sce times. eee MANUFACTURER OF oA Green River Fish Food 15c Box Green River Baby Fish Food 20c Box A GOOD FISH FOOD is one of the ‘most essential things necessary to | keep fish in good health. After the test of years Green River stands out Q — as the best food on the market. It UY keeps the fish in good color by pro- moting a healthy, robust growth. ft — will not sour or cloud the water. Ask GOLDFISH, FOODS, Combination Natural Fish Food - Sample Box 10c PLANTS, DIP NETS Japanese Shrimp Fish Food - - Sample Can 15c Baby Fish Food Sample Box 15¢ Glass Feeding Rings | 15c, 25c 35c Each Mail Orders Promptly Attended to Special Prices on Quantity Lots. Cash With Order. Catalogue Sent Upon Request, AQUARIUM STOCK CO 273 Greenwich Street New York City Breeders Large assortment of Splendid Telescopes and Jap Goldfish at Reasonable Prices Fine. Assortment of Lionheads Shipping Cans 50c Baictdion Young Blues, Blacks and Calicos $1.50 Dozen Young Veiltails or Broadtails 9.00 Dozen HARRY P. PETERS’ 1210 NORTH WARNOCK STREET , PHILADELPHIA ; Nippon Goldteh Co J. MURATA, Proprietor, ‘iy 1919-21 Bush Street, San Francisco, Cal Importers and Dealers GOLDFISH PLANTS _ SNAILS Dried Shrimp, Birds, Cages and All Supplies NEW STOCKS ARE COMING! Price List Sent on Request , Ae OO eae thie) « Meera tema ede tha i | : a Ml ANAT OOOCSCO OOO COO OOO CS CSCS CS]OOOOOOOSS OOO 005 Aquatic Life Vol. IV. July, 1919 No. 11 An international monthly magazine devoted to the study, care and breeding of fishes and other animals and plants in the home aquarium and terrarium. W. A. POYSER.......... ayepelatervensieisroteile EDITOR JOSEPH E. BAUSMAN .......... PUBLISHER 542 East Girard Avenue .......... Philadelphia Entered as second-class matter, September 2d, 1915, at the Post Office, Philadelphia, Pa., under Act of March 3d, 1879. Popular and scientific articles and notes on sub- jects pertaining to the aquarium and terrarium. and to the habits of fishes in general, are always wanted for ‘‘Aquatic Life.’’ Readers are invited to join in making it a medium of mutual help by contributing to it the results of their studies. The pages are always open to anyone having informa- tion of interest to the aquarist and student of aquatic biology. Manuscripts, books for review and general correspondence should be addressed to the editor. “Aquatic Life’’ any magazine in the world devoted to aquatic nature-study. It offers to advertisers a market that can be reached through no other medium. has the largest circulation of YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION................ $1.25 FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTIONS............... 1.50 SHOR (Aud (COPE, 5 oaonccqgddnanb00e50n000000 15 Payments should be made by money order, draft or registered letter. If local checks are sent, ten eents should be added for collection charges. For- eign remittances should be by international money order. Copyright 1919 by Joseph E. Bausman COO SCO COO C00 CS CS COS S009 COO 0CO C00 C00 CD CIC) C5000 0000600000! Jacob C. Cassel 915 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pa Manufacturer of AQUARIUMS saa Ornaments Floral Terra Cotta, Etc. Goldfish - Fish Globes Fish Food and all aquarium requisites. Send for Catalog. i Wm. L. Paullin Importer and Breeder of Rae Gold fishes & 8 8 8 Tropical Fishes 8 1119 Folsom Avenue PROSPECT PARK DELAWARE CoO., PA. (Formerly 425 Wolf Street, Philadelphia, Pa.) Orders booked for 1919 hatching of Pterophyllum Scalare 8 8 8 § 8 | 8 8 8 8 : 8 | P iiammslo 0 cleo cle.0.cle.c cleccle.o cle 0.cle.0 cleo cla.c ole 0 ole oc ofammn/y i O00 008 CGD 000 Leone Water Gardenin g Winter is but a memory (wasn’t so bad, either) and the gladsome warmth of Spring is here. Now is the time for preliminary work on your outdoor ponds and tanks. THE BOOK OF WATER GARDENING 8 | 0 p p will help you create a picture that will never- more be called (by your neighbors) ‘‘a durn old stagnant pool.’’ The book contains 140 illustrations, more than enough to give you a comprehensive idea of the decorative possibilities of water plants. The price is $2.65. THE BOOK DEPARTMENT Philadelphia AQUATIC LIFE 56 ! : Rates made known on application. : na | : ue Leading Fishfood on the Market Once Tried Always Used RORTE SIBANESE. ded cage | For GOLD ann TROPICAL FISH ~ Feed fish, food that is fish- ! food fit for fish. The only 8 food composed ot aquatic, animal and yegetable sub- stances from which good results are obtained. oy Dealers, write for prices Price 15¢ Box Baby Foed 20c Box WM. G. SARBACHER, 1318 N. Dover St,, Phila., Pa a Sele eine rem neeinae | A BIG-HEADED GURNARD HENRY W. FOWLER The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia Big-Headed Gurnard i : | ! : : | : : | | ees a a ee The accompanying photograph, evi- dently that of the big-headed gurnard (Prionotus tribulus), represents a species very abundant in the Gulf of Mexico, and occasionally found northward on our Atlantic coast to Long Island. I have never met with it in the northern part of its range or seen it among the multi- tudes of gurnards or sea-robins examined along the New Jersey, Delaware, Mary- land and Virginia coasts. On these shores, however, we have a very com- man allied gurnard or sea-robin, in the long-finned species, Prionotus strigatus. The chief distinction, and it appears clear- 6 Ss BS SF 6 Bs Pe 6 PS Ph BS 6 PS BG FS Ps Po Fs i BS Bs PS PS yd PS Ps Ps omc, A 6 ah Fa 6 0 a a 6 a | | | | | Photograph by S. A. Scrimshaw | : : : : : : : : oma, ly in the photograph, is the presence of a small thorn or spine at the centre of radiating lines, or striz, on the cheek bone directly below the front of the eye. Both fishes are beautifully colored when alive, and the waved dark lines on the large pectoral fins give most pleasing effects. The subject of the photograph was caught by Mr. S. A. Scrimshaw, at Pen- sacola, Florida, and was about a foot in length. It is described as vicious and tenacious of life, living five hours after removal from the water. The water in which it was caught was 22 feet deep. 142 Aquatic Lite Gurnards are peculiar looking fishes, with large, bony heads, often furnished with prominent spines. These spines usually become less pronounced or obso- lete, even disappearing with age. Their teeth are very fine or minute, and in bands, thus serviceable in securing their prey. This consists of invertebrates, such as worms, crustaceans, mollusks, etc. A very characteristic development is the three lower pectoral rays, which are really modified tactile organs. The gur- nard, being a bottom dweller, moves close over the stones and sand, and uses these rays, which appear like fingers or claws, in its hunt for food. By probing and feeling about the crevices the presence of prey is detected, as the rays are highly sensory. Some species of gurnards live in deep water, and these are red in color. Like- wise the flesh, which, though seldom valued as food in our region, is quite pala- table, and its usual pink color suggests salmon. Many gurnards utter grunting sounds, by contracting the air-vessel, and the name gurnard was originally applied with reference to these sounds, which are very noticeable as the fish are taken from the water. Other names are pig-fish and grunt, and at Nantucket we heard “Peter- grunter,” derived from the same habit. It may be interesting to note that only two species of gurnards occur on our New Jersey coast. Of these I have rec- ords or examined material as follows: SHORT-FINNED GURNARD (Prionotus carolinus). Atlantic County (Atlantic City, Somer’s Point) ; Cape May County (Anglesea, Beesley’s Point, Cape May, Corson’s Inlet, Ludlam Bay, Sea Isle City, "Townsend’s Inlet); Monmouth County (Belford, Long Branch, Sandy Hook). LONG-FINNED GURNARD (Prionotus stri- gatus). Atlantic County (Absecon, At- lantic City) ; Cape May County (Angle- sea, Avalon, Beesley’s Point, Cape May, Corson’s Inlet, Five Fathom Bank, Grassy Sound, Ludlam Bay, McCrie’s Shoal, Ocean City, Old Eph Buoy, Sea Isle City, Stone Harbor); Monmouth County (Belford, Long Branch, Mana- squan, Sandy Hook). French War Orphans The children of France have not yet emerged from the shadow of the war. With peace assured, and a happier future opening before them, it becomes increas- ingly evident that the child life of France has suffered a shock from which it is dif- ficult to rally; while the birth rate has dropped to 8 to each 1000 population. The Fatherless Children of France, an American organization co-operating with a similar one in Paris of which Marshal Joffre is the head, reports that of the chil- dren receiving American aid to the extent of 1a cents a day under its plan of secur- ing American godmothers for the little French war waifs, its records show an average of 700 children’s deaths per month since the armistice. ‘The help of the American godmothers came too late to save these undernourished nerve- shocked little ones. Mrs. Walter S. Brewster, of Chicago, vice chairman of the Fatherless Children of France, has been appointed chairman of a campaign to secure American aid for the 60,000 little war orphans whose names were on the lists of the organiza- tion as “unadopted” before the signing of the armistice. Ten cents will care for a child for an entire day; $3.00 for a month; while for $36.50 a year the donor may select a child from the lists at the organization’s headquarters and be placed in correspondence with it. ‘To adopt a child or make a donation write for in- formation to Mrs. Walter S. Brewster, Room 634, 410 S. Michigan avenue, Chi- cago. (The Nesting Habits of Certain Sunfishes ee es | as Observed in a Park Lagoon in Chicago | |! ( |! |! QOL LS OO 6 Ps FR 6 Fs PS Pn SPS Fs Ps Os Just back of the present building of the Field Museum of Natural History, in Jackson Park, Chicago, there lies one basin of a series of pretty lagoons, which are connected with one another and with Lake Michigan by means of narrow chan- nels. These lagoons are well supplied with fish life. The writer has records of more than forty species, of which those belonging to the sunfish family (Centrar- chide) are in many ways the most inter- esting to him, as well as to the numerous small boys who delight in dodging the park police to catch these little fishes from the shore. As this locality is so readily accessible to the writer, he was able during the spring of this year to make daily observations here on the nest- CARL L. HUBBS, Field Museum and Chicago Aquarium Society SS PS SF 6 6 Bs Fs Fs Ps PS Fs Fs Fs Fs Bs PS Os BG PS Pd Ps PS Ps Fs Fs Ps Pe View of the Lagoon in Jackson Park, Chicago, were the observations were made 6 6 Pt BG Bg a Ps PR 6 PR 6 PS PB 6 Be 6 Ps Ps Ps Ps Ps Ps fu] ! ing habits of the sunfishes. Although many, and perhaps all,.of the facts de- termined have already been recorded or are generally well-known, nevertheless these notes may be of interest to the readers of AQUATIC LIFE. The species which was first observed nesting is one which is not popularly as- sociated with the sunfishes, though be- longing to the same family and having similar habits, namely the large-mouthed black bass (Micropterus salmoides). The nests of this species, found only during the latter half of May and the first half of June, were all circles of exposed stony or gravelly bottom, surrounded by the finer bottom material—first a ring of sand and then one of silt—thrown out- 144 Aquatic Lite ward by the bass in forming the nest. They were usually located in a small, cleared area among pond weeds (Pota- mogeton). ‘The diameter of the central or gravelly portion of the nest, through- out which the eggs were found concealed, varied between one and two feet; the extreme diameter, from one and one-half to three feet. Most of the bass nests were in depths greater than two feet, and at distances from the shore greater than Lenireets The single warmouth bass (Chaeno- bryttus gulosus) observed breeding in the lagoon was found on June 11, over its nest, about fifteen feet from shore. The nest, which resembled that of the black bass, was located at a depth of about three feet in a cleared area in a thick growth of Potamogeton. ‘The fish was affected with fungus, and died two days later. A green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) was found guarding its eggs on June 20. No nest whatever had been constructed, the eggs being attached to willow rootlets, which here projected thickly into the water at the very edge of the lagoon. The guardian fish, presumably the male, was very brilliantly colored; back and sides metallic green, rather indistinctly barred, grading into coppery below, each scale margined with darker; the cheeks with emerald spots and streaks, more inter- rupted than those of the pumpkin-seed ; the opercular flap greenish black, mar- gined with coppery; soft dorsal and anal fins each with a black spot at base of the last rays, the former fin with a narrow, the latter with a wide margin of orange. This fish was surprisingly “tame,” re- peatedly taking an earthworm from one’s fingers, permitting itself to be touched, and rising to one’s hand on the surface of the water, and only gently biting at one’s fingers, like a dog at play, when the eggs were being examined in the root- lets. Occasionally it circled off to a dis- tance of about two feet, but returned at once; even after being caught and exam- ined a moment, it came back in about two minutes from the deeper water in which it had temporarily taken refuge. On the next two days, however, the fish darted off immediately upon approach. After a few warm days, the last of the month of May, the two commoner species of sunfishes, the pumpkin-seed (Lepomis gibbosus) and the blue-gill (Lepomis in- cisor) began breeding at approximately the same time in scattered localities throughout the lagoon. The number of nests gradually became more numerous, the breeding season for each species reaching its height between June 15 and June 20. A few days of hot weather then terminated their breeding; careful search from shore and boat disclosed no new or occupied nests during the last few days of June or the first few of July. - That sunfishes do not always construct their own nests is proved by the follow- ing instance. A blue gill was observed guarding a certain nest in the lagoon on June 15, 16 and 17; on June 18 it was not in evidence, but a pumpkin-seed was swimming about the nest, though not actually resting on it; on the morning of June 19 apparently the same pumpkin- seed was guarding a mass of eggs in the nest, but by noon of the same day most of the eggs had been removed (by small boys?), and in the evening the male was observed spawning again with a female on the same nest. ra 2 If a man calls you a fool call him an- other; that is, if you are curious to learn something worse about yourself. “We are never too old to learn,” quoted the Wise Guy. “No, the difficulty is we are sometimes too young,” replied the Simple Mug. 6 5 8 es es | its The earliest data I possess concerning Badis badis—Blue-fin (Blauflosser) as the Germans call it—is of the year 1906, but the species was surely taken into Ger- many before that time. Paul Matte, of Lankwitz, had bred the fish at that time, and had told Stansch how to proceed to get the best results. I met with it first in Berlin, in 1910, purchasing a couple of pairs from F. Olaf Andersen. From these I raised a brood in Berlin, and another, a year later, in Chicago. Following the plan of Matte, a flower pot was placed upright in the sand of the aquarium bottom, and filled to within three inches of the top with sand. The eggs are deposited in a hollow in the sand within the pot, and are thereafter, until hatched, guarded by the male, who vig- orously fans them with his fins. With a temperature of 77 degrees the fry appear three days after oviposition. Four days later the young are unceremoniously “kicked out” to make room for another brood. ‘The female, however, should be removed immediately after the eggs are deposited. In nature the female would wander off as a matter of course, and the next mating of the male would be with another female. Burkhardt, of Breslau, told me that he failed to provide a flower-pot, whereupon the fish dug a hole in the sand among the plants. He observed that in spawning the sexes became locked in a close em- brace like Paradise fish, and that with each contact the eggs were sprayed into the sand-hollow. The male cared for the eggs and the young until they left the nest. / BADIS BapiIs .) WALTER LEANING NG BRINE eZ. S: LD BO 0 eet iy When the female is removed from the male, if further litters are desired, she may well be placed in a tank similarly equipped with a flower pot, and there rested for a couple of weeks. The male, after removal from the fry and being well fed alone for a shorter period, can again be placed with her. By thus moving the Badis badis fish about, quite a large number could be raised from a single pair, and this also applies to other fishes of similar breed- ing habits. Badis is a small freshwater fish from India, and in nature spawns in holes in the banks of streams. During breeding activities the male assumes bright colors, suggesting the familiar Paradise fish. Vertical dark blue stripes appear on an orange, reddish-yellow or golden brown ground color having a bluish sheen. The female is somber in comparison. The body is elongated, compressed from side to side, and clumsy in general appear- ancem bien dorsalenmupiss loner tinateissatn respect to its base, running from a point behind the head well back to the caudal peduncle. In the male the lobe of the dorsal terminates in a point; in the female 146 Aquatic Lile it is obtuse. The color of this fin is changeable from light to dark blue and purple, with a horizontal band or stripe, and in the male, with the upper edge rich The base of the anal fin of the Jen IBIS (Oe green. male bears an orange spot. ample will measure two inches. Temperatures from 70 to 75 degrees will be sufficient for adults, but the young should be accorded more warmth until several months old. Live foods, Daphne, Cyclops and Enchytraeids, should be preferably fed. (Certain writers indicate that the eggs of Badis badis are deposited on the flower pot, but are otherwise in accord with Mr. Brind.—Editor. ) val aga a Philadelphia Aquarium When the average person thinks of fish a picture of a peaceful little glass globe, containing two or three goldfish, a tad- pole, a bunch of weed and a little stone castle, is what usually floats before the vision of the mind. Yet life beneath the waters of the world presents one of the great undeveloped fields for study, if not the greatest known to man. Up to within a comparatively few years ago there was very little knowledge of the habits, foods, life, traits and breeding of fish, with the exception of the few varieties that had been cultivated, such as the Japanese carp and goldfish. In recent years, however, the study of fish has come to be recognized as important, not only the study of fresh water, but of the deep sea varieties of the finny tribe. Through the work of the pioneers in this study and investigation the problem of conserving the fish of the streams and lakes of the world has been met to a great extent. It has long been recognized by ichthy- ologists that there was only one way to gain anything like complete data of any kind concerning fish, and that is through the medium of the aquarium. Not only for its uses in providing a field for the study of fish and because of attractiveness the aquarium on a large scale has come to be an institution in many of the large cities of the world. New York and many European cities have handsome struc- tures containing marvelous assortments of fish. Philadelphia also has its aqua- rium, already a fairly well developed in- stitution and one that, when completed, will compare favorably with any for the plans for it have been made along lines far more advanced than any of the others. Ths has been possible because of the experience of the others. The plans in accordance with which the local aquarium is being developed on the site of the old Gratz Mansion and Spring Garden pumping station, just be- low the Fairmount Dam on the Schuylkill River, make it not only possible for the ichthyologist and nature student to delve into the lore of the water denizens, but also afford the sightseer a better oppor- tunity to view the fish than the New York or any other aquarium. The tanks are so arranged that the light falls di- rectly on the surface of the water. E,very- thing has been done to depict as nearly as possible the natural habitat of the mhabi- tants of the tanks. ee In connection with former advertise- ments in Aguatic LiFe, the J. J. Halter- back Company, Inc., writes: “We mot only received inquiries, but good orders from first-class houses all through the Umited States, Canada, Central and South America.” ‘Taking into consideration that Aguatic LiFe has subscribers in all parts of the civilized world, and that the “Peerless” aquarium is a first-class arti- cle, the result is merely what should be expected. I 0c og tg GP PG Pt SP PsP PF Fg FS SP Pg Pa Ps fl ( ( | A The Paradise fish, Macropodus viridi- Oras, Ol ASH, las llome lxeen 2) most familiar aquarium fish. In a num- ber of characteristics it is a splendid fish for the novice fancier of exotic fishes. It is beautifully colored, sufficiently dif- ferent in shape from just an “ordinary fish,” and has interesting breeding habits. But the most important feature concerns winter conditions. Most tropical fishes must be maintained constantly at not less than 65 degrees, which is not an easy feat, even in a well-heated home. ‘The Paradise fish, in contrast, can endure 45 degrees, but it is well to keep it warmer if possible. In addition, being a labyrinth fish, and provided with the means to use atmospheric air, coming to the surface at intervals for a supply, it can endure foul water. In other words, it will not suffer like other fishes if you neglect the aqua- rium. Now for the one detrimental character- istic. Our subject is a fighter, and is well able to maul another, male or female, unmercifully. But this can be overcome by keeping a goodly number together, each individual, wary of an attack from behind, perforce becomes pacific. Not all fin-tearing, however, will be eliminated, but the rents will soon mend. Though a slow fish, in the sense that it is not gifted with nervous activity, it is a jumper, and for this reason the aquarium should be covered with a piece of glass, which has the added advantage of conserving and equalizing the temperature. | During the spring and summer, when the temperature is 75 degrees and above, the male puts on his brilliant colors, which are hard to describe in detail. The iste eh OSE eros | | HARRY W. BALLEISEN PS Ps Fs BB Bs Bh Bs Ps PG Ps Bs PS Bs Pe BP PS Ps Fs a i a body is brown, with a greenish cast, with apparent vertical stripes of blue, plus a reddish hue; fins of various shades of red, with some brown, blue and yellow. His fins are long, sharp-ended, and _ rib- bon-like; now contracted, again spread like the tail of the proverbial peacock. The female is smaller, with rounded fins; light brown in color, which changes to a gray tone when breeding. Macropodus viridi-auratus (Paradise Fish) When a male and a gravid female have mated, a procedure sometimes made of many battles, even unto the death of an undesired female, the male builds his floating nest of bubbles, rising to the sur- face for air and discharging it, coated with mucus, in the selected location; re- peating the operation innumerable times. Then, coaxing the female to a position below, he winds himself about her, a gentle pressure expelling the eggs. These he catches dexterously in his mouth, even recovering those falling to the bottom, and blows them into the nest. Spawning may continue throughout the day, and 148 Aquatic Zile when completed the female should be removed. The nest is carefully tended by the male, falling eggs being replaced and new bubbles added if the structure need strengthening. During extremely warm weather the young appear 36 hours later. Paternal interest continues for perhaps four days longer, during which the young are kept within bounds, which means the nest. Gradually the nest is spread out and new bubbles added, until the fry are able to swim freely. The male should now be removed; otherwise he will de- vour the young he has so carefully nursed. The fry should be provided with Infu- soria in plenty, to be later followed by Daphne. oe How quaint, queer and quizzical are aquarium fishes—and aquarists—to news- paper reporters. In a New York sheet we read of the wonderful ‘“Helleri,” which builds a nest of bubbles and then proceeds to bring forth the young alive. Further, Pa Helleri plays hob (we hesi- tate to use a term more in rhyme with the fish’s name) with Ma Helleri if she fails to appreciate his attempts at home- building. Another paper tells us of a gorgeous red, white and blue goldfish—the “Lib- erty Fish’—originated in northern New Jersey, after years of painstaking effort by the owner. ‘The account assures us that the fish is unique. That the reporter made a careful study of the situation is evident, because he mentions that the Red Drumfish, Bluefish and Whitefish were not called upon to lend their colors to the new animal. Of course, in this new gold- fish, you recognize the popular calico broadtail. Who wants any other kind nowadays? ‘The story reminds us of the romance of Sagittaria natans, published twenty years ago, from the pen of a then well-known goldfish fancier. ed During the famous days of King Ar- thur two brave knights did battle because they could not agree as to the wording ona sign. They were both right and both wrong—the sign had two sides! Since the first stroke of time ignorance has bred strife, and knowledge harmony. Knowledge is the world’s greatest asset. Advertising is the power that distributes knowledge. Advertising is the point of contact be- tween the producer and the purchaser. Through it public opinion is swayed and action started. The great body of people may only judge a business through its advertising. Judicious advertising, eco- nomical advertising, consists in placing the announcement where it will reach the greatest number of prospective buyers. Aguatic LiFe is a highly specialized ad- vertising medium for the breeder of aqua- rium fishes, every reader having a direct interest. It follows, therefore, that, re- gardless of the lower or higher cost of space in other mediums, advertisements in Aguatic LIFE bring the greatest number of orders. ple eee TI. Krefftius adspersus is certainly a beau- tiful little fish. I have kept specimens for years, feeding mosquito larve in summer and tiny earthworms in winter. It used to be quite common in our Torrens, and was used by anglers as live bait for perch. Now we must go up the Murray if we want examples for our aquaria. The in- troduction of perch and goldfish in our rivers is without doubt clearing out many of the smaller native fishes.—HERBERT M. Hate, South Australia Aquarium So- ciety. —— As long as any one is dissatisfied there’s hope. ees The aquarist with a garden at his dis- posal, and broad tendencies in nature- study, should not miss the opportunity afforded by a large open-air terrarium. An attempt along this line in no way in- terferes with the horticultural projects of other members of the family, unless the entire space is given over to a bit of the great outdoors. On the other hand, if but a few of the lower vertebrates are desired, these can be so selected as to be a real asset in any vegetable or flower garden, consuming, as they do, large numbers of pests. One of the best and most easily procured is the common box tortoise (Cistudo carolina). ‘They are possessed of a good disposition, harmless, and useful in keep- ing the invading insect army in control, as well as having a good grade of intelli- gence for chelonians. Dr: Charles C. Abbott, in a report of the Geological Sur- vey of New Jersey, writes: “A very abundant species, that should be encour- aged in every garden in the State, as they wage an unending war against a multi- tude of noxious creatures. The habit of cutting initials upon the shell of this ani- mal has resulted in proving it to be an animal of long life. Instances of this, showing the animal to have been from 50 to 80 years of age, have come under the notice of the writer.” A photograph is presented showing one collected by the author in 1912. Carved on its plastron appears “J. S. V., Sept. XXVIII, 1888.” The latter part of the inscription is now almost effaced, but it was quite plain at the time the specimen was taken. The initials were identified ! (The Garden a Terrarium CHARLES M. BREDER, JR. 9 6 Ps Pa 6 Ps Fs es a aStHOse On |i Sa \/anly el onomwiose brother remembered being present at the “engraving match’ when a boy. That the specimen was rediscovered near the same place demonstrates that it was not a great wanderer. Mr. Van Horn stated that the tortoise was just as large when the carving took place, but 24 years is a 3 CEMENTED Yi py iif POOL CHE TY : GYPERUS WOOO FERNS WUE >| MOSS GROWN Moet s ano LOG (OPRING BEAUTI Wipes i //, LAND | LAUREL / ee 7 My , Plan of Author’s Garden long period over which to carry a mental measurement. ‘The species 1s widely dis- tributed and will be found in most of our eastern woodlands. It has been stated that their food con- sists almost entirely of vegetable matter but those in the terrarium of the wtuter have only been observed to take cherries that had fallen from a tree in the yard, as far as this class of food is concerned. Their preference has been for earth- worms and slugs, the elimination of which, from a gardening viewpoint, is 150 Aquatic Zile 1. Gelasimus sp. (Fiddler Crab) in its garden burrow. 2. Cistudo carolina (Box Tortoise) eating an earthworm. 3. Chrysemys picta (Painted Turtle) basking in the sunshine. 5. Limax sp. (Garden Slug) with a recently deposited egg mass. inscribed plastron of Cistudo. Photographs by the author. decidedly beneficial. Inasmuch as_ the garden is small, these items of food are limited, so the tortoises are fed chopped beef, which they seem to prefer after the taste is acquired. It has been said that lettuce, cabbage and milk will be taken, but the present specimens refuse all three. The members of the family claim con- siderable intelligence for these reptiles, even insisting that they recognize those who feed them, and, further, exhibit fear 4. The in the presence of strangers by withdraw- ing into their shells. At any rate, they are always near the house when hungry, departing for the fern bed when satisfied. It is hardly probable that continued series of such coincidences could occur for more than six years without a reason, — so it is attributed to their knowledge of the whereabouts of food. In autumn, when the days become short and the nights chilly, the tortoises make efforts to gain admittance to their winter quar- Aquatic Lite ters, which has been screened during the summer to keep out the prowling cats. The spot is under the porch, the earth being covered with loose leaves. The younger of the two, a female, appears more intelligent than the older or monogramed one, and has now been in the garden for nine years. The breeding habits, as observed twice, are most interesting. ‘The female selected a spot, both times the most sandy location, and proceeded to excavate a hole with her hind feet. This was done in a most amusing manner, the feet moving alter- nately with a slow, jerky stroke that moved but little earth. The process took the better part of two days, and the result was a hole shaped as in the sketch. The extremities of her hind feet, point- ing forward, enabled her to undercut the earth in the manner indicated. After the eggs were deposited, the hole was filled level with the surrounding surface of the ground, and both times some small stones crowned the achievement, but it is not clear whether this was intentional or merely accidental. With this accomplished no further attention was given the nest by the female. Misfortune was the lot of both nests, as the eggs failed to hatch, being probably killed by low temperatures during the nights. Seven eggs were de- posited in each nest, the shells being flexi- ble or leathery to the touch, and a “dead” white in color. In. addition to the purely terrestrial tortoise, several species of aquatic turtles may be kept if provision is made to gratify their water-loving nature. A sunken tub, or better, a concrete pool, is all they require, and in a water garden they are entirely at home, although large examples may damage tender aquatic plants. Specimens of the painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) hibernated with the box tortoises in the earth under the porch, but were always out and about earlier in the spring, though they retired later in the autumn. During the cold weather of the winter of 1917-18 they froze, not digging in as deep as Cistudo. ‘The aquatic forms never become quite as tame as the box tortoise, but will at times take worms or meat from the fingers if offered them in the tank. It is an amusing fact that a small speci- men will often mistake the tail of a larger comrade for a fat and juicy worm and grasp it with vigor, which causes a great commotion until the offender discovers the mistake and relinquishes his hold. Due to its roughness, no harm befalls the tail. These turtles seem much more sociable than the land species, and will usually be noted in parties of several, whereas the box tortoise is solitary. ‘This holds good in both domesticated and wild states. When tadpoles kept in aquaria com- plete their metamorphosis, and become frogs or toads, they may well share the garden with the chelonians, though, while small, there is a possibility that they may form a meal for the latter. When they reach a fair size their activity is their protection, while their usefulness in de- vouring noxious insects is their chief recommendation, aside from interesting habits and grotesque actions. If a large bed of ferns and mosses be given a place, a picturesque feature can be created by liberating a number of large-shelled land snails. Turtles, how- ever, consider them dainty morsels to be devoured on discovery. Too many may cause damage to the plants, so but few should be introduced at any one time. If space can be given to native plants a much more beautiful terrarium can be developed. A shady nook, unsuited for ordinary cultivated kinds, is just the situ- 152 Aquatic Lile ation for ferns and woodland plants. A brief list of suitable plans follows: Ferns. Wood fern (Dryopteris spinu- losa), Shield fern (D. marginalis), Crest- ed fern (D. cristata), Bracken (Pteris aquilina), Maiden Hair (Adiantum peda- tum), Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides), Beech fern (Phegopteris hexagonoptera) and Sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis). Suruss. Wild Azalea (Azalea nudi- flora), Rhododendrons (Rhododendron sp.), Spice bush (Benzoin aestivale) and Laurel (Kalmia latifolia). Herpackous PLANTS. Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica), White, Purple and Yellow Violets (Viola sp.), Day Lily (Hemerocallis fulva), Tiger Lily (Lilium tigrinum), Yellow Adder’s Tongue (Ery- thronium americanum), Pink Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium acaule), Partridge Berry (Mitchella repens), Jack-in-the- Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), Spotted Wintergreen or Pipsissewa (Chimaphila maculata), Wood Anemone (Anemone quinguefolia) and Hepatica (Hepatica triloba). Those named are among the best for the purpose, either because of their hard- iness, beauty or the ease by which they may be obtained. Detailed descriptions, natural habitats and range, and sugges- tions for cultivation will be found in wild flower guides and horticultural hand- books. add to the general attractiveness of the wild flower garden. A rather unusual addition to the terra- rium is possible if a sand or mud bank is ‘Mosses and lichen-grown logs prepared along one side of the cement pool, the animal being none other than the familiar Fiddler Crab (Gelasimus sp.) This can be collected in almost any salt marsh along the New Jersey coast, and will do fairly well in fresh water; better if it can be made slightly brackish. They present a most ludicrous appearance as they run along sidewise, waving the one gigantic claw frantically, as if calling the world to see something of crab in- terest. The common freshwater crayfish (Cambarus sp.) can more readily be kept in the same manner. Raw beef and earth- worms will form their principal foods. The fence surrounding the garden should be made quite tight at the base, as otherwise some of the creatures might For this rea- have been wander from the premises. son our harmless snakes omitted from the discussion. If the lawn is kept in the conventional fashion, it should be gone over with a rake before mowing, to prevent a possible violent death of some of the animals. Frogs are prone to rest or search for food in the open grass adjacent to their watery home. Work on modifications of this garden terrarium, to conform to individual con- ditions, will mean many delightful hours at home and in the field, and cannot fail to inculcate the many sides of nature. TRIES To enable migratory fish to pass such barriers as waterfalls and dams when ascending a river to spawn, the Canadian Commissioner of Fisheries has developed an elevator which is apparently practica- ble. It has been placed in service at a 24-foot fall in the St. Croix River, N. B., and is operating successfully, says Popu- lar Mechanics Magazine. In part, the device consists of a verti- cal shaft erected several feet from the falls. Guides, or walls, radiate from both sides of the structure to the opposite banks of the stream, so that fish are led to it. A cage in which the latter are trap- ped and carried to the top of the shaft, where they are automatically dumped into a sluiceway and discharged into the water on the upstream side of the barrier, is hoisted by means of a counterpoise tank, which is periodically filled with Aquatic Lite Glimpses of the Akiyama Goldfish Farm, Tokyo, Japan Photographs by Eiichiro Nakashima water from a supply reservoir surmount- ing the tower. The cage and tank are secured to the opposite ends of a cable that passes over pulleys at the top of the shaft. The fish compartment is provided with two doors, one at each end. When it is at the bottom of the shaft beneath the water one of these gates is raised to per- mit fish to enter. On the other hand, an auxiliary door on the shaft lets down and prevents fish from swimming around to the back side of the guides or into the space normally occupied by. the carried, when the latter ascends. THE Poor FisH!—“I hear you are going to marry Archie Blueblood ?” said one society woman to another. “Is it (orb e “Marry him!’ exclaimed the other. “Not likely. What on earth could I do with him? He’s rejected from the army, he can’t ride, he can’t play tennis, golf, nor, for that matter, can he even drive a motor car!” “Oh!” said the friend, “but he can swim beautifully, you know.” “Swim, indeed! Now, I ask you, would you like a husband you had to keep in an aquarium ?”—London Blighty. 154 Aquatic Lile You remark as to dropping the guppys into the pringle and snoodling them out with a niblick. This would not do at all. These little fellows belong to the famous Whiffenpoof family. The only success- ful way to capture them is to wait until they have dug their holes in the water and are waiting for prey. Then throw a loose-running slip-noose over the top of the hole and start the funnygraph play- ing “Home, Sweet Home.” This causes them to weep copiously. Their only alter- natives are to remain where they are, ignominiously drowning in their salt tears, or to protrude their heads above water. The moment a little head 1s thrust above, twitch the noose quickly and you will have caught your guppy. There is quite a good deal to learn about the habits of each fish. The sword- tails, for instance, have a terrible weak- ness for whetstones. Just drop a whet- stone into the water and there will be a fight to see which shall get his tail sharp- ened first. If you have thoughtfully placed some small gobs of soft tar on the whetstone they soon become entangled, and all you need do is pick them right off with your fingers. But be careful not to get cut on the tails of those which might have been sharpened.—Guwild. —— The Ridgewood Aquarium Society will hold its annual exhibition on August 30th, 31st and September Ist, in the public school, Forest and Putnam avenues, Ridgewood Heights, Brooklyn, New York. This is expected to be the largest exhibition ever given in Brooklyn. Cups, diplomas and ribbons will be awarded. The Society extends a cordial invitation to all aquarists to enter fishes, aquaria and terraria. For entry blanks and fur- ther information, address the writer at iO MIOnmSEne ct Nm GOOk«y nme NEmNN ee CurRIE, Secretary. The Fairmount Park Commission, Philadelphia, has granted permission to the associated aquarium and goldfish so- cieties to hold the annual exhibition in Horticultural Hall, on October 4th, 5th and 6th. This show brings out the great- est goldfish bred in America, and the widest variety of tropical and native spe- cies. Letters of inquiry should be ad- dressed to the writer at 518 Belgrade street, Philadelphia——F. H. CuristTINng, Secretary. ed The eighth annual exhibition of the Brooklyn Aquarium Society will be held in the Brooklyn Museum of Arts and Sciences, September 11th to 14th, inclu- sive. ; Slane es Los Angeles has the unique pet shop called “Birdland.” The owner, L. M. Grider, when he retired from the real estate business in 1910, conceived the idea of creating a different sort of bird store that he might not only sell pets, but gratify his desire to have them about him. The result is a beautiful building and a splendid collection. A recent innovation is “Birdland News,” a four-page paper which is to be issued at irregular inter- vals. It contains notes of interest to pet lovers and dealers, with current prices of available stock. i What’s become of that fine ———— you had the last time I was here? Jumped out and naturally dried\ up! Moral: Keep your tanks covered. nay eas The small boy feels that he is in hard luck. Just when he has mastered his geography the map of Europe will be made all over again. ——— A prophet is without honor in his own country. Are you studying native fishes ? Before the war many American species were much in demand in Germany. ifs Ss Ns ok nga Is DS eR Made into | Different Stock Sizes Larger Sizes to Order SS 000 SSS 000 S000 GS) 000 000 GS 000 SS 0006S The Peerless Aquarium Manniacmeed be I I EALTERBECK GO, 170 - 172 TWELFTH AVENUE, ASTORIA, L.I.,N. Y. 1000 C000 CS 000 C000 C000 CN M5000 C000 CS 000 —D000G—S 000. Patented November 9, 1915 For Sale All Thru U. S. A. and Canada Inc. 006 C000 GS 000 GS O00 C00 C000 SS 000 GS le Notice: Hugo C. Nelles, Dealer and Breeder of Tropical Fishes, is now located at 10440 115th Street, Richmond Hill, Long Island, New York. He wil carry first- class stock only, as has been his policy in the past. A cordial invitation is extended to customers and friends to visit his modern, up-to-date conservatory. If Your Fish Are Not Doing Well—Try ENCHYTRAEIDS - White Worms HE natural and best food for gold- i fishes, barring none. Package 50c (cash or check), with instructions for raising a constant supply. PAUL MARQUARDT, 829 Teutonia Avenue, Milwaukee, Wis (ee pa aeeneners | Oriental F ish Food For All Species of Fishes Put up in neat, attractive boxes, each package containing a pamphlet giving exact instructions for the proper care of the aquarium, 8 : 8 8 | | 8 _ Gross $6.00 8 Oriental Goldfish and Supply Co 8 3757 - 3761 Cottage Grove Avenue 8 ( Chicago, Illinois (| * oe DOOOOOCOCOOGO0 000 000000 000000000 CO0G00c—: Aquatic Life 1919 Marcu. Breeding the Goldfish (Hanna) ; Observations on the Chelonians of North America, Part I (Shufeldt) ; Lucania ommata (Welsh); Apistogramma agassizi (Heede) ; The Water-fleas (Tompkins); Viviparous Fishes-in-general (Stead); Breeding the Striped Gourami (Simpson) ; Notes and news. Apri,. The Surinam ‘oad (Deckert) ; Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum (Brind); Keeping Living Food “Alive (Innes); Beware the Dragonfly (Gordon); An Electrolytic Aerator (Putnam); Water Lilies, Some Cultural and Historical Notes (Pring) ; Beef vs. Liver, notes and news. May. Nanostomus eques (Brind); The Water Horse-tail (Wobler) ; Observations on the Chelonians of North America, Part II. (Shufeldt); I Became a Fancier (Proctor) ; A Peculiar Planorbis (Breder); Association and Color Discrimination in Mudminnows and Sticklebacks (White); The Hay Infusion Microcosm (Woodruff); The Bladderworts, notes and news. June. Observations on the Chelonians of North America, Part III (Shufeldt) ; Gam- busia episcopi (Brind); The Wheel Animal- cules (Bade); Sonnet to a Goldfish (Burditt) ; A Study of the Diamond Bass (Tyrell) ; The Brook Stickleback (Barker) ; Goldfish in China, Red-colored Water, Crappie Spawn in Washington Aquarium, and Society News. [ SCRIMSHAW’S a FISH HATCHERY 1431 N. Clark Street, Chicago, III. Telephone, Superior 4415 Auto Delivery : Importer and Breeder of a Large Variety of Gold and Tropical Fishes 8 AQUARIUMS KEPT IN STOCK & MADE TO ORDER =| Large Pairs of Mollienisia latipinna $1.00 Swordtails (X. helleri) 1.00 Lebistes recticulatus (Guppy) 00 Aquatic Plants and Snails Baby Alligators Aquarium Cement Everything for the Aquarium-Pond and | Lake. Aquariums stocked, maintained and repaired. Thirty-six Kinds of Fishes 8 Wholesale and Retail | Warbling Canaries Cages Food and Supplies Out-of-Town Customers name County when Ordering C00 C7070 c——>77°r0c—So000c>' CS i Te ena | Breeders say YOGI is the best Fish Food. It must be, the majority are using it, why? Ask for YOGI at your dealer or druggist or send for it. Yogi |5c box. By mail 17c Yogi 75c Pound Add Postage Magic (Infusoria) 50c Postpaid Robert J. Schaeffer 1818 Frankford Avenue _‘Phila., Pa LIVE FOOD IS THE BEST Fishes thrive and grow on Enchytraeids, the little white worms. Generous box by mail, 50 cents. Full directions given for propagating them. S. W. BURGESS, 3424 Hurley Street ' PHILADELPHIA i = or Excellent Conformation I n Color Cannot Be Beat ave Blues, Blacks and Calicos very Fancier Should Look Them Over ee Them at C. C. VOWINKEL 5109 Catherine Street Philadelphia, Pa loo ote 0 cle ec cle cele co ammmmmle cle cele ce cle cole ce) Leitbolf Brothers Fine, healthy stock of Trichogaster fasciatus, Osphromenus trichopterus, Polyacanthus dayi, P. cupanus, Acara bimaculata, Heros facetus, Barbus conchonius, B. Semifasciolatus and many other species. 281 Southern Abenue, Pittsburgh, Pa 8 how Their Quality in Finnage 8 8 8 8 2 MIRE COOCCO COO 000 C000 000000000 Fine Broad-tail Telescopes BLACK and CALICO Correspondence Solicited GEORGE WILT, 1519 N. 62d Street, PHILADELPHIA $1.50 - Brind’s New Book - $1.50 “The Practical Fish Fancier’’ Was $3.00—has paid for itself, so you get the benefit. This work shows Fish, Plants, etc., in natural colors and half-tone. Illustrates 138 Fish—Tropical, Gold and Do- mestic; 210 Plants and 4o Insects, Parasites, Infusoria, etc. Order Direct TO-DAY as only a limited number of copies left W. L. BRIND, 449 W. 206th Street NEW YORK Lincoln Park Pet Shop | 8 MADAM TUZEE, Manager. TROPIGAL JFISHES OURMSEEGINLAY BIRDS & SMALL PETS OF ALL KINDS 8 | Aquaria, Bird Cages and all Supplies. Displayed and Sold on Commission. Dogs 1509 North Clark Street CHICAGO C990 900000000 CSCS 000000000000 Ce} C000 0000CD CT D000000000C——— O00 C———>000c——o000cD000-¥ Goldfishes Blacks ys Blues and Vari-hues None for sale at present! GEORGE A. SCHENK Mount Vernon, Neawe [ | | | ) | loo oe] O00 f EVERYTHING IS FISH THAT COMES i TO THE NET OF A NATURALIST Don’t paddle in the water with one hand and be blind with both eyes. In other words, “keep your eyes open’”’ for all nature. Our Magazine Che Guide to ature Will Help You It is edited by EDWARD F. BIGELOW, who fishes in the heavens and earth, as well as the waters under the earth. Four months’ trial, 25ce. One year, $1.00. 8 THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION ArcAdiA Connecticut ! ic >o000 p Sound Beach SSS) Fancier and Breeder of Tropical Fishes S. SILVER Splendid healthy stock at reasonable ([S=>) —5000 HS c000 H——Sa00 CH prices. Haplochilus cameronensis, Betta rubra, etc. All kinds of live- bearing fishes. 235 East 11th Street NEW YORK CITY (Between 2d and 3d avenues) Water Lilies Red or white night bloomers; yellow, white or blue day bloomers. Large flow- ering plants, $1.00 each, postpaid. CRESCENT FISH FARM, 1624 Mandeville Street NEW ORLEANS, LA. HENRY KISSEL, JR. Breeder & Fancier of Broadtail Telescopes Plants and Snails. Fishes, Plants, etc., Sold at Conservatory Telephone 461 Cliffside 241 Walker Street, Cliffside, N. J. Tropical Fishes, —) oro >c00000-+¥ %2000000C— 000: The Paradise Fish We have the largest stock in the country. Large, $4 per dozen; medium, $3 per dozen. Gambusia Holbrooki Extra large females. Fine colored males. Shipping Cans, each 35c. and 50c. Vallisneria (narrow leaf)...... .30 doz. plants Vallisneria (wide leaf)........ .50 doz. plants Men IEMORE Goooaccd0GUGuUUsU $1.00 doz. plants Water Lettuce ............... -75 doz. plants Frogbit (floating) ............ Ba Cabomba -75 doz. bunches Anacharis » . plants -75 doz. bunches . bunches . bunches Potomogeton Hornwort Egyptian Lotus (pink) ements eee ee eee eter eee rece (Postage paid on all plants.) The best fish food in the world is fresh preter medium and fine, $1.00 per Add postage to shrimp. Coarse, pound. Sample box, 15 cents. your zone. — CRESCENT FISH FARM 1624 Mandeville Street, New Orleans, La O00! OOO 000000 G=S900S00 S00 COO 000000 C00 C———SJ]c00000000 mee of Young Veiltail Telescpoes from the Finest Stock in America $ 2.50 per Dozen $15.00 per Hundred Mixed Colors, Blues, Blacks Calicos, Etc. Franklin Barrett Wyoming Avenue & C. Street, Phila., Pa 35c Extra for Shipping Can Cash With Order THE BEST BOOK THE AQUARIUM & SUBJECTS is ‘Goldfish Varieties & Tropical Aquarium Fishes’’,byWm.T.Innes, , former President of the Aquarium “A. Society of Phila.; 250 pages, 195 illustrations. Tells all about the fancy varieties of the Goldfish and nearly 300 tropicals ; how to breed them, etc., etc. For the beginner pritheladyanced expert. _ A complete, practical, handsome book, sent postpaid anywhere for $3.00. ¢ Enlarged edition now ready. INNES & SONS - 133 N. 12th St. - Phila., Pa. £§\\) Diatoms Wish to secure diatomaceous material, recent freshwater and marine eaeune: and from fossil deposits. Editor, Aquatic Life “AQUARIA FISH” 4 practical work on care and breeding of fish i» the aquarium, greenhouse and outdoor ponds. Finely illustrated. Everyone interested in keeping fish should send for a copy of this book. Price $1.00. Tappan’s Natural Fish Food. Three boxes, post- paid, 25c. Guinea Pigs and Thoroughbred Collie Pups, beau- tifully marked. Write for prices. F. L. TAPPAN | Route 2, Hopkins, Minn. —S000C—900 S700 OOO COO COO C00 GS 000600 600000000: Aquatic Ltfe Vol. II i Vol. III $2.25 each, postage paid 8 : 8 : 8 8 8 8 (} Volumes average 165 pages and as (] many illustrations. Substantial cloth 8 binding, with title page and complete index. (Stock of Volume II is small.) 8 8 WANTED: One hundred copies of 8 8 Volume I, loose or bound. Can use 8 single issues. Address publisher. le eele ec cleo e! ye oe CCS CDC 000000000000 Ca Cae ac JAPANESE GOLDFISH By DR. HUGH M. SMITH A guide to the methods of breeding (} fancy goldfish practiced in Japan. The 8 result of the personal investigations of the author. Ten breeds are illus- trated in color, with numerous text cuts; 112 pages. 1 $2.00, plus postage on 2 pounds. Address Aquatic Life ee Sa HERMAN RABENAU, Aquarist PERMANENT DISPLAY OF Aquatic Life & Terraria must be seen to be appreciated Visitors Welcome Plants and Tropical Fish a Specialty Importations of New Varieties received regularly 1163 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y. Near Broadway. SSS 0 SSO 8 SS) GOLDFISH, FOODS, PLANTS, DIP NETS i Combination Natural Fish Food - Sample Box 10c Japanese Shrimp Fish Food - - Sample Can 15c Baby Fish Food Sample Box 15c Glass Feeding Rings 15c, 25c 35c Each Mail Orders Promptly Attended to Special Prices on Quantity Lots. Cash With Order. Catalogue Sent Upon Request. AQUARIUM STOCK CO 273 Greenwich Street :: New York City iF HARRY P. PETERS 1210 N. Warnock Street, Philadelphia, Pa BREEDER AND IMPORTER Rare and Fancy Fish Plants of every variety, Snails and Aquarium Supplies of all kinds at all times. l 8 : Green River Fish Food 15c Box : } 8 MANUFACTURER OF | Green River Baby Fish Food 20c Box A GOOD FISH FOOD is one of the most essential things necessary to (| keep fish in good health. After the g test of years Green River stands out as the best food on the market. It | keeps the fish in good color by pro- 8 moting a healthy, robust growth. It ] will not sour ot cloud the water. your dealer or send for it today. Ask COO C000 DCD 000 CD000G 000: ir Breeders Large assortment of Splendid Telescopes and Jap Goldfish at Reasonable Prices Fine Assortment of Lionheads 8 Shipping Cans 50c Young Blues, Blacks and Calicos $1.50 Dozen Young Veiltails or Broadtails 5.00 Dozen : HARRY P. PETERS 8 1210 NORTH WARNOCK STREET PHILADELPHIA OOO O00 000 CS 000 Ta CS 000000000 I Nippon Goldfish Co J. MURATA, Proprietor. 1919-21 Bush Street, San Francisco, Cal Importers and Dealers GOLDFISH PLANTS SNAILS Dried Shrimp, Birds, Cages and All Supplies NEW STOCKS ARE COMING! Price List Sent on Request [o.© 0.0 © 00 © OEE 0 0.0 0.0 0.0.9 9.0 0 0 am 2 00 00 2/0 0 3) =a Jacob C. Cassel on 915 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pa Manufacturer of AQUARIUMS Aquarium Ornaments Floral Terra Cotta, Etc. Goldfish - Fish Globes Fish Food and all aquarium requisites. Send for Catalog. ii am mM as Aquatic Life Vol. IV. August, 1919 No. 12 An international monthly magazine devoted to the study, care and breeding of fishes and other animals and plants in the home aquarium and terrarium. =F Wm. L. Paullin Importer and Breeder of Rare Gold fishes & Tropical Fishes Wi An POM SER ere ajerercer alerekejeretsiace ....- EDITOR JOSEPH E. BAUSMAN ..........EUBLISHER 542 East Girard Avenue .......... Philadelphia Entered as second-class matter, September 2d, 1915, at the Post Office, Philadelphia, Pa., under Act of March 3d, 1879. Popular and scientific articles and notes on sub- jects pertaining to the aquarium and terrarium. and to the habits of fishes in general, are always wanted for ‘‘Aquatic Life.’? Readers are invited to join in making it a medium of mutual help by contributing to it the results of their studies. The pages are always open to anyone having informa- tion of interest to the aquarist and student of aquatic biology. Manuscripts, books for review and general correspondence should be addressed to the editor. ‘“‘Aquatie Life’’ has the largest circulation of any magazine in the world devoted to aquatic nature-study. It offers to advertisers a market that can be reached through no other medium. Rates made known on application. 1119 Folsom Avenue PROSPECT PARK DELAWARE CO., PA. YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION................ $1.25 (Formerly aa) Wolf Street! Pinledelpaieaael FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTIONS............... 1.50 SINGLE COPY........... Tach crese a Boats 15 Payments should be made by money order, draft or registered letter. If local checks are sent, ten cents should be added for collection charges. For- eign remittances should be by international money order, Copyright 1919 by Joseph E. Bausman Orders booked for 1919 hatching of Pterophyllum Scalare OO 800000000 CS CS 9939000000000 000000 SCS C5 SBO COO GCO0C0000- Pp Socecco ccc 000 C00 CCC R00 000 S00 GO0000000000000G000006C00000000500000: WQCO0CO0000COS08 CS KS C99 000600800000 C09 99S E]OCOOCOOCO000000' A 5 8 Leading Fishfood on the Market Once Tried Always Used Water Gardening ACGAT VARA Re SROANESE Fist FOCR. | For GOLD ann TROPICAL FISH Winter is but s memory (wasn’t so bad, either) and the gladsome warmth of Spring is here. Now is the time for preliminary work on your outdoor ponds and tanks. THE BOOK OF WATER GARDENING Feed fish, food that is fish- food fit for fish. The only ood composed ot aquatic, animal and vegetable sub- stances from which goo results are obtained. will help you create a picture that will never- more be called (by your neighbors) ‘‘a durn old stagnant pool.’’ The book contains 140 illustrations, more than enough to give you a comprehensive idea of the decorative possibilities of water plants. The : m price is $2.65. Dealers, write for prices THE BOOK DEPARTMENT AQUATIC LIFE Price 15c Box Baby Food 20c Box Philadelphia WM. G. SARBACHER, 1318 N. Dover St,, Phila., Pa lo © 0] camp amen (exes [eam aman 900 000 000000000: ( | | | | L . : a 6 8S PS 6 8s FS Fs Os 1s } Melanemys guttatus / & Most writers on our turtles and ter- rapins include im this group—that is, the genus Chelopus—tfour species, namely, the Spotted Turtle (Chelopus guttatus), Muhleaberg’s Turtle (C. muhlenbergu), the Western Pond Turtle (C. marmora- tus), and the Wood Terrapin (C. im- sculptus). Living specimens of all these forms have been studied by me, together with their structure and habits, many times during the past half-century. In 1866 I had some forty living specimens of our common Spotted Turtle, ranging all the way from those just out of the egg to ones of very advanced age. Even at the present time I have a very beautiful 9 ct 6 PP PP PF A Fg es le Observations on the Chelonians | | of North America. IV. | DR We SUPE Die GaViewzs, > 56 $e $9 6 9 P69 9 SP 6 9 69 SPS 9 Pa $e 9s PS FP SP Os Pa 6 9 6 Ps PT 6 PS PS PR PF SPS FS BE 6 OS BS PS PSPS PS BP OPS | Pmt 4 8 4 9 Pa sf 5s Ps specimen of this species—a female— which I have recently photographed, and a reproduction of which illustrates the present article. It has been kept in one of the aquariums in my study, and upon the roth of July, 1919, she laid an egg; a second one on the 24th of the same month, and a third two days afterward. This is now three weeks ago, and none have been laid since. I photographed these three eggs, and they are shown here, natural size. Again, above these eggs, there is a reproduction of an egg of the common Musk Turtle (Aromo- chelys odoratus), and this I also photo- graphed, natural size, the specimen hav- 156 Aquatic Lite ing been presented to me by Mr. Edward S. Schmid, of Washington, who had a number of this species of turtle in a tank at his establishment. These figures show very well the slight difference in the form of the eggs of the two genera. All are pure white and ellipsoidal in form. Our common Spotted Turtle is so well known that it requires no special de- The upper shell is always round, yellow scription. black, with scattered, spots; the plastron may be yellow or salmon color, with a central figure of black, the latter subject to great varia- tion. ‘The head is black with yellow markings, particularly with a deep yellow spot over the auricular opening. This familiar pond turtle is almost en- tirely aquatic by habit, being found in streams, ponds, ditches with water in them, etc. It feeds under water, and will eat of the leaves of certain plants, such as lettuce and the like. ‘The male has a long tail and the female a very short one. It occurs from Northern Maine to North Carolina, westward to the Mississipp1 Valley. It rarely exceeds four inches in length of shell or carapace. The Western Pond Turtle, with habits quite similar to the last, is also a blackish species, yellow spots and dashes marking each shield of the carapace, the dashes running from the shield’s centre to its margin in every instance. The brown limbs are spotted with yellow or black, as is also the head. This is a Pacific Coast species, and the only species of pond turtle of that entire region. Muhlenberg’s Turtle is also a_ black species with yellow blotches on its plas- tron, and a very distinctive bright orange spot on either side of the head, not far {rom the auricular opening. It about four inches for the length of its shell, and is aquatic in its habits. Thus runs far it has been found only in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania—Staten Island being the centre of its abundance. Coming to the Wood Terrapin, a spe- cies I have had in confinement for months at a time, we have under consid- eration a species that is strictly a land tortoise, which may attain a length of carapace of seven inches. It is fond of damp woods, and takes to the water only as it rambles around through them. The species 1s of an affectionate disposition and wonderfully intelligent for a chelo- nian. ‘This is an entirely different reptile from any of the foregoing species, its carapace having a conspicuous keel, each shield of which is deeply marked with concentric grooves, giving the while a sculptured appearance as though done with some tool or other. ‘This shell is of a pale earth-brown, with radiating yel- low lines and various spots on each shield. Limbs and top of head dull sal- mon color, or in some specimens a brighter red. Aquatic Lite 157 Doubtless there are a number of ana- tomical points that are quite different in the Wood Terrapin, as compared with the corresponding ones in any of the three Pond Turtles described above. As to its external characters, they are each and all entirely different when we come to contrast them with those of the Spot- ted Turtle, of the Western Pond, and those of Muhlenberg’s Turtle. The distinctive external characters of the three pond turtles on the one hand, and the Wood Terrapin on the other, have, together with their habits, been sufficiently set forth above, obviating the necessity for their tabulation here. The marked differences long been known to herpetologists who are familiar with them. All this points to the fact that the Wood Terrapin is an entirely different species of reptile from any of the Pond Turtles. This being the case, it represents a different genus among chelonians, and this difference should be recognized through drawing the neces- have sary generic lines. I therefore here suggest that the three above referred to Pond Turtles, now in the genus Chelopus, be removed from that group and made to form a genus by themselves, for which I propose the name of Melanemys, which refers to their general black color. These turtles ‘will then stand thus: Melanemys guttatus Melanemys muhlenbergu Melanemys marmoratus. The Wood ‘Terrapin will remain Chelopus insculptus, which is the name it now bears in science. cite ve Oe ‘Lots of men are liars who never even tried to catch a fish. ——>__. Hard work always stands at the top of the list of factors in success. Marine Aquaria At the meeting of the South Austra- han Aquarium Society, in March, the presidential “address was delivered by Mr. Edgar R. Waite, F. L. S., who dem- onstrated the principles and practices of the marine aquarium. After detailing some of the physical properties of sea water, its density, salinity, composition and so on, Mr. Waite remarked: “In keeping aquaria we seek to trans- late to our own homes a little bit of Na- ture, one of the bits of which few people have any knowledge. We do not, how- ever, try to reproduce the mountain tor- rent, which may have a fauna and flora quite its own, not even the conditions found in an ordinary stream. We rather attempt to copy the stagnant, often slimy pool, whose surface may be forbidding, but whose water beneath is often clean and limpid. Such a pool in- closed in glass walls we can nowadays place in our rooms and preserve in ex- cellent condition with very little atten- tion. Turning to the immediate subject of our discourse, we may ask where shall we find a similar ocean pool? The an- swer must be a negative one, and it is evident, therefore, that the conditions required for maintaining a marine aqua- rium must be different from those with which we are familiar as votaries of freshwater aquaria. The ocean is ever in motion, and its waters are being con- tinually revivified by its often enormous billows. We cannot, therefore, attempt to translate a cubic yard of open ocean to our drawing room. On rocky shores we often find pools left by the receding tide, full of sparkling water and bright green seaweeds, among which lurks a wealth of life. This, then, must be our guide, but it is to be remembered that Concluded on page 160 IGNATZ STEINHART Photo by Moulin, 1916 dP 6 FP 8 RS FR 6 BO ss BS PS is Fs FS 8s Ps i sO 6 6 Os Os Os ( ( l l | ch meme ems It is expected that San Francisco will soon have the most comprehensive and best equipped aquarium in America. This has been made possible by the late Ignatz Steinhart, who was one of San Francisco’s most prominent business men and most honored citizens. Mr. Steinhart had long contemplated estab- lishing a public aquarium in San Fran- cisco, as had his brother, Sigmund Stein- hart, before him. When Sigmund Stein- hart died, in 1910, he left a certain sum with his brother with which to establish an aquarium, should it be found feasible to do so. Various and divers difficulties arose, however, and the idea was prac- tically abandoned. But, in 1916, soon after Dr. Barton Warren Everman went from the Bureau of Fisheries, in Washington, to San Francisco to become the director of the Museum of the California Academy of Sciences, Dr. Everman discussed with Mr. Steinhart the value to the public that a great aquarium in San Francisco ' would possess. As a result of these dis- cussions, Mr. Steinhart’s interest in the matter revived. The one difficulty which caused Mr. Steinhart to hesitate was that presented by the question of control. He felt that any management which made political control possible should be avoided. For that reason he would not place it under city controls When he was told that the New York aquarium, originally under the Board of Park Commissioners, was, upon the initiative of the Park Commissioners themselves, transferred to the New Zoological So- es ce Oa ST pes ae eS nS a SE ss Das eae aS Eanes YS aS SSS RIESS SS PELE EE | The STEINHART AQUARIUM SAN FRANCISCO 5 FS SF 6 FP 8 PS FR Ps PR 6 Pt BG PR 6 PG Be BS Fs PG Pe SP SB Bg FF gS SG BP PP | | | ciety, in order to free it of politics, the city continuing to furnish the funds for maintenance but having nothing what- ever to do with the management, Mr. Steinhart asked if the California Acad- emy was not similar to the New York Zoological Society in being entirely free from political influences. When assured that it is, he decided then and there to give to the California Academy of Sci- ences the funds for the building and equipment. It was his wish that the aquarium might be established and in operation in his lifetime, but, to the very great regret of the Academy and all California, this was not to be; for Mr. Steinhart, after only a few days’ illness, died May 15, MOG. When the will was made public it was learned that Mr. Steinhart had be- queathed to the California Academy of Sciences $250,000 for the erection and completion of a public aquarium build- ing upon the following conditions: (1) That the aquarium be located in Golden Gate Park adjoining, or adja- cent to, the Museum of the California MEGem, OF Scmniess, (2) What wie control, management and_ superintend- ence be under the California Academy or sciences. (3). What the city of San Francisco supply to the California Acad- emy of Sciences the funds adequate for maintenance, and, (4) ‘That the aqua- rium be known as the Steinhart Aqua- rium. Mr. Jesse W. Lillienthal, Jr., execu- tor of the Steinhart estate, has recently 160 Aquatic Lite informed Dr. Everman that he expects to pay over to the Academy within a few weeks the entire quarter of a million dollars and that it is his desire that the aquarium be in operation as soon as pos- sible. It is therefore quite probable that building operations will begin very soon. The city of San Francisco is to be con- gratulated on having had as honored and public-spirited citizens, Sigmund and Ignatz Steinhart—men of vision and large sympathies, who, having prospered in this world, decided to do this splendid thing for the people among whom they lived. San Francisco and California are also to be congratulated upon having as one of their great institutions the California Academy of Sciences, which is doing so much for science and education in the land. The name of Steinhart will ever be honored and revered by the thousands who will daily visit the Steinhart Aqua- rium, where they will, through observa- tion and study, receive entertainment and instruction regarding the varied and in- teresting forms of aquatic life which will there be displayed. Marine Aquaria Concluded from page 157 twice daily this little garden-like pool is thoroughly scoured by the tides, a condi- tion we cannot hope to reproduce unless we live quite close to the sea, and the work entailed in carrying sea water would soon dampen the ardor of the most enthusiastic. I recently saw some delightful exhibits of marine life main- tained by this means. One of the Ger- man settlers in New Ireland took great pleasure in keeping, in large glass basins, specimens culled from the ocean close to his bungalow, but the water was changed daily, and new life introduced by native labor—a luxury which cannot be enjoyed in White Australia. Apart from large and expensive ap- paratus, such as is installed in public aquaria, our endeavors to maintain a marine aquarium must be on a very mod- est scale. The tanks must be quite shal- low, so that a large aerating surface is presented; they must admit a minimum amount of light in order to retard exces- sive vegetable growth, which is much more active than in fresh water, and during warm weather provision for arti- ficial aeration must be made. ‘The aquarist also must be content with smaller and fewer animals than he would introduce into fresh water tanks. The chances of success are greatly enhanced if quite half the total quantity of water in the tank is kept in absolute darkness, but with free access to the lighted part so that circulation of the water is pro- moted.” The address was illustrated with ap- paratus and blackboard drawings, and the president mentioned that he had maintained a marine aquarium for seven years, during which period the water was not changed, fresh water only being added to replace loss by evaporation. The correct density of the water was assured by testing with a salinometer, or by ob- serving a pair of specific gravity bulbs, one of which floated and the other re- mained at the bottom. Any change in the relative position of the bulbs would indicate that the salinity was incorrect and required to be adjusted. As an indi- cation of the success of the installation, it was mentioned that pipe-fishes and sea-horses had bred in Mr. Waite’s aqua- rium.—Herrpert M. Harr, Honorary Secretary. a A man does not amount to much unless he can prove it. meme mee mms With the World War a matter of the past, and with the ships dashing over the seas unmenaced by hostile submarines, it is not too much to believe that Lebias sophias will be one of the fishes sought by collectors of aquarium fishes who penetrate Asia. I doubt if it was ever brought to America, but in rg1o it had been secured by the Germans, and was bred in the fishery on Lake Tegel, known by the high-sounding name of ‘“‘Vereinig- ten Zierfischzuchtereien in Conrads- hohe.” This was but a short time after renin tO Wane WUsatredl Statues iticom Berlin, so I missed the chance to add Wms GOESES WO Wee Ibis sonnel brought with me, many of which are now my prime favorites with American aqua- rists. The genus Lebias belongs to the “egg- laying tooth-carp group” of the aquarist, which comprises such forms as Haplo- chilus, Rivulus, Fundulus and so on. The breeding habits of Lebias sophias are quite like those of our native (South- ern) Fundulus chrysotus. The eggs are deposited in small lots, one, two or three, on the leaves of Myriophyllum or such other fine-leaved plant as may be pro- vided. Breeding is said to be easy, but not profitable from a_ standpoint of numbers, as but few eggs seem to be spawned at a time, and but a small per- centage hatch to grow to maturity. This would seem to indicate that when we are fortunate enough to secure the fish, it will be one to be placed in the costly class, to remain there. The male of the species, as is so often ae i ee a 1, l | LEBIAS SOPHIAE | | 9 6 9 6 4 Pb Ss ee ee ee ees the case, is by far the showiest of the pair. In breeding periods it becomes a beautiful deep blue, sprinkled with me- tallic green and silver spots; hence it might well be given the common name silver-spangled lebias. When the indi- vidual is in prime condition the dorsal and anal fins are orange, with rows of Lebias sophiae black spots and black edges. The female is quite insignificant, being of a dirty, clayish, yellow-gray, with a dark lateral stripe and some mottlings of dark brown at times showing on the sides. The length of the male is about two inches, a trifle longer than the female. Love-making is chronic with the male. Never was there such an ardent lover, nor a more resentful bit of viciousness when his suit is rejected. The female is coy and shrinking, hiding as much as per- mitted amongst the thickets of bushy plants. And plenty of plants must be provided. Coming as it does from brackish wat- 162 Aquatic Lite ers, of Persia, it follows that a similar degree of salinity should be simulated in the aquarium, in fact it is absolutely necessary, especially insofar as breeding is concerned. Further, inability to re- produce in the aquarium the precise con- ditions of its native environment may ac- count for the small numbers the Ger- mans were able to rear. A temperature of about 75 degrees seems best suited. ——— An investigation of an epidemic among the fish in the St. Lawrence River at Og- densburg, N. Y., was made by the Bu- reau of Fisheries during the first week in July. E. A. Cooper, superintendent of the New York Fish Hatchery, had re- ported that large numbers of fish were dying in the ponds and also in the river. The epidemic was at its height during the first two weeks in June and then decreased rapidly in severity. At the time of the investigation the disease had entirely disappeared from the ponds and only a few diseased fish were taken in the river. None of these appeared to be seriously affected by the disease. The fish taken in the river showed two distinct types of lesions on the skin. On the bullheads and catfish the infected areas were very distinct, about 1% to I- inch in diameter and bright red in color, due to the complete destruction of the epidermus, thus exposing the inflamed dermis beneath. The diseased areas in the skin of bass and suckers had a very different appear- ance. ‘They were irregular in shape and so indistinct as to attract attention only on close examination. ‘The most marked characteristic was a faint reddish border around the scales, due to a slight extra- vasation of blood into the epidermis. A microscopic examination of sections of skin from the infected areas indi- cates that the disease in bullheads and catfish is probably distinct from that in the bass and suckers. In the former the disease is apparently due to bacteria which are present in enormous numbers in the disintegrating epidermis. These bacteria are not present in the lesions on bass and suckers, and the cause of this | disease is at present problematic. fo ee The manufacture of pearl buttons from mussel shells began in 1891 and the rapid increase in the business soon threatened the destruction of the mus- sels. The United States Government in consequence entered upon a series of in- vestigations as to the practicability of propagating mussels artificially. ‘This is a commercial problem, yet success de- pends upon a knowledge pf the life history of the mussel, which has been gained by various investigators in theoretical work. The life history is unusual. After the young mussel de- velops from the egg to a larval form called “Glochidium,” barely visible to the naked human eye, it is discharged into the water where it develops further or dies, depending on whether it has an opportunity to attach itself to some fish. If chance favors it, it takes up the life of a parasite until far enough developed to leave the fish, drop to the bottom of the stream, and enter upon the life of the adult mussel. The task, therefore, of artificially breeding mussels, involves the bringing together of suitable fish and the young, almost microscopic, glochidia. Investigations have shown that a mod- erate sized fish may successfully carry from one thousand to two thousand of these parasitic guests——American Mu- seum Journal. OO — Patience is the right bower of success. ates eS Jordanella floridae has been transported to Australia, where it has bred in the ponds of H. E. Finckh, Esq. safely 5 og gt gee | THE SENSES OF FISHES C. JUDSON HERRICK Professor of Neurology in the University of Chicago Fo Ss te ee ee ee ee ee ee ees Our human world is a very limited part of nature. The unaided senses of primitive man open a few doors of com- munication between the individual and his surroundings, through which the sum total of his knowledge of things as they are must be derived. Science has great- ly enlarged the efficiency of the natural sense organs—the microscope and the telescope have extended the range of vision, the periscope enables us to see around a corner, the spectroscope, photo- graphic plate, X-ray machine, and innu- merable other aids have enabled us to see deeper into nature. But no new senses have been developd and _ our furthest scientific advances and most recondite philosophical theories must be based in last analysis on such frag- mentary knowledge of the cosmos as is revealed to us by our senses. Great realms of nature remain wholly unex- plored, although new artificial aids per- mit constant advances into the hitherto unknown—Hertzian waves and wireless telegraphy, ions and the new chemistry, electrons and the new physics. Fortunately the traditional five senses do not represent our whole physiological equipment for this task. In fact, the human animal is endowed with about twenty distinct senses, including two in the ear, at least four in the skin, and numerous others in the deep tissues, such as muscle sense, hunger, thirst and other visceral senses. It is well known that fishes and other lower vertebrates possess numerous types of sense organs quite unlike any- Se thing in our own bodies, and it is quite impossible for us to form any conception of what the world appears like to these animals except in so far as their sensory equipment is similar to our own. Even the companionable dog, who responds so sympathetically and intelligently to our moods, lives in a very different world. Recent experiments have shown that his sense of vision is very imperfect, espe- cially for details of form, and everybody knows the inconceivable delicacy of the hound’s sense of smell. With us vision is the dominant sense and our mental imagery is largely in terms of things seen. Even a blind man will say, “I see how it is,’ when he comprehends a dem- onstration. What sort of a world is it to a dog, whose finest experiences and chief in- terests are in terms of odors? And how does it feel to be a catfish, provided not only with large olfactory organs whose central nervous centers make up almost all of the cerebral hemispheres of the brain, but also with innumerable taste buds all over the mucous lining of the mouth and gills and freely distributed over the entire outer skin from the bar- blets (“feelers”) around the mouth to the tail fin? We cannot conceive the epi- curean delights which such an animal may feel when he swims into the water surrounding a juicy piece of fresh meat, by whose odorous and savory juices he is bathed. One wonders, parenthetically, how far the fish himself is able to con- ceive or even enjoy the pleasures of life. With how much mind of any sort the 164 Aguatic Lite fish is endowed is at present an unsolved iGlGlle 2 loyeKe me TS Sirti “Woe as lores havior complex is of very different pat- tern from ours and whatever mind he may have would surely be as different as the pattern of his sense experience is different. Let us pursue this line of inquiry further and review what is known of the other senses of our catfish. This fish has small and poorly developed eyes and is largely nocturnal in habit, lying con- cealed in dark corners during the day. The retina has remarkable powers of adaptation to differences in illumination and the fish 1s very sensitive to changes in intensity of light. But the eye is not the only light-sensitive organ. Experi- ments with blinded fish show that the entire skin surface is sensitive to differ- ences of light intensity, a not uncommon feature of aquatic animals. The image- forming power of the eye is probably not very good. Some catfishes, it is true, will take a spoon hook, and probably a bait must always be in motion if it is to be sensed by the eye. The usual method of feeding is to trail the bottom with the barblets, which are very ef- ficient organs of both touch and taste, and when contact is made with a worm or other suitable food to turn sharply and snap it up. Just as the eyes are supplemented in their functions by the skin, which has a very feeble sensitiveness to light, so the highly refined chemical sense organs in the nose and taste buds are also sup- plemented by a chemical sense in the general skin. In some other fishes which have been carefully tested the general skin surface is found to be very sensitive to chemicals in solution, to some sub- stances more sensitive, in fact, than are the taste buds themselves. In fishes, as in men, the ear contains two quite different sense organs—the or- gan of hearing and the organ of the sense of equilibrium. The latter lies in the semi-circular canals, which in form and function are similar to those in the human body. Indeed, the semi-circular canals probably play a larger part in the behavior of the fish, since maintaining perfect equilibrium is a more difficult matter for a fish suspended in water of about the same specific gravity as the body than for a man walking on solid ground. But when the man essays to fly, his semi-circular canals again take a dominant place in his sensory equipment. In the practical testing of the fitness of men who are candidates for the Aiur Service of the Army the most important point to be determined is whether the semi-circular canals are functioning nor- mally. Whether fishes hear at all has been hotly controverted. ‘That they are very sensitive to mechanical jars and vibra- tions all agree, but it has been difficult to prove whether their responses to these vibrations are brought about through their ears or by refined cutaneous sensi- bility. The ingenious; experiments of Parker have shown that both of these or- gans serve and that, in fact, fishes do hear true sound waves of rather low pitch with their ears. To tones of high pitch they are deaf and probably they have no power of tone analysis, that is, they can hear a noise but cannot tell one tone from another. The fishes can boast no superiority over ourselves in being able to respond to low tones by both the ear and the skin. We can do the same, as can read- ily be shown by lightly touching the sounding board of a piano or organ when a low tone is struck. ‘The same tone heard by the ear can be readily felt by the finger tips. But for perceiving still Aquatic Lite 165 slower vibratory movements we, wit. all our boasted brain power, must admit ourselves inferior to the fishes. ‘They possess an elaborate system of cutaneous and subcutaneous sense organs of which we have not a vestige. These so-called lateral line organs in the catfish com- prise a complex system of fine tubes un- der the skin, the lateral line canals, and two kinds of sense organs in the skin, the pit organs. The canals ramify in various directions in the head and tie main lateral canal extends along the side of the body back to the tail. They were formerly supposed to be for the secretion of mucus and are still often called the mucous canals. But they are now known to contain numerous small sense organs which respond to slow vi- bratory movements of the water. The pit organs are scattered over the skin, the smaller ones each in a flask-shaped pit with a narrow mouth and the less numerous larger ones exposed on the surface. The lateral line sense organs are all supplied by a single system of nerves related to the nerves of the ear, and quite distinct from those for the general tac- tile and chemical senses of the skin and cutaneous taste buds. ‘That the lateral line organs respond to slow vibratory movements has been clearly shown by Parker, but the distinctive features of the pit organs are unknown and, in fact, our knowledge of the functions of the sys- tem as a whole is still very incomplete. It is clear that cutaneous organs of touch, lateral line organs, and the organs of equilibrium and hearing in the inter- nal ear form a graded series, and all have probably been derived in evolution from a primitive type of tactile organ. When therefore we both hear and feel a musical tone of the piano we are reminded of the long and dramatic history of the very intricate human auditory organ, whose first and last stages both may function at the same time in our own bodies. We cannot here recount the details of the long series of very tedious scientific investigations required to replace the conjectures of amateur naturalists and fisherfolk by accurate knowledge of the sensory life of fishes. And even with this precise information we are far from a true understanding of the fishes’ minds. To learn the structure and behavior of any animal requires only sufficient scientific skill and industry, but to under- stand the mind of an animal is the most baffling of all scientific questions. Our own thoughts are purely personal matters. Even with the aid of language, facial expression and gesture, we are able to communicate our ideas and feelings to our intimate friends only imperfectly, and this difficulty is multiplied many fold when we try to understand even the most intelligent of the brutes. The only re- course is to see how an animal behaves in a given situation and then in the light of what we know of human and animal bodily structure and function try to im- agine how we would think in such a situation, taking into account the animal’s limitations of nervous organization. Ob- viously this is a poor and _ uncertain method at best, and no wonder many psychologists have given up the prob- lem in despair and decided that the only scientific procedure is to pay no attention to animals’ minds and limit our inquiry to their objective behavior. Indeed, so impressed are some of them by the fu- tility of scientific study of even the hu- man mind by introspection that they advocate throwing overboard the whole science of psychology. But this is too like sinking the ship, cargo and all, to get rid of the rats. No, if we wish to attain the heights of a true understanding of the significance 166 Aquatic Lite -of mind in evolution, we must keep to the steep trail and not yield to the temp- tation to take smoother paths leading to rest shelters by the way. But we must watch our steps. By this I mean that, although we can interpret the animal mind only in terms of our own exper- ience, yet we must not uncritically read our thoughts and feelings back into ani- mals’ minds. The only safe rule is to assume that an animal acts reflexly or unconsciously except when it can be shown that the unconscious mechanisms are inadequate to account for the be- havior and intelligence alone 1s adequate. And these are very difficult things to prove in regard to animals so far re- moved from us in behavior type as are the fishes. The popular dramatization of animal life and imputation to them of human thoughts and feelings may have a certain justification for literary or pedagogic purposes, the same as other fairy stories. But let it not be forgotten that this is fiction for children, not science nor the foundation for science; and there is a long, long road to travel before we shall be able to understand in any but the most shadowy outlines what a fish’s mind is really like—By permission, from Na- tural History, Journal of the American Museum. —_>_—_ “T went over to [ona to do some shop- ping,” explained our neighbor, “and I’ve been laughing ever since.” “There was an awful crowd on the streets, and it wasn’t Saturday, so I didn’t know what was the matter. But a clerk in a store told me that the circus was in town. ‘To think I'd forgotten that—and missed the parade, too! But it was too late to think about circuses; so I finished my shopping and got some ice cream and then went to the station to get the 5.30 for home. “There was quite a crowd in the de- pot—people going home from the circus, mostly. I noticed one woman all dressed in her best, and carefully holding a cov- ered tin pail on her lap. Every now and then she would take the cover off, look in, and then put the cover on again. Then another woman came in and spoke to the woman with the pail: “Well, did you have a good time?” she said. “And what are you taking home—something good to eat?” “Noy vsmiledithe other, —Mllsbetmyou can’t guess what [ve got in this pail, so Vil show you. And she removed the cover. “Goldfish!” exclaimed the woman, tak- ing a look. “Did you buy them here? I thought you had some at home.” “These are the ones I had at home. You see I wanted to go to the circus, and there was nobody at home to leave them with, so | brought them along.” “T went outside to laugh, and I laugh- «? all the way home: It’s a wonder she didn’t bring the cow, too.”—Exchange. Make a Note Heretofore a volume of Aguatic LIFE has consisted of the numbers from Sep- tember to August of the year following. The present volume, IV, will be continued to the end of the year, thus making it in- clude 16 numbers. The purpose of «this departure is to make Volume V, and sub- sequent volumes, coincide with the cal- endar year. The status of subscriptions is not affected. eee The fellow with the original thought is a lap ahead of the other man and gets the big pay. a em Did you ever notice that the young fellow who always has a lot of girls run- nin’ after him always marries the plain- est lookin’ one of the bunch? Aquatic Life 1918—1919 SEPTEMBER, 1918. The Blood-fin (Heede) ; Breeding Haplochilus cameronensis (JNelles) ; The Spotted Gourami (Kearns); Japanese Snail (Boyd); Aquarium Water and _ Its Restoration (Dormeier); Aquarium Heater (Hale); Fish Foods (Heede); Happy Fam- ilies, Breeding Habits of Mud-minnow, notes and news. Ocroper. Aquarium Heating (Breder) ; Hemiramphus fluviatilis (Brind); Mollienisia latipinna (Heede); Blue-tailed Skink (Deck- ert); Factors Controlling the Development of Tropical Aquarium Fishes (Webber); Snails in Aquaria (Gale) ; Habits of Black Bass, The Pipe-fish, notes, etc. NovemMBer. American Ljive-bearing Tooth- carps (Bade); Aquarium Notes (Leitholf) ; Notes on Krefftius adspersus (Freund) ; The Anatomy of the Fish (Clark) ; Breeding Habits of Burmese Eel (Finckh) ; A Bloated Axolotl (Waite); The Name “Water Flea,’ notes and news. DecEMBER. Cynolebias. bellottii (Brind) ; Tillaea recurva and Other Notes (Finckh) ; Another Tank Heater (Kuhn); Aquarist vs. Aquarian (Mellen); Emotions of Fishes (Gale); A Cigar Box Aquarium (Modesto) ; Florida Notes (Carlton) ; Photosynthesis, Mis- ce-.laneous notes, news, etc. JaNuary, 1919. Limia caudofasciata (Leit- holf) ; Classification of Fishes (Stead) ; Color Changes of the Chub-sucker (Hubbs) ; Neetro- plus carpintis (Brind); A Simple Heated Aquarium (Finckh) ; Notes on the Breeding Habits of the Pigmy Sunfish (Poyser) ; Gold- fish Farm of Kichigoro Akiyama, notes and news. Frsruary. Polycentropsis abbreviata(Brind) ; Cho'ogaster cornutus, the Fish of the Dismal Svamp (Welsh); A Wood Aquarium (Pil- kington) ; Danio malabaricus (Leitholf) ; Notes on Native Fishes (Pray); Managing the Aquarium (/nnes) ; Reactions of Fishes to Habit-forming Drugs, The Boston Show, A True Fish Story, notes and news. Marcu. Breeding the Goldfish (Hanna) ; Observations on the Chelonians of North America, Part I (Shufeldt) ; Lucania ommata (Welsh); Apistogramma agassizi (Heede) ; The Water-fleas° (Tompkins); Viviparous Fishes-in-general (Stead); Breeding the Striped Gourami (Simpson) ; Notes and news. Aprit. The Surinam ‘Toad (Deckert) ; Cichtasoma nigrofasciatum (Brind); Keeping Living Food Alive (Jnnes); Beware the Dragonfly (Gordon); An Electrolytic Aerator (Putnam); Water Lilies, Some Cultural and Historical Notes (Pring) ; Beef vs. Liver, notes and news. May. Nanostomus eques (Brind); The Water Horse-tail (Wobler) ; Observations on the Chelonians of North America, ‘Park, October 4th, 5th and 6th. Part II. (Shufeldt); 1 Became a Fancier (Proctor) ; A Peculiar Planorbis (Breder); Association and Color Discrimination in Mudminnows and Sticklebacks (White); The Hay Infusion Microcosm (Woodruff); The Bladderworts, notes and news. Jung. Observations on the Chelonians of North America, Part III (Shufeldt) ; Gam- busia episcopi (Brind) ; The Wheel Animal- cules (Bade) ; Sonnet to a Goldfish (Burditt) ; A Study of the Diamond Bass (Trell) ; The Brook Stickleback (Barker); Goldfish in China, Red-colored Water, Crappie Spawn in Washington Aquarium, and Society News. Jury. A Big-headed Gurnard (Fowler) ; The Nesting Habits of Certain Sunfishes as Ob- served in a Park Lagoon in Chicago (Hubbs) ; Badis badis (Brind) ; The Paradise Fish (Bal- leisen) ; The Garden a Terrarium (Brcder) ; Philadelphia Aquarium, A Fish Elevator, Akiyama Goldfish Farm, notes and news. Society News The West Philadelphia Goldfish Fanciers’ Association meets on the first Thursday of each month (except July and August), in Hamilton Hall, 5236 Market street, at 8 P. M. Take any car to Market street, transfer to the elevated. ——— Don’t forget the big Philadelphia show. Horticultural Hall, Fairmount This exhibition is unique in that no prizes are awarded. —<+.__ The Pittsburgh Aquarium Society will hold its annual exhibit in the Phipps Conservatory, North Side, from October 25th to November roth. | HUGO C. NELLES Dealer and Breeder of Tropical Fish 10440 115th Street, Richmond Hill L.I., N. Y. SEE MY MODERN CONSERVATORY Prices reasonable. | Two silver cups, 23 first prizes awarded at the last exhibition of the Ridgewood Aquarium Society DIRECTIONS—Take Fulton Street Elevator B.R.T.., to Lefferts Avenue, use Walnut Street exit. Walk back one block eBo0BovtoeGo 000s one Poo oocoat5o ots Boctoveooovesooeooe> Soto S50 S303: eBoeBooo0oods eo Poactooctooct> y iN S956 000 CG 000 G9 GCS AQUATIC MICROSCOPY BY DR. ALFRED C. STOKES j (| SPLENDID, not too technical hand- (| book of the lower organisms for the 8 inquiring aquarist who dislikes to be 0 nonplused by scientific verbiage. 324 pages, with 198 illustrations. $2.25 Plus Postage on 2 Pounds Address Aquatic Life PMD OOO BMD SCO CON NOH OH MSN CNM 000 SCD ooo BSD DoF Something New! a fine, large stock of Danio malabaricus and other species of Danio. (The most sprightly aquarium fishes) Haplochilus, Barbus, Mouth-breeders and many other p p J Barbu 8 beautiful fishes. 8 | August Obermuller ( p | © Cy Breeder and Fancier of Telescopes and Tropicals 96 Columbia Avenue, Jersey City Heights, N. J. visitors welcome at conservatory any Saturday afternoon and on Sunday. ocsacacacS\c00cacS000c>cacacac be Dwarf Gourami Fine Pairs at $6.00 FRANCIS K. CHRISTINE 528 Belgrade Street Philadelphia, Pa Sale or Exchange Surplus stock of rare fancy fishes and plants of all kinds. G. Germann, 0. D. 3823 N. Richmond St. Chicago Phone: Monticello 6864. A llaria gigas The four-horned Snail deposits coral red masses of eggs out of water. A big, interesting species. Large size, 25 cents each. Medium size, 20 cents each. Small fellows, 15 cents each. The Canadian Bird Store AQUATIC SUPPLIES 2139 Van Buren Street, Chicago Illinois we ship. Per dozen $4.00. per package). All plants postpaid. tains no other substances. White Worms (Enchytraeus). breed a continucus supply. (-<_ose COCO 900 C5000 H——— 008 S000 C— 300 C000 CH 9000 C000 C000, Mollienisia latipinna (or Velifera) Some scientists assert that Velifera is but a perfectly developed latipinna—the only sort Cyprinodon variegatus (Sheepshead Minnow), $3.00 per dozen. Notropis metallicus, Fundulus heteroclitus, Gambusia holbrooki, Goldfish—all varieties. Shubunkins (Spotted Goldfish), $4.00 per dozen. Japanese Snails, $2.00 and $2.50 per dozen. Plants. Vallisneria (narrow leaf), 30 cents per dozen; Vallisneria (wide leaf), 60 cents per dozen; Sagittaria (broad leaf), 75 cents per dozen; Water Poppy, $1.00 per dozen; Cabomba, Giant Anacharis, Potomogeton and Myriophyllum spicatum (milfoil), 75 cents per dozen bunches. Egyptian Lotus (dormant tubers—best time to plant), 50 cents each. Red, White and Yellow Water Lilies (dormant tubers), 50 cents each; (seeds, 15 cents Fresh Water Shrimp, sun dried, shelled and shredded. ‘The best fish food. Con- Coarse, medium or fine, $1.00 per pound. Per portion, 50 cents. The best live food. Orders for fishes should include 50 cents for shipping can. CRESCENT FISH FARM, 1624 Mandeville Street, New Orleans, La, O00 C———) 000 C000 C700 c——>000c 0007000 —Sc°r°"Ic—S c°~ri°r0nc—S1000 With instructions how to ee ie Die | be o—S000 coo S000 C000 Made in 10 Different Stock Sizes Larger Sizes to Order S000 C000 Per tt See eee Notice: Hugo C. Nelles, Dealer and Breeder of Tropical Fishes, is now located at 10440 115th Street, Richmond Hill, Long as has been ltis* policy in the past. A cordial invitation is extended to customers and friends to visit his modern, up-to-date conservatory. If Your Fish Are Not Doing Well—Try ENCHYTRAEIDS - White Worms HE- natural and best food for gold- fishes, barring none. Package 50c (cash or check), with instructions for raising a constant supply. PAUL .MARQUARDT, 829 Teutonia Avenue, Milwaukee, Wis $1.50 - Brind’s New Book - $1.50 “The Practical Fish Fancier’’ Was $3.00—has paid for itself, so you get the benefit. This work shows Fish, Plants, etc., in natural colors and half-tone. Illustrates 138 Fish—Tropical, Gold and Do- mestic; 21 Plants and 4o Insects, Parasites Infusoria, etc. J Order Direct TO-DAY as only a limited number of copies left W. L. BRIND, 449 W. 206th Street NEW YORK The Peerless Aquarium Manntecured by J. J. ENLTERARCK CO, 170 - 172 TWELFTH AVENUE, ASTORIA, L.I., N.Y. oc) 000 CS 000 S000 C000 Ca C000 C000 CS 000 ————D000——STSsaD Island, | New York. He-wil carry first-class stock only, | Patented November 9, 1915 a For Sale All Thru U.S. A. and Canada C000 GS 000 GS 000 S000 line. pple! o5 eee Fees say YOGI is the best Fish Food. It must be, the majority are using) it, why? Ask for YOGI at your dealer or druggist orsend for it. Yogi 15c box. By mail 17c Yogi 75c Pound Add Postage Magic (Infusoria) 50c Postpaid Robert J. Schaeffer asic Peanlatene Avenue _ Phila., Pa LIVE FOOD IS THE BEST Fishes thrive and grow on Enchytraeids, the little white worms. Generous box by mail, 50 A NATURAL FOOD CONTAINING THE cents. Full directions given for propagating them. S. W. BURGESS, 3424 Hurley Street PHILADELPHIA Se es arn eae Oriental Fish Food For All Species of Fishes Put up in neat, attractive boxes, each package containing a pamphlet giving exact instructions for the proper care of the aquarium, Gross $6.00 Oriental Goldfish and Supply Co 3757 - 3761 Cottage Grove Avenue Chicago, Illinois COOCCOCOOCCO COO COO 000000000! OOOCOO COO CCO C00 000000000000 loo elec cle cele c clo c volo cele oslo cece cleo elec cle co} - Aluminum and steel aquariums, White enamel daphnia buckets. all aquarium requisities. = ee | Bell Phone [ea Si C00 M5000 CaS 000 C000 MH S000 Ca) 00S all sizes. Sole Agent for Shield of Quality Fish Food CREATION, the infusoria preparation, needed to start tropical young. FRANCIS K. CHRISTINE, 518 Belegrade Street PHILADELPHIA, PA. 000 C=— 3000 HD 000 CD 000 G9 000 M3009 CC 300 C000 CS 000 T5000 M5000 C000 SPECI AS Dwarf Gourami $6.00 Per Pair Your order will be promptly attended to. AXll varieties of Tropical Fishes. Breeder of Broadtail Telescopes from cup and blue ribbon winners. Cement, grit, sand, plants and Used without sheep manure | | | | | as Leitbol€ Wrotbers Fine, healthy stock of Trichogaster fasciatus, Osphromenus trichopterus, P. cupanus, Acara bimaculata, Heros facetus, Barbus conchonius, B. Semifasciolatus and many other species. 281 Southern Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa Fine Broad-tail Telescopes” BLACK and CALICO Correspondence Solicited CROIRGZ, WITLI, 251 IN, Oza) Stmest, PHILADELPHIA OOOO00000000' [ D Excellent Conformation n Color Cannot Be Beat how Their Quality in Finnage ave Blues, Blacks and Calicos | Pivery Fancier Should Look Them Over wiice Them at C. C. VOWINKEL Philadelphia, Pa ! 5109 Catherine Street [oe efe © 0/0 0 010.0 00 © © aasmm=m |e © 0/0 © 00 © 00 0 2/0 2 2) IDDO OOO 000000 MD 000000 000000: 8 8 8 8 8 : E Polyacanthus dayi, | COO C—— 000 ——>000C—— 000 000C——S 000 C——— 000 C= 080 poe SCRIMSHAW’S FISH HATCHERY 1431 N. Clark Street, Chicago, III. Telephone, Superior 4415 Auto Delivery Importer and Breeder of a Large Variety of Gold and Tropical Fishes AQUARIUMS KEPT IN STOCK & MADE TO ORDER Mollienisia latipinna 50c each Medaka - 25c each Aquatic Plants and Snails Baby Alligators Aquarium Cement, 50c Ib Everything for the Aquarium-Pond and Lake. Aquariums stocked, maintained and repaired. Thirty-six Kinds of Fishes Wholesale and Retail Warbling Canaries Cages Food and Supplies Out-of-Town Customers name County when Ordering CoCo C—— 7000 C7700 000 Cc aC ad ———000 C000 C7000 C5000 C008 M7000 CH ooo! _— f EVERYTHING IS FISH THAT COMES i TO THE NET OF A NATURALIST Don’t paddle in the water with one hand and be blind with both eyes. In other words, ‘keep your eyes open’’ for all nature. Our Magazine Che Guide to ature Will Help You It is edited by EDWARD F. BIGELOW, who fishes in the heavens and earth, as well as the waters under the earth. Four months’ trial, 25c. One year, $1.00. THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION ArcAdiA ! Sound Beach Connecticut ) Fancier and Breeder of Tropical Fishes S. SILVER Splendid healthy stock at reasonable —>c:cooc———7:co°oS——>cc°~c prices. Haplochilus cameronensis, Betta rubra, etc. All kinds of live-bearing fishes. 235 East 11th Street NEW YORK CITY (Between 2d and 3d avenues) HENRY KISSEL, JR. Breeder & Fancier of Broadtail Telescopes Tropical Fishes, Plants and Snails. Telephone 461 Cliffside 241 Walker Street, Cliffside, N. J. Fishes, Plants, etc., Sold at Conservatory oC0Ooc——Sc00c—000-+¥ 8 Goldfishes Blacks :: Blues and Vari-hues None for sale at present! GEORGE A. SCHENK Mount Vernon, INGE ¥ Lincoln Park Pet Shop MADAM TUZEE, Manager, TROPICAL FISHES OUR SPECIALTY | BIRDS & SMALL PETS OF ALL KINDS Aquaria, Bird Cages and all Supplies. Displayed and Sold on Commission. 1509 North Clark Street CHICAGO Dogs Thousands of Young Veiltail Telescpoes from the Finest Stock in America $2.50 per Dozen $ 15.00 per Hundred Mixed Colors, Blues, Blacks Calicos, Etc. Franklin Barrett Wyoming Avenue & C. Street, Phila., Pa 35¢ Extra for Shipping Can ) Cash With Order oCcoc>7006 Cr THE BEST BOOK AQUARIUM Sd is ‘‘ Goldfish Varieties & Tropical hs Aquarium Fishes’’, byWm.T.Innes, _// i} former President of the Aquarium AN Vi Society of Phila.; 250 pages, 195 Cale illustrations. Tells all about the &¢ i" ; fancy varieties of the Goldfish and % nearly 300 tropicals; how to breed them, etc., etc. For the beginner or the advanced expert. A complete, practical, handsome book, sent postpaid anywhere for $3.00. , Enlarged edition now ready. INNES & SONS - 133 N. 12th St. - Phila., Pa. Diatoms Wish to secure diatomaceous material, recent freshwater and marine gatherings and from fossil deposits. ; Editor, Aquatic Life Suet FISH” A practical work on care and breeding of fish in the aquarium, greenhouse and outdoor ponds. Finely illustrated. Everyone interested in keeping fish should send for a copy of this book. Price $1.00. Tappan’s Natural Fish Food. Three Boxes: post- paid, 25c. Guinea Pigs and Thoroughbred Collie Pups, beau- tifully marked. Write for prices. F. L. TAPPAN Route 2, Hopkins, Minn. GOOC0C C00 c0e 600 GG 000000 i Aquattc Ltte Vol. II ae Vol. III $2.25 each, postage paid Volumes average 165 pages and as many illustrations. Substantial cloth binding, with title page and complete index. (Stock of Volume II is small.) WANTED: One hundred copies of Volume I, loose or bound. Can use single issues. Address publisher. ps OOO COO C00 000M 008 600C006ao [oe ele o | COOCeS00o: O00 JAPANESE GOLDFISH By DR. HUGH M. SMITH A guide to the methods of breeding 9 fancy goldfish practiced in Japan. The >c>c>c509 result of the personal investigations of the author. Ten breeds are illus- trated in color, with numerous text ) cuts; 112 pages. $2.00, plus postage on 2 pounds. Address Aquatic Life 5 HERMAN RABENAU, Aquarist PERMANENT DISPLAY OF Aquatic Life & Terraria must be seen to be appreciated Visitors Welcome Plants and Tropical Fish a Specialty Importations of New Varieties received regularly 1163 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y. Near Broadway. GOLDFISH, FOODS, PLANTS, DIP NETS Combination Natural Fish Food - Sample Box 10c Japanese Shrimp Fish Food - - Sample Can 15c Baby Fish Food Sample Box 15c 15c, 25c 35c Each Glass Feeding Rings Mail Orders Promptly Attended to Special Prices on Quantity Lots. Cash With Order. Catalogue Sent Upom Request. AQUARIUM STOCK CO 273 Greenwich Street :: New York City BREEDER AND IMPORTER Rare and Fancy Fish Plants of every variety, Snails and Aquarium Supplies of all kinds at all times. MANUFACTURER OF Green River Fish Food 15c Box Green River Baby Fish Food 20c Box A GOOD FISH FOOD is one of the most essential things necessary to keep fish in good health. After the test of years Green River stands out as the best food on the market. It keeps the fish in good color by pro- moting a healthy, robust growth. It will not sour ot cloud the water. Ask ) your dealer or send for it today. Breeders Large assortment of Splendid Telescopes and Jap Goldfish at Reasonable Prices Fine Assortment of Lionheads — Shipping Cans 50c Young Blues, Blacks and Calicos $1.50 Dozen Young Veiltails or Broadtails 5.00 Dozen HARRY P. PETERS 1210 NORTH WARNOCK STREET PHILADELPHIA c———>c:°°oc > Nippon Goldfish Co J. MURATA, Proprietor. 1919-21 Bush Street, San Francisco, Cal Importers and Dealers GOLDFISH PLANTS SNAILS ) Dried Shrimp, Birds, Cages and All Supplies NEW STOCKS ARE COMING! Price List Sent on Request a a ee “ AS PER 9h Beeson aie sin, eos PP oatcts HAT ee Te HM ea Sanaa Ornaments - wanted for. “Aquatic Life.’’? Readers are invited - “Aquatic Life’? Aquatic Iife Vol. IV. September, 1919 An international monthly magazine No. 13 devoted. to ‘the study, care and breeding of fishes and other. animals and plants in the home aquarium and terrarium. Wis Ay BOY SER ca. 8 sion tuatman nea ce: EDITOR JOSEPH E. BAUSMAN .......... PUBLISHER > 542 East Girard Avenue .......... Philadelphia Entered as second-class matter, September 2d, 1915, at the Post Office, Philadelphia, Pa., under Act of Mareh 3d, 1879. Popular and scientific artic’es and notes on sub- jects pertaining to the aquarium and terrarium. and to the habits of fishes in general, are always to join in making it a medium of mutual help by contributing to it the results of their studies. The pages are always open to anyone having informa- tion of interest to the aquarist and student of | aquatic biology. Manuscripts, books for review and general correspondence | should be addressed to the editor. has the largest. ‘circulation of any magazine in the world devoted to aquatic nature-study. It offers to advertisers a market that can be reached through no other medium. Rates made known on application. YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION....... eielin es snie $1.25 FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTIONS........ Giploneieinlon wai) SEINGEE COPNi as series imal re neh. Payments ‘should be made by money order, draft or registered letter. cents should be added for collection charges. For- eign remittances should be by international money order, Copyright 1919 by Joseph HE. Bausman If local checks are sent. ten — Ware: Gardenin g Your water garden is now a memory. Than the cola winter evenings there is no better time to plan new effects for 1920, whether your ef- forts will be with a tub or a pond measured in acres. THE BOOK OF WATER GARDENING will help you ereate a picture that will never- more be called (by your neighbors) ‘‘a durn old stagnant pool.’’ The book contains 140 illustrations, more than enough to give you a comprehensive idea of the decorative possibilities of water plants. The price is $2.65 THE BOOK DEPARTMENT Philadelphia AQUATIC LIFE i :00-¥ i ee of ‘AQUARIUMS: - Floral Terra Cotta, Ete. ee Goldfish Fish Globes _ Fish iaende Ne - and all aquarium requisites. ; ce Send for Soe ee Wes fs Wine i Paullin | Importer Se Breeder of ‘Rare A Gold: Fishes 2 Tropical Fishes: rorocooscseor cree I PROSPECT P A R K DELAWARE COs PA. (Formerly 425 Wolf Street, Philadelphi, Pa. “ 7 Older booked a 1919 hatching of Pterophyllum Scalare oo | g 8 e nee 8 8 on bo Pee | 1119 Folsom Avenue | 8 . 8 8 l <=000000000000000000000000000000000000 [ore o10.0 0fe.0 010,00] emms\aman] Leading Fishfood on the Market ote Tried Kiwis Used RORY pRUAMESE icon | FE For GOLD ann TROPICAL FISH — & Feed fish, food that is fish ; food fit for fish. The only” food composed ot aquatic, animal and_yegetable sub- — stances from afer good results are obtained. Dealers, write for prices — Price 15c Box Baby Food 20c Box Ad Postage () sh (i. SARBACHER, 1318 Be Dover St,, i Ea dh oh ae | * | | Platypoecilus maculatus | | ! WALTER LANNOY BRIND, F. Z. S. | LS. eA eee amie WN eee A me me 9 cs a 6 Pe 6 Pe PS Pt Pe PS es Ps Pd Fs Bs PS 1. Platypoecilus maculatus. from Platypoecilus maculatus rubra-and Xiphophorus helleri. 4. Xiphophorus helleri, female above, male below. ! |! ( ( ( & Down in the countries of Central America, in the same general localities frequented by the swordtails, we find the members of the genus Platypoecilus. These fishes resemble small, short-bodied swordtails, but lack their characteristic “sword,” though some fine specimens of Platypoecilus maculatus rubra occasion- ally exhibit a tendency in this direction, and this without having been crossed with Xiphophorus which, by the way, 1s 2. Platypoecilus maculata nigra. Photographs by Dr. E. Bade. ) 5 6B 6 8 6 Os Bs SS Fg BS Bs BS OS PS Os Ss 6 Bd a 6 BR 6 9d Pe Pi 6 Pi Ss Bd Bi 6 8s Sg 3. Hybrid hs ss et Pes es Pe not difficult to accomplish. Meek in his work, “The Freshwater Fishes of Mex- ico,” lists P. maculatus, P. variatus and P. nelsom. Platypoecilus quitzeoensis B. A. Bean (1898) having previously been made the type of a new genus, Zoogone- ticus, need not be mentioned. Most of us are acquainted with P. maculatus, the first species of the genus secured by aquarists, and, in fact, unless we consider the variants developed by 168 Aquatic Lite aquarists as nominal species, the only one. The ground color of the common form of this little fish—the largest speci- mens never exceed two inches in length— is olivaceous, shading to pearly white on the belly. At the base of the tail is a dark crescent-shaped patch, and several similar marks about the middle of the body, all of which may be prominent or indistinct and in some specimens wanting. In the male the dorsal fin is russet-mark- ed; other fins clear save that the anal of the female has a narrow black bor- der. The first two or three rays of the anal of the male are modified to per- mit it to function as an intromittant organ. Some handsome males show a patch of metallic turquoise blue on the sides and occasionally a female is so marked. Meek remarks that the color markings of this species are more variable than any other species he had examined. This is substantiated by the several forms now so well-known and distinct as to have been given names. The red form (rubra), is the most attractive. ‘The bodies in both sexes are orange-vermil- lion in color, and most intense in the male. Specimens not marked with tiny black dots are considered most desirable. In migra (sometimes incorrectly called pulchra), a velvety-black blotch, varying in size, appears on the sides, otherwise it is similar to the common form. In the aquarium it contrasts splendidly with rubra. In the spotted form (pulchra) the body color is cold straw overlaid with black spots more or less evenly dis- tributed. Brunning, in his Ichthyolo- eisches Handlexicon mentions but one species, P. maculatus, the others being considered mere color variants, and in this the writer concurs. The forms inter- breed and transient forms of all sorts are common in collec- tions. indiscriminately, All the varieties are excellent aquarium fishes and will thrive and breed if the temperature 1s maintained between 70 and 80 degrees, Fahrenheit. The pro- cedure is the same as with other live- bearing species. Merely place the fe- male, when she indicates by distended ab- domen that a brood may be expected, alone in a small{ aquarium, providing plenty of plants. Make observations at frequent intervals, and remove the fe- male when the fry arrive. For the young the food par excellence is Daphne, following later with enchy- traeids, but it is entirely possible to raise the young on prepared foods, making certain that the granules are suitable in S1ze. In some sections the aquarists call Platypoecilus the moon-fish, the forms being distinguished as red, black, blue and spotted. Philadelphia Exhibition The recent public exhibition of the as- sociated aquarium and goldfish societies, of Philadelphia, held in Horticultural Hall, was quite equal to those of past years as far as the goldfish was concern- ed, while a new mark was established for exotic fishes, both in number of species and in the general excellence of the spec- imens. Considering each aquarium as a unit originality was lacking save with one. This tank, with a simple, polished ma- hogany frame, was the gem of the show. In it several black-banded sunfish, Meso- gonisteus chaetodon, swam unobtrusively among well arranged plants of several species, making a picture not to be for- gotten. _ The newspapers of Philadelphia were quite generous and not a small part ot the attendance was due to this form of publicity, augmented by window posters and cards. I me ce 0 oe me 0 me sm eo me me ee ee of Sm et es We have in the South a very remark- able terrapin that, in so far as I am aware, appears to be confined in its range to the Peninsula of Florida and Southern Georgia. It belongs to the genus Chry- semys and is known as C. Floridona or the Florida terrapin. This species I had never before seen alive until a mag- nificent specimen was kindly sent me loy7 WUe, IX; Jel Wowne,-o Inlanaes Cisy, Florida. Shortly after its arrival in ex- cellent condition, at my home in Wash- ington, I had the opportunity to examine some eight or ten other living specimens Observations on the Chelonians of North America. V. DR Ra We SiUIEE ED ICs Ga Vineness a SPARS PS PS PR ST BS Bh BS PS FS Pe PS Fs Ps 9S PS FS BR OS OS OS BS Bs BS FE | Large male specimen of the Florida Terrapin Chrysemys loridana ’ 3 - 3 seen upon ventral view and much reduced. 0 YP FF SP Pf 9 SP A 9 9 Pt Fs st FSF FS FF 4D GF PB PP FS FP PP FA Pe : | | : : | : ! a 6 Sd a Fs Fs Os Be Pa 8 Fs Bs Bs Bh BT 6 OF BS BE PS Sd a at the United States National Museum, which had been forwarded by a collector from Adel, Georgia. None of these lat- ter, however, was as large as the young specimen, this having a length of cara- pace of over fourteen inches. ‘That in- dividual is now in the National Zoologi- cal Park at Washington, as is also the largest of the Adel specimens, the for- mer having been presented by me after | had secured a number of photographs of it. One of these is here reproduced in Figure 1, taken on ventral view. All this part of the shell is pale yellow, and the 170 Aquatic Lite markings there seen are abrasions from the plastron having rubbed against the box in which it traveled from its Florida home. Several of the Adel specimens had the plastron beautifully blotched with intense black, the ground color being a very pale yellow. It will be remem- bered that the plastron in our Painted Terrapin is also yellow, and in the adult rarely has any markings upon it. (Fig. Chrysemys picta * 2.) Sometimes in this species, however, the plastron is of a rich deep buff color, and may have some central markings upon it of a deeper shade. No difficulty is encountered in identify- ing the Florida terrapin—that is, adult specimens of it, for it has the smallest head for its size of any other species in this country, while its carapace mounds *The Painted Terrapin. Ventral view of a male, reduced. Presented by Mr. Edward S. Schmid, of Washington, D. C. Both speci- mens photographed from life by the author. up in a dome-like fashion that is unique, to say the least of it. This form of the shell is not fully developed until the ani- mal is adult, younger individuals having the carapace much as we see it in other species of the genus. Florida terrapins, as a rule, have the carapace of a blackish brown color, sometimes marked with bars of a lighter shade. Centrally, the marginal scutes present a yellowish bar, but this character, too, may be quite dim. Its jet black head has fine linear mark- ings of pale yellow, with a strong stripe of the same color running posteriorly from either eye to the neck. The stripes on the chin are much lighter or even whitish. As to its habits, they probably do not differ very much from those of other species of the genus; still, we stand in need of some good account of these in nature, as there does not seem to be any such extant at the present time. ee Daphne is scarce during the winter months, and not all of us find it con- venient to collect the larvae of Corethra, but every aquarist can provide enchy- traeid worms. A box of any convenient size, partly filled with soil, kept constantly moistened with milk and water, and properly start- ed with a “nest” of the white worms can eventually be made to yield a gratifying supply. Occasional small portions of mashed potatoes, oatmeal, corn starch pudding, unflavored, or bread and milk, will be the needed worm-food. This should be buried just below the surface. A little observation will determine the proper quantity and frequency of feed- ing. To gather worms, lay a slice of bread well moistened with milk on the soil, and a few hours later they will be found beneath it in little clumps, readily removea with small forceps. a a a a ee | Notes on the Life-History of Planorbis : At the previous meeting of this society I had the pleasure of bringing to your notice the occurrence of a red form of Planorbis corneus, and in stating the fact that many freshwater snails cannot live in association with the Cypridae. At the time I made this communication, I did not quite know the extent and scope of this society, and my remarks were con- fined to a few bare facts. I hope, to- night, to go into the matter more fully ; but there are still several matters in- definite which I hope to clear up at some future date. I do not make any pretensions to being considered an authority on the subject of freshwater snails; my interest is en- tirely centred in their utility as food for fishes. In this respect the subject 1s one of very considerable importance, and possibly this red form has a far greater value than any other, that is, if it be left to the judgment of fishes, and if after a trial, it may be found to improve the flavor of fishes as food for man. I am pleased to say that in fish culture circles, and in other directions, considerable in- terest is being taken respecting this snail. I have distributed quantities over a wide area, and there is probably little danger now of its becoming extinct. In the early summer I had the pleasure of conducting one of your fellows to the pond where it was found, and you will be interested to know that we were able to find abundant evidence that the red colony was an old established one, and the snail had even acquired a local name. With further material for study, many interesting features have been brought SP 6 PFS FAO Ps PG FS PG Pg RP Fs Be Ff PBs 9 WILLIAM T. WEBSTER, F. R. M. S. corneus and Other Freshwater Mollusks | to light. Several specimens have been found with nearly white bodies and nor- mal shells, and some have been discoy- ered with red bodies and white or nearly white shells. Most specimens over one year old are completely perforated in the centre. In many cases the hole is quite small, whilst in others the perfora- tion is large, and only the outer, or body, whorl remained. In the early summer all these perforations were neatly sealed —quite as perfectly as if done in a turn_ ing lathe, and there was nothing to indi- cate that they had ever possessed an apex. Later in the season, the sealing becam> ragged as further erosion took place. It is interesting to record that nearly every specimen with a large hole, if lifted carefully by hand, had a young Sphaerium attached to the ce ntre—the bivalve dropped away when a scoop was used for collecting. On carefully examining the tentacles many peculiarities are observed. Some have both extremely long, slender and well matched. Some have one long and one short ; the shorter is left or right in- discriminately. Some have two very short tentacles, stunted and conical. A few were found doing well, entirely without, and the places where they should have been were indicated by the merest suggestion. Some specimens have the left tentacles bifurcated, and these having been isolated and mated, all the young proved normal. None has been found with a single tentacle. The mating of the red form with the normal always produces dark offspring, and if two of these dark ones are mated, corneum 172 Aquatic Lile red progeny results; but I am not able to say to what extent this agrees with the Mendelian theory. Continual mating of the red considerably improves the bril- liance of color. As before remarked, this red form is a sort of albino. I have been unable to find any satisfactory lit- erature dealing with albinism in the low- er animals; even the best authorities on fishes dismiss the subject with few words, and no attempt at explanation. Certainly, departure from the normal is productive of much change in the tem- perament of albinos and transitory al- binos. They become more easily tamed, and lend themselves to domestication. The observation of a normal green and a golden tench is quite an object lesson, they differ in habits entirely. Also the difference of character exhibited by a golden and a white orfe will be instruc- tive, as this carries albinism a_ stage further ; nothing need be said of goldfish. In this way, the red Planorbis shows evi- dences of capabilities of domestication unknown in the normal. Those of you who have read Fabre’s monumental observations on insect life, will have been struck with the difficulties he encountered when trying to induce a lowly creature to vary its procedure in opposition to its instinctive habits. Other observers have claimed successes in over- coming the persistent efforts of these ani- mals to retain their instinctive habits, and you will agree with me that it is highly desirable such observations should be carefully confirmed in every detail, be- fore being brought forward as facts. It is obvious there must be some limit to animal resources, and that the creature only succumbs to interference when cer- tain secretions become exhausted, and the animal is compelled to give up the Freshwater snails have an in- and are capable of being struggle. telligence, taught to acquire knowledge apart from instinctive habits. The acquired can be interfered with without resentment, as snails in general are quite good tempered creatures ; but when an effort is made to turn a snail aside from its instinctive de- sires, gtave difficulties arise. For the study of the freshwater snails small aquariums are not to be recom- mended. I find, I get the best results in a bell glass nearly 30 inches in diameter, the bottom filled with a mixture of sand and shell grit up to where the sides be- come vertical, and having a depth of about 20-1n. of water. Such an aquarium should contain well established and grow- ing plants—Vallisneria for choice, and should be capable of being rotated or in- spected all round. Jeffreys says, “Land and freshwater snails, as well as slugs, are for the most part herbivorous,” also, “Several kinds of Planorbis (freshwater snails) yield, on being irritated, a quantity of their own purple blood ; these are vegetable eaters.” In the face of these definite declarations I feel some diffidence in raising objection to the accuracy of the statements; but I must, in the interests of truth, say that Planorbis corneus, and probably some others, are more carnivorous than herbi- vorous. In fact, I can scarcely imagine corneus being a vegetarian, if animal food is obtainable. In a pond there must be constant deaths of minute animals, and unimaginable numbers of tragedies from which the mollusc may obtain some share, and never be at a loss for animal matter. During the warm weather Planorbis corneus will devour incredible quantities of animal food, and it will grow faster and do better on a flesh diet than on vegetation. I have fed it upon animal food exclusively, tough muscular table scraps, and I have made every ef- fort humanly possible to deprive it of plant food, and in such circumstances it thrived exceedingly well, and attained a large size. Turning to the subject of thread spin- ning, this can be observed and _ studied with certain success if a large aquarium, as previously described, is used. A self- supporting vessel is essential, as the water must not be disturbed, and the growing plants must be in sufficient pro- fusion to keep the water from becoming foul with a small population of a hun- dred or more adults. When the snails have settled down, put in one large piece of meat, more than 1s likely to be con- sumed under two or three days, or renew in exactly the same place without dis- turbing the plants. Soon a vertical thread will be seen reaching from bottom to top and probably more or less attached at intervals, to some upright leaf of Val- lisneria. ‘This thread will be observed to gradually thicken as each snail in passing along it adds its contribution of slimy matter, and in quite a short time a rope of respectable proportions is formed, leading from the unconsumed meat to the surface of the water, where many ramifications will be found. This rope sometimes becomes thicker than the thumb of a man. There will be a con- stant procession of snails up and down the rope, and it 1s interesting to watch a snail leisurely travelling on the surface come into contact with one of the surface ramification lines. In an. instant, the sluggish creature becomes alert and quickens its pace. As far as I have been able to judge there is never a mistake as to the direction, and in a little time the snail reaches the thick vertical rope and commences its descent. There is much interest centred here, as in a dense colony many snails may be on the rope, and a descending snail will not give way to an ascending one. The hungry snail clings Aquatic Lite 173 tenaciously to the guiding line, and the repleted snail must give way. As the rope is usually somewhat irregular, and one side more or less attached to plants, there are places which offer a limited traveling surface, and only one snail can be in possession. When the conditions are ideal for observation, and the travel- lers many, much amusement will reward the observer. Anyene who has read Fabre on the processionary caterpillar will remember he describes how these creatures live in large numbers in a common dwelling- house, and on leaving which, for feeding purposes, spin a thin line of silk. Each caterpillar in the procession adds its line to the existing one until it branches off on its own account, and these lines are used for the purpose of finding the way back home, just as a cord or rope would be used in the exploration of an intricate cave. There seems to be a curious re- semblance of methods of snail and cater- pillar, and this is the most remarkable seeing that a snail after a good meal, puts up with all sorts of annoyances from descending snails rather than leave the guiding line, although it has the power to float to the surface. Planorbis cor- meus, as is well known, can rise to the surface from the bottom like a cork, or sink like a stone, and it apparently has considerable control over the rate of fall and rise. In a deep aquarium a falling snail will frequently retard its progress very perceptibly as it nears the bottom, and a rising snail will often carry a piece of meat more than its own weight, without any visible difference to the normal rate of ascension, which shows there must be a considerable latitude of power. I have never been able to wit- ness, when there has been no suspicion of interference, a snail voluntarily fall to the bottom, and ascend to the surface 174 Aquatic Lite again, either by creeping or otherwise. The return to the surface requires a long observation, as it remains feeding a con- siderable time. Apparently this is an instinctive habit and interference is re- sented. If the fallen snail is lightly touched it will discharge some air, and, if irritated to the extent of complete dis- charge, it will at once creep to the sur- face for a renewal. I was fortunately able, a few days ago, to observe a speci- men of corneus in its second year, gently drop about nine or ten inches below the water surface or half the depth of the tank. It came to a momentary halt, and then floated back to the surface. In this instance, there was no interference in any way, and the snail had no assistance from a spun thread. This is the only case I have seen, although I have for years carefully watched the progress of every falling animal presenting the op- portunity for observation. This is an important fact to record, as I have long thought corneus possessed some such power, as a fallen snail on reaching the bottom, often has some trouble to attach itself, and this act of corneus is particu- larly interesting to witness. This, and many other observations, are better seen with snails that have been in confine- ment a long time and have overcome their natural nervousness. Many snails observed whilst creeping from the bot- tom to the surface will, if gently detach- ed when well on the journey, at once rise to the surface, but this experiment is the most successful with those which are educated to being frequently handled. I regret I have never been able to sat- isfactorily ascertain the age a snail may reach, as most of my attempts have been more o1 less upset by the attentions of Cypris, nor have I been able to observe the number of eggs a snail may actually produce for the same reason. Two speci- mens of corneus, two years old, under observation from the first to the twenty- second of July this year, laid twenty-two batches of eggs, but when hatching began it confused further count. The statement that freshwater snails are in the habit of creeping out of the water and on doing so die, is frequently met with in books dealing with the uni- valves, and observers are warned to pro- vide covers for their tanks. This pre- caution 1s unnecessary if reasonable care _is taken to keep the captives under prop- er conditions. A freshwater snail is a somewhat intelligent creature, and is capable of acquiring knowledge apart from mere instinct, and erratic move- ments on the part of the creature can only be interpreted in one way—ignor- ance 1s no excuse for cruelty. Aquar- ium keepers, no doubt, have had the mis- fortune to find a newly-introduced fish dead or dying, having leapt from its new The common minnow affords a If this fish is put into home. good illustration. a new home it is quite common for it to jump out, especially during the first night, evidently seeking its old quarters. If the tank is covered, in most cases for one night only, all danger is past and the fish settles down. Fish do not like changes—nor do snails. If an escaped snail is put back into its new home it usually accepts the situation if this 1s not impossible. When snails, which have been kept for some time, are found above the water line, suspicion 1s at once di- rected to the presence of enemies or foul water. One species, Limnaea pereger, has had a name imposed upon it describing it as a restless creature, and as far as I can see, without just cause. Certainly, L. pereger exhibits characteristics peculiar to itself. It is the only freshwater snail I know of which can, and does, catch little fish and tadpoles, and devours them. It is much sought after by the larger It is com- above the fishes, which take it greedily. mon to see this snail just water line; but in every case I have in- vestigated, it has been there to escape its enemies, and not from choice. When- ever this snail is found out of its element it is almost a certainty that the water, if good, contains predatory fishes. I have experimentally kept a number of speci- mens of L. pereger in a tiny dish, 2% inches in diameter, containing under one inch of water, for some months. When first introduced, they all escaped over the edge in the night once, and one individual twice, and then settled down. L. palustris behaves in much the same way in shallow water. Snails subjected to constant transfer- ence from one vessel to another, get ac- customed to changes, and make no at- tempt to escape. The various species of freshwater snails seem able to live to- gether, in harmony, perhaps with one ex- ception. Some time ago I placed a half- grown L. pereger in a small vessel with two dozen P. corneus, about two months old. Within twelve hours all the latter were dead, and I have not repeated the experiment. Bateman in his book, “Freshwater Aquaria,’ says that Neritina fluviatilis will not live in confinement, and men- tions the matter in order to save this snail unnecessary suffering. I have re- cently had a letter from a correspond- ent of repute, who tells me this snail has thrived for years in an aquarium. It is highly important that causes of failure should be sought for before definite statements are recorded. As I have a good many Planorbes col- lected for me, I receive quite a number with injured shells, and consequently subjects for observation. Every injured Aquatic Lite uL7/S) snail I have had has been given a chance to live, and has been observed closely. P. corneus is seldom able to repair a ser- ious fracture. Recently I have observed one replace quite a large piece of the outer lip, and in another case a brave but vain attempt was made to replace nearly the whole of the large whorl. In most cases a tiny fracture of the outer lip is given up in despair, and the animal dies. A fracture of the outer whorl, large or small, behind an intact orifice, corneus is utterly unable to repair. I have wit- nessed many attempts, and the animal always dies. A great many of the pond snails are eroded in numerous small spots, which in time become perforations, and in some instances mere pinholes. The death of the snail always’ occurs when the perforation becomes complete, no matter where situated. From this evi- dence, it is very strange to find the eroded apex of the red form so well mended as previously described. As to the enmity of the Cypridae; this is a carefully ascertained fact, confirmed by very many experiments, and is quite beyond doubt. The matter can be easily put to test by taking some snail spawn and the weed to which it is attached, and placing this in a bowl together with Cypris, collected from a ditch. A control experiment should be made, carefully eliminating the crustacean. Cypris is al- most ubiquitous ; it makes its appearance even when the utmost care is taken to guard against it. There are numerous species of theCypridae, and I am not prepared to admit that all are sinners. I prefer to suspect the smaller kinds, but in any case, the enemy is the one that is nearly always present. The larger kinds seem to be ignored by the snails. It is still a matter of doubt as to what takes place. From observations I have repeatedly made, I find the snails usually 176 Aquatic Lite imprison a foreign body in their shelis end perish whilst waiting for the discon. fort to pass away. Possibly something like this happens in the case of Cypris finding an entrance, and the crustacean is, by no means, a desirable prisoner. The larger kinds of snails are the chief victims of Cypris—P. Vortex, to some extent, and the smaller snails are able to escape the attentions of Cypris—pos- sibly being so small there is little room for an entrance. When snail breeding all through a summer has been a failure, any snails hatching out at the advent of cold weather, when Cypris has disap- peared until the spring, almost invariably live through the winter. It is quite dis- tressing to witness the efforts made by snails to escape the tiny persecutor, and little snails may often be seen above the water-line in great numbers, trying to place themselves beyond the enemy’s reach, whilst the larger snails attach themselves to a flat surface, and do not protrude their bodies beyond the protec- tive limits of the orifice of the shell, and can be observed in this uncomfortable position for long periods. To establish new colonies of fresh- water snails, quite a small pond will produce immense numbers. 000— (SG OOO C008 The Peerless Aquarium Manutactured by J. Jo HARTER REE CK OF 170 - 172 TWELFTH AVENUE, ASTORIA, L.I., (000) 000 000) O00 Car eed Patented November 9, 1915 For Sale All Thru U. S. A. and Canada Inc. ——o0oc— 700 cD 7000 000 CHC >000 C7000 Cc >900 NY? C. PIETZSCH Tropical fishes, including Haplochilus camer- onensis, H. rubrostigma, H. 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