7Y ff /) 4 f S7TOr/ | DEVISION OF FISHES PRICE, TEN CENTS Ue S EOE SE 456 AOSCES Fis¢4 [ISSVED INGE INTERESTS OF THE STUDY, CARE AND BREEDING OF AQUATIC LIFE JAPANESE LION-HEAD GOLDFISH Photograph by Wm. T. Innes, Jr. OC POBER: 21.912 PUBLISHED AT PHILADELPHIA, PA. BY THE AQUARIUM SOCIETIES CJ OF THE CITIES OF G—) NEW YORK : BROOKLYN CHICAGO : PHILADELPHIA SE ee ae ey EE Le ee ee Er jepgeamachessensnanet 7 he NATURE SHOP. a 579 W.A8lst ST.,SUBWAY BLDG. NEW YORK Gin Importers Breeders Dealers Animals, Birds, Fish, Foods €& Supplies Finest Collection of Fancy Fish on Exhibition in America Visitors welcome at all times We offer the following varieties of fish for sale, all in fine condition: Anabas scandens Girardinus reticulatus Poecilia poecilioides Barbus conchonius Haplochilus chaperi Poecilia species Barbus semi-fasceolatus Haplochilus panchax Polycentrus shomburgkii Badis badis Haplochilus rubrostigma Polyacanthus dayi Betta rubra Haplochilus sexfasciatus Pseudoxiphophorus bimaculata Betta splendens Heros facetus Rivulus flabellicauda Callichthys callichthys Macropodus viridi-auratus ‘Trichogaster fasciatus Callichthys marmoratus Mollienesia latipinna Trichogaster lalius Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum = Ophiocephalus striatus Tetrogonopterus lineatus Danio rerio Paratilapia multicolor Tetrogonopterus guppyi Danio malabaricus Paratilapia species Tetrogonopterus rubilus Gambusia afhnis Pantodon buchholzi Tetrogonopterus ulreyi Gambusia caudimaculata Platypoecilia maculata Xiphophorus brevis Gambusia holbrooki Platypoecilia niger Xiphophorus helleri Gambusia nicaraguensis © Platypoecilia rubra Xiphophorus rachowi Geophagus gymnogenesis Platypoecilia species E are constantly getting in new varieties of fish, so if there are any species that you want, let us know, and we will quote prices. We always have on hand a nice collection of common and rare Gold Fish at prices that are right; also aquarium plants, snails, tadpoles, etc. We manufacture the*‘NoXal Brand” Fish Food REGULAR, for Gold Fish; something better than the rest, but at the same price, 10 cents per tin. SPECIAL, for all varieties of Fancy Fish; (the one food that is sci- entifically compounded) containing the ingredients so necessary for the rapid and healthy development of the young fish and for the keeping of the older ones in perfect condition; comes in four sizes. 15 cents per bottle. ST ee VOU UU MY UY UU 8 OY 0 0 i i ee eee ore ere TT eT er er ee TT ee Ci) WILLIAM MACK AQUARIST Phone, 9635 Riverside BIRD SPECIALIST 102 West r1o6th Street, New York City Telescopes Scaled and scaleless in brilliant colors and with of the highest grade. fine development of fins and body A few choice ones for sale A. T. COLES, Glenside, Pa “ENUF SAID” E.C. VAHLE, 315 N. Madison St., Chicago Wholesale and Retail Dealer in BIRDS and ANIMALS PARROTS, MONKEYS AND PET STOCK We are Specialists. Singing Canaries and Song Birds ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC BIRD STORE 307 W. Madison Street, Chicago, Ill. HELP along the work of “The Aquarium’ by subscribing for a friend. F. L. TAPPAN Dealer and Breeder of Rare and PaANGY- FISH Chanchitos, Gambusia, Paradise Fish and Goldfish Send $1.00 for my new book, AQUARIA FISH. A practical work on care and breeding of fish in the aquarium. 92 SEVENTH STREET, SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. Terminal Pet Shop Importers, Breeders and Dealers in Japanese Goldfish and Tropical Fish Fish foods, plants and aquaria Pets of every description Birds, seeds and cages Burnett’s Japanese Fish Food Booth No. 18 Concourse HUDSON TERMINAL BUILDING NEW YORK Prices cheerfully furnished for special sized aquariums AOUARIA SUPPLIES SSS = Pe ZS Birds, Cages, Seeds, Etc. KAEMPFER’S BIRD STORE 114 N. State Street CHICAGO, ILL. Write for Price List Aquarium Book Herman T. Wolf’s work ‘‘Goldfish Breeds and Other Aquarium Fishes’’ is the standard authority. Tells all about breeding fancy goldfish and treats in a practical way on all aquarium and terrarium subjects. 240 beautiful illustrations. Price, postage prepaid by us, $3.00 INNES & SONS Twelfth Street, Corner Cherry, Philadelphia, Pa. WHOLESALE RETAIL Large Importation Expect over 2000 of the rarest tropical and other varieties of fish by the end of October. Also a shipment of 1000 of the finest singing canaries. Place your orders in time HERMAN RABENAU NOTICE I have just removed to new quarters at 1163 Myrtle Avenue, near Broadway, Brooklyn, N. Y. Fe ee EE EE EE EE I EE Bs ES ES EE SET FES TE TE FET ET of FRANKLIN BARRETT 4815 D Street, Olney, Philadelphia, Pa. Largest Greenhouses in the World Devoted to the Breeding of Fancy, Chinese and Japanese Goldfish and Propagation of Aquarium Plants WHOLESALE AND RETAIL FISHES : PLANTS COMMON At CABOMBA SCALED MYRIOPHYLLUM SCALELESS ANACHARIS CONE COD AGTE EaNTAl VALLISNERIA FRINGETAIL ORWONE TELESCOPES POTAMOGETON CELESTIALS SNOW FLAKE LION’S HEADS WATER POPPY SHUBUNKINS WATER HYACINTH PARADISE SALVINIA GOLDEN-ORFES WATER FERN LACE LEAF GOLDEN-TENCH GAMBUSIA-AFFINIS STICKLE-BACKS WATER LETTUCE UMBRELLA PALMS CYPERUS PAPYRUS CY PERUS SNAILS ALTERNIFOLIUS GRACILIS COMMON LAXUS FOLVA RAM’S HORN VARIEGATED POTOMAC BOSTON FERNS AFRICAN Drawine sy H. T. WOLF PTERIS FERNS JAPANESE WATER LILIES Submerged and Semi-Submerged Plants FOR PONDS ON ESTATES Manufacturer of the Celebrated ‘‘SUPERIOR’’ AQUARIUMS Rustless corner pieces. Marbleized slate bottoms. Made in galvanized sheet iron, wrought iron and brass nickel plated. Manufacturer of the Celebrated ‘““AMERJAP” FISH FOOD Made from the purest of materials. For fish only. Keeps your fish in good condition, keeps your aquarium pure and sweet and does not injure the plants in the aquarium. Eaten by the fish with avidity. Once tried, always used, We carry the finest line of aquarium ornaments in the country. No rough, sharp edges to injure and maim the fish, but every ornament glazed with a smooth and beautiful finish, and in harmonious colors, creating an artistic effect in the aquarium. Globes, Nets, Pebbles, Sand, Foods, Etc. Everything Pertaining to the Aquarium and Pond Send for Price Lists as ee ee a ee ee et ES SSS SS SESS SESE AQUARIUM NuMBER 5 VoLuME I OCTOBER, 1912 Practical Aquarium Management disturbed for nineteen years. Both aquaria are in excellent condition. WM. T. INNES, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa. ue aa cane The proper conditions for an aquarium HERE is one question which the begin- naturally group themselves into five con- mer always asks of the experienced Gderations as fallowee aquarist—“ How often should I change the Plants water?” Light Number of fish As the Fall is the time of the year when Se eee ane Feeding a great many institutions and individuals Temperature. start an aquarium, we shall take up very simply and plainly at this time those things the beginner should know, and we cannot do better than start with the question already referred to. The answer: Except The general principle regarding the benefits exchanged between plants and fish has already been stated, but the plants in order to do their part of the work must have light—not too little nor too much. They under unusual circumstances, not at all. only give off the oxygen under the influence This answer is sure to bring forth expressions — or light, but most aquarium plants will be of surprise and wonderment and a demand — «puyned” if éxpased to too mmch direct ease to know how in this way one may avoid light. A strong north or other diffused light having the water become stagnant and ill- j, generally successful. | An hour or two a smelling. As a matter of fact, a properly- day of direct sunlight is beneficial, but more conditioned aquarium only needs water than this is not recommended, particularly added to make up for evaporation, while a ag it is apt to turn the water green by the general house-cleaning and re-planting may rapid growth of minute algae. be desirable (but not necessary) from one Some plants are better oxygenators than to three years apart. others. Three of the best are giant Ana- The principles governing this are so charis, Vallisneria spiralis, the Italian or di- simple that it is surprising to find the minutive variety and Sagittaria (see illustra- general public ignorant of them. The big tions). The latter two are probably the fact is that what the fish exhale (carbon most satisfactory of all aquarium plants. dioxide) is what plants need and that what The Washington Grass (Cabomba_ carolin- plants exhale (oxygen) is what fish need. jana) frequently sold by dealers is not The answer in a general way, then, is to yecommended. It breaks up easily and un- have enough plants to consume the products less the conditions are just right it soon of the breathing of the fish. This arrange- looks shabby. Readers desiring fuller in- ment produces what is known asa “balanced formation regarding other varieties of aqua- aquarium” and is capable of remaining un- rium plants may obtain it by writing to our disturbed for years at a time. The writer letter-box department. has an aquarium which has not been drained There cannot be too many plants as long for five years, while the editor of this as the fish have room to swim. The surplus magazine has one which has remained un- oxygen they form goes off in bubbles. 39 Plant in washed course sand or sand and gravel. Do not use fine ocean sand. If plants have roots, spread them well. From one to two inches is deep enough for the sand. The next important subject is the number of fish which may be placed in the aquarium. In spite of advice to the contrary, the beginner insists on overcrowding 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. Phat iskto will properly This is not counting the tail. say, a five-gallon aquarium maintain either one 5-inch or five 1-inch or ten %-inch fish. To calculate the gallon capacity of an aquarium, multiply the depth, length and width of the water measurement in inches and divide the total by 251. Avoid globes where possible. The curved sides act as lenses to focus the light in the eyes of the fish. do not fill more than two thirds full. If globes must be used, This gives more air surface to the water than when they are filled to the top. The larger the air surface, the better. This applies to any aquarium. Therefore a broad, flat shape is better than a deep, narrow one. Fish undoubtedly do better in rectangular-shaped aquaria than in globes and they can be seen to much better advantage. For goldfish an aquarium of less than five A 10-gallon size is a good one to start with. gallons capacity is not very satisfactory. With many of the tropical fish now being introduced it is possible to use very smal] aquaria, even down to quart jars. Many persons kill their fish by kindness. Fish in the confinement of an aquarium should That is to say, they over-feed them. 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°F), every 40 other day is sufficient. If below this, once a week. The most generally used food is the least desirable. This is the white wafer. Nearly all dealers sell a better food in gran- ular form, composed of dried insects, egg, and farinaceous substances. The best temperature for goldfish is from 69 to.70-. to the freezing point, but under artificial They can maintain life down conditions necessary in an aquarium this is . . 1} . to be avoided. Higher than 80° is also dangerous. he ul SAGITTARIA— From Wolf?s “Goldfish Breeds” ye ANACHARIS—From Wolf’s “‘Goldfish Breeds”’ A 10-gallon aquarium should be provided with about half a dozen water snails such as They will keep down the green growth on the glass and also consume dealers sell. particles of food which the fish may have overlooked. For the latter purpose, some aquarists use tadpoles. The writer does not care for them, as they keep the water and The dead ones sand stirred up too much. snails should be watched and any promptly taken out, A mussel helps to keep the water clear and is a desirable aquarium inhabitant, but should not be used unless one is willing to frequently ob- serve whether it is alive. Their decompo- sition 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-quarter to one-half inch diameter and about three to Fill the tube with water, tightly pinch one end; put the other end four feet long. 41 quickly into the aquarium, hold the pinched end down as far as possible below the aquarium and then open the tube into a suit- able receptacle. The water will run out as long as the lowest point of the discharging end of the tube is lower than the sur- face of the water. Move the end of the the water around where the dirt is and it will rapidly suck it up. tube in Care must be taken not to draw in small fish and snails. If the time can be taken, let the drawn- settle and filter the portion fine muslin back off clearer water somewhat through This is better than new If water is used, see that it is of nearly the into the aquarium. water if the aquarium is right. new same temperature as the old. This is im- portant. Violent changes in temperature produce contagious diseases known as “white At the of a whitish coating on the fish or fungus” and “tail rot.” first sign a general splitting of the fins, separate it from the others and place in salt water until improve- ment is distinct. This may take from one The water should be enough to be just noticeable to the taste. Feed Sometimes this treatment day to a week. salt Salt water should be changed daily. very sparingly. is beneficial to fish which are generally run down but show no external signs of disease. It is believed that sea water, properly di- luted, is more effective than common cook- ing salt. Do not use advertised brands of non-caking table salt. Some of them con- tain chemicals injurious to fish. On cloudy days fish even in a_ properly conditioned aquarium will come to the sur- face 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, de- composition of snails, mussels -or uncon- sumed food, but in all cases it is from over- crowding. Whatever the cause, it must be found and remedied quickly. To neglect to do so is to invite disaster. THE AQUARIUM Issued in the Interests of the Study, Care and Breeding of Aquatic Life Published monthly except July and August at 12th Street, cor.of Cherry, Philadelphia, by the Aquarium Societies of Brooklyn, Chicago, New York and Philadelphia Send all manuscripts, exchanges, books for review, etc., direct to the Editor-in-chief; all other matter to the Business Manager Epiror-in-CuHier, EUGENE SMITH Bank for Savings Building, Hoboken, N.J. Business Manacer, W. F, DEVOE Box 383, Baldwin, Long Island, N. Y. SuBscRIPTIONS, $1 SrnGLe Copigs, 10c Advertising Rates upon Application :: OCTOBER, i912 Vous No. 5 Creprr for the issue of last month belongs the Society local editor, upon whom devolved entirely to Mr. Innes, Philadelphia the whole work of getting out the maga- zine, owing to the editor’s disability. In the last number the names of the fishes illustrating Mr. Nichols’ article were They should have been as follows: Upper, Fundulus goodet ; somewhat misplaced. center, Girardinus formosus ; lower, Jordan- ella floride. Mr. Francis S. Curtis, a member of the New York Society and once its secretary, is working diligently to form a society in All who are interested are invited to get in touch with Mr. Curtis, 760 Church Street, San Francisco, Cal. A San Francisco, where he now resides. whose address is society at this gateway to Asia would mean much to us, in view of the fact that the finest goldfish come to us from Japan via that city. An account of the third annual exhibit of the New York Society will be found on There were altogether 327 Men- tion of the awards will be made in next this page. entries, divided into eight classes. month’s issue. 42 The Aquarium Exhibit JOHN TREADWELL NICHOLS HE annual exhibit of the New York Aquarium Society took place in the American Museum of Natural History, New York, October 6th 13th, It constituted what is doubtless the finest to inclusive. collection of living fresh-water fishes which has ever been on public view in Ameriea. The different breeds of goldfish formed a comparatively small part of the collection, yet some fine goldfish were shown and The fan tails and grotesque telescope eyes of some much admired by the visitors. of them, a monument to the breeders’ art, never lose their interest, familiar as they To devotees of the goldfish it may have caused regret that the space become. allotted to these was limited by other forms, many of which are less adapted to aquarium culture, but most of us were glad to see the new things. Some of these less familiar fishes doubtless find favor simply because - they are new; others are veritable living jewels whose popularity must increase with familiarity. The paradise fish with gaudy, streaming fins have now become so plentiful The beautiful Indian fishes of the genus 7'richo- in aquaria as to scarce merit mention. gaster with iridescent yellow, red, and blue colors, and long threadlike ventral fins which they wave so gracefully, call up visions of the mysterious, luxuriant tropical waters of that faraway land. The many species of iridescent silver and pearl Barbus compel our admiration as they float in the still of the But attractive fish comes from the continent of water aquarium, no more Asia than the trim, active, boldly-marked Danio rerio. Some beautiful specimens of Danio malabaricus were very attractive, but this species will scarcely find as much favor as the smaller, more brightly-colored rerio, while Danio analipunctatus is a veritable living gem. ) The fighting-fish Betta were among the most interesting shown. These fishes are kept for fighting by the Siamese, pitted against one another like game-cocks. They build a nest, a mass of floating bubbles under which the eggs are laid and zealously guarded until hatching by the male fish. Such a nest was started during the exhibition. One of the tanks contained a pair of mouth breeders, Paratilapia multicolor, which earry the eggs in the mouth, and there were two allied species seldom seen in aquaria, but the African specimens which attracted the most attention were of the curious and beautiful butterfly fish, Pantodon. Several of this rare and interesting fish were exhibited, and it was a treat to the zoologists who visited the exhibit to see living specimens of it. They were generally lying inactive near the surface of the water and did not show off well. The species is more of a curiosity than one _ especially adapted to aquarium culture. There were many small fish of the family Poeciludae shown from Southern America, which bear their young alive instead of laying eggs, none other so beautiful as Xiphophorus helleri. Some splendid males of this species, their elongated swordlike tails flashing iridescent colors, attracted much admiration. Elegantly spotted Girardinus reticulatus was one of the most beautiful of the live-bearers, and a splendid male Gam- busta holbrooki, almost jet black with gleam- The males of most of these species are brighter ing white eye, was much admired. and often quite different from the females. Several species of Rzvulus, not distantly allied to the live-bearers, were interesting, but Revulus ruber stayed too near the surface and the others were too sluggish to be aquarium fish of the first rank. Some very beautiful green Fundulus chrysotus from the southern United States were perhaps too large and clumsy to find general favor. The species of the Indian genus Haplochilus showed to better advantage in a_ small aquarium. A number of species were shown. On one aisle Haplochilus senegalensis, rubrostigma, chaperi and panchav occupied adjacent tanks, beautiful all of them, but 43 less beautiful than a tank of elegans across the aisle. small Numerous species of chanchito, fresh-water fishes from southern America resembling our sunfishes, were very interest- ing. tive than some of the more delicate kinds. These fish are hardy, but less attrac- On the other hand, the genus Tetragonopte- rus from the same regions are as beautiful and graceful as they are rare and_ interest- ing. They are quite unlike any fish from northern regions, resembling somewhat both minnows and catfish, with superficial resem- blances in form and in: the minute adipose fin in front of the tail on the back to the salmon. Tetragonoplerus rubropictus, marked with red, and paragoniatus, with a black lengthwise stripe, were very attractive. An armored catfish (Callichthys), of which there were two or three specimens shown, had especial interest for the naturalist, and two gobies (Eleotris) were interesting because so seldom seen in aquaria. A single specimen of Rasbora heteromor- Its black marking, activity and beauty make it a very pha was shown. interesting attractive aquarium fish. In a large tank at the end of the exhibi- tion room was an African lungfish, an eel- like form with two pairs of feelers like fins. The marshes where they live dry up at certain times of year, and it then becomes encased in the hard, dried mud and breathes air. The specimen was shipped to the American Museum of Natural History, dry, When it the mud was carefully softened and broken, and the fish readily took up aquatic life in a lump of hard mud. arrived again in the tank and at once developed an appetite for fish worms. The exhibition, being arranged especially for the tropical fishes which made up so large a part of it, did not contain many of It is only necessary to mention that the bitter- the colder-water forms from Europe. ling was on view. It was disappointing to some that more of our native fishes were not shown, but they had for consolation a of red-bellied some lively specimens of banded sunfish. splendid tank dace and A special feature was made of young The rapidity of growth of some of those raised fishes, and a great assortment shown. this season, especially where they had been kept in outside tanks, was remarkable. One striking thing about the exhibition was the variety of people it appealed to. It was of course of particular interest to the naturalist and to persons interested in aquaria, while the fishes, amid their water- plant surroundings, made a strong appeal to all lovers of beauty; and there were always children in the room admiring the pretty colors, interested by the whiskers of the striped Indian catfish, getting an insight into an unknown life below the surface of their ponds and streams, their imagination stirred by seeing the climbing perch and hearing of its exploits out of water. The largest daily attendance at the exhi- bition was on Sunday, October 6, when 1317 persons visited it. On the Amceba W. A. POYSER, Hammond, Indiana CIENTISTS in classifying the animal life upon the earth have given the name Protozoa to the sub-kingdom containing the The Sfirst In this class belong Ameeba, Infusoria and the like. lowest forms. name means animal”. The Protozoa are all one-celled animals and are among the organisms called animalcules. This term is popularly used to designate microscopic animals, particularly such as are found in water. The term, however, has no scientific standing. The Ameeba, one of the lowest protozoans, inhabits fresh water or occasionaly moist earth. Usually it is most abundant in It appears when examined under the micro- water containing decayed vegetation. scope as a clear, translucent drop of jelly, varying in size from 1/100 to 1/40 of an inch in diameter. The viscid, jelly-like matter 44 is protoplasm, the fundamental living sub- stance, present substantially the same _ in all plants and animals. The word proto- plasm means “first creation.” Chemically, it is a particle of albumen in a firmly ad- hesive condition like a speck of white-of-egg. Nothing could be less animal-like than this shapeless mass of matter. The creature possesses but little. structure or differenti- ation of parts. Certain water-filled spaces, a nucleus and a pulsating vacuole may be detected. The nucleus seems the control- ing center and the vacuole to be connected with the excretory or respiratory functions. Thus at the very bottom of the seale of animal life we find the process of respiration. Granular particles of partially or wholly un- digested food are always present. The name Ameeba signifies change, alter- To “finger” of the body-substance is protruded to feed, the Ameeba literally flows around and envelops ation, and is well applied. move, a and the rest flows after it; the desired particle. These projections are When a particle of food has been received into the termed pseudopoda (false feet). body, the aperture closes, and the discharge of excreta is effected in a similar but reverse manner. These operations may take place at any portion of the body. effected by When an Amoeba attains the it by part goes its way as a complete individual. Reproduction is division. maximum size divides constriction, each Thus they may be said to be immortal in the scientific sense in which the term is used to denote a continuance of physical life on They resolve themselves into their Under adverse conditions they may become en- earth. own offspring, and nothing perishes. cysted and form resting bodies. This stage may be caused by drought, lack of food, or Thus protected they may be blown about by the wind, remaining approach of winter. suspended in the air for long periods. When proper conditions for a continuance of activity develop, the organism again revives. This is characteristic of other organisms and accounts for their presence in all exposed bodies of rain puddles. The Amoeba, together with other micro- water, even temporary scopic life, undoubtedly forms the essential food of the newly-hatched fry. as it is, of protoplasm the living matter, it Composed, should be the substance nutritious par ex- cellence. It is always present in the humus on the bottoms of aquaria. Daphnia C. J. HEEDE, Brooklyn A species of Entomostraca, order Clado- The head is large, rounded above and possesses large cera. ‘The common water-flea. antenne which extend upward therefrom. The forward portion of the head culmin- ates in a more or less prominent beak. The eves are spherical with about 20 lenses. Jaws possess a strong submaxilary ending in four horny spines three of which curve inward. The antenne are used like oars, project- ing the animals in a series of spasmodic jerky motions through the water. Daphnia are frequently found in ponds and ditches, in such numbers as to color the water a blood-red especially where the water is stagnant. While daphnia are a favorite with the microscopist, they are unexceled as a food for all varieties of aquarium fishes, either alive or dried and powdered. They are easy to keep alive and breed, when placed in a tank with 6 to 8 inches of water and a layer of sand about 2 inches deep on the bottom. They must be fed sparingly with chicken manure. They are also good scavengers as they destroy alge and will clear the water of all impurities. The female daphnia carries the eggs on her back, and these when laid hatch in- stantly. Late in the Fall they produce eggs which are hardier and can stand a much lower temperature. Daphnia can be collected all year round, even when ice covers the ponds. In places where they 45 are plentiful a cut in the ice will be the signal for them to appear in the opening, especially if any artificial light is used. They invariably seek light and sunshine but in cold weather keep near the bottom. The ‘“‘Lion-head’’ Goldfish WM. T. INNES, Jr., Philadelphia HE “Lion-head” has for the past several years been the most highly prized and costly fish among Japanese fanciers. The two peculiarities distinguish- ing this breed are the absence of dorsal fin and a growth over the head somewhat resembling in form the protuberances of a raspberry. The latter development only appears in pronounced form in the mature fish, and in a large percentage of instances not at all. It has been claimed that the dorsal fins are extracted by the Japanese JAPANESE LION-HEAD GOLDFISH Photograph by Wm. T. Innes, Jr. breeders, but this is manifestly impossible, for the seales are perfectly formed where the fin should have been and furthermore a number of these fish have been bred, show- ing no dorsals, in Philadelphia under the observation of the writer. The body is short and thick and most specimens scaled. Tails double and short in all thus far observed in this country. We are indebted to Mr. Barrett for the loan of fish from which illustration was made. Formaldehyde A Remedy for Fish Infested with Parasites H. A. ROGERS, Pagosa Junction, Colorado saan two months ago we received 25 goldfish from a reliable breeder who is also a personal friend. On arrival they seemed a little weak, but we attributed this to the long journey. Later indications showed an improper assimilation of food, which we thought no more than natural, the natural food of a pond to the concentrated, considering the change of diet from prepared fish food. In time we thought they would become accustomed to the change. After giving them frequent salt baths and keeping them isolated for ten days, we added a choice one to a colony of Japanese goldfish, every member of which had been Their provided with an aerator in perfect condition for three years. aquarium was which, even at low speed, had always kept the water thoroughly aerated even in the warmest weather. In a week’s time a beautiful, white, tri- pod nymph showed unfavorable symptoms, and, in spite of salt baths and special care, soon died. The symptoms, which were as new to us as they were alarming, spread to the entire colony, one after another dying until only two remained. The respiration of the fish went far above normal and they hung at the surface, gasping, as if suffering for air. Speeding up the aerator brought no relief. The fish became listless, carrying their fins close to the body, occasionally violently twitching the fins, or darting reck- lessly about among the rocks as if in great agony. bottom in a completely exhausted condition Later, they would lie around the for a day or two, when death would ensue. No discoloration or dissolution of scales, fins or tails having taken place; in other words, no outward signs of disease were visible, excepting a marked thinness of body just before death. In the meantime, the same condition had 46 developed among the new fish, one at a time dying until only ten remained. After every possible cause of the trouble which testing and finding untenable suggested itself to us, we came to the con- clusion that the disease must have been im- ported with the new fish, and that, inas- much as changing the water always gave temporary relief, it must be in the shape of a parasite whose numbers were greatly re- duced for a time by a change of water. A microscope of 250 diameters was next brought into service in the hope of dis- covering the cause and, lo! there it was, an leech-like which, by sudden and violent contraction active, vicious-looking, worm, and expansion of the body, struck out in all directions. The villain was quickly identified in a scientific volume on aquarium fishes as the Gyrodactylus elegans. It belongs to the group of flukes, having prehensile hooks at They burrow under the scales and infest the gills, one end and a sucker at the other. feeding upon the juices of their host. We were made heartsick by learning that among the uncertain remedies mentioned the most promising was to destroy the fish, disinfect everything, and start over again. By careful experiments my wife demon- strated that when the flukes were put into a solution of four drops of formaldehyde to a quart of water, death ensued in a few minutes. Here, then, was a hint of a remedy, worse, possibly, than the disease. I suggested that, as a desperate experiment, she place a patient in the solution. She re- ceived the suggestion as a joke, but, having one prominent characteristic of the true scientist, she is always just as ready to ex- plode a theory of her own as that of an- She said, therefore, You arrange for the funeral and I other. “well, here goes. will provide the corpse.“ She began, however, with a much weaker Much to our surprise, the fish swam around in it solution than that mentioned above. as though nothing unusual had happened. Even after half an hour there was not the The strength of the solution was gradually increased until least sign of any ill effects. 10 drops of formaldehyde to a quart of water produced an unnatural quietness in an- other fish after 15 minutes. When it was re- moved to fresh water we thought it was all up with the little fellows, no respiration, no movements of the fins; but, presently, a gasp, a wriggle, and he was a live fish once more. The same result occurred with an- other fish in 20 drops to a quart for one minute. Our hint of a remedy had thus become a hope. We subjected all of our remaining fish, eight in number, to a bath in a solution of five drops of formaldehyde to a quart of water for 15 minutes on two consecutive days, disinfecting the aquarium and every- thing about it each time with a solution of a teaspoonful of formaldehyde in a quart of water. Microscopic examination revealed live flukes still. We increased the strength to 10 drops the third day. could be found. No more flukes To make sure that any adults lurking under the seales might be destroyed and to kill a possible new crop, we repeated this bath twice more, three days apart, disinfecting everything each time. Since then frequent and thorough searches have failed to show the parasite. It weaker fish were affected more seriously by was of interest to observe that the the formaldehyde than the stronger ones and that, as they recovered, they were af- fected less and less by the drug. Three of the eight fish to receive the first treatment died before the treatment was completed, but the five survivors are now all bright and happy, with fins wide- spread, respiration normal, and appetites and digestion of the best; and it has been three weeks since they had their last treat- ment. One of the old ones, which we have had four years, has lost patches of scales, but this is the only remaining sign of the dreadful ordeal through which they have passed. We firmly believe that, had we 47 used the formaldehyde solution at the be- ginning of the trouble, the majority, if not all, of our pets would have been saved. Having no more patients for further ex- periments, we are unable to determine the proper strength of the solution and length of time for the bath to obtain the best re- sults, and would suggest that the aquarist meeting with this, or any other parasitic horror, try a weaker solution and greater length of time for the bath. It may be that such treatment would be as effective in destroying the parasites and less injurious to the fish. The individual can never know what the rest of the world is, or has been doing. Others may have used the same remedy, which has been original with us, but, as we have not found this treatment or any other practical one mentioned in any of the subject, prompted to give the readers of this maga- our literature on we are zine the benefit of our experience in the hope that, if the facts given are not gener- ally known, others with better facilities for experimenting than we have at hand may carry the tests to a more definite end and give the results to lovers of aquatic life. While formaldehyde is extremely fatal to lower orders of life, it is not excessively poisonous to the higher forms. It is, how- ever, an irritant to the mucous membranes and should, therefore, be used with great caution. The aquarist will find that little instru- ment, the microscope (without which sur- gery would still be butchery and the Pana- ma Canal merely a hope of the nations), a valuable addition to his paraphernalia. It need not be an expensive one; even 100 or 150 diameters will reveal the existence of dangerous parasites, and afford many pleas- ant hours studying the many forms of harm- less animaleule which inhabit all aquariums. Tue distribution of freshwater fishes offers some of the most perplexing problems of animal distribution known to zoologists. This is true, not only of families, but even of species, whose peculiar range is often un- accountable. Brooklyn Aquarium Society vv Initiation Fee, $1.00 Annual Dues, $2.00 W. F. DeVog, Box 383, Baldwin, N.Y. SOCIETY BULLETINS Officers for 1912 Corresponding and Recording Secretary Owen H. Situ, 52 Wall St., New York Treasurer Financial Secretary Harry RoessLE Tueopore P. Fritz Local Business Manager, Owen H. Situ 702 Fulton Street President Vice-President Dr. Rupotex C. Liznau Local Editor, Sytvester C. Lioyp 924 Gates Avenue Regular meetings are held on n Fourth T uesday it in every month except June, July and August, at Fairchild Building, 702 Fulton St., at 8 P. M. First meeting of the season, September 23d. Sale and exchange of young fish, any variety. Address by the President, W. F. De Voe. Visitors and prospective members urged to attend. Chicago Fish Fanciers Club Officers for 1912 President Vice-President . Dr. F. S. Younc, 428 West 66th Street G. A. Preusker, 457 North Avenue Regular meetings are mee on the Second and Fourth Wed- nesday of each month, at 809- 812 City Hall Square Building, 127-139 North Clark Street, at 8.30 P.M. ininiauion: Fee, > $I. .0O Annual Dues, $1.00 Secretary F.G.Orsincer,123 South Oakley Boulevard Treasurer Cart Fosserra, 1500 Diversey Boulevard Librarian Tracy H. Hotrmes, 2816 Logan Boulevard Local Editor, — Local Bus. Mgr. W. A. Poyser, 106 Carroll St., Hammond, Ind. J. G. Preser, 3800 Grand Boulevard New York Aquarium Society wou Restor eran are waste on the Second Thursday at the German - American School, Sherman Ave., Jersey City, and on the Fourth Friday atthe Am erican Museum of Natural His- tory, 77th St. and Central Park West, New York, each month except July and August. Initiation Fee, $1.00 Dues, $2.00 Officers for 1912 President Isaac Bucnanan, 143 Liberty Street, New York Vice-President, RicHarp Dorn,7 Norman Rd., Upper Montclair, N.]. Recording Secretary, ArrHuR Ossorn, 42 South St., Jersey City,N.]. Cor. Sec’y, Rev. Henry S. Corrin, 129 East 71st St., New York Treasurer, H. A. Ricurserc, 85 South 16th St., East Orange, N.]. Librarian, Hermann Horrmetsrer,165 Webster Av., Jersey City, N.J. Local Editor, Joan Treapwett Nicxors, Am. Museum of Nat. Hist. Local Business iene Caru P. Orpine, LO ae Rema October 25 th—Lecture. November rgth—Reports of Committees. Philadelphia Aquarium Society wou Officers for 1912 President and Local Editor, Wm. T. Innes, Jr., 1 2th & Cherry Sts. Vice-President Cuares Paxson, 2521 N. gth Street Treasurer ‘ Frep ScHAEFER, 1610 N. 2d Street Seaocuy and Bue. Mer., eee S. Crees, 3744 N.. 13th-St Initiation Fee, $1.00 Annual Dues, $1.80 Corresponding Membership $1.00 Annually Regular meeting are held on the Foutth Wednesday, at 1414 Arch Wednesday Pens. Gui 234—Diploma for best an owned by amember. Also entries for household aquarium competi- tion. Mr. L. M. Dorsey, Jr. will read a paper on hydra, entitled ««A New Way to Get Rid of an Old Pest.”’ Street. ° Officers for 1912 Milwaukee President C. G. B. Scuenck, 105 Grand Avenue A.@iiaaeatiy ee Revehine’ Pi Rion 26ers Society UUY tees ; Bieecan a ae en aoe Jacob C. Cassel 915 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pa. Manufacturer Aquariums Aquarium Ornaments Floral Terra Cotta, etc. Goldfish Fish Globes and all aquarium requisites Fish Food Send for Catalog and Trade Prices TO DEALERS. ONLY Black-banded Sunfish. Also known as Chaeto- don—( Mesoganisteus se Chactodon ). The the Sunfish tamily, one of the smallest, and the only one that is not pugnacious and that can be kept with Goldfish. AQUARIUM SUPPLY CO, DELAIR, N.J. ooo tihe TBR DEALER IN Fancy Japanese Gold and Silver Fish Aquaria, Fish Globes, Foods and Plants, Birds and Cages, Bird Seed, Mocking-Bird Food, Etc. PAIELER’S SONG RESTORER Very Best in the Market 33 FrarsusH Avenue, BROOKLYN, N.Y. Telephone Connection most beautiful of WoC PA iN Goldfish Hatchery Water Gardener GROWER OF THE Finest Water Plants BREEDER OF Fancy Goldfish and Tropical Fish Large Aquariums, Ponds and Small Lakes Stocked and Planted Try Paullin’s Hatchery Fish Food 15 cents a box, postpaid 425 WOLF STREET, PHILADELPHIA Greenriver Fish and Baby Fish Food will develop fine fins and color; also makes your fish healthy and robust; will act as a laxa- tive and is the best substitute for Daphnia. It will not sour or cloud the water. This food is used by the New York and Philadelphia Aquaria; also by many breeders in Philadelphia and other large cities Ask your dealer for it or send to HARRY P. PETERS 1210 North Warnock Street PHILADELPHIA, PA. IMPORTER AND BREEDER Young Scaleless Telescopes,all colors from $7.00 per hundred up WATERPROOF Cement Tanks with Ordinary cement contains alkali which dis- solves in the water and will injure the fish. IMPERVITE is an Integral Waterproofing Compound of a bituminous nature, manufactured in sea-green, tile red and other tints. Its action is to seal up the alkalies of the cement and also to prevent the water from penetrating it. The accompanying letter bears testimony to this fact: ill IMPERVIT il i MN THE STANDARD PAINT Co, 100 William St., New York City Gentlemen:—Obtaining unsatisfactory results from a number of preparations for waterproofing cement, an architect induced me to try IMPERVITE. The results have been all that could be desired and have successfully withstood the test of time. In concrete acquarium and pool construction I recommend your product on all occasions, The addition of IMPERVITE to the cement at the time it is mixed not only renders the pool watert.ght but also eliminates the danger of having chemicals from the fresh cement wash into the water and kill the fish. Yours very truly (Signed) WM. T. INNES, JR. President of Aquarium Society of Philadelphia August 29, 1912 Our booklet, ‘Integral Waterproofing for Cement Tanks”’ sent on request Tue STANDARD PainT Company, 100 William St., New York City AQUARIUM SPECIALTY Co. 1827-31 WASHINGTON AVE. NEW YORK CITY MAKERS OF THE Rogers Crystal Aerator and Filter LARGEST MANUFACTURERS OF Aquaria, Terraria, Vivaria and Aquatic Cages, Mouse and Frog Houses BREEDERS OF : Japanese and Chinese Fringetail Telescopes and of Red, African and Japanese Snails CULTIVATORS OF Sagittaria Natans and Gigantica and of Single-rooted Ludwigia Mullertti Correspondence solicited The Guide to Nature Published Monthly by The Agassiz Association ARCADIA, SOUND BEACH, CONNECTICUT SINGLE COPY, toc ONE YEAR, $1.00 Frequently has interesting articles devoted to Aquaria, and is always packed full of interesting, beautifully illus trated material pertaining to all departments of nature. Milwaukee Trypod Co., 457 Eleventh St., Milwaukee, Wis. Manufacturers of and dealers in all kinds of aquariums Importers and dealers in high-grade gold and wild fishes Z Fa a aS em MM STOLE CLD AOC AEE A a ea : CERRAREIRERAIE S| THE IDEAL TROPICAL AQUARIUM DON’T LOSE YOUR FISH this winter through cold. Safeguard your choice pets with an ‘‘Ideal’’ Tropical Aquarium. 7he only dropical aquarium in existence. Write for special proposition, THERE IS ONLY ONE AQUARIUM PUMP on the market. This is It. For over 20 years the ‘‘K.1).A.”’ has been universally recognized to be unrivalled. Don’t be misled with cheap makeshifts. Ifinterested ina Real Aquarium Pump write me today for circular, TROPICAL FISH I have them all at reduced prices. Ask for descriptive literature. W. L. BRIND, F.Z.S. AQUARIST = 554 West 185th Street, New York THE K.D.A. AQUARIUM Imported Goldfish Aquarium Plants of all kinds Aquaria Tanks Fish Globes Ornaments, Etc. Auburndale Goldfish Co. (Not Incorporated) 920 West Randolph St., Chicago, IIl. Send for Catalog and Trade Prices