The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-19
THE BIG STURGEON IS EATING.
AFTER Months or Total or Partial Fasting 1t
Now Takes Food Freely.

AFTER Months OF Total or Partial Fasting 1t
Now Takes Food Freely.
The big sturgeon at the Aquarium is eating.
and nothing that has happened there in q long
time has given the people more pleasure.
The sturgeon is eight feet long. 1t came from
the Delaware River. On Dec. 20 it will have
been in the Aquarium seven months. Upon its
arrival the big sturgeon was placed in one Of
the twenty.eight-foot pools. in which it has
since remained. For weeks after its arrival it
ate nothing, or next to nothing. but this at first
caused neither surprise nor apprehension. for
the sturgeon often goes for q considerable time
without food. Various things were tried with
the hope Of discovering something that the
sturgeon would like; there were put in chopped
up conchs, rock crabs, and clems. the clans
being, opened. SO that the sturgeon wouldn't
even have to crack the shells
But the big sturgeon neglected them all.
Every day the surplus food. II there Is any. is
o or Nearly l afi. th hat H Had besnp o pnt, i into f thsy st ali:
geon's pool the day before was taken out again.
Often. by count, the full number Of pieces that
had been put in were taken out. The sturgeon
way, for weeks, and finally It's condition became
Its movements were ~listless and its respira.
ton feeble. It lay idly in the water or swan
partly up on its side. an ominous sight to those
familiar with fishes. for it might mean that 1t
would turn completely over and die; but the big
'o' 80 sfoStA 'eAhh onh oh'V htotO bOlIlCu
down slowly circumnavigating the pool.
Meanwhile the food supply WAS constantly
continued. Every day fresh and inviting food
was put into the pool and the neglected food was
taken out; and usually the bulk of 1t or nlI OF it
came out. But on Dec. ! there was a great change
in the situation: there was very little food left to
be taken out. Most or 1t had been eaten. The
big sturgeon had begun to feed; it has been
fish 1t has rot some life and animation In it.
and seems to have something to live for. Some.
times In lite quicker movements now ii Stats the
water with It's tail-a pleasant sound, for 1t is
always agreeable to see n fish with life enough
In It to make, some commOtion in its element.
and that the big sturgeon Ia now able to 30. 1t
does not by any means spend its time In sloshinR
around; II Is still in the main. sedate in move,
ment. but its manner shows new life and vigor.
The big sturgeon is eating at present about
taken. out of the shell and placed In the pool
This IL rather a small portion for u fish Of ltd
size; the quantity will he increased as the stur
geon shows a desire for more.
People sometimes wonder why the big stur
Reon. at present the biggest fish In the Aouari
UNI. Is not shown in the biRgest pool. the great
central pool. AS q matter OF fact, a 2s-foot poo
makes pretty comfortable quarters for a fish Of
so comfortably CHARTERED In any OF the world
few great. aguariume: but even II 1t were
unoccupied the big sturgeon would not b,
put In the central pool for the reason tina
water in the nool where 1t now is is only fon,
feet deep. II II tried to Jump there II would II,
more than get Its nose out OF water than IT'S tai
would he on TIE bottom. and II couldn't jump
In the central pool. with the greater sea room
its e%renter' depth Of water. which is twice tina
of the pool In which It now Is, 1t probably coul,
jump. IL 10 not probable that 1t could Jump on
OF the pool. but II might jump mp on the ston
coping surrounding 1t. and so bruise or other