New-York tribune., 1910-01-16
SUCCESS WITH FISH
Haze Plenty of Water and
Plants and AUOid Globes.

IF anybody comes to me and wants to
know how to fix up an aquarium said l..
B. Spencer. who has charge OF the expert
mental laboratory on the roof of the New
York Aquar rum. In Battery Park. "the first
thing tell them is TO have fewer fish and
more water. because that's the mistake
everybody makes-crowding in fishes where
they can't live"
Then I say, get large, straight-sided
glass jar-not n globe. A globe hasn't
enough air surface. and that's the main
thing Put gravel or sand in the bottom
we like gravel best because we can get ii
easier-and put In your right proportion Of
plant and animal matter.
What is the right proportion? Well,
that's what we're figuring out here most OF
the time. Enough plants to give out the
oxygen the fish goir to use up and
stout eight gallons of water to four little
fish. 1T is always safe to take more water
and plants than you think you need, and
less fish. Now. this little fellow here has
teen living In this tank for fifteen years
or more, without once enjoying change of
water That's because the Plants kept the
water clean and supplied the oxygen. and
tecause / was very careful about Keeping
out any decayed matter.
8 which supply the oxygen. but direct sun
light isn't necessary. Duckweed is some
tines used as floating plant on the sur
face. and ehen there's fontinalis and sagit-
taria for fresh water. and all kinds OF sea-
weed for salt water fishes"
Mr.. Spencer says he doesn't care much
about gnldf1sh. and the only reason they're
used SO commonly by people who have
aauaria of their own Is that tfssy are easy
to get and make good showing.
But they're stupid" said Mr.. Spencer.
Fancy fish aren't ever worth anything.
They've been bred for generations and gen
eIations BIZ the Japanese, who succeeded
in making this glittcring creature out OF
a plain fork-tailed fish. If yoI leave them
alone now and don't bother about selecting
hem when breeding time comes around. in
a few generations they'll retrograde Into
the same dull-colored common little fish.
These Chinese paradise fellows are much
cutter and brighter, and they're more demo-
cratic and ready to fight for themselves.
They don't need any selecting to be done
for them They keep up their own family
name. Here are some cunning little min
nows and sunfish. They're much more fun
than goldfish End these solaria. with the
bi. of blue we put In all the school tanks
we fix up. I'd rather pay 8 for para
disc fish than have all the goldfish In the
world given to me"
When Mr.. Spencer approached tank with
the short stick which he carries about with
him the fish all swan toward him and
opened their round little mouths in greet
ing.
"Oho" he said. 80 you thought / was
coming with your dinner. But fooled you
that time. You had one dinner yesterday,
and you don't get another TIL tomorrow.
I'm sorry, friends. but that's the rule"
Then he explained that the fish are fed
three times a week, on chopped raw beer.
which they all like very much. Salt water
hsh get chopped CLAIMS. and others little
snails. but a starfish in one OF the tanks
had weared OF this diet and had got him.
self wound around a piece Of wood in
search for barnacles.
well il yoI haven't got the unmerciful
cheek TO eat barnacles when snails are ali
can afford for your diet!" remarked Mr..
Spencer, as he proceeded to unite the knots
in the creatures FIVE arms. You've got the
gall of a lobster. and I always thoughtyou
were nice, quiet starfsh that knew his
place in the world.