Evening star., 1935-06-25
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

Some one asked the other day, of all
the fishes which may be kept in the
home aquarium, which one we would
select, If we had to be reduced to Just
one variety.
Our answer is unhesitating:
The angel fish, or Scalare; scientifical-
ly, Pterophyllum scalare.
This creature, once known as the
king Of the aquarium, is still king, as
far as many are concerned.
It's reign has not been threatened In
the least by the advent of the so-called
Blue Scalare," technically, Symphyso-
don discus.
The latter is rarely seen, is hard to
feed, and even If it should become COM
mon and its feeding habits reduced to
simplicity, still it would lack the appeal
Of the famous angel fish, We feel sure.
This appeal is something difficult to
explain.
Just why certain persons favor bull
dogs, for instance, rather than Irish
settlers, is in the same category.
The fancier finds it easy enough to
give some of the evident reasons why
he likes one above the other, but down
at the bottom he knows that the real
reason Is missing.
Perhaps in the case of cold -blooded
animals it is necessary first of all to
explain why any one keeps them at all.
This Is always mystery to the per-
son who simply is not interested.
why, I can't see why any one would
want to keep fishl" says one.
He or she is quite honest about it.
There can be little doubt that the ap-
peal of beauty is one of the most COM
pelling in fishes.
Those who have seen properly man.
aged home aquarium, with clear wa
ter, growing plants and healthy fishes,
know something of the beauty of the
arrangement. Even those who are not
interested will admit this.
1t is a fortunate thing for mankind
that whatever he undertakes, and throws
himself into, he usually ends by becom-
ing interested in.
The primary interest in establishing
an aquarium may come from any one
of q hundred reasons, or compelling
forces, but once the thing is done. the
human mind and nature herself backs
him up in It. Usually he ends by be-
coming enthralled with it.
This Is true only If he succeeds. Plac-
ing a couple of fish in glass bowl or
tank, without sand or plants, and call
ing it an aquarium" is not exactly con-
ducive to beauty or interest. That is
why great many people find that
aquarium keeping is not the Sinecure
they thought. Water will become cloudy
or milky, plants will refuse to grow,
fishes and other forms of aquatic life
become i'll and die.
Success in this form of endeavor is its
own best salesman.
Usually the person who establishes
one tank well ends by setting up another.
and still another depending upon his
inclination and the resources and space
at his command
Many home in which there resides a
fish fan" tends in time to take on the
appearance of pet store.
AS in most human affairs, the up
swing, no matter how long it takes. at
last ends in downswing, which is just
another way of saying that the keen
enthusiasm of the early days will wear
out.
We are of the belief that it is a good
thing, too.
1t is the fashion to say, loftily, "Oh. if
you really like a thing, you cannot be-
come tired of it," but that is mostly
hokum. one may come to think
The Joker of it is that there are many
pretenders. Take dogs, for instance. 1t