Evening star., 1936-03-24
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES Z. TRAcEWELL.

It might, still, but commonly there Is
sand on the bottom, taking up a few
inches, and often the water level in the
Fall Is permitted to get low SO that by
the time freezing weather develops the
total actual depth in far below the 80
inches, or thereabouts, which the owner
boasts Tor his pool.
The belief that the goldfish is an
ultra hardy animal no doubt has done it
great deal of harm, causing many
persons to fail to give it reasonable care.
The fact that 4. can stand very much
colder water than any other fish kept
In tanks, for instance has led many to
the belief that even freezing solid will
not hurt 1t.
In cleaning out the pool at this time,
care must be taken to change the water
gradually, rather than all at once. If 1t
could be refllled gradually, probably a
third at time, this would not only be
helpful in preventing q too sudden
chemical change. but also in keeping the
water from being changed too drastically
in temperature.
II pool owners will keep in mind that
their fishes which have survived the
Winter are still sluggish. with some of
them probably In poor shape, they will
thereby take the first step toward giving
them the consideration they deserve.
Many fish pond enthusiasts develop a
real liking for particular specimens,
especially those they have had for a
number of years.
Such fishes are individuals, in every
real sense. The very shape OF their
heads, and their facial expressions,
especially as to the mouth and eyes, vary
widely. Those not interested in fishes
think the difference in coloration is the
most striking thing, but this, after all,
is superficial. The real difference lies
in the points enumerated Then the
fish's character. too, may be different.
One fish is shy, the next bold; one will
be eager for food all the time, the next
a light feeder.
There can be no doubt that fishes
have a psychological life as well as a
physiological one. The best place to see
the former, however, is not in the pool,
but in the indoors aquarium.
We are glad to see that the humble
goldfish in its various forms (and there
are many more forms Of it than most
persons know is coming back into style
again.
The aquarium magazines, which, for
the past four years, have been devoted
almost entirely to the culture of exotic
specimens, commonly called tropical fish,
are going back to the goldfish.
The charm Of the "tropicals," while
great, is by no means the only genuine
interest of fish keeping.
Aquarium management, at some
points, Is really much more difficult when
the home tank contains goldflshes than
when it sports the rarest and most costly
Of exotic specimens from far waters.
One good point about the goldfish
aquarium is that it enforces the injunc-
ton of fewer fishes and better ones. 1t
is impossible to overcrowd them as may
be done with the exotics.
Those fanciers who have prided them
selves on breeding small tropical speci-
mems ought to give SO per cent of the
credit to Mother Nature. Let them try
to breed goldfishes in tank before they
brag too much.
The sparsely populated fish aquarium,
whether devoted to goldfshes or tropical
specimens, Is the tank of the future. Too
many fish in too little water is the out
standing curse of amateur fish keeping.
The aquarium of the future is going TO
be healthier place for piscatorial life,
and, as result, far more beautiful
thing to behold as the fine slice Of Ma
ture which they all aspire to be.