Evening star., 1947-01-31
This and That
By Charles E. TrGcelOeu

Now that homes are warmer, no one
should hesitate to take on tankful Of
guppies.
These little tropical fishes, odd in
appearance and odd In name, are the
most popular Of aquarium inmates, next
to the humble goldfish.
Guppies do not demand much extra
treatment, but are content with water
at no more than 10 degrees, although "a
is preferable.
If the home has automatic heat, going
down at night, it will be well to cover
the tank with sweater during the dark
hours.
Persons who have not had much
experience with keeping pet fish will
wonder how one keeps the sweater from
falling into the water.
The tank should first be coyered-at
all times-by glass cover lid cut to
it.
Here again the inexperienced in such
things will wonder how the fish breathe,
If lid is over them.
No matter how tightly the lid fits
and usually there is a crack somewhere
the fish have plenty of oxygen in the
water and in the air above the water
beneath the cover lid.
A guppy is such tiny bit of life,
weighing only a few milligrams, that
scores may be kept safely and happily
in two gallons Of water.
Perhaps this Is the best sized tank
for the beginner. As many as go guppies
may be housed in such an aquarium,
with room to spare for some snails and
maybe a small catfish, If one can be
obtained
The guppy gets its name from an
English scientist, DR.. Guppy, who first
found and reported the fish in Trinidad.
He was an eminent man, whose name
did not sound in the least unusual to
other Englishmen, but it must be ad-
mitted that when used as the designa-
tion of speck of swimming life it
sounds trihe odd.
This has been accentuated by the
tendency of Americans to pronounce 1t
"gooby" and "goopy."
It is all one with this little fish. He
is not interested in anything except
eating, swimming and chasing after
the females. The male guppy is brightly
colored, but his lady love is a plain
silvery creature, slightly larger.
The young are born alive, some 30
specks about an eighth Of an inch long,
each miniature fish, able to take care
of itself, which it commonly does by
keeping well within the bounds of the
plant life in the tank, else it will be
swallowed alive by its parents.
This is one of the two reasons for
keeping plants in the guppy tank. The
other is to help oxygenate the water,
and tn r,rovjda more normal world
in miniature.
Plants, water, sand and fish-these
combine to make complete whole, and
equal measure, give the enthusiast
something to brag about.
People who keep small fishes are great
braggarts. They never tire of telling
others about their hobby, and usually
each one thinks he knows it all. Clio,
hum0
1t is harmless trait, at the worst,
and shows genuine devotion to good
cause Captive swimmers deserve the
best we can give them, just as the ami
mails at the Zoo merit care based on
intelligence and understanding.
A clean tank and good food are
parts Of this care Guppies are difhcult
to overfeed, but too much food can foul
the water. Now and then q piece of
spinach should be boiled for minute,
cooled OF, and then suspended in the
water The little fish love it, and it is
good for their insides. The bright green
excreta show up within few hours,
an interesting phenomenon in . little
world In which no natural fact can be
blinked.