DtVTSIC-N 0? FISHES S. HknoiiAh AlUSEUM
JlAAjU)
Vol.
U.
APRIL,
III.
Copyright
1895.
THE NEW YORK AQUARIUM.
All,
No.
1895.
35.
Riuhts Reserved.
For over two years work has been going on to transform Castle Garden This famous into a public aquarium.
have sandstone coping and are faced inside with white glazed tiles, and outside with tiles Venetian red in color. The entire floor of the rotunda is cov-
old place was for years used as the land-
ered with tile-mosaics of a cheerful pat-
ing depot for emigrants entering the port of New York.
tern.
On
February IGth an appointed committee of three scientists and several invited experts inspected the aquarium, the mechanical part of which is about finished.
The
occasion for this inspec-
tion was the retiring of the old Park
Board.
We
were among the invited.
"Castle" has The repairs and necessary some been, save painting, left as it was in olden times. The old heavy oaken door, studded exterior of the old
with heavy iron
rivets,
has also under-
gone some repairs, and is put into use Entering through this, we pass again. by what used to be the guard-rooms, and arrive in a large open circular space In the that reminds us of a circus. feet of couple sunk a centre of this, above the many raised as and deep this ground, is a large circular basin surrounded by six kidney-shaped is smaller ones. These basins will serve to harbor aquatic reptiles and mammals. They are built of brick and cement, ;
and roof
Around
these basins, on the floor,
also about half
and the
steam heaters
floor, ;
way between the are a number of
those on the floor are
appropriately covered with perforated
The
brass screens of antique pattern.
woodwork that supports
the roof, and
that of the gallery, which encircles the entire space at a height of about twelve feet, is
The
painted pea-green.
light
for the entire building, as well as for
number
of
Directly opposite of the entrance
is
the tanks, enters through a
windows
in the roof.
the pump-room,
engine and
which contains the
pumps
that
supply
water for the tanks and basins.
room divides the of which the one
circle in
two
the
This
sections,
to our left will be the
marine, while that to our right aside for the fresh water section. of these sections have
is
set
Each
two rows of tanks,
one on the main floor and the other on the gallery— those on the main floor, fifty-six in number, being the largest. The glass of these measure in some
THE AQUARIUM,
162 seven by five and in five feet
;
two
others
five
circulates.
gallery,
some, while it is five feet by three and one-half in others. These sizes are also the measurements of the tanks inside no allowance has been made for rustic decoration. Their depth is two feet nine inches, from the glass to The the back wall (inside measure). main fioor tanks are built of cement those on the gallery are and brick made of slate. The two sides and the back walls of all the tanks are lined with white glazed tiles. The bottoms are of slate or cement. Cast-iron frames, feet high in
;
;
of the conventional picture-frame shape,
the plate glass fronts in place
they have no that
come
sills.
The supply
;
pipes
in contact with sea-water are
of hard rubber.
All the material used struction of the aquarium quality,
the con-
in is
of the best
and the workmanship
is
excel-
but with the technical part they have not been so successful, as they liave adopted the unscientific method which was abandoned more than twen-
lent
From
here
it
show-
these.
all, is
three feet wide by three and one-half
liold
rest.
It is forced into the
tanks by a comparatively small pump, being re-charged with oxygen as it enters
open into one another, thus forming a double tank of eleven and a half by five The glass of the tanks on the feet. thirty-six in
1895.
storage tanks at
by
of these in each section
numbering
APRIL,
This system, in addition, enables to supply to the specimens the different densities of
"seasoned" sea-water, and temperature
also allows control of the
of same.
The utter weakness of the old system was quite apparent during our visit, for the Bay being full of ice, the temperature of the water in the tanks was To keep down almost to freezing. tropical fishes or plants in such water is
out of the question.
But
this
might
easily be corrected, as there is a cellar
under the old guard-room where storNot quite age tanks might be placed. so easy, however, would it be to reconstruct some of the tanks in order to give greater depth to them, or to otherwise change their shape to enable effective decorations to show the peculiar characteristics
of
mens.
the different speci-
Âť
•
CHARMS OF THE LILY POND.
;
ty-five years
ago in Europe,
/'.
e.,
to sup-
ply the tanks with a continuous flow of *' neiv " water from the Bay for the
—
A casual glance at a lily pond reveals two well-defined characteristics Plants with foliage and flowers standing far above the water, and those with their leaves and pads afloat on its surface. :
Chief
among
the
first class is
the Lotus,
marine section, and from the city water works for the fresh water speci-
whose grandeur and beauty defy alike the powers of the pen and the brush.
mens."
Its massive pea-green foliage of peltate
In the European aquariums the reservoir system is used, which has been
leaves,
found most thoroughly satisfactory, and besides, is more economical. This system requires three times the volume
each with a fairy lakelet of molten
of water the tanks contain
when
full
one part being in the tanks in use, so to say, while the two others are in the
resembling inverted umbrellas,
stands six to eight feet above. the water, ver dreaming in
its
sil-
bosom. Surmount-
ing the wilderness of green, the individual flowers arise like the gorgeous
banners of the Orient.
Representing the second class
is
the
THE AQUARIUM,
APRIL,
163
1895.
cordate
pencil stains, with their red, white and
-and bronze-green foliage, interspersed
blue flowers rising several inches above,
with thousands of red, white and yellow blooms, either resting on the water or peeping like white kittens from the
to
masses of tender foliage.
the Victorias, with their enormous var-
Water Lily proper, with
its
Intermediate
between these and the Lotus, Nympihcea superha asserts imperial supremacy, its
display
chief
their
exotic
riches.
But
among them, and undisputed
mistresses of the floral
iable flowers, rocking
the gentle waves
kingdom, are
and blushing on
like veritable
Ama-
EgYPTIAN I.OTfS AT HOME,
and their gigantic leaves with upturned edges, any of which is large
foliage either vibrating a foot in the
zons,
on the water like giant pie-pans, with its huge flowers, here like hemispheres of snow, launching
enough
on the water, or there assuming a spherical form and reaching up above the tallest leaves, as if to clasp hands with the lordly
We draw not satisfy oar longings. nearer to touch and embrace, to ac-
Lotus.
habit.
air or floating
their fairy canoe petals
Now we
pass to the tender varieties,
with their gently ruffled leaves, lying so flat on the water as to appear like
to sustain a miniature aquatic
garden.
But
a general view of the
quaint
ourselves
The
pond does
with their
leaves of
singular
the Lotus are
Water thrown flexible. them does not adhere, but The uprights glances off instantly.
strong
against
and
THE AQUARIUM,
1G4 will
hold a pint or more of water, and stems deflect, tlie
when overloaded
tnrning the water out, and at once their
their great bowls of water in every direction.
The
foliage of the
Nympha^as
more
flimsy, the surface appearing
clammy
or oily, and water poured on
is
The The
the leaves trickles off reluctantly. root formations are equally varied.
Now,
let
the scene.
petals of all are
which enables waves in a most novel and suggestive manner. The stamens are numerous, filiform, and quiver above the pistil with every motion of
them
to ride the
The
the flower. are deciduous
;
petals of the Lotus
those of
cies are persistent.
of
all
morning and
close
in
the
For, true to
afternoon.
about
8
and close about 10 o'clock in the morning. The flowers of the Pontederias and Limnocharis
but one day those of the Victorias two days, and change from pure white The Lotus oj^ens four to dark red. days, and fades from red or yellow to almost
;
The Nympha?as
Avhite.
from three
to
last
six days, according
the condition of the weather.
cone.
traying if
all
these by inverted images, as
their antipodes
and
had pierced the earth
offered their counterpart to glorify
Then we have it panorama that seizes alike the wonderment of the old fogy, who never sees the finest flowers and shrubbery of the yard and lawn, the admiration and praise of every lover of flowers, and makes a lasting impression upon the mind of every visitor and
the American scene.
— the
passer-by.
The Nymphaeas close their
The
cultivation of all
Water
Lilies is
nearly identical and very simi)le. best soil for growing
them
The
heavy loam. Rich garden soil or mud from the bed of a pond or stream supplies their wants exactly. To grow in tubs. Fill the tubs twothirds full of the above-named soil. Plant the roots by laying them in Jioriis
rich,
—
zontally near the edge,
the
Avith
bud
and barely cover them. Noav fill the tub Avith Avater, and keep full in Avinter keep from freezing. To grow in tanks or cement basins is almost the same as for tubs. If preferred, the Lilies can be jilanted in boxes and sunk in the water Avithout
petals
svpet'ba and
some few others curiously draw
CULTURAL NOTES.
The
firmly and drop beneath the water to JV.
placid beauty,
pointing toAvards the center of the tub,
resembling an inverted
ripen their seed, while
its
to
seeds of the Lotus ripen far above the Avater, in a torus
!
the
in
o'clock in the evening
last
of bees, butterflies
other spe-
early
The night bloomers open
Swarms
the water intensifies the scene by por-
The whole family
day bloomers open
us add the living reality ta
;
complete
The
spiral
;
ers of all are AvonderfuUy alike in their
or canoe- shaped,
by a
and humming birds, regaling thembirds selves on the exuding nectar bathing in the water and sipping from th& the dainty lakelets on the foliage huge green frog basking his uncouth and bloated ugliness on the floating leaves— and the picture is still incomplete
keel
mud
coiling of the flower stem.
smooth tuber of the Lotus, the nut-like offshoots of Devoniensis, and the thick, creeping rhizomes of Candidissima are quite unlike, and afford interesting But while the foliage and roots study. show such a diversity of forms, the flowgeneral outline.
1895.
seeds pods into the
re-
normal position. During a shower they may be heard pouring out
sume
APRIL,
their
;
THE AQUARIUM, putting soil in the bottom of the tank. Poots and young plants should not be placed in water more than a foot deep until they have taken a good start to
Nothing should be planted
grow.
in
new tanks while the water is strong of the cement. Protection during winter, to keep the plaster
falling
may
off,
from freezing and be done in several
ways, optional with the owner, but the best plan
to cover the
is
This, of course,
glass.
tank over with not essential,
is
but with the assistance of a large lamp or small oil stove, one is well repaid by having flowers all winter.
To grow
in
ponds or streams.
as soon as the danger of frost
where the water roots
— Plant is
horizontally,
and
cover
with two or three inches of soil. the pond is subject to overflows, best to plant
all
over,
a foot deep, lay the
is
them If it
is
in boxes, so that they
€an be moved into shallow water until the plants become established, then they will care for themselves. Water Lilies will not thrive in soil where rock or sand
is
too abundant.
From Geo.
B. Moulder's Catalogue.
AMERICAN BLACK BASS AND
in
the
We
are greatly in-
result.
Finland
is
abundantly supplied with exceedingly fine flavored fish and fish-culture is In its native well understood there. home, the Ohio valley and the lower Lake region, the black bass is exposed to long
and rather
warm summers
in Finland the climate verse.
is
Von dem
just the re-
165
Borne's establishment (see
October, 1894, issue of the
Aquarium),
supplied the fish mentioned above from
Nine hundred and fifty, one of the big-mouthed species or Oswego bass (M. Salmoides), comprised the first shipment, and a second contained two hundred of the small-mouth or Moss bass (M. Dolomiei) of same age. These fish were shipped to Helsingfors. Of the big-mouths, which were shipped in the middle of October, only one single fish was lost. its
ponds.
summer's
The
trip
crop
lasting
nine days, this cer-
was an excellent result. The second shipment bearing the smallmouths was not so successful. Out of the two hundred and ten fish shipped one hundred and thirty-two fish died on the way. The remarkable difference in the result of the two shipments is found in the mistake made in filling the shipping cans too full of water, which prevented the water being aerated by its motion (sjjlas/tijiq against the tainly
shoulders of the shipping cans.)
" The Goldfish and
(See
Culture," p. 78; German Edition, p. 75.) The proof of this was found in tlie fact that in one
can
all
Its
the fish were lost; in another, of
were dead which the projaer space had been left, not one fish was lost. Each can contained the same
and
We read in the " Deutsche Fischerei Zeitung " that our famous black bass, both species, have been successfully shipped to the cold and distant northern terested
1895.
seventy-three,
SUNFISH IN FINLAND.
country, Finland.
APRIL,
fifty-nine
;
in the third, in
number
of fish
when they
started.
Eight American pumpkin seed sunfish were also sent in a separate can of these two died during the trip. ;
"Folks that write po'try cle.
To
the city can't
live in
—not the
real, gejiuine arti-
write po'try, as
I
figure
it,
the
heart must hev somethin' to feed on
;
you can't get that somethin' v/har there ain't trees
flowers."
'nd
grass
'nd
Ftif/ene Field.
birds
'nd
THE AQUARIUM,
166
PROTECTION TO ORIGINATORS OF NEW FLOWERS AND FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. There
is
APRIL,
and any other article of merchandise, and that without the necessity of putting a label on each protect
department to do, at least for To protect the government to do, viz.
for the
We
:
the originator of a
new
variety of fruit,
much
as
Then when
a
man
establishes
him something. Exchange, March 2, 1895.
a reputation
— Florists'
vegetables
bulbs,
seeds,
flowers, just as
packet.
another and imi^ortant work
1895.
it
will avail
agree with the
fully
Florists'
summer we had an that illustrates how disagreeLast
Eoccliange.
vegetable or flower, in order that he
experience
may have
and hurtful the present state of can be. To a customer abroad, we had sold seeds of some of our new hybrid aquarium plants. Being anx-
the benefit of his study and
labor in producing
A man can
it.
affairs
get a simple device paten-
and for twenty years get a royalt}^ on every one sold. The same is true with books the writer gets his price on every copy sold, just according to ted,
;
his popularity.
Why
should not the
specialist in plants be protected in the
same way
In
?
many
instances several
expended in the development of a variety, and the originator will get for the same a bonus for the
years' labor
is
After that
stock.
property of
all.
it
Why
able
is
the
common
should there not
ious to learn of the result in a different
we addressed
climate quiry to
answer
:
out to be a very all
moment will
a specialist feels that his labors
be awarded by the protection the
government gives him, the same
as the
inventor has, his energies will be awak ened, he will
make
extra efforts to pro-
duce something of value, because he can make something from it. The result will be, we shall have more new and valuable varieties than at present. More than that, Peter's Prolific pea cannot be sold as such without Peter's
much to do in keeping sorts true to name and quality. Every dealer can have his own " First
in-
species, native etc.
Last summer, while abroad, we surprised
the establishment in
question
with a personal visit quite early in the morning and recognized ''our children"
name and were
This matter is of more importance than appears at first thinking. The
common
over Northern Europe,
at first sight.
?
of
that one variety had been an
there
in a rat trap
letter
entire failure, while the other turned
be the same property rights in a rose is
a
that effect and received as
Asked
They had come true
to
in excellent condition.
to explain his letter,
our friend (?)
excused himself with the phrase, that he had lost the packages bearing the
names of the seeds and had forgotten whence they came. He had given " our product " different names and introduced them as his own. It
may
here be added that, to pro-
duce one of the
varieties,
it
required
eight years of close watching and care
two parent plants in bloom same time in order to fertilize
to have the at the
them
successfully.
consent, which will have
and Best," but he has no right to an" First and Best " without other's paying for
it.
A
trade-mark should
Ornamented
palm-pots have made
their appearance in the market. They are deeper than the old style, made of white clay, and the saucers are glazed to prevent the moisture from soaking
through.
THE AQUARIUM, SHAPES OF AQUARIUMS. Any kind
affect the water,
which does not
of
may be
used to harbor
a collection of aquatic plants and ani-
more
in shape of
a Japanese jardiniere, the widest part
being near the top
They
are a decided
improvement on the old style, and the bill, as a cheap round aquarium
fill
in-
tended for decoration, very well.
mals.
For the cultivation water
other
of water lilies, or
whose
plants,
beautiful
flowers or leaves are the principal points or
of attraction,
for
tlie
keeping of
wooden tubs meet all the quirements. But when one wishes
turtles,
keep
167
1895.
the former ones, being
of a vessel that holds water
and the material
APRIL,
fish in
re-
to
order to enjoy their grace-
motions or study their shapes and habits, a vessel that admits a view from ful
the side, a transparent glass vessel,
is
For observation and study the sides must be straight. Our pictures illustrate some very attractive patterns for window decoration, or for a small table. Next to these come the plain rectanThese may be made all gular tanks. of one piece of glass, shaped in a form
may
while in a soft state, or they sist
of a metal frame,
into
bottom and side and end
con-
which the glasses are
The latter ones have the advantage that when a glass breaks, it can be replaced by a new one, which cannot be done when the tank is made cemented.
of one piece only.
On
page 107 we gave instructions tanks may be made with a small outlay, out of angle iron, but
how such for those
who
prefer to buy ready
made
ones, or fitted frames without the glass,
We make them IH inches
we have some on hand. Faience Aquarium.
in
Fishes must be seen as they
necessary.
two
sizes at present, viz.:
high, 7^ inches wide, and
The dimensions
see one another, not from the top, as such a view gives an incorrect idea of
long:.
Think how different a person looks when seen from a fourth or fifth story window on the sidewalk, and when one meets the same person on the same level, or meets him in his own
the length, which
the
fish.
house where he find
just
as
is
perfectly at ease.
much
difference
in
pattern globe,"
is
made
all
in-
are perfectly plain
of the very best material,
however, and just the thing for laboratories, schools, kindergartens, etc. The
ornamented with wooden moulding
''new not quite so round as
globe, the so-called
tanks,
^1 inches,
is
They
exterior of such a tank can easily be
;
new
side measures.
We
day they are still manufactured, to be sure, but the manufacturers have The shape greatly improved on them. of the
same, with the exception of
fish
when kept in lakes and fountain basins as in glass-sided aquariums. The old-fashioned fish globe has seen its
size are the
14^ inches
of the second
suit one's fancy.
One
to
of our illustra-
shows one, of a large pattern in is decorated with fluted pillars and otherwise trimmed to form tions
this case, that
a
design somewhat Greek in appear-
ance. to
The wood' is
represent
stained a dull black,
antique
iron,
smaller borders are kept in
and a
the
shiny.
THE AQUARIUM,
168
The A 50
cts.
Kqukriutvy
Qltarterly Magazine. Single Copies, 25
a Year.
cts.
Each.
The 21-inch
size is a
raise
good shape for one wishes to
When
some young Paradise
or gold-fish,
or for breeding sticklebacks, its length it in two or more apartments by simply placing one or more panes of glass between the sides. The window sill aquarium, represented in another illustration, it will be observed, is rather long compared with
permits dividing
Advertising Kates on Application.
HUGO MULERTT,
F. I. R. S. A., Editor and Publisher, Brooklyn, N. Y. 173 Nostrand Av.,
to represent old ivory.
The effect of the whole is very pleasing. The stand on which it rests forms an
its
antique oaken cabinet.
mensions,
Two
1895.
a breeding tank.
Sample Copies Free.
creamy white,
APRIL,
mentioned smaller sized tanks might be used on one winof the above
width and height
for an ordinary
inches
in
30
;
it
window inches
height,
is
in
and
10
designed
The
di-
length,
13
sill.
inches in
width, experience has taught us to be
Twin Aquarium.
dowsill they would then form a twin aquarium. (See illustration.) The ad;
vantages of such a screened twin aquarium are very important, especially in
Each tank can be
kindergartens.
stock-
ed with different objects; each onecan be
changed and rearranged without molesting the other both are protected by an ornamented front, which hangs on hinges below, and is fastened to the window with hooks. Over the tops of ;
both
is
a wire-cloth screen, to ])revent
books or lunch remnants from coming in contact with the water.
the correct ones for the welfare of the collection well as for
and convenience of study,
as
ornament.
In the tank represented, each end is formed of one solid plate of cast iron against these the upper and lower bars that form the front and rear of the tank are fastened. These ends are lined with ordinary glass. The bottom consists of rough (rolled) plate glass ^ inch thick, and the front and rear of the best double thick French or English ;
glass.
It
is
not
necessary, however,
that the ends should be
of one solid
THE AQUARIUM,
170 piece of cast iron
made
;
the tank
of angle iron after the
may
be
same prin-
ciple described in the article referred to above.
All that would be necessary
in such a case
would be
to give the
APRIL, (No. 13) letter
a
U
little
1895.
is ;
bent into shape of a capital
each end
is
then bent to form
hook, and after this the whole
m
the middle to form a rightis bent AVhen this supjiort angled bracket.
Pahlor Aquakium.
outside of the end-glass* two or more coats of paint.
The two brackets, seen on the right and left of the tank, are to imitate the banks or borders of a brook. To form such a bank, a strong galvanized wire
has Ijeen shaped to fit snugly (the hooks nicely over the edges of the ends and the wires running alongside the corners of the tank), apiece of ordinary glass
about four inches wide and as is wide, is placed upon
long as the tank
THE AQUARIUM,
APRIL,
1895.
As may be
171
and the brackets are ready to receive the plants intended for the decoration of the embankment.
just below the glass brackets.
Small specimens of the following are the most suitable and most easily ob-
a parlor aquarium and the development
it,
Umbrella grass (Cyperus alterNo. 1 small growing Iris dwarf Bamboo, No. 4; young specimens tained
:
nifolius),
;
;
Sword fern (Nephrolepis exaltata). No. 3 dwarf Callas (Little Gem) of
;
;
seen in the illustration,
the water of the aquarium should reach
Such a tank has
all
the advantages of
of the tadpole to the frog
observed in
The submerged illustration
may be
better
than in any other.
it
are
(Ceratophyllum
:
shown in the or Waxwort demersum), No. 9 i plants
Horn
Cabinet Aquarium.
Farfugium grande; Arrowhead
(Sagit-
No. 5 creeping Fig (Ficus repens). No. 2, and others. But taria
sinensis),
;
banks may as well be with native plants found in the
Ludwigia Mulerttii, No. 10
these artificial
No. 8
densis).
with strong string or fine copper wire on top of them, using plenty of green
moss to imbed them in, after which they are put back in their places.
Rosy fan;
filled
woods or alongside of any creek or lake. For the purpose of putting these plants in position, the glass j^lates upon which they are to rest, are taken from the brackets and the plants are tied
;
(Cabomba rosa?folia), No. 11 Floating Arrowhead (Sagittaria natans),. wort
Canal pest (Anacharis canaNo. Water hyacinth 12 (Eichhornia crassipes), No. 6 Sal;
;
;
vinia natans. No.
7.
Of animal life there is represented Frog tadpoles in different stages of development, No. 19 Newts, No. 18 ; Fantail goldfish. No. 14 Comet goldfish, Goldorfe, No. 16 No. 15 Tench, No. 17, and a ram^s-horn snail, :
;
;
;
bv Fig. 20.
;.
THE AQUARIUM,
172
THE BRAZILIAN ZEBRA
FISH.
This new aquarium fish was first brought to Germany by an enthusiast a year ago, and was successfully projoaWe saw the origigated last summer. nal imported fish with their fry. is
reproduced
The
a good representation
;
Our we
from Natur unci Haus.
it
fish attains
a size of about five
inches in length by two inches in width.
The
general appearance of the fish
that of a sunfish
;
ing like
is
the ground color of
which is entirely covered with small scales similar in size to those of the Paradise fish, is a brassy yellow marked with a number of irregular verbody,
tical bars or stripes of black
fire
on some occasions, resem-
The fish is very attractive, especially when excited it reminds one of a her;
ald of the middle ages, to display
;
the dorsal
Fish.
The
much
habits of the Zebra fish are very like those of
fish do, until
when
But although they
excited, the yellow of
the body becomes brighter and runs in streaks into the black dorsal
ing this appear as
is
it
fin,
mak-
was a continua-
body the ventral fin is coland transparent the caudal fin
tion of the orless
if
rounded.
;
;
The
eyes are yellow, flash-
;
they
and display the
same motions when attacking one another as the Moss bass does, but their point of attack is the mouth, which, if
are black in color; at times, however, is
our Moss bass
are very pugnacious
firmly,
the fish
fish will
assume a very plain grayish color, with only one irregular black spot on each side of the body, midways and near the ends of the dorsal and anal fins. Young specimens show these peculiar markings even more distinct than the adults.
and anal fins are large and long, being composed of a great many rays, of which about two thirds are spinous they ;
whose dress used
the colors of their masters in
At other times the
stripes.
The Brazilian Zebra
the
1895.
bling those of the moss bass.
{Heros facetus.)
picture
APRIL,
they succeed in grasping, they hold much like fighting male Paradise the weaker one gives up. fight a great deal,
we
have not yet seen one that was seriously hurt they seem to be on friendly terms ;
again soon after.
Their breeding habits, too, are "pairojf'" during
much
They thesummerand pre-
like those of the sunfish family.
THE AQUARIUM,
APRIL,
pare a nest on the bottom of the tank,
where the female deposits her eggs, which botli guard. Four days after spawning the young hatch. These are as carefully guarded as the eggs were, and later on they are instructed for their future career by both parents, who swim about with them, as a hen walks around with her chicks. We find that the Zebra fish stand captivity
enjoying their meals, which con-
well,
sists of
scraped raw beef or I.X.L.
fish
food, immensely.
Their native home valley
;
is
the
La
Plata
the South Americans call them
" Chanchitos," which means "pig," either because their shape like that
is
somewhat
animal or because they fight in
manner to that of young pigs. In Germany the name ''chameleon fish "
a similar
is
proposed, owing to the ability of the
change its colors. This, howwe consider no denominative fea as nearly all of our sunfish and
to
fish
ever,
ture,
173
1895.
Šrift'^reed. The
North German Lloyd
beautiful
steamer "Elbe," that sunk in the North
Sea on the 30th of January, taking three hundred and thirty- five people to the bottom of the sea, was greatly idenfish culture and especiaquarium business of this country and Germany. Several years ago, when we brought the beautiful Chinese Paradise fish and the Japanese telescope fish to this country, it was our good fortune to cross the Attified
with the
ally
the
lantic as one fore
and
of
after
her passengers.
this
Be-
she carried
trip
When she was running on the line between Bremen and Chinese ports, she brought tropical fish to Germany, Russia and England. While on the New York line she carried on nearly every trip European species to this port and American fish to the novelties in the fish line.
greater extent than the Zebra fish does.
German sliore. Her officers and crew, as far as they came in contact with " live cargo,"
We
were great friends of animals, and ship-
also the Chinese
this ability, in
Paradise
some
fish possess
cases even to a
selected the latter
because we find that
name
for them,
through
their
and stripes this fish resembles a zebra more than anything else, especially when the fish are most brilliant in colors and the yellow appears in the even the markings of the dorsal fin
color
;
mane
of the zebra are then represented..
ments
of live fish or
amphibians had
always the best of care when aboard of
The crew were very fond They would say, when remarks "She were made regarding her speed knows her way in the dark, and would find the port of New York all by her-
the "Elbe." of her.
:
self."
On
her last successful trip, last
December, she brought
Palms should never be allowed dry
;
in fact, in tiie
to get
summer they should
stand in a saucer of
water,
whence
young Brazilian zebra description
is
us
fish,
the
first
which a
of
given elsewhere in this
issue.
the roots will take up their supply as
Keep the foliage from dust and wash them once they want
it.
free in a
while with a sponge and tepid water.
They do not want any light
;
where
sun, but plenty of
they are sure to die in parlors all
the blinds are closed.
What's ik a Name
?
We were taking a small can of choice Japanese goldfish to one of the arist.ocratic residences up-town in New York city, the other day, and used the Broadway surface
car.
As the weather was
THE AQUARIUM,
174
APRIL,
1895.
the can, for the fishes' sake, inside of The can, a three gallon one, the car.
mass of vegetable matter which to their nests, and he asconvey they certained that they employ it ta make
was barely placed, when several gentlemen objected to having a passenger car
hotbeds, upon which their eggs are deposited to be hatched by the heat pro-
turned into a freight car. They wanted the can on the front platform again, and called for the conductor to have it removed. ''What's in that can, any-
duced by the fermentation of the leaves. The ants do not eat these portions for food, and the larvae are fed upon a careOnce the brood is fully selected diet.
we were compelled
rather cold
how? "he
"Live
asked.
to bring
this
hatched, the ants clear away the hotbed, carrying out of their nest all the
trout," was
our reply. You ought to have seen what a change in the countenances of reply pro-
decomposed vegetable matter. This is thrown out in heaps apart, and in the
kind are they?" was
large ant hills these heaps will contain
this
the objecting parties
duced
"What
!
bushels and upward.
asked by two or three at once, and Ave called our '"Japs" "speckled brook trout," for a change. This was sufficient; two gentlemen moved closer together on
make room
the seat to
" trout " near them, and now every one however,
elderly gentleman,
R. B. White, however, believes that he has discovered an efficacious remedy,
re-
was shown to him by a negro. a plantation or garden is attacked, all one has to do is to procure
as he left the car, pretty near our destination, that-, in his opinion, fish did not "belong in a passenger
and
no trout :" to which the other passengers had only a pitiful look
a quantity of the debris
marked
"Your
hill entirely
unconnected with that from which the Scatter this invading ants proceed. around the beds and on the ant roads, and the effect is marvelous. The ants they drop seem seized with a panic their burdens instantly the word seems passed along the roads, and emptyhanded the whole of the invading army
education has cer-
concerned."
is
from the hot-
beds thrown out of an ant
tainly been neglected, as far as trout fishing
it
When
car, trout or
that said:
have
;
for the can of
in our part of the car talked "fish."
One
Many efforts
been made to exterminate these ants, at least in the vicinity of farms or garbut where the nests occur in dens plantings or in uncultivated grounds, all attempts have failed. Our consul, Mr,
;
HOTBEDS MADE BY ANTS.
;
In the State of Colombia there large ant {atto cephalotcs)
is
a
which causes
a great deal of injury to plantations.
and
It attacks
nately
all
carries
off
indiscrimi-
kinds of foliage, and no sort
of vegetation seems to come amiss to
it.
The quantity
of foliage carried off
by
these ants
immense
is
;
in quality
it
its
not return to
the same place
days, all .
own
hurries off to
nest.
They
will
many
for
and even when they do they avoid in which traces of this, to
spots
The
them, offensive matter remains. quantity will
smallest
suffice
and a
Medellin, United
will defend acres of ground. Mr. White, in a letter to the Secretary of the Zoological Society of London,
Colombia, was led to mark carefully the uses to which the ants put
society's proceedings, declares that he
may be or
bitter, sweet,
tough.
Acting
Her Britannic Majesty's
Consul,
States of
pungent, tender,
at
bushel
which
is
published
in
full
in
this
THE AQUARIUM, has seen this plan tried repeatedly, and it
The
has never failed.
biggest
army
— pioneers, engineers, directors — utterly discomfited by general,
of ants
all
is
this very simple
plan
is
means
of defense.
This
not generally known, even in
the State of Antioquia (where these ants abound) and he thinks that our coloitists
might profitably be made
quainted with
ac-
it.
For the small sum
of fifty cents in advance,
pays for a year's subscription to The Aquabium. you are entitled to ask informa-
on any point regarding the aquarium or the window garden. We offer no other premium to our subscribers than that of putting our 25 years of practical experience in these branches at their disposal. Ask as many tion
questions as you please, but please to enclose All questions are answered
by mail, and we publish only such columns as are of general interest.
in these
Will correspondents of this department please co-operate with us bj^ reporting to the Editor the results obtained from advice
given in these columns ? Such information would 1)6 a great benefit to others in want of similar information.
—
Mrs. J. B. P. Your aquarium gets, apparentl3% too much light. Empty it, clean then place
so that
it
light to encourage the
it
gets sufficient
growth of the
plants,
but no sunshine then replace the plants and re-fill it with water, adding a pinch of ordinary cooking salt to every three gallons ;
of the water.
light, it will
;
shining.
The best location for an aquarium is a northern exposure, next best is an eastern, then a southern, while the least good is one facing west.
—
Mrs. S. A sprig of plant as you describe properly called a cutting. It will grow if properly treated. Tadpoles can be had at all times of the j-ear.
The cause of your fish remaining J. 11. F. near the surface most of the time and breathing atmospheric air, is want of oxj'gen. You have either too many or too large sized fish inyour acpiarium, and iusufficient plant life to supply them the necessary ox.ygen, or the position of j'our aquariiim is not favorable for the growth of the plants. The best plan for you is to start the aquarium anew. Take out everything, the sand, too return the latter after a thorough washing, re-plant only the best plants, adding some new ones if it appears necessary: fill it iij) with water, adding a pinch of table salt. The aquarium .should be so located that it will receive a strong light, but no direct sunliglit. Should it be so located that the sun will shine upon the glass sides at certain Lours of the daj-, the side that faces the sun should be shaded with a curtain, or a newspaper may be pinned before it. In two or three daj's the plants will begin to act on the water. This will at first assume an opal (somewhat cloud j") appearance, but after a couple of days this will disappear, leaving the water as clear and sparkling as crystal. Now introduce a few tadpoles, ram's-horn snails and a few fish. If j'ou find that the fish do well and the plants show signs of growth, you maj^ caiitiously add one or two more fish. This you may do from time to time, until you will find that you have reached the limit of your aquarium. In selecting stock, aim for quality, not for quantity, and don't hurry anything! ;
Eemember
that you do it for recreation, to your nerves, so to speak, and all haste shoixld therefore be avoided, for your own
rest
To remove the green from the glass sides empty aquarium, use nothing else
of an
but ordinary
your aquarium
is exposed to a strong be necessar3^ to shade the side facing the window ^ith a dark screen blue paper will answer well, while the sun is
If
—
wliicli
it,
175
1895.
is
Queries.
postage for reply.
APRIL,
salt
and your moistened hand.
sake as well as for the welfare of yoiir col. lection.
THE AQUAKIUM,
17G
You should
feed your fish regularly every being careful that all uncousumed food is at once removed after meal time. Newts (the name lizard is a misnomer) are good companions for goldfish eels, howday,
;
ever, are not,
—
O. L. Your letter is not quite plain. If the caudal fin is broken lengthwise, you may leave it as it is; nature will soon mend it again; but if the fin is broken crosswise,
be best to cut it oflf with a sharp The fish should be kept by himself after the operation in order to prevent his companions from nibbling at the wounded part. After the wound has healed, which will be in about a week, it may be returned will
it
knife.
to the collection.
H. H.
J. l>y
many
— Artificial sea- water is preferred
to natural sea-water for a marine
We
aquarium.
have used
it
for years with
success, too.
—
The brown tips on your Sagitmust not worry you. What you call brown is very likely what we know as C. A. S.
APRIL,
1895.
in running water, but they thrive best in
standing water, of which the temperature should not be lower than 55 degrees F., nor higher than 110 degrees F. All other fancy fish, if tropical, prefer standing water, this preference being the main reason wh}- thej' are so well adapted for parlor aquariums.
—
Mr. F., Bowling Green. The cause of your fish coming to the surface of the water to breathe is lack of oxygen in the water. Your tank may be unfavorably located, and therefore the aquatic plants are not able to keep the right balance. Or your aquarium
may be
overstocked, or you overfeed your and pay too little attention to the food remnants. Give your tank a strong light, but no sun, to encourage the growth of the plants feed your fish only once a day, and not more than they will actuallj^ eat at once, allowing no remnants to remain on the bottom, and your collection will keep in. good health. Please report what success you have and oblige the Editor. fish
;
taria
purplish red. This is a peculiarity of the variety New Era Sometimes entire blades of this plant turn purplish carmine, thus making a very beautiful effect. Your aquarium is evidently in a very strong light. We w^oiild not give it a stronger light, at
any
rate.
—
Mr. L. K. An examination of the golden tench you sent us disclosed the fact that it Avas choked to death by a piece of meat Avhich was located in its throat. In feeding fish with scraped raw meat one should be very careful not to give too large portions. Bigger pieces that are intended for the larger fish will sometimes be gobbled up l)y the smaller fish, and in such case they may prove fatal, as in the case of your tench.
Db W. — We are informed that up to
date
have been spent to turn Castle Garden into an Aquarium. With the site and the building already on hand, a quarter
$350,000
of a million dollars is a great deal of
money
even for America to spend on an institution of this kind, but we are afraid it will take a good deal more money and time before the New York Aquarium is in fair running order, leaving aside the grand idea of showing the world a model public aquarium, the
which seems now lost— at the postponed for j'ears.
realization of best, it
is
—
F. M., N. O. Snow or snow-w^ater is very injurious to fish. In ponds that are fed by springs it does not matter much, but in
of food to all fish,
skyponds snow often causes what is called an '"uprising" (riot) of the fish. (Because they come to the surface and act very restless and curious, caused l)y unfit conditions
may be
of the water.)
It is safest to give equallj^ small-sized bits
inasmuch as the quantity increased by increasing the numbers of pieces fed to each individual. B.
R., N.
Y.— Paradise
fish Avill
not do
The remedy
running water. You may feed fish on chopped salted Dutch herring roe and start a steady current of water through your pDud. This ma^' restore them to health, although the disease appears to be very much advanced.
stand-
them
in
ing water; the okhu- the water the better it is for them. Changing the water of an atimirium to which I'aradise fish were accustomed quite frequently causes their death. All the varieties of goldfish will li ve
your
sick
well in running water.
They prefer
is, to remove pond and place
in such a case
the fish at once from the
:
:
RARE CACTI.
PUBLICATIONS. you you Do YOU KEEP A DOG The Dog Fancier, a monthly doRS.
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If
?
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JO cents for a list and a magazine for a year, also an illustrated list of rare California bulbs
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EUGENE GLASS.
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FOR COLLEGES, SCHOOLS AND PRIVATE USE. Minerals, Kockf?, Fo.ssils and Shells, arranged
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Published monthly at 63 ExBangor. Maine. Subscription price, $1.00 per year in advance; 10 cents per copy.
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.-^
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THE GOLD FISH AND ITS CULTURE. bound
120 pages,
llhistiiited,
in cloth.
A
I'e-
work, treating also on the enemies and diseases of tish. It should be in the hands of every fish culturist or owner of an aquarium. liable
Price per copy, ifl.UO sent postpaid, •leiptof the price. Address, ;
m
'Phe
also
KRED'K BRAUN,
others. All
Advertising rates made known upon application. letters should be addi-essed to
MAINE SPORTSMAN.
series,
single specimens, at reasonable prices.
on
re-
HUGO MULERTT, 173 Nostrand Av., Brooklyn, N. Y.
I
aim to
interest
nature and
everybody
HOW TO GOOK
the minute things of
in
art.
MICROSCOPICAL PUBLISHING
CO.. Washington, D. C.
133 recipes for preparing fish for the table.
f
Hhe I
Junior Photographer. 2d monthly. Full good things. Eighteen half-tone engravings.
Don't miss
''pHE Cyclist and Sportsman. A.
at Dallas. Texas.
Published monthly Subscription $1.00 per year.
cents, prepaid
Price, 25
by
Address
mail.
PERCY LUND & CO. Bradford and London, England.
it.
FISH.
HUGO MULERTT, 173 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Mayflower. Published monthlv at Floral THEPark, Ne-v York, by the Maytlower Publisliiiig Co.
Subscription price 50 cents a year, in ad\ auc<^.
DEUT.schE FiscHEREi Zeitung. Wochcnblatt See und
Biniicnfisciierei,
bereitung und Fischliandel. auch
F'isehzucht,
fiU-
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fiir
DEUTSCHE FISCHKKEl-ZEITUN(i, ill
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$300.00 FOR A NAME
For i)articulai-s see Vick's Floral Guide for 1895, wliich contains colored plates of Vick's Biancliing Aster, .Sweet Peas, Vegetables, Hibiscus, and Gold Flower. Honest illustrations; descriptions that describe, not inisleail; hints on sowing and transplanting. Printed in 17 dilferent colored inlcs. Wailed on receipt of 10 cent-i, whicli may be deducted from first order. Vick's
Seed.s contain the eeriii of life.
OF Doors for Women. Issued monthly. Price, OUT5 cents per year, 35 cents. Mrs Olive. L. Orcutt.
CHOICE SWEET PEAS.
;
Publisher, Orcutt, California.
i^l
/I t:U cts.
American Angler. An illustrated monthly THEmagazine devoted to the pastime angling and
f)f
fish culture. Subscription, $3.00; single copies. •,'Occnt'<
Address;
THE HARRIS PUBLISHINtJ CO 19
Park
Place,
New
York.
;
Small Quantities at Wholesale Prices. 25 varieties and colors
CENTS A POUND,! postage paid. J
'3
pound
2.5
cents;
'4
A pound only 40 ounce lucis. Rocliester, N. Y.
mi.\-ed. 15 cts.
pound
JAMES VICK'S SONS,
;
OKKICE OP
HUGO MULERTT, (Oldest
173
Aquarist,
Aquarium Establishment
in America.)
BROOKLYN,
NOSTRAND AVENUE,
N< Y.
PRICK LIST © CATALOGUE
CHOICE AQUARIUM PLANTS Grown under
cultivation especially for the purpose.
"Now
Sa:>'itlaria Era." An improvenieiit on the old favorite S. nutans. A free bloomer in the Plants, well rooted, each d5 cts parlor aquarium. Sag'lttaria "Francos WI." A hj-brid of great beauty, of same habit as preceding, but larger, some of the blades attaining a length of 18 inclies and a width of over one inch. Prolifle bloomer. Pot-grown plants, each $-2. Sagittaria " '^ViiKleriiicro.'' A seedling of the former, smaller in habit, but equally as graceEach $3. ful, new. Sag'ittaria siiieiiisiis. Chinpsc arrowhead. A It may be charming novelty of easy culture. grown, similar to the Chinese lily, in water, moss, or soil, in vases, bowls, tubs or pots, in or out doors. Started corms, each 'JS cts. liudivlj>-la Ifliilerttii. Beautiful hybrid aquarium plant. Foliage deep green above' and beautiful crimson underneath, producing a verj' fine effect. Small plants, well rooted, each 50 els. OTjriopliyl proserpiiiaroides. Parrot's feather. A very interesting novelty, its light green feathery foliage, growing partly below, partly in tufts above the surface of the water, finally gracefully overhanging the top of the tank. t'uttings. each 10 cts. Caboiiiba ear<tliiioii!i>i!i>, the very popular green fanwort. Each 25 cts. Cabuiiiba ro.ssvfolia, the pink fanwort. very beautiful.
Salviiiia aiiiazoiii4>a. floating plant for the parlor
Rirc-ia
Each Very interesting
50 cts. little
aquarium. Plants, a dozen 25
another interesting, little floating plant resembling sta.g horns. A dozen 25 cts. Cliara viiloaris, for microscopical work. 25 cts.
Eirlilioriiia ci*jissii><'<<. Water Hi/arinfh. A very curious and haiMlscime floating plant, bearing conspicuous blue flow ers, for aquariums or out of door culture. Each 25 cts. IIiiiiib<»1«1lii; Water Po)>py. of this plant float on the surface of the water, while the lemon yellow flowers reach about six inches above it, for the parlor or out door aquarium. Each 25 cts.
The oval leaves
Sent prepaid by Mail on Receipt of Price.
35 to 50 oonlw should be added when
remitting,
VVhen ordering please to by what Express Co. you prefer the goods
for cost of shipping can. direct
shipped. €liiii(><i>e
Para(1iK4'li)sli.
Ciioriiiaii
"
<i«>Icl<>rft'.''
(eriiiaii "<;<»I<leii Tciicli." <>erinaii "<;reen Tencli." Kraziliaii ZcbraliMli, new.
Newts,
Fro<;-lacli>ole*«. SiiailN.
Pond
Sti<-k)ebaf ks in season. are fully domesticated, and of suitable
!N4>!!>tbiiildiii<f
Above
fish
size for the parlor aquarium. Prices range according to shai)e and brilliancy of colors.
IWiilerIt'.*; I. X. Li. i'islifooil, a new and excellent compound, improving shapes and colors of the fish, per box 25 cts., 5 boxes for one dollar.
PHiilertt's
Prepared Pislifood,
fwafei"s)
per bo.x 10 cts., 12 boxes for one dollar. — PREPAID BY MAIL.— illiilertl's AVaterprool" printed directions how to bo.ves,
per box
Aquarium
Oenient, dry (with mix it). In 1^ lbs. tin
by express only. Dipiiot, with turned walnut handle. 5('
cts.
Each
cts.
fliiitaii!>>,
LillliiiuoliariK
Choice Ornamental Fish.
25 cts.
Special Offer.
Plain aqiiariiini tanks. Seep. Pattern 05, \. ll.i inches high, 7]
167.
inches wide by inches long (inside), plate-glass bottom. Price $5. Pattern 0.5, A. with wooden base and cornice. Price $7 50. I'll,
Pattern 21
9.5. B. 11 J inches high, 7i inches wide by inches long (Insiile) plate-glass bottom. Price $C.
Do. with wooden base and cornice. Fitted fi-ames, without glass, packed ment, of above tanks. A, $2 B, $2.50.
Price $9. flat
;
Terms:
C'asli
witli Order.
for ship-