Aquatic life 1 1917 by Akwariat.pl

roQsf l^

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MANUFACTURERS OF AQUARIA, FOUNTAINS, TERRARIA, VIVARIA BREEDERS OF DOMESTICATED FISHES IMPORTERS OF FOREIGN FISHES AQUATIC PLANTS, SNAILS AND SUPPLIES STOCK AQUARIA Metal Frame, Enameled and Gold-Striped, Bottom Slate or Ribbed Glass Plain. On legs

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Bottom or on Legs.

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FISH Per Tin box. Per lb. $.50 $.10 Natural Fish Food 2.00 Universal Fish Food... .15 1.00 Ground Dried Shrimp.. .10

?.v,.

JOHMKfT DARTER HELEN

LOOMI5 --a

Johnnp Darter

Boleosoma nigrum

The admirers of Johnny Darter do him as a rival of small trop-

not present

ical aristocrats, tle

but just a fascinating

lit-

plebian migrating from the mountain

streams.

has

remarkable

neither

beauty of form nor color, but he certainly has "pep."

In fact, he

ming suspended

in the

water, will dash

across the sand running on the elongate pectoral

fins

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;hence

name

the

darter.

Johnny may now be personally identified as follows Length, two and one:

half

inches

color,

;

pale

straw,

with a

a splen-

tinge of olive; markings, the back spot-

the keenness and which Nature equips the winners in her own aquaria, where mouths are many and meat is scarce. Seining along the shallows of our colder lakes or better still, swift brooks and creeks, will procure a quantity of

ted with dark to resemble the sand, and

did

illustration

adaptability with

small fishes, consisting of various min-

nows; babies of our larger food

fish,

such as perch, bass, suckers, etc. and almost without fail some of the darters. ;

The their

latter

small

may

from

be distinguished

associates

placing

the catch in a shallow pan of water, with a

sand layer and observing their

They will immediately tom and, if disturbed,

activities.

sink to the botinstead of

swim-

very distinct

marks along two

the side over the lateral line; the

dorsals and caudal fin spotted with brown, forming transverse bands the eye very large and prominent, with a golden iris. At home in an aquarium, provided ;

with a plentiful scattering of large pebbles, as well as the sand,

will enter-

some of the following capers. He may go for a ride, suspended on the under side of a floattain the observer with

ing board rest

with

provided, or again he will

his

body supported by the

stones and his head turned at an angle, as

posing.

This feat and the ability

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; ;

SLqnatic JLitt

to roll his eyes are

among

accomplishments.

Suddenly

his proudest

will

dance sideways across the tank, much paper ball, the un-

like a kitten after a

suspecting target being a peaceful

of his jaws and the victim

headless,

for his teeth are very sharp

permission of the

Illinois State

tory of Natural History.

Labora-

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Ed.)

most carnivorous. At other times he appears bashful, and with a few vigorous twists of his tail buries all but his eyes in the sand. But, no matter in what he is engaged his charm

Canned Shrimp a Fish Food

his appetite

largely his ever evident spirit of mis-

is reproduced from "The Fishes of Illinois," Forbes and Richardson, by

snail.

One snap and

Johnny

chief.

Among

aquarists

suppose

not

alone in a fondness for shrimp salad. It

not an infrequent dish upon our

and more often than not the canned article is used. I usually manage to purloin one from the kitchen, wash table

carefully, then tie

to a piece of

white

His seeming preference for the bottom may be explained by the very poor, if any development of his air bladder, which being usually well developed en-

squarium a few inches below the water surface. The tank contains a happy family of

ables other fishes to rise in the water.

many

In his native habitat his food consists

prove to love shrimp

far

their custodian, at least

Chironomus

gnats

and

larvEe

small

may-flies,

he will

thrive

from

shred after shred from the morsel.

nicely

on the life.

from the

last of

While June. on the back of the female, keeping the pectorals and the

first

spawning the male

rides

The eggs

ventrals in rapid vibration.

are

emitted

occasionally

intervals,

raising

the

cloud

better

female

their

than

one can judge

fish,

April

species of exotic fishes that soon

seemingly quite content with an easy is

the

those

food used for our small aquaria

The spawning season

which

hunts assiduously under the stones. captivity

twine and suspend

picking tiny

persistency in

This

and in several hours not more than half a shrimp will l)e consumed by the hundred or more fishes. When the carcass has been so "trimmed" that there is danger of it breaking into pieces and becoming detached from the twine, I remove it. I commend the pracis

no small

tice to

task,

fellow aquarian naturalists.

John Lee Bennington.

sand,

probably to protect them.

The

darters stand very high

belonging to the perch famand are therefore close relatives of the much larger and better known yellow perch and wall-eyed pike. The little fellows have been aptly described as not dwarfs but concentrated fish. Among the darters we have some really beautiful species, such as the rainbow and Iowa darters. But if Johnny does reflesh scale, ily,

semble only a piece of used sand paper, is always up to scratch.

(The

accompanying

portrait

Nature-Study

the

Nature study is a pursuit which calls our faculties into action it makes us observe, remember, reason and think it takes us out of stufl:'y rooms into the open air; it makes us walk, wade, row and even swim it develops inventive all

;

genius, gives us eyes to see interesting

things

everywhere;

sense of beauty,

appeals

form and

color,

the

and,

all, makes us reverent by leading us to look up from Nature to Nature's

above

God.â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Rev.

C. A. Hall.

niie Chanchito

Shoat

ERNEST LEITHOLF

TKe Chanchito

facetu r

From

the waters of

Brazil and

the

Argentine comes to us Hcros facctuiii or Cichlasoma facetimi. call it what you will,

a species well-known to us as an

aquarium

fish

for

years, one that has

more than twenty "worn well," and in

which we have never reason

its

Brazilians call

lost

varying from the usual brownish

The chameleon-

bars of bluish-black.

of changing the intensity of

like habit

the coloration, the blunt head

erous

fins,

make

The

native

gence

mean-

bred them

fishes.

ranks second to none.

many

and gen-

mem-

a conspicuous

ber of any collection of

the Chanchito,

familiarity. it

interest

able,

yellow or gray to one with perpendicular

times,

and

intelli-

have

find the ob-

may

servation of the faithful care of the eggs

tendency to root up the plants, or because of a fancied similarity

and fry a never-ending delight. Give a pair a good-sized aquarium not less than twenty by twelve inches, a tem-

ing the

resemble

to the

shoat or pig, perhaps it

in a

contour of the "porker."

While the Chanchito may not compete with some of the other cichlidons in the

perature

matter of attractive colors,

worms and raw scraped beef, and soon male and female will begin to dig, scout

fascinating

fish.

Its coat is

still

very change-

Fahrenheit,

about

proper

foods,

75 degrees preferably

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

^aquatic JLitt

and skirmish about for a suitable place which to deposit the eggs. When sat-

with the selected location for the

isfied

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;generally

on the top or side of a which they industriously clean

nest

stone,

the

cement

floor

without

fortunately

conservatory,

the

suffering

injury.

This acrobatic feat was repeated on several other occasions, each time with the intention of charging some object

the female deposits the eggs while the

deemed

male

ing their intense determination to defend

now

It is is

them.

fertilizes

that the wonderful activity

displayed, in which, in

no other

ment

Never

fish excels.

experience, for a

mo-

the nest left unguarded, alter-

nately male and female take

up a posiworking

tion above the eggs, ceaselessly

them

hostile to their offspring,

Finally, for their

at all costs.

we covered

safety,

show-

own

the aquarium.

have kept the old and young together weeks without noting any cannibalistic desires on the part of the old ones, only removing the young to I

six or eight

prevent any accumulation of sediment After finding lodging among them.

them larger cjuarters for better At times, however, I have had to remove one of the parents within a week or two after the hatching of the

days of "watchful wait-

eggs because of the development of a

their fins to keep fresh water constantly

circulating about the treasures,

from four ing" the

formed

to six

little pellet-like

and

eggs are trans-

into a cjuivering living mass, the

individuals

unable to swim, but wrig-

gling vigorously to and fro.

give

development.

The

reason,

to give the babies a

new

assume,

field in

to forage for passing Infusoria.

which While

these transfers take place both parents

are busy as bees, each taking a mouthful of the youngsters, but not at the same

on the way to the other is on the way new location, the never for an instant are for more back the youngsters out of the range of a pair After sevof watchful parental eyes. time

while one

;

eral

days

the

flock

begins

swarm

about, the proud parents guarding their issue at

all

study.

Sidelights

The Danio

nialabariciis

shown by

Exhibition

Pittsburgh

Brothers were "home raised." J.

Macrory won

being

the

first

largest

Mr. R.

on Danio

rcrio. his

Mr.

specimens.

Ernest Leitholf was fortunate ing an egg of the

at the

Leitholf

hav-

American "Chame-

leon" hatch in his terrarium during the

The breeding

show.

of his lizard in cap-

most unusual. Mr. Leitholf has prepared an interesting paper on the occurrence, one of the many "good things" in store for future numbers of Aquatic tivity is

Life.

times.

One day when showing tank, placed his

During the winter months both goldand the tropical and native species

such a family,

a friend while glancing toward another

hand near the surface

fish

of fishes will appreciate an occasional

of the water of the Chanchito aquarium.

oyster.

Mistaking his intentions, one of the parents made a powerful leap to meet the fancied enemy, cleared the rim of the

oyster, run a piece of twine

aquarium

fully

cease to nibble, remove

water

and landed

line,

interest-

times,

during this period, the parents find it necessary to transfer their family to other places.

The Chanchito

family row.

ing and temperamental, and well worth

six

inches

above

five feet

the

below on

Select a small one, a stewing

hard centre and suspend rium.

week

When will

badly torn, or

sufficient.

through the the aqua-

it.

the fishes

oyster

;;

;

Swamp -Plant C The swamp-plant aquarium, one with growing above the water, should

plants

more general

find a

the

aquarist.

place in the

home

orna-

particularly

mental, and can be maintained success-

with

fully

While plants, fishes

comparatively

perhaps it

will

make

a suitable

tank

for

home

for

ideal

home

life.

HEEDE

an inch layer of gravel and sand should be laid on top of it. The water should be twelve inches deep if sub-

tank,

merged

plants,

well

those

with

leaves are to be used.

serial

Plants should be selected from

care.

little

and other forms of water

would be an fish,

primarily

Aquaria

among

for the paradise

could be used for sticklebacks

for fry of

many

fishes; for crustaceans;

for insects which pass the early portion

their

lives

the

water, and later

transform to winged inhabitants of the crustaceans

(3f

air.

collection

would be interesting Even Hydra would lend itself

fresh water shrimp

indeed. to

observation to an advantage,

cially

with regard to

of feeding.

Some

its

espe-

foods and habits

of the newts or sala-

manders, and diverse species of snails, Of could profitably be given a home.

forms mentioned could in the same tank; judgment based on the habits would have to be used. Much original research work could be pursued in such an aquarium, particularly among the inthe

course,

all

not be

wisely

sects

;

associated

the life-histories of

many

are

still

imperfectly understood.

To arrange

A Swamp

Aquarium

From "Stuekulturer" those that will

grow and

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; tropical

out the year

thrive through-

species, or those

that do not require the winter rest of

those of the temperate zone.

a tank for

swamp

plants,

a six-inch layer of leaf-mould, loam and

ive collection can be selected

attract-

from the

mixed with some fertilizer, such as dried and powdered blood, or sheep

following list: Sagittaria nwntevidensis, white flowers, brown spotted; S. lancifolia, lance-shaped leaves, white flowers

manure,

sand,

necessary,

are gross feeders.

these

plants

prevent the dis-

coloration of the water by the agitation of the bottom by the

moving

life

of the

graminae, grass-leaved, white flow-

ers; 5. japonica, white flowers;

rus

lucidus,

leaves

;

bush-like,

Cyperus

gracilis,

Sauru-

heart-shaped

low growth

j^lquattc

Cyperus papyrus, tall Swamp iris, sunPlants growing dry kinds and colors. above the water but decumbent trailing over the sides of the tank MyrioParrot's preserpinacoides. phyllum ;

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

Feather, beautiful greenish-blue spruce-

which closes at night and morning; Lysimachia nummularia, common moneywort Ludlike

foliage,

reopens

the

;

mte

AQUARIUM NOTES N. M. GRIER

The

Amblystoma punctatum

Spotted Salamander

Among

the

used

little

plants

thrive in aquaria, especially

which

well an-

chored, are the native species of arrowhead, SagittJiia (lakes and ponds), and

somewhat

the

The

aspect.

latter

fernwort

four-leaf

clover

from

best secured

The

conservatories. z'inia,

water

rare

having

Marsilia,

closely related Sal-

rarely thrives

similarly obtained,

and gradually dies out unless accorded warmth and sunlight. Elodea or Anacharis, the common water weed, and a widely used plant in

small

the

in ac[uaria,

aquarium,

has been

known

death of snails living in it

grows, although

perience

to cause the

water

the

apparently

which

writer's

harmless

exto

PKotograpK from Life

bj)

Dr. R.

Shufeldt

the stems of other plants that the fish find

difticult

penetrate.

this

two in aquaria, the stoneworts Nitclla and Chara, should be more generally known. These plants consist of a stem-like body with leafclass of plants, the use of

like divisions in

whorls at regular inter-

and have a decidedly rough feeling when drawn through the hand. Although they are found in streams containing a good deal of li e, they grow well upon a sandy bottom. Isoetes, a botanical curiosity, found in lakes and rivers, will live in the aquarium with a vals,

gravel bottom, as well as the

water-moss,. Fontinalis,

common

found

along

brooks.

known

forms of animal life. Leiuna, as "Duckmeat," will thrive best under fairly sunny conditions, and is interesting in that it frequently bears on its under surface the siliceous cases of certain minute worms, which may often be seen to emerge from their home and

the fresh water however, an aquatic delicacy, and should be protected by massing the plants around it. It is found in clear running brooks in circular, con-

seize animalcules.

cave, slightly rough masses of a greenish

other

known

The

larger species of Algae as a rule

will only flourish

when

so entangled with

which

animal

little

and some time

to aquaria,

will at least exist for

SpongUla,

therein,

sponge.

It is,

tinge attached to stones or water plants.

Certain

forms

colonial

Protozoa

Aquatic

when

(Opercularia),

water

plants

will

introduced

live

indefinitely

JLitt

found

in the

small Crustacea which

rapidly appear in stagnating water, or

aquaria, appearing as many thread-like masses covering the vegetation. Their points of interest, however, are best discovered with a microscope. Hydra, the water polyp, a tube-like animal with tentacles, in structure allied to the sea anemones, when it has been introduced will grow widely over the

water to which decaying plant remains are added, and then covered. They may thus be

grown

as desired,

and

later given

Most of the fresh water Physa and Lymnaea, and particu-

to the fishes. snails,

doing well

larly the latter, while

aquarium,

in the

numbers are un-

will, if their

checked, consume the vegetation.

Forms

of animal life which have not

much

received

and which are

attention,

worth a

well

aquaria are the

trial

freshwater mussels, which are found in great many gravel-bottomed, unpol-

Among

luted streams.

the species best

adapted to aquarium life are the Bigrariplicata) {Aiubleina Blue Point Monkey Face [Oiiadnila) and Heel,

(Lasfcna siiborbiciilata).

splitter

will

survive only

aquarium

Their movements

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the protrusion

from the

foot

They

the size of the

such that extensive aeration

takes place. terest all

when

will

in-

of the curious

shell for locomation,

and

of the tube-like syphon for the purpose of drawing in the food and air-bearing

water.

animal holding its own in aciuaria, interest on account of its outside gills while in the immature stage, is the salamander {Aiiiblystoma) secured along brooks and in ponds. It is, how-

and of

Water Clover

Marsilia or

aquarium for a great length of time, and when it does disappear may be looked for later. Its movements during the capture and digestion of small animalcules are interesting. Mature goldfish seldom harm them, due to their stinging properties, and to the fact that entire

they

may

masses,

contract into small

difficult

remove

walls of the aquarium. taining

all

that

from the

In a tank con-

fry of goldfish they

scourge, killing

jelly-like

come

are

in contact

with the tentacles. Both the freshwater sponge and Hydra grow well on Blodea. For those who teach zoology a hydra acjuarium is of great value.

excellent natural

food for fishes

ever, apt to depopulate the its

aquarium of

smaller inhabitants.

The extremely water

thin

surface layer of

contact with the air accjuires

physical properties comparable to those of a fine strated

membrane.

when

This

a quantity of

is demonDaphne is

placed in an aquarium. Unless the water is

agitated

film,

some

will be entangled in the

and, unable to descend, will perish.

one from below should swim too close

to the surface,

fate.

It is this film

float a needle.

become entanand meet a like

too will

gled, float aboA'e water,

that enables one to

>••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••«••

Minute

Innabitants

of Aquaria

PERRY BRUCE CLARK San Francisco Aquarium Society

An cella,

mal

infusorian of interest

or bell animalcule.

found attached

generally in

old

the Vorti-

This

little

ani-

to aquatic plants,

water,

sometimes ap-

pearing like a fine white fringe.

name

and

implies,

bell-shaped,

the it

attaches itself to a solid object by a long, slender, flexible stalk.

This stalk con-

muscle fiber, and when the Vorticella becomes disturbed, the stalk, by means of the fiber, is coiled with a tains a long

*•,„••

'•,,«•*

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••J,*

in the same manner as in Paramecium. At the outer end of the gullet is a space called the vestibule, and into this is passed any undigested residue, which is

swept out by the outgoing currents of water maintained by the cilia. There is

also a contractile vacuole near the ves-

which empties into it. It has a C-shaped nucleus. Vorticella multiplies by longitudinal division. Sometimes a tibule,

number of these infusoria are found in a group where they have multiplied and stayed together, but generally after multiplication has occurred the different in-

dividuals places,

separate and move to other where they may have a better

chance to obtain their food.

will now proceed to the Metozoa, or many-celled animals, one of the lowest of these which is of interest to us Vorticella

the

jerk,

movement

close to the object to

When

everything

pulling the animal

which

gradually relaxes and the cule

it is

little

once more reaches out

of food.

The

attached.

quiet again the stalk

bell-shaped body

animalsearch is

not

composed of protoplasm. Across the mouth of the bell is a disk, which is slightly smaller than the mouth,

hollow, but

is the fresh-water polyp, or Hydra. These little animals, which are generally found attached to aquatic plants, have a cylindric body about half an inch long, and the thickness of a pin, and are generally colorless, but sometimes brown or green. At the free end are a number of fine, thread-like tentacles, which gently sway to and fro. If the Hydra is dis-

trubed these tentacles are quickly drawn

leaving a space for the opening of the

and the whole body contracts

Both around the mouth and the disk are placed a row of cilia, which constantly vibrate to and fro, setting up currents in the surrounding water, which

nothing more than a small

bring small particles of food to the gul-

outer layer serving as a protective covering and the inner layer digesting the

gullet.

This food, which is composed of minute plants and animals and fragments of larger forms, collects at the bottom of the gullet, forming a food ball let.

mouth

at the free

the tentacles. is

end

food that^is taken is

in.

The

in the centre of

The body

hollow and

composed of two layers of

evolution this

until

ball.

cells,

the

In the process of

one of the

ples of the division of labor

first

exam-

among

cells.

jaquattc Jiitt

:aquatic ILift A monthly magazine devoted to the study, care and breeding of native, tropical, gold and fancy fishes, other animals and plants in the household aquarium. W. A. POYSER JOSEPH E. BAUSMAN 542

Editor

....

Publisher

growing ou't of the side of the old one, or by the production and fertilization of eggs, the body containing both an ovary and a spermary. The planarian worm is another form of life generally found in old standing water, especially that into which plants have been introduced from outside sources.

E. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia

eral

Entered as second-class matter, September 1915, at the Post Office, Philadelphia, Pa., under Act of March 3, 1879.

resembles a leech

appearance,

smaller,

but

very

gen-

much

rarely exceeding an eighth of

$1.00

Yearly Subscription Foreign Subscriptions Single

1-35

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Payments may be made by express money order, draft, post office order or reg'stered letter.

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"Aquatic Life" is the only magazine in America devoted exclusively to aquatic life, and its value as an advertising medum in tliis

field

of nature study

unequaled.

Vol.

January,

Among

1917

No. 5

the cells of the outer layer, both

on the body and the tentacles, are numerous stinging or thread cells; these resem-

somewhat those of Paraiueciitm, but are of a more highly organized nature. The threads are discharged whenever the animal is irritated, and are also used

Hydra

ble

for obtaining food, for

when

a cyclops

or other small animal comes in contact

with the Hydra

paralyzed by the

discharge of one of these stinging

and

to an" object

The Hydra

larged).

cells,

then drawn into the mouth by

the tentacles.

section of body, showing: 1. Lengthwise A, month; B, tentacle; C, reproductive bud; D, spermary; E, ovary; F, body cavity; G, ectoderm (outer layer of cells); H, entoderm 2. (inner layer of cells); J, stinging cell. Section across body. 3. Mature Hydra con4. Same extended. (Figures 1 and tracted. 2 greatly magnified; 3 and 4 slightly en-

attaches itself

by secreting a sticky sub-

from the cells of its base. It moves about, but may do so by holding on with the tentacles and moving

an inch like,

in length.

soft

and

jelly-

of a grayish color, and changes

shape very readily.

The most

its

striking

extremely

stance

characteristic

rarely

cross-eyed, presenting a very queer ap-

the base.

pearance when viewed under the microIt is sometimes found attached scope.

It is

process

that

which

to fishes

and the tenacity with which

new hydra

holds on

multiplies either by btidding,

simply

surprising.

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

Siqnatit %ite

Knickerbocker News

word aqua-vivarium

members of the Aquarium Society, New York City, who con\'erse in the German language, have ornumber

ganized a section that will hold monthly

meetings on the

first

Tuesday

The

American Museum of Natural History. Dr. E. Bade is presiding officer. should be patent to every one that

the step taken by these aquarists

every

way

all

was

preferable to the organization

of a distinct society. institutions

customary

It is

organize

subsidiary

sections, branches or departments, each

caring for the interests of those specializing in a particular study.

Such

sec-

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

a word which cerhad the advantage of being corbut the disadvantage of being com-

tainly rect,

Then came others who prename aquarium, and straightname was adopted by common

plicated.

ferred the

way

this

consent.

It is true that

exact linguists

rejected the word, citing the Latin dictionary, which stated that Aquarius was either a water-bailiff or a water-man, or

man who

"the

the water pot" aquarium is a simand easy word, and entirely super-

in the Zodiac.

ple

carries

Still

seded aqua-vivarium, just as in a later the word telegram superseded telegrapheme. Rev. J. G. Wood.

year

tions enjoy the resources of the parent

and unite

organization

common

necessary

viduality (

actions

Wagner on

for

welfare, yet maintaining indifor

specialization.

)rganization along these lines

Life"

espe-

Light Control

November number

In the

of "Aquatic

note that a Los Angeles reader

aquarium societies, some members of which may devote themselves entirely to exotic and native fishes, and others to goldfish breeding, one class having no interest in the other. Rather than split such a society into two weaker ones, sections for each class should be formed. The meetings would cially

adaptable

be devoted to the object of the individtial section,

and programs arranged accordbut

ingly,

members

other

classes

could attend.

The Word "Aquarium"

Years ago when the principles of the aquarium first became known, and its popularity began to grow, there were grand etymological discourses in the learned

papers

respecting

the

correct

name which ought to be given to it. Some called it vivarium, but were met by objectors who said the zoological garden was equally a vivarium, and so was a dog kennel or a stable. In order to meet the difficulty, they proposed the

German Conception

of the Broad-tail

Calico Telescope Goldfish

having difficulty with his aquarium because of the intense heat and light. If he will remove the clear glass from is

the lower portion of the

replacing

window

sash,

with ground glass, he will

get wonderful

results.

Or,

will

fasten a piece of ground glass against

the all

window

pane,

sufficient

diffuse

coming through the window the aquarium, he will get the same the light

—

•aquatic Eife

do not advocate placing the against the aquarium, glass

results.

ground which will not give as good placing

against the

results as

window

pane.

have experimented with this plan for a long time, and have found it to give wonderful results, even in this climate (Washington, D. C), as it cuts off the direct rays of the sun, which promote It passes enough the growth of Algse. light for the plants to grow and maintain their natural brilliant green color, turning yellow,

instead

much

or brown, as too

dency to cause.

—

transparent

light has a ten-

Henri Wagner.

healthy

tom of

further

experiments.

had

—two

males and five Of those a friend in Chicago

seven hybrids

fe-

remales. ceived four, and for myself, in spite of

my waning

one male

interest, I reserved

and the

young

guppyi, which helleri,

had bred to a male of from it a lot of

receiving

weaklings that did not survive a week. More than once I had been told that these hybrids

would be

reproduction.

sterile

capable

opinion,

more than anything

denuded the hybrids of

and inwas this

else,

their

that

earlier

My surprise can be imagined on when, day in August, I discovered one of the hybrid females was pregthat nant. I promptly made- arrangements Ten days later the for the delivery. young were expelled, seventeen of them, Twelve of and not a bad begfinnino-. charm.

coloration of

as that of

the

lower portion of the body black, upper portion red with black ;

Whether

spots.

they

will

have

the

sword-like extension of the caudal is problematical.

fin

In view of the unanimous doubt that

upon

cast

the

the possibility of the feroriginal

youngsters

the

hybrids,

have Tech-

"Faulty

Philadelphia Goldfish Fanciers

The December meeting was nesday

evening,

Hall, 804

the

21st,

held in

Wed-

Saull's

West Girard avenue.

Exhibition

Lionheads, Orandas and

Celestial Telescopes.

judge:s: Joseph Van Stavern, E. George W. Price and R. L. Harding. Awards: Orandas, silver cup and blue ribbon, A. A. Phillips, Jr. red and yellow ribbons, J. Martin Wacker. Celestial Telescopes, blue, red and yellow rib;

silver

female

The

same

the

hybrid parents

bons,

shows

the present writing she

Girardinus

with

In the meantime

love to the other female,

signs of pregnancy.

and two females. The mother of (these fish, a female Xiphophorus helleri, I lost, together

weak at from the botso

niques."

number of the In 1916, June, "Aquatic Life" appears an article by the present writer concerning the hybridization of fishes, in which was explained the method followed to accomplish the cross. Subsequent to this I began to lose interest

made

and

strong

are

being

the aquarium.

the male

named

Techniques" JACOB MERGET

died,

five

;

birth that they did not rise

was

''Faulty

and

survived

these

tility

A',

;

A. A. Phillips, Jr. Lionheads, cup and blue ribbon, Fred Schaefer; red ribbon, Mrs. Elizabeth Ahlers

yellow ribbon, Joseph E. Tyler. Messrs. Edwin R. Keck, Joseph Wheatcroft and Edward R. Stembach

were elected

The next January will

membership.

The regular competition nymphs and single-tail tele-

17th.

be for

scopes,

regular meeting will be held

scaled

and

scaleless,

three rib-

At be awarded in each class. this meeting there will also be a competition for scaleless telescopes bred in bons

1916, to the winner of which will be awarded the cup presented by Charles E. Visel. Fred Richardson, Secretarv.

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

;

jSlquatk JLite

Reading Public Exhibition G. S.

BRENEISER

The members

of the Reading Aquarium Society are congratulating themselves upon the success, and no less the appreciation of the general public, that

attended their aquarium exhibition given in conjunction with the Flower Show. The aquaria seemed to attract more attention than the beautiful flowers, and

many

times difficulty was experienced to keep the croAvd moving that all might have an opportunity to view the tanks. The following members exhibited aquaria and fishes: Mr. William H. Heimbach, of Allentown Messrs. John Kershner. William Himmerschitz, Irvin Yeager, Ralph Wilson, Philip Weiler, O. H. Mellertt, Theodore Abeling, George Becker and George S. Breneiser, all of Reading. ;

The

Pittsburgh E.

Show

W. HARPER

The exhibition of the Pittsburgh Aquarium Society was held in Phipps Conservatory, November nth to 19th, inclusive. The average Sunday attendNearly one hundred ance was 15,000. and fifty aquaria were shown (not bad for a first exhibition), containing fishes, both gold, exotic and native species, too numerous to .count. Dr. Cruickshank and Superintendent" was "General worked hard to make it the success it The exhibition was competitive. was. Messrs. Leitholf and Winters, judges,

made awards

as follows

Goldfish

TeleScaleless Brekds scope, A. Stucky Fantail, D. Winter

erated

Blictric Light, Dr. L. M. Aquarium Showing Breeding

Kearns

;

Mosquitoes,

Dr. O. T. Cruickshank; Terrariuni, Ernest Leitholf.

Special Goldfish

Number

Following the precedent established by the March, 1916, number of "Aquatic Life," the March number of the present year will be devoted almost entirely to the breeding of goldfish and kindred

Last year the "Goldfish Spe-

subjects.

was exhausted within a week after its publication, and many were unable to secure a copy. Those who purchase from the local pet shop should place their order early, and the dealer should anticipate the demand, requesting the needed additional copies from the pubcial"

advance of publication. of this special number from an advertising standpoint will be exceplisher well in

The value

not only to the breeder of goldbut also to the tropical fish fancier, due to its larger circulation among those who do not ordinarily read the magazine. If only for pure publicity, it should contain the advertisement of every breeder tional, fish,

who sale

will have fishes and supplies for during the succeeding months of

spring and summer. that this

number

It is quite possible

will contain a greater

number of pages and more than usual.

and

copy

illustrations

Space should be reserved for