Aquatic life 4 1917

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cj^r

/^/.aprtl,

1917^

lOcCffl

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My '94.

L_

J

Jacob C. Cassel 915 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pa Manufacturer of

AQUARIUMS Aquarium Ornaments Floral Terra Cotla. Etc. Fish Globes

Gnldfish

and

4^.,»«:.w«^ C^^^^^Wwr P^ Aquarium ispecialty Lo.

Fish Food

aquarium requisites.

Send for Catalog.

all

'873 WASHINGTON AVENUE new york city

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. pjain. On legs

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Steel

Angle

Frame,

a

;

Mexican

^iae

WALTER LAKfNOY

S^vorcltails BRIND.

F. Z. S.

i

WATER COLOR BY A. DESCHERMEIER

Mexican Swordtail

XiphopKorus

Probably no "tropical the term,

is

better

we

fish," as

known

Kelleri

to all

use

of us

than the Mexican Swordtail, otherwise

Xiphophorus

Under

helleri.

this

name

the fish with the markings and coloration

was introduced

of the illustration above into

Germany

—

in the spring of

single specimen.

A little later

1909

more were

received and bred in large quantities, the price of a pair dropping rapidly

from

$12.50 to $1.50, a price approximately

its

present value in the United States today.

This

fish

made

a bigger "hit" in

than any other aquarium

fish

Germany before or

and the ease with which it could be propagated by the veriest amateur attracted attention at once. During my stay in Berlin in 1910 Its beautiful colors

since.

I

secured a pair, paying,

if

At

I

remember

Courtesj) of tKe CKicago

Aquarium Societp

ence between these two varieties

lies

in

such fine points as the number of scales in the lateral line, rays of the fins,

These

so on.

sary to the

and

distinctions, while neces-

work

of the systematic ichthy-

need not concern us aquarists we are more interested in studying the ologist,

habits of the fishes.

The late Seth Eugene Meek, of the Field Museum, Chicago, who had abundant opportunities to study and observe this fish in its native Mexico, considered helleri and guentheri as merely varieties, and not distinct spe-

we

cies as

view

—

accept the term.

I

hold this

and wapronounced degree the coloration, markings and other local climatic, geological

ter conditions influence to a

many

characteristics

of

American brook

trout taken

fishes.

The

from a num-

that time no

ber of streams will differ considerably,

other species or variety of swordtail was

but no sane scientist considers the varia-

known

tions sufficient to

right,

about six marks. in

Germany.

Meckel described Xiphophorus hcllcri, but, according to Professor Regan, of the British

Museum,

formerly sent

all

to

whom

new

the

Germans

fishes for identifi-

warrant making new The student is already bothered sufficiently with names better left unconferred. Anyway, the old name of helleri species.

will

probably stand, having been the

cation,

the fish introduced

was not X.

adopted, as far as

helleri,

but X. Guentheri.

The

cerned.

dififer-

we

first

aquarists are con-

;

<aqaattc

98

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

%iU

Since 19 12 we have received always from Germany, and never direct from the

bles hrevis, but has a blackish blotch at

native country

the male swordtails, with very

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; sundry other varieties or

the base of the

tail,

possess

forms of Xiphophorus: X. jalapae, recog-

ceptions,

nized by the rich orange-red single lateral

lower rays of the

Only few ex-

as in rachovii.

the

extension of

the

on the male, and paler yellowishorange stripe on the female (the single stripe of helleri is more a brownish-red)

from which they derive the common name. So much for the outward markings and colorations of the forms with which we are

X. rachovii, a form from Guatemala with a double red stripe on the sides of both

will serve to identify the

stripe

;

several

sexes,

narrow blackish

vertical

T^ppical SvJordtail

stripes,

"half

at the

base of the

(upper) and

tail

distinctions

I

have given

ones apt to be

met.

Two

Any

and a blackish double spot or

moon" mark

The

familiar.

tail-fin,

Variants

of the aforesaid

forms can be and indeed

easily crossed with another,

X. strigatus with a blackish

lateral line

with the various forms of Platypoecilus,

from the eye

form

as has already been

little

known

suggests cihts,

as

to the tail (this to

aquarists)

hybridization it

;

with

X.

is

but

brevis

Platypoe-

has a number of blackish

so

I

think that

done by many of

we can

rest

us,

assured that

they are not distinct and valid species.

The

differences are not specific, and are

Any

blotches on the sides, an almost total ab-

probably

sence of the lateral stripes so conspicu-

aqviarist

ous in the others, a yellowish "sword" of

hybridization in his aquaria, and should

noticeable

shortness

in

X.- montezmnae comes

the

male

fish

from the basin of the Rio Panuco, Mexico, and resem-

due can

to

make

environment.

interesting studies of

report results, with photographs sible, to

if

pos-

the editor of this magazine.

All

are easily bred and reared in well -planted

99

Siqttitic JLitt

aquaria, having a temperature of 75 de-

Breeding

grees Fahrenheit.

is

extremely

merely necessary to place th^: female, when she seems about to drop the young, in a tank full of a dense easy.

It is

growth of

The

plants.

species

of

is,

and when the young

metallic kistre;

dorsal and caudal fns

beautifully rounded and evenly

with small dark dots

;

belly

is

marked

white, with

a black spot on the sides.

I don't agree with those writers who consider this spot an indication of pregnancy as far as this

will

species is concerned.

I have had a female alone in a small tank for several months, and at the end of the period the

promptly devour her ofifspring. Every aquarist should have a few swordtails in his tanks, if only one or two forms.

spot was just as prominent, no young having been expelled.

The Holbrooki is a prolific fish, and

course, live-bearing,

have been expelled the female should be

removed

otherwise

once,

at

she

Holbrook's Gambusia G. p.

will expell a batch of

youngsters at in-

tervals of four to six

weeks

durinsf the

VON HARLEMAN

In the opinion of the writer Gaiubusia

tooth carp family, sirable fishes.

member

holbrooki, a

affinis var.

of the

one of the most de-

is

and interesting of our aquarium Experienced fanciers have kept

and bred the species for years, but novices are not acquainted with for

them

this article

is

it,

written.

all

and

It in-

and particuthe fresh waters of Louisiana and

habits our Southern States, larly

Gambusia

Florida.

A

affinis

holbrooki

From "Domesticated Fish" by W.

full-grown male measures one inch

long, rarely will

be one and one-half

it

Average specimens are

spring and summer.

From

L. Brind

ten to thirty

born at a time, the number de-

will be

ground color are preferred, the blackest

pending to a large extent upon the size of the mo her. A female once delivered seven, but I have a suspicion that she devoured quite a few before I removed

specimens

them

inches.

silvery

white, or yellowish white, with regular

Those with the

black spots.

esteem.

being

held

silvery white

the

in

highesL

All-black ones have been pro-

duced by selecting as breeders males 011 which it was the dominant color. These little jet black fellows, with glistening white eye

are exceptionall

,

>

handsome

to another tank.

delivery

I

For a successful

her greatly distended body

from above in

a

when when viewed

advise placing the female indicates that she

is

"ripe,"

tank holding about four gallons,

which should be densely planted with Myriophyllum and Nitella.

The tank should have been standing several months and have a good growth of

Sagittaria,

fish.

.A

i

casual observer would lu-obably mis-

take the female of the species

for an

entirely dififerent fish, so different

is

she

from her mate in color, and so much larger one and one-half to iwo and one-

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

fourth inches in length.

gray-brown

;

sides

light

Her back

is

with

a

olive,

algae.

Nitella

The dense

vegetation,

and Myriophyllum,

especially

will serve as

an effective shelter for the young. Another good plan is to place the female in a spawning box. In any event the young

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

SLquaUc

100

must be separated from the parent as soon

possible

as

otherwise

they

will

surely be devoured. Their first food will be the larger infusoria possibly, and I have found that they incessantly nibble the algse that grows in profusion on the

When

glass.

larger

Daphne and Cyclops. ever,

I

believe

don't

they

should

be

using the coarsest for the large I ones and the finest for the babies.

sizes,

find

it

absolutely

my

extremely satisfactory, and

it

seem

fishes

to like

All get a

it.

little

of

every day, and scraped lean raw beef

every other day.

In concluding

get

Live food, howto

mu

my

story of Hol-

little

aquarium at moderate temperature, 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, being most acceptable to this hardy and attractive aquarium brooki

I

suggest keeping

its

a

fish.

The generic name

Gaiiibiisia

is

derived

from the Cuban word "gambusino," which means "nothing;" affinis means related holbrooki, in honor of Holbrook. ;

have now

first

time a

large plant of Sagittaria sinensis,

which

I

in

flower for the

has been growing

in

my

50-gallon aqua-

rium for the past three years. This is one of the tanks that has been doing so nicely by reflected light, about which I wrote you some time ago. The water has been maintained at about 60 degrees,

Many have Fahrenheit, since last fall. admired the delicate little blossom.

Another item of interest. Aquarists and lovers of the terrarium are often puzzled to find a food for salamanders.

Since early

and

Walp's

equal parts of Peter's foods.

fish

learned to eat

Nitella flexilis

have fed a dozen on a

fall I

made from

ration

it

they took

ously as the fishes.

J.

After it

they

as raven-

Henii V/agner.

Courtesy of Innes and Sons

I have raised three consecubroods on finely ground dry shrimp, but I think they would have grown faster on live food. In nature Holbrooki

necessary. tive

feeds on mosquitoes and

other insects, at

Several

species

European

of

have been introduced into a])parently

as

eggs

in

this

straw

packing imported objects.

It

snails

country,

used

for

certainly

prin-

speaks for the creatures' resistance that

It also eats vegetable matter,

an egg caught on a growing stalk should

such as diatoms, desmids and filament-

survive the conversion of the plant into

ous

straw,

times mosquito wrigglers will be cipal food.

I

for

its

algse.

use quite a all

my

good deal of dried shrimp

fishes, sifting

it

into several

the

accidents

of

warehouse and

voyage, and finally hatch out on the waste pile.

Guide

to

Nature.

SCURVY

IN GOLDFISH

DR. WILLIAM

L.

PYLE

RED OPAQUE-SCALED TELESCOPE GOLDFISH Tne Doay

is

long, but

tne

e^es

Owned by

Physicians have long noted that

when

and

cle is

are full of just that kind

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;but

this arti-

developed

on scurvy of goldfish.

When

babies are fed on condensed milk, or any

form of dead or sterilized food, man} of them develop scurvy.

Some of their symptoms are restlessness, stomach trouble, loose bowels, even dysentery and skin hemorrhages (Petechia).

Finally, if not given some live food, such as orange juice or raw milk, it grows steadily worse, until some intercurrent affection like pneumonia or measles carries it ofif, because of its previously weakened condition from the scurvy. When a proud mother shows me her exclusively condensed milk- fed baby I can only congratulate her on her good luck, and at the same time remember that the graveyards

fins are splendidly

Fred ScKaefer

daphne

is

thinks of losing a live

plentiful

no fancier

because

fish,

is

it

a

You may fou! much of it, but

food and a typical one.

the tank by feeding too

the fish will not only survive, but thrive.

During the months of winter, however, daphne is scarce or unobtainable, and the dried form of it is only on a par with the many prepared foods on the market.

They may

all

be good, but should not be

fed to the exclusion of

some form of

live

food.

The common American tenacious

of

whole winter the

common

tle

moor

goldfish

is

very

in

and may survive a a foul tank and fed on

rice

wafer, but place a gen-

life,

or a dainty blue telescope in

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

:

jaqnattc JLitt

102 the

;

same tank, and

Let us analyze leaves us

restless

:

aquarium

in ten

its

days

dead.

it is

symptoms before it swimming about the

vigorous taking of food only

;

bowel trouble; hemorrhagic

to reject it;

streaks of blood in

or the other

tail

fins,

basins of North Carolina, and

be quite abundant.

scribes the coloration as follows

a

have never seen it described as such in any book touching upon the dis-

white

eases of goldfish.

The

little sufi'erer

now

milky white

belly abruptly

to those of the infant to be mistaken.

I

Smith,

reddish

muzzle, upper

;

;

Males,

:

above, the scales darker-edged,

steel blue

million

Yet

said to

is

Hugh M.

"Fishes of North Carolina," de-

in his

Most decidedly, for the cause and symptoms are too similar scurvy?

Is this

etc.

Dr.

dorsal

black

;

ver-

iris,

with a milk-

caudal with broad black pos-

terior margin, next to

vermillion

head, pale

vermillion anteriorly,

fin,

spot posteriorly,

tip

;

and

lip

crescent,

which

base of

a wide

is

pale

tail,

becomes the victim of parasites, other complex symptoms arise which need not be mentioned here, and if not promptly removed to salt water it soon becomes but a memory of its former beauty.

The remedy is prevention, and prevention means the use of some sort of live

anal and ventral fins with white pigment

food during the winter. Ground earthworms have advocates. Some claim success by feeding a live oyster. A few of

hence desirable

the

little

daily, is

white worms, Enchytrte, fed It is easy to a typical ration.

Other food may not be stopthem a few of the white

raise them.

ped, but do feed

worms

They

daily as a relish.

will give

females duller.

would seem from the description minnow would be a very desirable addition to the growing number of American fishes now used by It

that the fiery-black

aquarists.

It

comparatively

is

in that respect,

a length of three

and one-half inches.

Dr. Smith says that

probably the

"it is

most beautiful of the minnows, the brilliant red, black and white making a sharp

The males retain their colors autumn, and possibly throughout

contrast. until

the year."

who

Aquarists

"something" to your little finny friends which causes them to grow with

tion to secure fishes

health and vigor.

very attractive species.

that

small,

reaching

would do well

of some live food will not young goldfish, but it will scurvy which is the cause

are in a posi-

from the Carolinas

endeavor to obtain

to

this

The feeding save

all

the

prevent this

Moreover,

of the heavy mortality.

I

Daphnia

in

Lake Mendota

The Daphnias occurred

con-

in patches of

sider that the breeders of goldfish shouVl

irregular extent and shape, perhaps

instruct their customers in the use of live

by 50 meters, and these patches extended

food and thereby stop this everlasting I have had goldfish, but they all

in a

"Yes,

soon died."

The If there

Fiery-Black is

anything

in

Minnow

names, then that

of Notropis pyrrhomelas should attract

Thus

seems to have escaped, at least we find no mention of it in acjuarium literature.

This minnow comes from the Catawba and Yadkin the aquarist.

far

it

lo

The

long belt parallel to the shore.

crowded by the Daphnias, and great numbers of perch were feeding on them. The swarm was watched for more than an hour. The water could be s'^en disturbed by the surface

waters

were

far

the

perch as *

* *

shown

On

as

to be

could

reach.

number was

1,170,000 per cubic meter

water in the swarm. Birgc. of

eye

this occasion the

densest

part

of

the

THE SPRING PEEPER RICHARD DECKERT

The Voice

Spring

most

in the

of

country, as pictured by

means

us,

of the Peeper comes from Brook and

robins,

blackbirds and pussy willows.

bluebirds,

One

little

until

Pond Margin

about sundown.

As we approach

the pond, one after

another of the "Peepers" drops out

until,

messenger of spring, however, remains a mystery, although heard before the cheerful feathered songsters, and often before the willows show their gleaming

when we have reached

silvery catkins.

answered by another one nearer, and so on until the chorus has again assumed its ear-splitting fullness. Try and isolate the nearest one from the rest. As you bend down in search among the grass and

This

a tiny creature of the tree-toad

is

known under

family,

the scientific

name

commonly

called

of H\la pickeringii, and

"Spring Peeper."

Sometimes eral

days

heavy,

in icy

of

warm

February, after sev-

thawing,

followed

song

rain, his

is

by a

heard.

It

comes from brook and pond-margin, from meadows inundated by melting ice and snow, and from dark woodland

the water's edge,

the song ceases entirely.

After a few

minutes of quiet waiting, there comes a faint "peep, peep" from across the pond,

debris in the icy water, he ceases his song.

Great patience

is

necessary in order to

capture the Peeper.

cealment only, and

He sings from conmay be entirely under

penetrating note,

water among a clump of grass or moss, only his nose and eyes protruding. Upon the slightest disturbance he will slowly

heard every spring all over the Eastern United States and Southern Canada. The

draw back and creep way down among the roots. The writer has often captured

pools.

first

It is

the

singers tune

but the

full

shrill,

up

in early afternoon,

chorus does not perform

Peepers by whistling in imitation of their locating one particular voice and,

calls,

SiquaUc

104

mtt

into

The

and tearing up a handful of debris and mud. After carefully poking

cream

color,

brown

specks.

trusting to luck, plunging his

hand

the water

this apart, often a little

would be found

dark brown frog yellow un-

in its midst,

female's throat

often

After being

is

white or pale

with

spotted

in captivity for a

tiny

few days

the Peeper's dress assumes paler hues,

dersides uppermost, arms and legs tucked

some turning yellowish, others reddish

muamong

brown. In this dress the dark cross on the back and bars on the limbs show up prominently. Although the Peepers begin their singing in February, they are often interrupted by cold spells, some-

Slowly the

close to his body.

little

sician turned right side up, sitting

grass roots, moss, dead leaves, sticks and mud, too chilled to take advantage of the

His bright golden

opportunity to escape.

wonder

eyes seemed to blink in

at this

The eggs

times lasting for weeks.

seldom

therefore

week

in April.

before

laid

They

the

are first

are deposited singly,

bottom of the pond among the fine grass and debris.

Between 600 and icoo eggs are deposited by one female. The eggs are hatched in from four to fifteen days, depending upon the temperature of the water. The dropping

to

the

tadpole takes from 90 to

100 days to

turn into a baby Peeper.

The freshly when the

metamorphosed Peeper size of the adult

is

is

large

considered.

Peepers

leave the water before the last vestige of the little

Hyla Pickeringii Photograph from

life

made up

his

mind

by D. Franklin

By

sudden disturbance. to

the time he has

jump, he has been

transferred to the collecting to mystify with his

the

Reptile

House

jar, in

future

song the visitors to in

the

Bronx Zoo,

New

York.

All Peepers captured in the early spring are dark brown, almost black, in color above. Most of the specimens are

who far outnumber The male has a dark brown males,

absorbed, and these curious

midsummer, climbing around on the cattails and weeds adjacent to the pond where they spend their infancy. This shows that already their hunt for small spiders, flies, gnats, plant lice and mosquitoes has begun.

The adults are sel-

dom

summer months, among weeds, bushes and

seen during the hot

silently

hunting

tree tops.

Beginning about the last week in Aviand continuing throughout autumn,

the females.

gust,

or deep yel-

their calls will again be heard in

low throat, which can be distended into a round vocal sac of one-half the size of the Peeper himself, which explains the carrying power of his song. This is tremendous for so small a creature, and on one can hear the Peepers still nights from ponds half a mile and more distant.

tail is

tailed froglets can often be seen in

They

ows and woodlands. found

on

golden

rod,

will

purple

mead-

now

be

aster,

marshmallow and other flowering weeds, also on low bushes.

During early NoI have captured many among dead leaves on rising ground near a dried-out pond.

They were no doul)t

A'cmber

Cciiiclialed on

Page 107

;

An

Aquarium of Mahogan}?

JOSEPH

F.

Contrary to the oft-expressed opinion have found that it is in every way possible to build durable aquaria with frames I

of a

gallons

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;and

the test of years. sents a

one of metal

conform

in style,

furnishings of the

it

can be

re-

rails

top rails 2 by 2 inches to correspond with

mortises cut in the posts, being fastened

made

wood and room in which

to

finish to the it

is

to

the posts

middle

rails 5

%

with French glue and brass screws

in-

from the inside. This style of construction makes a very staunch frame serted

with

The aquarium illustrated is made of Cuban mahogany, open cabinet style, and

The

48 inches high, 39 inches long and 22 inches wide, outside measurements. The corner posts are two by two inches, and

;

thick;

be placed.

is

and bottom

the usual

The wood frame

in that

ceive the top, middle

pre-

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

they have withstood

marked advantage over

mortised on the two inner sides to

inches wide and (shelf rails bottom i^ inches thick. inches wide by support) 2^ The rails are tenoned and fit into the

wood instead of metal. I have made number of large capacity thirty to

fifty

HEILMAN

all

joints flush

details are well

on the outer side. in the accom-

shown

panying drawing, and require but brief The upper portion of the explanation. corner posts, and the top rails, are rabbeted out as shown by figure A, to receive

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

â&#x20AC;˘aqnattr Hitt

106 the glass

;

B shows

middle

the

to

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

C

sleeper frame;

the glass in relation

the

and

bottom

slate

rail,

manner

of joining

the corner posts and rails by mortise and

D

tenon; shelf

and

as in E,

on the bottom rails, around the posts,

rests

fitted

is

j4 inch narrower than the supporting rails, being brought flush with the

but

was then firmly pressed in place. Cement mixed according to this formula becomes as hard as a rock, and adheres Ordinary both slate and wood. to aquarium cement was used to set the glass sides.

The lower portion

is

(M),

posts by using ^^-inch moulding

which rail,

is

also used around the middle

The portion

of the structure that re-

the

structure

place aft'orded in which to store foods

and

tools incidental to the care of the

aquarium.

as in B.

of

can be enclosed by paneled doors, and a

open, and

mine

preferred to leave

I

at one time used the shelf for

a miniature Japanese garden.

pan made of aluminum,

I

had a

slightly smaller

than the shelf, three inches deep, with a

turned edge. In this was placed a smaller

Rocks of which formed a lake. shape were suitably arranged, ind the crevices filled with leaf mould, pan,

curious

down to the Dwarfed Japanese plants of

die landscape grading level.

lake vari-

ous kinds, about thirty species of native mosses, and some miniature Jap houses and pagodas completed the picture.

Construction Details

Lay quires the greatest consideration

is

the

frame placed snugly within and fastened the middle rails, which carries the slate and bears the entire weight of the contents of the tank when filled. Every precaution is necessary to guard against

to

spreading the outer porting frame

is

made

The

frame. of oak,

i^

sup-

inches

and 4 inches wide, the corners

thick

dove-tailed into the sides, as at Bi.

frame

is

screwed from

mahogany middle screws

On

i;>4

rail,

all

This

sides into the

the head of a fish quite open

look for the brain. surprised

when you

You see

it.

will

and

be quite

It is

singu-

larly small in proportion to the size of

the

fish.

I

have just opened the head

of a Whiting, and find that the brain

is

not larger in proportion to the volume of the

body than

ordinary-sized

walnut would be to an man.

In the specimen

a

mentioned the brain is scarcely one-third as large as one of the eyes.

Rev. J. G.

Wood.

using No. 14 brass

inches long.

Of

the frame and sleepers

I

spread a

cement of the consistency of soft putty, composed of 10 parts fine white sand, such as is used for a fine grade of sand-

their

inorganic substances, acting in

all

own proper

nature,

and without

assistance or combination, water

most wonderful.

is

the

Raskin.

paper, 10 parts plaster of paris, 10 parts litharge

and

i

part of finely

resin, all carefully

seed

oil.

The

mixed

Empty

powdered

in boiled lin-

slab of slate, lA inch thick.

is

weather

where Willi;

seat

the reason flits

;

sits, sufficient

kids can't study

toward the

fishing:

when

the

season.

;

!

:

j^lquatic JLitt

On

Gasteropelecus

The Spring Peeper

HEEDE

Concluded from Page 104

C.

J.

About two years ago the Aquarium

Company

Specialty

aquarists of of

cies

introduced

to

the

America two interesting spe-

Gasteropelecus,

Amazon

107

natives

of

the

River, of South America. These

odd fishes, G. stellatus and G. fasciatiis, have a peculiarly shaped body, very thin and very deep in proportion to the length one and one-half inches. The pectoral fins are held high and look not a little like wings dorsal placed near the tail ventrals unusually small anal long and

—

;

;

wandering up the

hill to

seek hibernating

among stones, fern roots and under the many mossy stumps. The Peeper has many enemies. Larger frogs quarters

him

eat

the

at

pond, crows, grackles,

and ducks hunt him by day, owls, herons and bitterns by night. Garter, Ribbon and Watersnakes also do starlings

their best to exterminate this bright

messenger of spring. constant

little

In spite of this

his numbers are hoped that they will

persecution,

legion,

and

remain

so.

it is

to be

in nature,

Every creature has his place and this tiny frog is of great

value for

its

aid in keeping the smaller

insects within reasonable bounds.

The Chicago Aquarium

Society, with

characteristic progressiveness, illustrates

the monthly lectures with pertinent moving pictures.

The "movies" are occasionally interrupted to flash a "Chicago G. stellatus

extending from middle of the body to the

tail.

color of the spe-

is silvery below, becoming greenish on the upper portion of the body. In fasciatus irregular dark bands run from the lateral line downward and forward.

These markings are absent in stellatus which has a dark lateral stripe that widens toward the tail. A line follows the contour of the abdomen of fasciatus,

cies

These built

fishes,

though

seemingly

for speed, are really quick

not

swim-

make attractive aquarium inThe preferred foods are Daphne,

mers, and mates.

Enchytrce, worms, scraped beef and rich

A

temperature not less than 75 degrees Fahrenheit should be maintained. artificial

my

foods.

wife, but oh

!

you aqua-

rium."

"Roses are C. A. S. fish.

red,

violets

What

I'm a

blue.

are you?"

"Aquatic Life, the magazine for us dollar per year."

One

— "Er— how

Passenger

from

land.

Captain

not so distinct in stellatus.

is

the psychologist."

"I love

The general ground

but

message such as "Fishes your hobby?

Look out for

live wireless"

G. fasciatus

Cap?" "About

—

— "A

Passenger see

it."

Captain

— "No;

far

are

we

a mile."

mile

!

Why,

I

can't

the water's too deep."

hope you have found 'Aquatic Life' and interesting." Mr. E. T. Nugent, St. Louis, answers, "Yes, sir.

Don't let me miss a number."

"I

instructive

!

aquatic JiiU

108

A monthly

magazine devoted

care and and fancy fishes, other animals and plants in the household aquarium.

POYSER JOSEPH E. BAUSMAN A.

Editor Publisher

542 E. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia.

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

Yearly Subscription $1.00 Foreign Subscriptions 1.35 2,

Copy 10 cents Payments may be made by express money Single

order, draft, post office order or registered

Foreign remittances should be by

letter.

international

money

order.

Life"

is

America devoted exclusively to aquatic life, and its value as an advertising medium in this

field

of nature study

is

unequaled.

Copyright 1917 by Joseph E. Bausman

me

like a long-lost brother.

me whether

asked I

him

told

had any

I

He

no.

He

April,

1917

No. 8

asked about the

price of the Helleri, the

Guppy, the Platy and the Retic. He told about a fish down in Chicago which bore a name that he thought was something like "Balona-six," and which took delight in shaking the life out of poor minnows.

He asked about

temperature control, breeding and requested my opinion as to

tanks,

value

the

Sagittaria

of

VaUisneria

natans

spoke

as

familiar

in

Story

With a Warning

terms

WEBBER

Never discuss tropical fishes with a book agent. The other day one called in

my

absence.

He

looked like a college stu-

His clothes were of the rah-rah type and his hat was decorated with a ribbon the color of a fried &gg. We were expecting a friend of mine whom Mrs. W. had never seen. When the book agent asked for me by name, Mrs. W. asked him inside. She gave him an easy chair in the front room.

On the table were several tanks of fishes. The agent at once had an idea. Calling in Mrs. AV., he began to ply her with cj[uestions. He stated that he had once had a round globe, in which he kept a castle, a lot of shells and two Woolworth goldfish. One day they floated to the top and died.

Mrs. W. explained to him the balanced tank, and several other things, to which dent.

He

about

Who wouldn't in a remote Wisconsin town, where the members of the family had me worked up a

I

don't think

Chicago

he

left in

I

to a

told

wrapped

man

soon

a jar of rare

in paper,

which

care of a heavy-jowled friend

with a white apron.

cago

He

friendly pitch,

him the story of

man who had

tropical fishes F. R.

and

spiralis

oxygenators.

Lcmna polyrrhi::a and Riccia fluitaiis.

Of course I warmed up to him at once.

but

A

eagerly

fishes to sell.

of the fish-verrueckt are rare?

Vol. II

I

returned the nomadic book dealer greeted

even

made known on application. the only magazine in

Advertising rates

"Aquatic

When

a rapid cross-fire of questions.

to the study, breeding of native, tropical, gold

W.

Then began

he listened with eagerness.

:aquatic JLtfe

Next day

the Chi-

He

returned.

found that the heavy-jowled person had kept the mysterious package carefully, as he had promised to do. He had kept it in the ice-box

When my

visitor

had me

in a friendly

mood he suddenly

paused, reached under his coat and pulled from an enlarged pocket a sample copy of a new book on

modern

common

Biblical criticism, written for the

people, and

of the negative

from the standpoint

critic.

He

did not

make

a sale.

Later

I

learned that every scrap of

knowledge had been gained from my wife ten minutes before. The book agent belonged to the class of people who feed crackers to scabby goldfish imprisoned in

globes set in the south window, and

!

:

PANORAMIC VIEW

A

MR. PHILLIP'S

OF

then wonder what burns holes in their

new Serobuck

and why the

rug,

fish

He may

him.

cf

moment.

It's

on you

call

mis-

Beware

erably perish without warning.

;

at

any

dangerous to be safe these

days

blue red,

ribbon,

CONSERVATORY

Joseph E.

Thomas Ayling;

Van

vellozv,

Stavern

George E.

Wilt.

Scaled Tei^Escope Blue ribbon, George E. Wilt; red, Thomas Ayling; yellozv, James Fleming. :

fishes"

The annual election of officers will be held at the April meeting, and in accord-

would be a good legend for the photograph of the conservatory of Mr. A. A.

ance with the constitution the candidates

"The home

Phillips, jr.

the

finest

of

It

luckiest

the

is

consistent that

Cjuite

collection

of

Brooklyn should disport conservatory

pointed

goldfishes

country.

the

They show their appreciation by being among die winners when Mr. Phillips enters them in a competitive exhibition.

The March meeting

of the Philadel-

phia Goldfish Fanciers' Society was held

on the 2 1st at 802 Girard avenue.

The competition was for Telescope Goldfish,

scaled

and

transparently

Messrs. Wal-

scaled, bred during 19 16.

ter G. Beeler,

Claude

Howard

E.

Demuth and

W. Ramspacher were made

appointed

awards ScAivELEss TkIvESCOpes Board of Directors silver cup to George E. Wilt;

judges and

the following :

lows

:

president,

Fred

at this

meeting as

fol-

Harry P. Peters vice Charles J. Hannig; secretary,

President,

in

in the best ap-

in

were nominated

Richardson;

;

treasurer,

Ayling; Board of Directors,

Thomas five to

be

George B. Smith, George W. Price, George E. Wilt, Dr. F. C. Lefifman, Francis X. Garcia, Claude W. Ramspacher, William J. Christy, Joseph E. Tyler, Harry J. Mackrell. elected,

The

third annual banquet

and dance on Wednesday evening.

May 9th, at Mosebach's Casino, Thirteenth and Girard avenue. will

be given

The competition at the April meeting, Wednesday evening, the i8th,

to be held

Jap goldfish, scaled and scalebred in 1916. The Charles J. Han-

will be for less,

nig cup and six ribbons will be awarded.

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Fred Richardson, Secretary.

;aquarium Societies President— RTlCHA'RD DORN Vice-President— Tin. E. BADE

The Aquarium New York

Society-

Sc'cretorj/—

of

Philadelphia

Glenhead, L.

HOWLAND WOOD

Assistant Secreiory— CLARENCE B. Treasurer—:!. P. LOWELL

Aquarium Society

Upper Montclair, N.

RUCH

LIPPINCOTT

President— H. R. Vice-President— H.

Collingswood, N. J. 135 West Wyoming Avenue P. O. Box 66, Philadelphia

FULLERTON S'ecrefarj/— WALTER LEE ROSENBERGER Treasurer— B,. L. HARDING S.

600S Master Street

1210 North Warnock Street 1225 North Randolph Street 3841 North Marshall Street 845 East Ontario Street

PETERS HANNIG RICHARDSON Treaswrer— THOMAS AYLING

President—HARB.Y P. Philadelphia Goldfish Fanciers

yice-Presi(Ze?it— CHARLES J.

Secretary/— FRED

President— JOSrEPH Brooklyn Society Incorporated

—

—

Presidents.

Chicago Aquarium Society Incorporated

H. Vice-President— H.

LINDAHL W.

CHICHESTER LLOYD

THURSBY Treasurer— G. H. FOX Secj-etar)/— CHARLES A. KLOEPPER Vice-President— A. H.

President— MA'X G. Essex County Society J.

KEEDY

Secretary— I'llEV. G. ORSINGER Treasurer— G. J. BORGSTROM. JR

Presidents.

National Society St. Louis

Newark, N,

FROEHLICH

Vice-President GEORGE W. POST Corresponding Secretary A. E. SCHIERBAUM Treasurer C. H. CHAPIN

—

— G.

Vice-President

Treasurer— JiK. Secretary—WM.

Wisconsin

Milwaukee Society

Washington

Society

.

.

.

.,173

Wiemer 39

Ridgland Avenue East Cedar Streei 123 South Oakley Blvd.

1408 North Kedzie Avenue 19

4442 Morganford Ro!*d 3005 Osage Street 5041-A Alabama Avenue 4412 Natural Bridge Road

HAMMERSCHLAG

35 85

KROG

C.

STEFFENS

Avenue

319 Bayley Avenue 325 Bayley Avenue 503 West Main Street

—F. R. WEBBER —FRANK K. BURG

Secretary Treasurer

J.

Place

Nelson

Springfield

247 Littleton Aveniu> 214 Runyon Street

FELDMAN

President— TIBORIVS SEMMANN Vice-President— E. F. KIECKHEFER Corresponding Secretary— UKV. G. KELLER Recording Secretary— UKV. PAUL KOTH

Street, Elmhurst.

Kenilworth Place

6733

WM. BACHMANN

TreosMJ-er— GEORGE

Reading Society

llSt. Francis Place Herkimer Street

52

W. LUDOLP

PresMen*— ALFRED H. Platteville Society

J.

N. Y.

I.,

156th Street and Broadwaj 615 West 155th Street 146 Grace Street, Jersey City. N. J

752% Thirty-eighth 99

RUBRECHT

Street

Seventeenth Street 999 Island Avenue 2602 Prairie Street 950 First Street

AQUARIUM STOCK CO 150 Chambers Street

New York

::

A gnarium

Specialists

GOLDFISH, FOODS, PLANTS, SNAILS, ETC. Combination Natural Fish Food - Sample Can 10c Sample Can 15c Imported Shrimp Fish Food Large Sample Box 10c Imported Wafer Fish Food Cash With Order

Special Prices on Quantity Lots

Catalogue Sent Upon Request

Orders amounting $2

New Aquarium Book

City

This richly illustrated volume is of highly practical value to every aquarist, no matter

what

Goldfish culture in

his specialty.

in detail.

postpaid.

delivered

It will

Mail

promptly attended

orders

all

branches: magnificent photographs of prize-winning specimens, etc., etc.

Gives the only comprehensive list of 300 tropical fishes, their breeding habits, required temperature, food and general care its

be entitled

to.

GOLDFISH

VARIETIES

AND

TROPICAL AQUARIUM FISHES

Mice

Broad-tails ALL COLORS.

IX If

you want

soiiietliing:

write me.

g:oo(1,

By Wm.

Sent anywhere up:>n receipt of price, by the publishers.

answered.

All oorres|»onclence

1225

J.

$.'l.((0,

INNES & SONS 129

Cnas.

T. Itines

-

N.

135

12tK

Street

Hannig Pnilaaelpnia

NORTH RANDOLPH STREET. PHILADELPHIA. )OOOCZ=iC

JOOCX

rCXX3C

OFFICIAL .JOl'RNAL N.AT I HE-STUDY SOCIKTY

AMKRICAN

Cheaper Than Ever!

(While they

last.)

The numbers

TROPICAL FISH. .Kiphoi)h()rns striaatiis, eaeh

50c.

IMatypoecilia rubra, each

3oc.

each Pish, each

50e.

rerio,

I'arailise

for the coming school year be filled with special articles from pracactual works, tical teachers dealing with n-elhods and suggest'ons for school gardening, elementary agriculture and naturewill

Acauthophaoehis retleulatus, each

Danio

/Rature &tuDp Eebifto

tirtif

7oc.

if

and and and and

.25

.25 .25

study.

.35

.50

SI. 00

Add

for

I'oMfaKe. ^ianittaria

plants,

L.

FISH

449

BRIND,

— An

VV.

Phone before

F. Z.

2<MStli

New York calling!

!iOc.

I.'ic

I'ostaKC,

per cop.v. lOc.

ForeiK"

With Aquatic Life One $l..50.

.05

exhaustive illustrated work on Tropical Pish and Gold Pish.

Price, $2. OS, or with supplement Supplement (payable in advance), $2.60. alone will cost $1.00 after publication.

W.

.vear.

Year,

each

.10 Ueal Italian Vallisneria Plants Flowering Ca.vptocor.vne, Ver.v rare 1.00 Griftithsi and C. Willisia, each .05 Water Perns, each .10 Salvinia bogotensis, portion 2 for r.rind's "Best-Yet" fish food,

DOMESTICATED

|>i'r

Ciinadian

S..

St.,

Cit.v.

St.

Nicholas S41S.

ITHACA,

N. Y.

BETTER CUTS AT ^BETTER PRICES^ PROMPT SERVICE GUARANTEED

IfliTTTTilvJTfTTJn^Uffl ARTISTS ''ENGRAVERS

44

N.4iy

»«

PHOTOGRAPHERS

STREET PHILA.

SEND FOR SAMPLESa^^PRICES THEY WIILINTEREST YOU

HALLER'S Šatt^ fountain TBitD ^tore

"AQUARIA FISH" A

practical

fish

in tlie

work on care and breeding of Aquarium, Greenliouse and out-

door Ponds.

Every one

Finely illustrated.

Wholesale and Retail Importer and Dealer

interested in keeping fish should send for a copy of this liook. Price. $1.

Four-Horned Snails (Ampullaria Gigas) deposit a mass of large coral red eggs out of the water, the little snails drop into the water as they hatch. These snails are invaluable for destroying Hydra in the aqua-

Genuine Hartz Mountain

CANARIES Gold Fish, Globes, Pigeons, Pet Dogs, Dog

rium.

Medicine, Poultry Supplies

Thoroughbred

Pups,

Collie

beautifully Full Line of Best Imported

marked.

TAPPAN

F. L. 92

S.

7th Street, Minneapolis, Minn.

THE BRUCE FISHERIES Breeder, Importer, Wholesale

for $1.00 Postage Postpaid

Henri Wagner, 1909 North

German Bird Seeds Always on Hand

1108 VINE STREET CINCINNATI, OHIO

TEN VARIETIES OF BEAUTIFUL AQUARIUM PLANTS J.

in

& St.Andreasburg

Comets a

Washington, D. C.

ELGIN

Retail Dealer in

Kinds of Goldfish

All

Capitol

&

Specialty

BRUCE, THORNBURG,

K.

lA.

THE TERMINAL PET SHOP

TTiomas A3)ling

PETS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION AND KIND

FINE BROAD-TAIL TELESCOPES Some Nice Young and

Breeders

at

Manufacturing and Maintenance of Aquariums a Specialty

AH Kinds

Reasonable Prices

of Cat and Dog Foods and Medicines

HUDSON TERMINAL BUILDING 845 East Ontario Street

PKiladelpKia

CARL LAZER Dealer and Breeder of Tropical Fishes

Red

Aquarium Plants

Snails

Kinds of Aquaria and Supplies Open Evenings Only, or by Appointment 647 West 184th Street New York City, N. Y All

DRIED SHRIMP St.

George's Natural Fish Food. $1.50 lb.

Add postage to your zone can, 15 c

Sample

CANADIAN BIRD STORE, West Van Buren

Chicago.

Street.

86 Su3)dam

Street :: Brooklyn, N. T. Near Evergreen Avenue L Station

111.

PLANTS

FISHES

and Importer of

Calicos

Japs

go anywhere to construct aquatic gardens Write for illustrated price list.

PIONEER AQUARIUM CO., Racine, Wisconsin

Don't paddle eyes.

water with one hand and be blind with both words "keep your eyes open for all nature.

in the

In other

Fan-tails

AND

SUPPLIES

"

Our Magazine

^^t

Dealer in All Varieties of Aquatic Plants All Kinds of Fish Foods Fresh and Dried Daphnia

AQUARIA, UTENSILS

ALL SUPPLIES

We

TROPICAL & GOLDFISHES Telescopes

Pa.

EVERYTHING IS FISH THAT COMES TO THE NET OF A NATURALIST

Otto Walter Breede7-

EVERYTHING COMPLETE FOR THE AQUARIUM, POND AND LAKE ^ Wyoming Avenue, Zr C Street, Phila., SEND FOR PRICE LISTS

For home, conservatory and lawn. Beautiful and durable. Any size made to order.

;

2139

FRANKLIN BARRETT

AQUARIUMS OF ARTISTIC DESIGNS

Utility Food for Fishes. pound, coarse. 75c. fine ground, $1.

The General Per

New York

Concourse,

CBuide

\ti

Will Help

jRaturr

You

It is edited by EDWARD F. BIGELOW, who fishes in the heavens and earth, as well as the waters under the earth.

Four months'

trial,

;35c.

One

year, $1.00

THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION ArcAdiA Sound Beach

O. M.

inners

Co.

S.

My (Not 123

Look

our advprtispinpiit

for

Telescope

Goldfish were firsts and three special prizes at the last annual exhiliition of the Acinarium Society held in the American Mtisenm of Natural History, New York. Young- stock from these fine fish for sale during the coming' season.

Watch my future ads.

awarded

Inc.)

Oakley Blvd., Chicago,

S.

Broad-tail

in

Illinois

next

the

niiinhei'!

We

Otto Gneiding's Goldfish Hatchery) will offer a eolleetion of beautiful and live-bearing' tropieal fishes:

SI

interesting'

—

XIPHOrHORUS HELLKRI PHALLOPTYCHUS JAXUAKIUS

:t7

Depot Ave., Rid^efield Park. N.

J.

WALTER BELL

LEBISTKS RETICULATUS

Breeder of 25roatr

3IOLLIENISIA I.ATIPIXNA

-

'^Tf Ie0cope0

tail

BLUES

charge.

Shipments will begin in as soon as the weather permits.

May

or

BLACKS CALICOS 4324 WYALUSING AVENUE, PHILADELPHIA Spawn For Sale Now

We

selected

GEORGE'S GOLDFISH SHOP

Sufficient

you

start

specialize

stock

and

Valli ineria

Anacharis

(to

right), will be included without

exotic

in

fishes

of

and a(inarium-raised plants.

(15olDCt0^ of ^11 Pattetie0 George's Imperial Fish Food 10c Postpaid Dried Shrimp Box lOc, per pound 60c :

:

N.

I.

X.

li.

W. i:iO«

&

Japs,

Regular and liaby

E.

10<'.

IJox

WALP PHILADELPHIA

LORQUINIA— The Naturalist's Monthly of the Southwest Is published monthly by the Lorquiii Natural History Club, and contains original observations of naturalists, particularly of the West.

Associate Membership, including subscription, $1.50 a year.

LORQUIN NATURAL HISTORY CLUB. 1051

West 23

Street,

All

All Supplies Street, Philadelphia

SCHMID

S.

Emporium

$2 per 100 Eggs

Fisiil'ootl,

NORTH 55TH STREKT

Plants Aquaria W. 60th and De Lancey

EDWARD

GOLDFISH SPAWN From Choice Telecopes

:

of Pets

Kinds of Goldfishes and Aquatic Plants

Water Lilies 712 Twelfth Street, N. W., Washington, D. Taxidermy Send for Catalog

Fine

Telescopes BLACK & CALICO

Broad-tail

Correspondence Solicited

GEORGE WILT,

1519

Kf.

62nd

ONCE YOU TRY, YOU ALWAYS BUY

Use Regenia Aquarium

Gnadt's Perfect Fish Food, 10c box Pulverized or Whole Shrimp, 7 c. lb.

To replace the natural salts in your ium as absorbed by the fishes and

Manufacturer of Fish nets

made

all

kinds of aquariums

of finest netting, loc.

Great reduction by dozen or gross.

BROADWAY p.

F.

1632 Broadway

BIRD STORE

GNADT,

Proprietor

Greenhouse, 1630 Broadway

BROOKLYN,

N.

Y.

Street

PHILADELPHIA

Los Angeles, Cal.

BREEDER OF FANCY GOLD AND TROPICAL FISHES

C.

Salts a(iuarsnails.

Excellent for plants. Help the snails form Benefits the tish. B!)x of Six Powshell.

For sale at Pet Stock stores ders, livie.

Violet-Ray Fish

Remedy

Relieves Constipation, Fundus, Tail Kot, Consestion. Safe and effective. Box of Six Powders. "iZtc. For sale nt Pet Stock Stores, or address

REGENIA CHEMICAL CO. Station K.

Philadelphia

QOCZ>C=)CIOOC

— —

tnrmr

-irwii'

— — — HARRY P. PETERS

Qocir)ooo<

8

§

)oooc^(

)cx30i

1210 N. Warnock

[]

y g n

58th and Walnut Streets

8

Aquarium Fishes

times.

Wholesale and Retail

Green River Fish Food

U

lOc Box

8

a

Green River Baby Fish Food

o

n

15c Box

n

A

GOOD

most

-^.rmrti

lOOOOOOCXXJCZDOOOC:

DOCXDCTDOOOOOOi

innn<

large assortment of splendid Telescope

and Jap goldfish

JAPANESE GOLDFISH

.Shipping

Direct From Breeders

in

ir-

3000000000I

3>OCJOCXDOC

Dealers

:

irmn.

irv-mi

>i

reeaers Breed .V

and

one of the

is

things

im-mi

OOOOOOOOOC

1749 Buchanan Street, San Francisco, Cal :

FOOD

FISH

essential

Nippon Goldfish Go Importers

at reasonable prices.

Cans,

S5 Tents.

Japan

HARRY 1210

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PETERS

WARNOCK

STREET

PHILADELPHIA -joooc^sc

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HERMAN RABENAU, B

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Awarded Gold and Silver Medals

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Panama-Pacific International Exposition

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San Francisco, 1915

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ALL KINDS OF AQUARIA AND SUPPLIES

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Price Lists Furnished to the Trade Only

Aquatic Life must be seen

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& Terraria

to be appre:iated

Visitors

Welcome

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Plants and Tropical Fish a Specialty

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Importations of

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Aquarist

PERMANENT DISPLAY OF

New

Varieties received

regularly

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necessary to After the o keep fish in good health.

9 test of years Green River stands out It as the best food on the market. y 8 keeps the fish in good color by pron moting a healthy, robust growth.

It 8 will not sour or cloud the water. Ask Lvour dealer or send for it today.

Supplies

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MANUFACTURER OF

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All Kinds of Aquatic Plants

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Plants of every variety, Snails and Aqnariiim Supplies of all kinds at all

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Street

Philadelphia

Aquaria

Street, Philadelphia,

BREEDER AND IMPORTER Rare and Fancy Fish

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FLORISTS South 52nd

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GOLDFISH BREEDERS

110

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Myrtle

Avenue,

LNear llfiS

Brookb

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Broadwa.v.

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