The Aquarium 3/35 1895

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.

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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.

Correspondence

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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

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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.

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A.

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Published monthly Subscription $1.00 per year.

cents, prepaid

Price, 25

by

Address

mail.

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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

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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-