FISH AS PETS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20827, 20 March 1931, Page 18

FISH AS PETS.

A HOME AQUARIUM.

FREAKS AND CURIOSITIES.

THE CARE OF GOLDFISH. 'A large and well-stocked aquarium, ac'Commodated in a house at Stanley Bay, reve.-ils many fascinating facts concerning the life and habits of fresh water and sea-water denizens. Many of the beautiful fringe tail and fan-tail goldfish, Japanese Paradise fish, cat fish and opal fish that swim gracefully among the waterweeds are more in the nature of pets than specimens and are affectionately known to their owner by domestic names, such as John, the eel, Tommy, Bill and Hoppy, the newt.

The owner of this model home aquarium, Mr. W. E. Sinclair, of Second j\venue, Stanley Bay, has studied the habits of fish in many parts of the globe nrid speaks authoritatively on the subject of fish culture. As some people keep grevhounds, Persian cats and white mice, bo ho keeps the smaller varieties of underwater life, examining their mode of existence, their gastronomical likes and dislikes, their social habits, their individual "fads and eccentricities.

In one corner of the aquarium is the .hospital tank, in which ailing members of the fish family uro quarantined while receiving medical attention and a conTalescent diet. A little while ago Mr. Sinclair performed a major operation on Hoppy, the newt, whose front limb was i broken in a. combat with a Japanese miniature turtle. Tho foot was neatly Amputated and in a few weeks tho fish had not only mado c. completo recovery but had grown a new limb into the bargain. Under-Water Combats. 1 of these tiny water creatures aro tbrriblo fighters, for example, tho blennies, which are only an inch in length and show their mettle by gripping each other viciously, in their jaws. So destructiye aro their battles that Mr. Sinclair has had to place them in separate tanks and thero they will remain until their bellicoso ardour cools off.

"Most people," said Mr. Sinclair yesterday, ."believe that tho piko is tho eternal enemy of tho trout and the shark jwill always eat whitings, of which they are notoriously fond, but that is not always tho case. If tho piko finds his tank already occupied bv the trout ho will li\c in peace with his enemy, and whitings aro perfectly safe if they aro the original occupants of a tank afterwards mado tho homo of a shark. Both of theso voracious fish seem to respect the first inhabitants." Mr. Sinclair is severely condemnatory of the way the majority of people keep goldfish. "It is positively harmful to change the water in which goldfish live," he said. "As you know, Auckland water is chlorinated before it conies out of the tap, and tho chomicals, although harmless to us, act. like poison on tho fish. By changing the water every day thousands of goldfish are poisoned to death, for you are simply replenishing the chemicallyimpregnated water. This is tho main reason <vhy so rnanv people find -it difficult to keep their fish alive. It is like putting human beings into u chamber charged with mustard gas. Tho Way to Keep Goldfish.

"The proper way to keep goldfish, ' ho added, "is to place a thick layer of gravel in the bottom of the tank and allow water weeds to grow in it. The plants, by the natural process, absorb the nitrogen and carbon monoxide given off by the fish and produce fresh oxygen to replenish the water. By properly 'balancing tho tank' in this way the water can be kept fresh for ten yoars if you like. r lhe water in my tanks has not been changed for a year and it is in perfect condition. In fact, it is worth about 5s a pint to a fish culturist, because it is matured and has no trace of chemicals in it."

The universal practice of keeping goldfish in round-shaped bowls is attacked by Mr. Sinclair, whot describes them as "torturo chambers." The round glass bowl distorts tho vision of the fish and pre vents them from enjoying a happy, healthy life. "1 refuse to have anything to do with anybody who comes to me for advice with a round glass bowl," lie said. "Not only does that sort of bowl distort the vision, but it lets in the light from oil sides, which is contrary to natural water conditions, and prevents the growth of water plants, which are essential to a healthy fish life. The natural tank is rectangular, closed on all sides except tho top and one side, through which jou can observe the fish." The Role ol the Water Snail. "Mr. Sinclair has his aquarium fitted ,with window blinds, which lie lowers when the sunlight is strong. Tho water in each tank has some duck weed growing on the surface, as this plant is ail article of food in tho diet Qf the caip family, and water snails in each tank serve"the useful purpose of scavengers and "window cleaners," as they consume discarded food and keep the glass of tho tanks clean . Periodically, Mr. Sinclair pays a visit to Lake Pnpuke, Tnkapuna, to gather •water worms on which to feed his fish. He keeps them alive in a special soil tank in the garden, and every evening gathers b. quant it v for the nightly sacrifice. He feeds the'fish in one corner of (lie tank, *o that they become accustomed to a. regular feeding place, and about 6 o clork tho excitement in ilio fish colony is reminiscent of feeding-time at tho Zoo. "As a matter of fact," he volunteered, ,"vou' could leave certain of theso fish Without food for a month, as thfcy can find plenty to eat among the water plants and gravel. Carp and goldfish need be fed only once a week, provided you have 'the right sort of tank and the water is pioporly matured. The other fish must lio fed every night." John, the Intelligent Eel.

John, tlio intelligent eel, is 6in. long and is a playful child only two years old. Ho will probably live until lie is 100. lie bas been trained to take his food out of a box fitted with a hinged lid, which be first pushes up with his nose. John has some privileges denied to his fellow inmates of the aquarium, for he is occasionally taken for a run in the. garden. lien the grass is wet he races round the lawn like ono possessed, travelling faster than a man can walk. In one of the tanks is the rare gambusia, a viviparous iisli, whoso young are born alive like those of animals. It is one of nature's anomalies and a inuchprized curiosity. Then there is tlio tiny fish that roosts like a hen when it sleeps, the goldfish with "celestial telescopes," which are protruding myopic eves that point upward, Japanese newts with bright red bellies, the larva of the praying mantis, which attacks fish with its brutal claws, employed like slashing swords, and the cat fish, with antennae like a cat's whiskers. All these fish and many others beside form a very happy and highly-treasured family. • Some of the specimens have been imported from tropical countries thousands of miles away, and the care and devotion lavished upon them alone accounts for their beautiful condition and general air of sprightliness. Fish, it is clear, respond to good treatment liko any other pi God's creatures.