FISH KEEPING ISA POPULAR HOBBY

Wanganui Chronicle, 22 April 1950, Page 6

FISH KEEPING ISA POPULAR HOBBY

Keeping fish is a hobby that has become increasingly popular in New Zealand. There has always been a large number of aquarium enthusiasts, but during the last few years the hobby has attracted many more followers. Water Garden and Aquarium Societies cater for all those who keep fish, but it is usually those with a large collection who are members. However, it is estimated that there are thousands of people in New Zealand who have their own small aquariums or bowls and are not members of a particular society.

Enthusiasts either collect cold water fish or tropical varieties. In Wanganui the former are favoured. Collectors in many other parts of the Dominion deal mainly with tropical fish. One V anganui fish collector, who has a big collection of both cold water and tropical varieties is Mr. R. Taylor, V. anganui East. Mr. Taylor said yesterday that one of the main reasons why Wanganui enthusiasts do not keep tropical fish is because the water has to be heated to a certain temperature. However, he said that once the right temperature is obtained there is no difficulty in keeping these fish, which are less susceptible to disease than the cold water varieties. Tropical fish are generally smaller and a tank which holds one or two goldfish can be used for about 12 or more tropical varieties. Mr. Taylor has tropical fish from Australia, Mexico, India, China, Paraguay, South America, and Siam. Among his collection are Siamese fighting fish, which build nests. Nowadays it is possible to obtain tropical specimens from breeders in New Zealandt The hobby has made such progress that a number of big commercial dealeis have started businesses.

Certain fishes are not allowed in the country as the authorities are frightened that they would be dangerous if they happened to be liberated. In some countries fish have been imported to keep down mosquitos. This they •have done, but they have also attacked and destroyed game fish. Among i the popular tropical fish are the Mexican sword tail. The female, being a livebearer, drops from five to 150 young at a time. Of the cold water species goldfish are the most popular with enthusiasts, with Shubunkins a close second. The latter, a member of the gold fish family, is a multi-coloured fish, hardy and easy to breed. It is popular because of its colouration. Veiltail goldfish are another sought-after fish. Unless one wishes to obtain the rarer kinds, fish keeping as a hobby, is not expensive. Tropical fish cost more than cold water fish and like anything else these days, one has to pay for the better object. The average size of tanks kepi by aquarium is 2ft. by l f t. by lfc. The tnl a hold about 12 gallons i Of water awl collectors reckon that

there should bp one body inch of fish to each gallon. It is better to have small fish than large lish in an aquarium as big lish soon use up the oxygen.

Special species of snails are put in aquariums mainly to eat food not wanted by the fish. In other tanks snails are not kept because they might eat the breeding eggs. Much time is needed to make a success of the hobby. The fish are fed on a variety of foods witii special attention to a balanced ’diet, which should include salts, carbohydrates and