[Short Notices]

Abstract

HERE are the main principles of fish-keeping and of the plants and animals suitable to an aquarium. Let it be square; cover the bottom with sand, then loam, and plant it with carefully sterilized vegetation. Scatter the surface with pebbles, fill up and place it in the best light, taking care to cover with a glass plate to keep out dust the organisms prefer vita-glass. When growth has commenced, introduce a few snails as scavengers, change ten per cent of the water weekly and remove debris. When all is well, introduce the fish, which must not be crowded. A pond may be constructed on the same principles and has the great advantage that the small crustaceans, insect larvae, worms and other life will provide the necessary fish-food. For an indoor tank recourse must be had to dried foods, the best of which consist of the natural food dried, with small parts of meat, biscuit, egg and vegetable powder. We also catch live crustaceans but any good food will do, provided that too much is not given. Chapters deal with the food and ailments of fish we have found flavine most useful for fungus and the plants are shown in thirty illustrations. This is a charming little book.

Aquariums and Fishponds

By A. Laurence Wells. (Warne's Information Series.) Pp. 64. (London and New York: Frederick Warne and Co., Ltd., 1936.) 1s. 6d. net.