Home › Contents › The Aquarium

The Aquarium

A GREAT deal of amusement can be derived from an Aquarium. When boys (and men for that matter) go to the sea-side they are very fond of picking up little crabs or small fish, sea anemones and such like animals. But the "fit" soon wears off, so we would not counsel any one to set up either a fresh-water or a salt-water aquarium unless he is prepared to give it his attention. Now, supposing our young reader has made up his mind to look after his tanks and the inhabitants thereof, let us first see what sort of a tank or aquarium he had best procure.

The majority of people think that a glass case which "admits plenty of light, you know," is the correct thing wherein to keep fishes and marine animals. That this is a mistake a little consideration ought to prove. Such beings as we wish to keep in our marine aquaria do not want too much light, the sun's rays reflected blindingly through the crystal sides of their prison is torture to marine animals. If we study the habits of many of the common objects of the shore, we find that they are apt to hide themselves beneath stones or weeds. The sea anemones will die in the sunny heat, and to live comfortably must have a recurring grateful splashing over them as when the tide advances upon them. Much light will also encourage the too rapid growth of the plants and weeds which are so necessary (in moderation) in an aquarium, but when they grow too fast become injurious. A round globe-like vessel is even worse than an oblong tank, for it is deeper and presents less surface to the air so the water gets exhausted; its oxygen is consumed more quickly than it can be replaced, and the fishes die.

Now if, on the other hand, we provide very large vessels we may take up too much room, so in our opinion a series of medium sized, or even small receptacles is by far the best method. But if size be no object, then let the tank present a large surface to the air, and let the great light be excluded from the sides; the front, if left free, should be turned from the window. It is only common sense that the nearer we approach the conditions in which our pets would naturally live, the happier they will be. Bearing this in mind, let us now get on and see what we can find to stock our cases. Of course, sea-weeds! Perhaps, for most kinds of these algae are not suitable. Iudeed, Mr. Wood says, "As a general rule the young aquarium keeper may reject almost every sea-weed that he finds, and to this rule there are but very few exceptions." The reason for this positive opinion doubtless is because most sea-weeds give out a slimy matter and at times an offensive smell. They are not long lived, and though pretty when fresh, as all sea-side visitors can testify, in a tank they are not desirable. So we may pass all the red varieties as unsuitable, the browns are not much better. The greens are decidedly best, and of these the species called "Green Laver" (4), by some people, and from which jelly is frequently made, is the commonest and best. It is a broad frill-like plant, most useful as well as ornamental in our aquaria, for it purifies the water by giving out oxygen. You will see this weed at work, and notice the beads of air collecting upon the leaves. There are two or three other green algae which can be used, such as the fan-like cladophora (2), which, when placed in water, will open--for all it sticks so closely at first--and then a number of tiny animals useful for your aquarium will be found clinging to the roots and leaves. So much to indicate the algae. The great attractions to the casual observer of an aquarium are the fish and anemones, and the proper kind of fish must be secured. A small trawling-net or dredging-net will soon capture a number of tiny fish in the rock-pools. All kinds of flat fish may be taken without any trouble, and if any boy will wade out with a shrimper he will thus procure numerous specimens. The pagge, a very prickly-looking animal, may thus be procured as well as prawns, shrimps, and other things. The pagge is also known as the bull-head, or lyric. The gunnel, mullet, bunny, and skulpins may all be taken for the aquarium. The goby is a small fish and easily recognised by his adhesive powers, for their central fins from a "sucker" by which they can adhere to any object. There are the pipe-fish, too, but we have indicated sufficient, and must leave to the industrious aquarium-keeper the pleasant and healthy task of searching for the fish themselves.

But we have not got half way through our list of objects suited for the marine aquarium. There are numerous molluscs and crustacea which we can easily procure. The whelk, whose eggs can be hatched in the aquarium, and the small and very pretty top-shells. The periwinkle, limpets, and many others can be introduced easily; the squid, which is related to the terrible cuttle-fish, can also be taken, and its habits will be found very interesting to observe. We must pass rapidly on to the crustacea. These will suggest themselves to every one. Crabs, lobsters, and shrimps all come under this denomination. Of these the hermit-crab is well suited for our purpose. There are spider-crabs, fiddler-crabs, and green-crabs, all of which can be procured, but the green-crab requires watching, for if he gets the chance of escape he will be off and wandering over the house very soon. If such crabs be kept a stone, or island, should be provided upon which they can take a little walking and open-air exercise. We must necessarily pass over many interesting species of annelids, and say a few words about the star-fish, particularly the well-known "five-finger." It is well worth observation, and many experiments can be made with it to put its progressive powers to the test. But the aquarium-keeper must not put it in the same tank with other animals. It will drag your molluscs from their shelly houses and devour them. The five-finger is a very rapacious animal indeed, as fishermen know, and in revenge fishermen cut a five-finger in half. This drastic method will not cure the evil, for the mutilated star-fish in a short time becomes two five-fingers, and the result is scarcely that which was anticipated. Fresh water and a cool dark place are essential to their well-being. The "brittle-star" is another common kind. It is a hairy-looking specimen with five long rays or fingers, and if alarmed will break itself all to pieces to save its life, as the Irishman did "by dying in prison," we suppose The anemones are very beautiful objects in an aquarium, of which the beadlet, and the dahlia wartlet; the former can be recommended, but we should hesitate to adopt the latter as he is so very greedy, and besides, rather too large for a moderate sized tank. Jelly-fish can also be taken, but beware of the stinging medusa or stanger. This gentleman can sting at a long distance away by means of his thin thread-like tentacles which contain a subtle-poison. But jelly-fish will not live many days in an acquarium. As a fact, all the objects you, my young reader, may collect will surely expire quickly if attention be not paid to them; so if you wish to study their habits you must be very careful, and be sure food and fresh, or rather renovated, water is regularly supplied. Practice in your search along shore will soon render you observant and quick in detecting new beauties; diligent study will make you acquainted with the requirements of your pets, and you will be more and more delighted and reverent when you have thus obtained an insight into the wonderful book of Nature.