Title: Annual report of the Commissioner of Fisheries to the Secretary of Commerce for the fiscal year ended ..
Identifier: annualreportofco2223unit (find matches)
Year: 1923 (1920s)
Authors: United States. Bureau of Fisheries
Subjects: Fisheries
Publisher: Washington : G. P. O.
Contributing Library: MBLWHOI Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MBLWHOI Library

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V. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES. SUITABLE AQUARIAL PLANTS. Among the most suitable plants for an acjuarium are anacharis and fanwort. Anacharis, Anacharis canadensis gigantea (Fig. 1), is a food oxygenator and at the same time provides forage for goldfish, 'anwort, Cdbomba caroUniana (Fig. 2), is a very hardy species and thrives well in small aquaria.- It is ever- green, will grow from cuttings, especially the forked joints, and a branch planted in the sand at the bottom of an aquarium will produce roots. These plants are very common, and sup- plies can usually be pur- chased from goldfish dealers. Other desirable aquarial plants are willow moss, Fontinalis antipyratica (Fig. 3), and arrowhead, Sagit- taria Tiatans (Fig. 4). Very beautiful aquatic gardens may be made by a proper selection of plants. A frequentl)^ used and very hardy and beautiful plant is the hornwort, Ceratophyllum. demersum (Fig. 5), but it requires careful atten- tion, as it is liable to decay and contaminate the water. Moreover it is donnant in the winter and has only decorative value at that period. Ludwigia, Ludwigia glandulosa (Fig. 6), is highly prized for its fine appearance in the aquarium and is easily propagated from cuttings. BALANCED AQUARIUM. When the relations of plant life and animal life in an aquarium are properly proportioned the aquarimn is said to be self-sustaining or balanced, and under such a condition the water requires no change. Filling in to make up for what has evaporated is all that is necessary; or, if preferred, about half the water may be drawn off through a siphon and a similar amount of fresh, aerated water added. Dm'ing very warm weather this will probably have to be done about once a month. If the water should become vitiated at anytime the aqua- rium must be thoroughly cleansed and the entire water supply renewed, the fish first having been removed to another vessel. When fish become restless and rise to the surface of the water to breathe, it indicates that the oxygen supply in the aquarium is insufficient. Relief may be given them by dipping up and pouring back some of the water.
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Fig. 1.—Anacharis (Anacharis canadensis gigantea). One-half natural size. A good oxygenator; grows rapidly; thrives with or without roots when set in pebbles or sand: may be pur- chased of dealers. This is considered the most satisfactory plant for the amateur aquarist.

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