Title: Aquatic life
Identifier: aquaticlife219161917baus (find matches)
Year: 1916-1917 (1910s)
Authors: Bausman, Joseph E
Subjects: Aquariums; Fish culture
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. E. Bausman
Contributing Library: Harvard University, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Ernst Mayr Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Harvard University, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Ernst Mayr Library

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62 Aquatic JLitt (Opercularia), when introduced on water plants will live indefinitely in aquaria, appearing as many thread-like masses covering the vegetation. Their points of interest, however, are best dis- covered with a microscope. Hydra, the water polyp, a tube-like animal with tentacles, in structure allied to the sea anemones, when it has been introduced will grow widely over the
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Marsilia or Water Clover entire aquarium for a great length of time, and when it does disappear may be looked for later. Its movements dur- ing the capture and digestion of small animalcules are interesting. Mature goldfish seldom harm them, due to their stinging properties, and to the fact that they may contract into small jelly-like masses, difficult to remove from the walls of the aquarium. In a tank con- taining fry of goldfish they are as a scourge, killing all that come in contact with the tentacles. Both the freshwater sponge and Hydra grow well on Blodea. For those who teach zoology a hydra acjuarium is of great value. An excellent natural food for fishes is found in the small Crustacea which rapidly appear in stagnating water, or water to which decaying plant remains are added, and then covered. They may thus be grown as desired, and later given to the fishes. Most of the fresh water snails, Physa and Lymnaea, and particu- larly the latter, while doing well in the aquarium, will, if their numbers are un- checked, consume the vegetation. Forms of animal life which have not received much attention, and which are well worth a trial in aquaria are the freshwater mussels, which are found in a great many gravel-bottomed, unpol- luted streams. Among the species best adapted to aquarium life are the Big- Blue Point (Aiubleina rariplicata), Monkey Face (Oiiadnila), and Heel- splitter (Lasfcna siiborbiciilata). They will survive only when the size of the aquarium is such that extensive aeration takes place. Their movements will in- terest all—the protrusion of the curious foot from the shell for locomation, and of the tube-like syphon for the purpose of drawing in the food and air-bearing water. An animal holding its own in aciuaria, and of interest on account of its out- side gills while in the immature stage, is the salamander (Aiiiblystoma), secured along brooks and in ponds. It is, how- ever, apt to depopulate the aquarium of its smaller inhabitants. The extremely thin surface layer of water in contact with the air accjuires physical properties comparable to those of a fine membrane. This is demon- strated when a quantity of Daphne is placed in an aquarium. Unless the water is agitated some will be entangled in the film, and, unable to descend, will perish. If one from below should swim too close to the surface, it too will become entan- gled, float aboA'e water, and meet a like fate. It is this film that enables one to float a needle.

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