File:The complete aquarium book; the care and breeding of goldfish and tropical fishes (1936) (20678302981).jpg

Title: The complete aquarium book; the care and breeding of goldfish and tropical fishes
Identifier: completeaquarium00inne (find matches)
Year: 1936 (1930s)
Authors: Innes, William T. (William Thornton), 1874-1969
Subjects: Aquariums; Goldfish
Publisher: New York, Halcyon house
Contributing Library: MBLWHOI Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MBLWHOI Library

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CHAPTER EIGHT
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3*S The Microscope in Aquarium Work Aquarium work in general and fish breeding in particular can be made both more interesting and more successful by the use of a micro- scope. For most purposes a very cheap instrument is satisfactory. In fact, a low power lens is preferable to a high in examining water for microscopic fish food. All aquaria contain various beautiful and highly interesting forms of microscopic life, some harmful, some negative, but mostly beneficial to fishes. The constant changing of varieties and quantities presents a vast field for new study, but we are here mostly concerned with the practical points of raising young fishes. On page 78 we refer to the use of infusoria as food. To determine the presence of this food, touch the tip of the finger lightly to the surface of the water, preferably to the side nearest the source of light. This is because they are mostly at the surface and they seek the light. Place this drop on a glass slide and observe under a good magnifying glass or a low-power microscope. The latter is rather preferable, as the focus can be changed as required, and it is fitted with a mirror to facilitate observation. In the absence of a microscope the small pocket folding lens known as a "thread counter" will do. In using this the frame of the counter should be laid directly on the glass contain- ing the drop of water, and the whole placed over a mirror held at the proper angle to reflect light upwards, but too strong a light should not be used. A little experimenting will soon show the best light to work by. The creatures which are of value as food to newly hatched fishes are generally of a size just too small to be detected by the naked eye, or at most they look like specks of dust. At the same time they are plainly observable under a good magnifying glass or low-power microscope. There is a great deal of life in the water of a smaller size than will be shown in this way and which probably has no food value to fishes. The high- power microscope would show many of these organisms and thus be apt to deceive the inexperienced observer as to the actual food value contained

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