CHAPTER FOUR 



Diseases and Their Treatment 





Even in a state of Nature fishes are sometimes attacked by disease 

 and parasitic enemies. It is little wonder, then, that aquarium fishes, 

 weakened by inbreeding and kept under artificial conditions, should be 

 subject to a number of maladies. The wonder is that the majority of 

 the diseases can, under the circumstances, be successfully treated. 



Half the battle is won by taking the trouble in time. The aquarist 

 should always be on the alert to detect when his pets are a little out 

 of condition. This is shown by listless movements, loss of appetite, 

 drooping dorsal fin (when the fish is in the habit of holding it erect), 

 congested or frayed fins, white slime on body and bubbles in the excre- 

 ment. When a fish is even suspected of being in doubtful condition it 

 should be observed carefully for a day or two, and, if improvement is not 

 noted, given the required treatment— promptly. 



Affected fishes should be immediately removed from their fellows. 

 There is always the possibility that they are suffering from a contagious 

 disease which may quickly spread. Great care should be exercised not 

 to use the same nets in handling sick and well fishes unless they are 

 sterilized after exposure to disease germs. 



Salt Treatment. Most of the disease-producing bacteria of fresh 

 water are unable to live in moderate salt solutions. The point, then, is 

 to find the right strength of solution that will kill the bacteria without 

 injuring the fish. As the salt treatment is the standard one for curable 

 diseases, we shall go into this at some length. 



Kind of Salt. Ordinary table salt is likely to contain chemicals 

 to prevent caking in damp weather. These are injurious to fishes. 

 However, if no other salt is obtainable, this can be made to do. The 

 very best medicine is real sea water, properly diluted. The next best is 

 rock salt or evaporated sea water. Where the fish shows a tendency 

 to constipation, one-quarter of the salt content may be Epsom salts. 

 Some writers recommend this addition in all cases. 



