FISH DISEASES 87 



Treatment. Fishes suffering from white fungus should be treated 

 exactly the same as those having fin congestion. If the fins have become 

 very much frayed and it is necessary to trim them, this can best be done 

 by a sharp knife, using a board to cut on. Scissors make a very poor 

 result. It is well to treat the new cut edges with a permanganate solu- 

 tion of one grain to a glass of water. By grain we of course always 

 mean a certain quantity of weight, and not simply a small particle. 



Sometimes raw spots are left after the fungus has been removed. 

 These or similar spots from other causes can be greatly helped by the 

 following method: Wrap the head and gills of the fish in a moist rag, 

 dry the affected spot and, with a small piece of cotton, apply some 

 Turlington's Balsam. Allow to dry for three or four minutes. This will 

 not endanger the life of the fish so long as the gills are kept moist. 



Itch. One of the common complaints in temperate and tropical 

 aquaria. The fishes are observed to quickly rub their sides against the 

 firmer objects in the aquarium, often against sand or pebbles on the 

 bottom. This is different from Ichthyophthirius. 



Treatment. Although this trouble is caused by different organisms, 

 they nearly all yield to the progressive salt treatment. The aquarium 

 should be cleaned out before fish are returned, and care exercised to 

 keep it in a cleaner condition, paying particular attention to seeing that 

 no uneaten particles of food are left lying about. The introduction of 

 more snails in goldfish aquaria will help to avoid a recurrence. 



Constipation. Among the highly-bred, short bodied fishes, constipa- 

 tion, as well as other mechanical internal disorders, are naturally common. 

 The much shortened bodies throw the internal organs out of position, 

 give rise to swimming bladder troubles and tie up the muscles which 

 must discharge eggs and also the excrement of the fishes. Lack of proper 

 exercise in the cramped confines of the aquarium and too highly con- 

 centrated foods are other causes leading to constipation. The excrement 

 should be of a brown color and free from bubbles or any slimy appear- 

 ance. In health it usually is seen in long sections. 



Treatment. A bath half each of sea salt and Epsom salts, made 

 to a strength of one ounce of salts to the gallon, will usually prove 

 beneficial. It is better not to feed the fish during the period of treatment 

 — about two days. The trouble may be due to overfeeding, and in any 

 case a short fast will probably do good. 



Goldfishes readily eat Epsom salts. A pinch dropped in the aquarium 

 once weekly is beneficial, and at the same time replaces some of the 

 mineral content of the water depleted by the plants and fishes drawing 



