144 GOLDFISH VARIETIES AND 



DISEASES AND AILMENTS OF AQUARIUM FISHES 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 be so successfully treated, under the circumstances. 



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. As elsewhere stated, 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 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 steril- 

 ized after exposure to disease germs. 



Salt Treatment. In Nature the sick fish seeks brackish water or 

 saline earths, and we cannot do better than to follow this hint. Most of 

 the disease-producing bacteria of fresh water are unable to live in mod- 

 erate salt solutions. The point, then, is to find the strength of solution that 

 will kill the bacteria without injuring he fish. As the salt treatment 

 is the main 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. How- 

 ever, 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 Turk's 

 Island salt, which is the residue from 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. 



Strength of Salt Solution. Common practice among the unin- 

 formed is to throw a sick fish into a strong brine solution, leaving it there 

 a few minutes until it shows signs of expiring. This treatment is usually 



