150 GOLDFISH VARIETIES A:N'D 



Goldfishes readily eat Epsom salts, A pinch dropped in the aqua- 

 rium once weekly is beneficial to the fishes, and at the same time replaces 

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

 drawing constantly upon it for the chemicals necessary to sustain life. 

 This practice has a tendency to prevent constipation. 



Chopped earthworms will be found a mild laxative. In severe cases 

 some fanciers place a drop of castor oil well down the throat of the fish 

 by means of a dropper. The author has never been convinced that the 

 fish swallows any medication administered in this way, but it does no 

 harm to try, and may do good. 



Tailrot. This disease first affects the end of the tail and other fins ; 

 the appearance is one of being frayed and split. If allowed to continue 

 until the base of the tail is afifected, the fish will die. Taken in time the 

 trouble is easily corrected. It must not be supposed that every case of 

 split and ragged tails is one of tailrot. This is often a manifestation of a 

 generally run-down condition, and in addition to the regular treatment 

 for tailrot, also requires a general building-up under improved environ- 

 ment. 



Treatment. The same treatment as that for white fungus is indi- 

 cated. Dipping the tail in a 10%' solution of peroxide of hydrogen is bene- 

 ficial. Should the ends be hopelessly frayed, they may be eaten off by a 

 50% peroxide solution. On returning to the water the treated parts will 

 be full of bubbles and will slough off in a few days, leaving a less sharp 

 line than when cut with a knife. 



Consumption. It is doubtful whether this is a real form of tubercu- 

 losis, but the wasted appearance of the suffering fish is such as to suggest 

 it. The body becomes thin and so shrunken that the head appears to stand 

 out from the body. Listlessness and loss of appetite are accompanying 

 symptoms. 



Treatment. This trouble seems to be deeply seated and is difficult 

 to treat successfully. Unless the fish is a particularly valued one, it had 

 best be destroyed. Place fish in an ample supply of green water or fresh 

 water containing ^ ounce of sea salt to the gallon. Feed well on daphnia, 

 chopped earthworms and soft bits of oyster. Unless living daphnia can 

 be secured, a cure is scarcely worth attempting. Placing fish in a shallow 

 muddy pond or tank may be beneficial. 



Dropsy, The cause for this distressing complaint is not known, but 

 it is considered to be due to a disordered liver. It is more apt to attack 

 fancy fishes, and does so without apparent reference to the general health 

 of the individual or the conditions under which it is kept. The manifesta- 



