152 GOLDFISH VARIETIES AXD 



gray or whitish appearance. Without treatment, death is sure to come 

 quickly. This was formerly a common disease among fancy fishes, but 

 for some unknown reason has largely subsided, we hope permanently. 



Treatment in Fry. Innumerable experiments have been tried to 

 cure this devastating disease, but without consistent results. So fatal is 

 it considered by many expert fanciers that when they find a few affected 

 fishes they. destroy them, together with perhaps thousands of their fellows 

 in the same tank without attempting a cure, throwing out bad and appar- 

 ently good alike. The tank is then disinfected with strong salt water or 

 more powerful germicides. The great trouble is that any chemical which 

 will kill the vegetal parasites is also very apt to kill the delicate fry. How- 

 ever, it is almost certain a cure can be found, and it is a great pity to 

 neglect an opportunity for experimenting. Cases have been cured, but 

 exact data is lacking. Nevertheless we have two experimental points to 

 start from. The first and more likely is with permanganate of potash. A 

 well-known and thoroughly reliable breeder claims to have cured over 

 one thousand fry by making the water a "pale purple" with this chemical, 

 leaving the fish in it. To gauge a permanganate solution by color is most 

 difficult. If one looks through 12 inches of water, the color will be 12 

 times as deep as through 1 inch. We would suggest trying Yz grain by 

 weight to the gallon. This just flavors the water. (Tasting without swal- 

 lowing will do no harm.) If fishes not yet afifected are removed from 

 their diseased companions and placed in such a solution for half a day, it 

 is reasonably sure that many if not all could be saved, taking care, of 

 course, not to return to an infected tank. Here it might be repeated to 

 advantage that small fry should be lifted with a spoon and transferred 

 carefully, avoiding pouring or any violent movements. 



The other basis for experiment is with sulphate of copper in ex- 

 tremely diluted form — about 1 to 10,0CX) or weaker. Copper is fatal to all 

 forms of life and therefore the treatment should only be temporary. We 

 would suggest finding a strength that would kill the fry in an hour, then 

 use that strength for 15-minute treatments for remaining fishes. Reports 

 of cures by copper are current, but details are entirely lacking. 



Treatment Larger Fishes. This form of gill congestion has also 

 been considered necessarily fatal, but such is not the case. The fish should 

 be placed in strong salt water (3^ ounces to the gallon) until it rolls 

 over from exhaustion. It is then transferred to a tank of gently running 

 water which overflows. It appears as though the salt loosens the disease- 

 germs and the running water carries them off while they are weakened. 

 If this is a correct theory the cure could no doubt be hastened by pouring 

 fresh water in the under side of the gills after the salt treatment, thus 

 also helping to revive the fish. Treatment is repeated daily until improve- 

 ment is noticed. 



Eye Inflammation. The protruding eyes of telescope fishes are quite 

 subject to injury, especially against the sides of cans in travel. Painstaking 



