
AILMENTS AND DISEASES 

such numbers that the water is not sufficiently aerated, or which have 
been bruised and otherwise injured, enfeebled from lack of food, or have 
suffered from constant excitement. Carelessness of their comfort, lack of 
proper care while in the hands of dealers, 
unsanitary conditions, insufficient plant life, 
decay of the plants and food, overstocking 
and similar causes, will also produce the 
disease; as under these conditions the ever- 
present micro-organisms attack the weaker 
fishes and spread to healthy ones with which 
they come into contact. Another cause 1s 
sudden changes of the temperature of the 
water by injudiciously adding thereto, or its 
continued low temperature. This is a most 
frequent reason for outbreaks of the disease 

in the spring, as the above conditions often 
FIG. te ee with prevail during the winter and the vitality of 
Usually Saprolegnia and Dictyuchus, the fishes has become low, so that they suc- 
cumb to this fungus when it becomes more 
active owing to the rise in temperature. A very large proportion of the 
mortality among aquarium fishes is due to this cause. 
This White Fungus is one of the most common diseases which the 
amateur is likely to encounter. When neglected, it is serious in its effects 
and results, but if taken in time, proper care exercised and remedies 
applied, death losses will be reduced or prevented. Owing to the general 
natural or surgical contingent, in advanced stages, destruction of fin and 
tail development and much loss of beauty may occur, with a probability 
that the fish will never entirely recover its former beauty. 
Treatment. When a fish shows fungoid tendency it should be re- 
moved from its fellows and placed in a hospital jar, containing 2% gallons 
of water, to which a teaspoonful of table salt, the same quantity of epsom 
salt and 10 or 12 drops of Phenol-sodique have been added. The jarshould 
also contain a partially opened inverted earthen flower pot, or similar 
vessel, in which the fish may hide and rest. It should be kept out of the 
sun, at a temperature of about 65° to 70° F. During two days the fish 
should not be fed, as the disorder may be the result of overfeeding; but, 
if at the end of this period there is no improvement, it should be taken 
out and all the fungus spots painted with coal oil, the fish being then 
placed for a short period in another receptacle to allow the excess of oil to 
float off, when it may be returned to the jar. Penciling with or dipping into 
a 50 per cent. solution of peroxide of hydrogen is also an approved remedy. 
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