
AILMENTS AND DISEASES 

Fungus, but the direct causes are animal parasites usually Gyrodactylide or 
Myxide, Figs. 77 and 78, of the order Protozoa, the most general of the 
fish parasites, and others, all more fully described hereafter. 
Treatment. If these parasites get into the gills, the best and only 
thing to do is to destroy the fish, to prevent further infection, thoroughly 
clean the aquarium or tank with antiseptics and burn the plants and the 


fish. If, however, only the fins and part of the tS o 
body are affected, it is well, if the fish is of value, yx 
to attempt acure. These being animal parasites (Si 
and usually deeply seated in the tissues, severe 
treatment is required, which is often as nearly 
fatal as the disease itself. The parasiticides should &” 36” 
be first tried, which sometimes effect a cure, but if 
not of benefit, the fins and tail should be cut off 
: FIG. 78. Trematod parasites taken 
some distance beyond the affected parts, the spots gon imported Japanese and Chinese 
partie bady scraped, all:the affected) parts» painted: Guldsthesatected with Black Fungne, 
E Ls f Greatly enlarged. 
with a solution of Monsell’s salts, and the fish 
kept in a jar containing salt water to which 10 or 12 drops of Phenol- 

sodique per gallon have been added, and the affected parts also penciled 
with a 50 per cent. solution of peroxide of hydrogen. If the fish survives 
a day or two, then the affected parts should be daily painted with coal oi! 
after cleaning with salt water, or with peroxide of hydrogen, always plac- 
ing the fish into a receptacle for a few minutes before returning it to the 
jar. Turlington’s Balsam will be greatly beneficial should the fish survive 
to the healing stage. Nourishing food of animal origin should be gener- 
ously fed, such as the yolk of a boiled egg, ant larve, earthworms, etc. 
Everything with which the fish has come in contact should be cleaned and 
sterilized and its companions quarantined in water containing salt to the 
amount of imparting a brackish taste. Upon the microscope slide the 
parasites which produce the disease are killed by salt, but this remedy does 
not always reach and destroy them when they have burrowed into the 
tissues, under the scales and skin, and in the gills of the fish. The same 
trials of remedies as for White Fungus should also be made. Also apply 
the parasiticides hereafter mentioned. Cures are frequent if prompt atten- 
tion is given. Severe attacks seldom occur in well-established aquaria. 
Twirters or Itcu. This quite common affection of the goldfish is 
produced by minute Infusoria, Ichthyophthirius and Chromatophagus, the 
leech-like Trichodina, and other fish parasites, which develop under unsan- 
itary conditions or are principally troublesome in the presence of decom- 
posing food and decaying vegetation. They are frequently introduced into 
established aquaria by newly received fishes, on plants or with the water. 
137 
