CAEE OF GOLDFISH 277 



is due to inflamed gills, caused by poisonous 

 gases or sudden changes of temperature in the 

 water. Itch is common during the winter 

 months, seldom in summer, and is supposed to 

 be the result of microscopic parasites ; a whitish 

 substance, first noticed on the back near the 

 head, rapidly coats the fish until the affected 

 parts lose their brilliant colour and become dark 

 or black. An infected fish will rub itself against 

 the pebbles or sand on the bottom, or any ob- 

 ject which may be in the water. Over-feeding 

 is almost always the cause of this trouble, al- 

 though occasionally it appears when the water 

 is unduly cold. 



Fungus is another common affliction, generally 

 caused by the fish becoming bruised or handled 

 roughly or with dry hands. It is a parasitic 

 vegetable growth resembling a cobwebby mil- 

 dew. When a fish is attacked care must be ex- 

 ercised not to remove it by rubbing, either out 

 of the water or in fresh water, as this pro- 

 cedure will take along with it the scales and skin, 

 leaving the flesh exposed. Generally fungus 

 is easily removable by placing the fish in a 

 strong solution of salt water and then carefully 



