278 FISH CULTURE 



sponging the body while submerged. If the 

 case be severe, it would not be amiss to give 

 the fish a wash-off with dioxogen, or even a 

 short bath in a very mild solution of perman- 

 ganate of potassium, after the salt bath and 

 sponging. 



Among the fatal diseases are tuberculosis, 

 dropsy, bladder disease and erysipelas. The 

 fancier may well lose heart if the last named 

 appears, for it is reasonably sure that not one 

 but all the fish in the aquarium will be seized 

 with it about the same time. After stating that 

 it is indicated by what appears to be a nervous 

 restlessness of the fish, Mr. Mullertt graphically 

 describes diseased fish thus : 



"They are seen swimming with very quick motions, 

 darting hither and thither with great rapidity, and 

 with no other apparent reason than a desire to flee 

 from their torment, for it seems as though they must 

 suffer from muscular pains. After this extreme ac- 

 tivity, which covers a period of several days, the fishes 

 (for they are all affected at the same time) huddle to- 

 gether at the bottom of the tank, now and then rising 

 and resuming their mad capers. The external ap- 

 pearance in this case is characterised by a closed dor- 

 sal fin, bloody streaks on all the fins, which, instead 



