THE CARE OF HOME AQUARIA 



57 



STICKLEBACKS. 



These miniatiue fishes are found both in fresli and salt water. Their 

 nesting habits are especially interesting. 



nally and often cause serious losses. The two per cent, solution 

 of common salt and the weaker solution of potassium perman- 

 ganate are recommended, baths of one-half hour duration being 

 given daily until the disease is eradicated. Another protozoan 

 attacking the skin, which is a far more serious pest, is Ichthyo- 

 phthirms, which burrows into the epidermis producing minute 

 capsules. Fish attacked by this parasite behave much as in the 

 case of those just mentioned. Owing to the fact that the para- 

 sites are embedded in the skin, treatment is more difficult. Sub- 

 jecting the fish daily for an hour or so to a water temperature of 

 ho to 32 degrees Centigrade (86 to 90 Fahr.) is said to be effiica- 

 cious in producing a cure. Also daily treatment with 8 per cent, 

 solution of common salt as long as the fish can stand it is recom- 

 mended. 



Protozoa, belonging to the group known as Myxosporiclia, 

 are of rather common occurrence and are responsible for some 

 loss. These one-celled parasites penetrate the tissues and in the 

 later stages of development cause tumor-like growths. These 

 may affect the internal organs such as the liver, spleen, kidney or 

 reproductive glands, in which case their presence is not suspected 

 until the fish die. Frequently, however, the cysts are formed 

 imder the skin, producing unsightly swellings on the surface 



