CONCERNING GOLDFISH 233 



survive through a winter when the surface of the 

 water becomes frozen ; but it is always advisable 

 to break the ice so as to ensure that the fish obtain 

 enough air. It must not be imagined, however, that a 

 person who keeps goldfish need not pay any attention 

 to the temperature of the water within the aquarium, 

 for nothing is more fatal than to place into warm 

 water specimens that have been accustomed to live 

 in cold water, and vice versa. Another feature bearing 

 upon the vitality of the creatures is that they can 

 live for a considerable time out of water, and 

 Buckland records having kept some for ' a night 

 and half a day ' wrapped up in wet grass and packed 

 within a carpet bag. One difficulty attends the 

 keeping of goldfish, for, unfortunately, they are 

 somewhat subject to a disease caused by a fungus 

 which grows upon their bodies ; but if the malady 

 be treated before it has spread too far, it can 

 usually be cured by applying a weak solution of 

 permanganate of potash to the affected parts. 



It has frequently been stated that goldfish do 

 not require any other food than the ammalculae 

 found in the water wherein they dwell, but this is 

 by no means correct, although they can live for a 

 considerable time without any other form of 

 nourishment. Crushed vermicelli, ants' eggs, small 

 worms, aquatic larvae, and greenstuff in the form 

 of lettuce and watercress should be offered to them ; 

 while breadcrumbs, although liable to become sour 

 and to taint the water if they remain therein for 

 any length of time, are also appreciated. 



The typical race of goldfish resemble the carp 



