CHAPTER XXII. 

 THE DISEASES OF THE GOLDFISH. 



The goldfish, when in perfect health, carries the dorsal fin in an 

 erect position, in other words, fully expanded. Its colors are very 

 distinct, the body of the fish glistening as though highly polished. 

 The fins appear very clear, translucent, allowing an examination of 

 their structure, they are also very flexible moving in the water with 

 animation and grace. When closed by the fish, the gill covers fit 

 tigntly against the head. 



Liveliness is not always an indication of good health, and, on the 

 contrary, sluggishness is no positive evidence that the fish is ill. 



But when the brilliant red color fades away into an off-colored 

 pink, or the milky white portions of the body become intermixed 

 with bloody streaks, or the fins of the fish appear to be coated with 

 something unusual, or seem inflamed and stick together, or are carried 

 close to the body, or when the gill covers appear so swollen that they 

 will not fit tightly in their proper place, then the health of the fish 

 has failed, and danger is close at hand. 



Most of the diseases of the goldfish are the direct result of ill. 

 treatment while kept in captivity, and nearly always originate in the 

 breathing apparatus; the gills, when affected, fail to supply the blood 

 with oxygen. Some of the diseases, to which the fish are subject, 

 originate from improper methods of feeding, and always manifest 

 themselves in disturbances of the stomach, and other digestive 

 organs. 



