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Every aquarist should be able to diag- 
nose and treat the common ills of gold- 
fish. This does not mean needless exper- 
imenting and doping, but the ability to 
recognize symptoms and take steps to 
check the disorders before a serious con- 
dition has resulted. 
Under the most favorable circum- 
stances an aquarium is ‘“‘close quarters,” 
and unless a diseased fish is promptly 
removed, others may become affected. 
IlIness becomes apparent in a number of 
ways. The dorsal fin may droop and the 
fish show an inclination to rest on the 
bottom, the fins become bloodshot, and 
there is little evident desire for food. 
These are warning signs to the experi- 
enced. 
Such symptoms are not necessarily 
dangerous, but they are certain indica- 
tions that the fish is not in proper condi- 
tion, and if allowed to persist will result 
in serious disease and death. If but one 
fish in an aquarium is so affected, it is 
quite probable that it is due to over-eat- 
ing or constipation ; if a number are ill 
it is certain that general conditions are 
wrong in one or more essential particu- 
lars, and an effort should be made to find 
and remove the cause. Carefully con- 
sider the foods used, the purity of the 
water, the oxygen supply (plants and 
condition of the bottom of tank), possible 
over-crowding and atmospheric condi- 
tions in so far as they influence changes 
in the temperature of the water. 
Every aquarist should have at least one 
receptacle to serve as an isolation and 
observation tank or hospital. All-glass 
aquaria and enameled dishpans are excel- 
Ailments of Goldfish | 
| 
GEORGE A. SCHENK 
mc me 8 A I sO sy 
lent, as they can be thoroughly sterilized 
after having been used for the treatment 
of parasitic or contagious cases. If pos- 
sible, it is well to have a planted aqua- 
rium to serve for convalescents in the 
interval between treatment in the hos- 
pital tank and their restoration to the 
Broadtail Telescope Goldfish* 
usual quarters. In this rest tank, which 
is often unoccupied, microscopic animal 
life (infusoria, etc.) develops in large 
quantities and, together with baby snails, 
which can be ailowed to breed there. 
affords an excellent tonic for the conva- 
lescents. 
For the treatment of constipation a 
minor and sometimes frequent condition, 
dissolve a tablespoonful or more of 
epsom salt in a gallon of water, taking 
care not to make it too strong. Place the 
fish in this bath for several hours if 
*This splendid specimen, bred and shown 
by George E. Wilt, was awarded the silver 
cup at the last competition of The Phila- 
delphia Goldfish Fanciers’ Society. Only 
“blue ribbon winners” were eligible. Photo 
by H. W. Schmid. 
