CAEE OF GOLDFISH 275 



should be removed to a "hospital tank" for 

 isolation and special care. It should be of such 

 a form as to have a glass surface in all direc- 

 tions, so as to admit all the light possible. To 

 prepare a hospital tank, first sterilise it by the 

 use of salt water and then by permanganate of 

 potassium. Put two inches of sand, or a little 

 more, in the bottom and plant anacharis and 

 one or two other aquatic grasses. Fill the tank 

 with perfectly clean unfiltered water, and set 

 it in a bright warm sunny spot. If at the end 

 of a few days the water remains clear and 

 sweet smelling, no further attention need be 

 paid to it. Green algae will presently begin to 

 form on the glass and in the water, but do not 

 "disturb it, for the growth is a certification of 

 water-purity, and its presence makes the hospi- 

 tal tank ready for service. The temperature 

 of the water ought never to be below 70 degrees 

 nor above 80 degrees. Fish placed in a hos- 

 pital tank should be deprived of food, if pos- 

 sible for the entire period of confinement. Fa- 

 mine for a month is not too much in some 

 cases. The sunlight must play on the tank for 

 as much of the day as possible, and the green 



