Chapter Eleven 



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Fisn Diseases and Tneir Treatment 



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Even in a state of Nature fishes are sometimes attacked by disease 

 and parasitic enemies. It is little wonder, then, that aquarium fishes, 

 weakened by inbreeding and kept under artificial conditions, should be 

 subject to a number of maladies. The wonder is that the majority of 

 the diseases can be so successfully treated, under the circumstances. 



Half the battle is won by taking the trouble in time. The aquar- 

 ist should always be on the alert to detect when his pets are a little out 

 of condition. As elsewhere stated, this is shown by listless move- 

 ments, loss of appetite, drooping dorsal fin (when the fish is in the 

 habit of holding it erect), congested or frayed fins, white slime on 

 body and bubbles in excrement. When a fish is even suspected of 

 being in doubtful condition it should be observed carefully for a day 

 or two, and, if improvement is not noted, given the required treat- 

 ment — promptly. 



Affected fishes should be immediately removed from their fellows. 

 There is always the possibility that they are suffering from a con- 

 tagious disease which may quickly spread. Great care should be exer- 

 cised not to use the same nets in handling sick and well fishes unless 

 they are sterilized after exposure to disease germs. 



Salt Treatment. In Nature the sick fish seeks brackish water or 

 saline earths, and we cannot do better than to follow this hint. Most 

 of the disease-producing bacteria of fresh water are unable to live in 

 moderate salt solutions. The point, then, is to find the strength of 

 solution that will kill the bacteria without injuring the fish. As the 

 salt treatment is the main one for curable diseases, we shall go into 

 this at some length. 



Kind of S.m.t. Ordinary table salt is likely to contain chemicals 

 to prevent caking in damp weather. These are injurious to fishes. 

 However, if no other salt is obtainable, this can be made to do. The 



