156 FISH DISEASES 



beneficial. It is better not to feed the fish during the period of treat- 

 ment — about two days. The trouble may be due to overfeeding, and 

 in any case a short fast will probably do good. 



Goldfishes readily eat Epsom salts. A pinch dropped in the 

 aquarium once weekly is beneficial to the fishes, and at the same time 

 replaces some of the mineral content of the water depleted by the 

 plants and fishes drawing constantly upon it for the chemicals neces- 

 sary to sustain life. This practice has a tendency to prevent consti- 

 pation. 



Chopped earthworms will be found a mild laxative. In severe 

 cases some fanciers place a drop of castor oil well down the throat 

 of the fish by means of a dropper. The author has never been con- 

 vinced that the fish swallows any medication administered in this 

 way, but results are claimed for the method. Scrambled egg, salted 

 with Epsom salts, undoubtedly is a splendid laxative. 



Tail-rot. This disease first affects the end of the tail and other 

 fins ; the appearance is one of being frayed and split. If allowed to 

 continue until the base of the tail is affected, the fish will die. Taken 

 in time the trouble is easily corrected. It must not be supposed that 

 every case of split and ragged tails is one of tail-rot. This is often a 

 manifestation of a generally run-down condition, and in addition to the 

 regular treatment for tail-rot, also requires a general building-up under 

 improved environment. 



Treatment. The same treatment as that for white fungus is indi- 

 cated. Dipping the tail in a 10% solution of peroxide of hydrogen is 

 beneficial. Should the ends be hopelessly frayed, they may be eaten 

 off by a 50% peroxide solution. On returning to the water the treated 

 parts will be full of bubbles and will slough off in a few days, leaving 

 a less sharp line than when cut with a knife. 



Consumption. It is doubtful whether this is a real form of tuber- 

 culosis, but the wasted appearance of the suffering fish is such as to 

 suggest it. The body becomes thin and so shrunken that the head 

 appears to stand out from the body. Listlessness and loss of appe- 

 tite are accompanying symptoms. 



Treatment. This trouble seems to be deeply seated and is dif- 

 ficult to treat successfully. Unless the fish is a particularly valued 

 one, it had best be destroyed. Place fish in an ample supply of green 

 water or fresh water containing ^ ounce of sea salt to the gallon. 

 Feed well on daphnia, chopped earthworms and soft bits of oyster. 

 Placing fish in a shallow muddy pond or tank may be beneficial. 



For fishes that are slightly run down, a reliable correspondent 

 informs the author that diluted whisky dropped in the throat of gold- 



