FISH DISEASES 159 



The other basis for experiment is with sulphate of copper in ex- 

 tremely diluted form — about 1 to 10,000 or weaker. Copper is fatal 

 to all forms of life and therefore the treatment should only be tem- 

 porary. We would suggest finding a strength that would kill the fry 

 in an hour, then use that strength for 15-minute treatments for remain- 

 ing fishes. Reports of cures by copper are current, but details are 

 entirely lacking. 



Treatment of Larger Fishes. This form of gill congestion has 

 also been considered necessarily fatal, but such is not the case. The fish 

 should be placed in strong salt water (3i/2 ounces to the gallon) until 

 it rolls over from exhaustion. It is then transferred to a tank of gently 

 running water which overflows. It appears as though the salt loosens 

 the disease-germs and the running water carries them off while they 

 are weakened. If this is a correct theory the cure could no doubt be 

 hastened by pouring fresh water in the under side of the gills after the 

 salt treatment, thus also helping to revive the fish. Treatment is 

 repeated daily until improvement is noticed. 



Eye Inflammation. The protruding eyes of Telescope fishes are 

 quite subject to injury, especially against the sides of cans in travel. 

 Painstaking treatment can go far to relieve this condition and ward 

 off permanent blindness. 



Treatment. Make a saturated solution of boracic acid in tepid 

 water. This is gently applied daily to the affected parts by a bit of 

 absorbent cotton. The fish should be placed, if possible, in a large 

 tank free from obstructions, that the injured eyes may not be further 

 irritated. 



Instead of boracic acid, the eye may be swabbed with a mixture 

 composed of one part of tincture of iodine with nine parts of glycer- 

 ine. One treatment is usually enough. It takes about two weeks 

 to clear up. This mixture is a most efficient home remedy for apply- 

 ing to cuts or other open wounds, giving all the benefits of iodine 

 without its burning qualities. 



ANIMAL PARASITES 



There are only four of these of sufficient importance to keepers 

 of aquarium fishes to require mention. Food fishes and all wild 

 species are more or less subject to numerous parasites, many of them 

 serious or fatal. No doubt aquarium conditions are not favorable to 

 their propagation ; otherwise we would have more trouble in this di- 

 rection on account of the large numbers of wild fishes being imported 

 for aquarium purposes from so many parts of the world. 



