CHAPTER XXII. 
THE DISEASES OF THE GOLDFISH. 
The goldfish, when in perfect health, carries the dorsal fin in an 
erect position, in other words, fully expanded. Its colors are very 
distinct, the body of the fish glistening as though highly polished. 
The fins appear very clear, translucent, allowing an examination of 
their structure, they are also very flexible moving in the water with 
animation and grace. When closed by the fish, the gill covers fit 
tightly against the head. 
Liveliness is not always an indication of good health, and, on the 
contrary, sluggishness is no positive evidence that the fish is ill. 
But when the brilliant red color fades away into an off-colored 
pink, or the milky white portions of the body become intermixed 
with bloody streaks, or the fins of the fish appear to be coated with 
something unusual, or seem inflamed and stick together, or are carried 
close to the body, or when the gill covers appear so swollen that they 
will not fit tightly in their proper place, then the health of the fish 
has failed, and danger is close at hand. 
Most of the diseases of the goldfish are the direct result of ill 
treatment while kept in captivity, and nearly always originate in the 
breathing apparatus; the gills, when affected, fail to supply the blood 
with oxygen. Some of the diseases, to which the fish are subject, 
originate from improper methods of feeding, and always manifest 
themselves in disturbances of the stomach, and other digestive 
organs. 
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