AILMENTS AND DISEASES 



such number's that the water is not sufficiently aerated, or which have 

 been bruised and otherwise injured, enfeebled from lack of food, or have 

 suffered from constant excitement. Carelessness of their comfort, lack of 



proper care while in the hands of dealers, 

 unsanitary conditions, insufficient plant life, 

 decay of the plants and food, overstocking 

 and similar causes, will also produce the 

 disease; as under these conditions the ever- 

 present micro-organisms attack the weaker 

 fishes and spread to healthy ones with which 

 they come into contact. Another cause is 

 sudden changes of the temperature of the 

 water by injudiciously adding thereto, or its 

 continued low temperature. This is a most 

 frequent reason for outbreaks of the disease 

 in the spring, as the above conditions often 

 FIG. 76.— Head of a Goldfish afFected with prevail during the winter and the vitality of 



the so-called White Fungus. ^ ° 11 



Usually Saproitgnia and Dictyuchm. the fishes has bccome low, SO that they suc- 

 cumb to this fungus when it becomes more 

 active owing to the rise in temperature. A very large proportion of the 

 mortality among aquarium fishes is due to this cause. 



This White Fungus is one of the most common diseases which the 

 amateur is likely to encounter. When neglected, it is serious in its effects 

 and results, but if taken in time, proper care exercised and remedies 

 applied, death losses will be reduced or prevented. Owing to the general 

 natural or surgical contingent, in advanced stages, destruction of fin and 

 tail development and much loss of beauty may occur, with a probability 

 that the fish will never entirely recover its former beauty. 



Treatment. When a fish shows fungoid tendency it should be re- 

 moved from its fellows and placed in a hospital jar, containing. 2)^ gallons 

 of water, to which a teaspaonful of table salt, the same quantity of epsom 

 salt and lo or 1 2 drops of Phenol-sodique have been added. The jar should 

 also contain a partially opened inverted earthen flower pot, or similar 

 vessel, in which the fish may hide and rest. It should be kept out of the 

 sun, at a temperature of about 65° to 70° F. During two days the fish 

 should not be fed, as the disorder may be the result of overfeeding; but, 

 if at the end of this period there is no improvement, it should be taken 

 out and all the fungus spots painted with coal oil, the fish being then 

 placed for a short period in another receptacle to allow the excess of oil to 

 float off, when it may be returned to the jar. Pencihng with or dipping into 

 a 50 per cent, solution of peroxide of hydrogen is also an approved remedy. 



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