AILMENTS AND DISEASES 



enervation will result and then immediate remedies are necessary or the 

 fish will succumb. 



A congestion spreads over the gill membranes and into the throat, 

 which become highly inflamed and assume a grey or whitish appearance; 

 they no longer perform their proper functions and finally become mortified. 

 Animal parasites also find lodgment in the diseased gills and unless treat- 

 ment is at once undertaken the fish dies of exhaustion. 



This condition rarely occurs with strong fishes, but is quite common 

 with highly bred Chinese and Japanese goldfishes which have large fin and 

 tail development and extreme delicacy of constitution. At times a con- 

 dition somewhat like Consumption in the human race produces similar 

 symptoms to the above and can only be differentiated by careful examina- 

 tion of the gills; but as the same treatment applies to both, the distinction 

 is not pertinent. 



Treatment. Rest under the most favorable conditions, stimulation 

 by nourishing food and treatment of the gills are advisable. The fish 

 should be placed in a receptacle having abundant plant life, shielded from 

 strong light and an equable temperature maintained. If the disease is ad- 

 vanced, the gills should be treated with an injection of salt water at repeated 

 intervals and the fish placed in shallow water in a large dish so that the 

 action of the fins keeps it in agitation and causes the absorption of as much 

 air as possible, or the water should have frequent aeration with a fountain 

 syringe. The relief from the water pressure, thus afforded, is also benefi- 

 cial. Placing the fish in a receptacle under constantly dripping water has 

 preserved the life of many fine specimens that otherwise would have 

 succumbed to diseases. Care must be taken that the water is of the same 

 temperature as that of the aquarium, and is best at about 6o°F. 



When gill parasites have made considerable ravages no remedy or 

 means for their eradication have as yet been found, and the death of the 

 fish is certain, but the usual gill and throat congestion can be cured by 

 immediate attention. 



Young fishes are particularly liable to gill and throat parasites, the 

 most usual of which are Gyrodactylus and Echinorhyncus. These may occur 

 epidemically, often at intervals of several years, and have at times de- 

 stroyed nearly all the fishes of an entire season's hatchings. They some- 

 times infest the gills in such numbers as to cause the operculae to stand 

 from the sides of the head, induce inflammation of the gills and ultimately 

 cause the suffocation of the fry. For this condition there is no remedy 

 and thorough cleaning, destruction of fry, plants, etc., by burning is neces- 

 sary to prevent further infection. 



Consumption. What is generally known as Consumption in the gold- 



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