148 GOLDFISH VARIETIES AND 
they can successfully attack the remaining well fish. White fungus, there- 
fore, is contagious, and the sufferer should be removed from its fellows 
at once. This disease is caused by overcrowding, overfeeding, lack of 
proper plant life, transferring to water of different temperature and by 
bruises in shipment. 
TREATMENT. Fishes suffering from white fungus should be treated 
exactly the same as those having fin congestion. If the fins have become 
very much frayed and it is necessary to trim them, this can best be done 
by a sharp knife, using a board to cut on. Scissors make a very poor 
result. It is well to treat the new cut edges with a permanganate solution 
of one grain to a glass of water. By grain we of course always mean 
a certain quantity of weight, and not simply a small particle. 
Sometimes raw spots are left after the fungus has been removed. 
These or similar spots from other causes can be greatly helped by the fol- 
lowing method: Wrap the head and gills of the fish in a moist rag, dry 
the affected spot and apply some Turlington’s Balsam with a small piece 
of absorbent cotton. Allow to dry for three or four minutes. This will 
not endanger the life of the fish so long as the gills are kept moist. 
Black Fungus. Many have supposed this disease to be invariably 
fatal, but this is not the case. If taken in time, the majority of cases can 
be cured. The great trouble is that the fish is in a run-down condition 
before contracting the disease and has little power to withstand the 
necessarily severe treatment. This disease manifests itself more on the 
body than the fins, at first presenting a dark gray appearance, later turning 
black and peeling off, leaving raw spots. A common place for the first 
appearance is the center of the gill plates, and also on the sides of the 
fish where they would be most likely to rub, for the parasites are conveyed 
principally by contact. The Protozoans causing this serious complaint are 
animal parasites which soon lodge themselves so deeply in the skin of the 
fish as to make treatment difficult. If they get into the gills the case is 
considered hopeless. 
TREATMENT. Start at once on the increasing salt method described 
on page 144, only carrying it further. Over a period of from three to four 
days the strength of solution should be carried to two and one-half ounces 
to the gallon. Goldfishes can stand a great deal of salt if brought to it 
gradually. As before noted, the strength should be slowly reduced before 
returning to normal water. (The same is true of most other aquarium 
fishes.) After the maximum strength of solution is reached the fish 
should be pencilled on the affected spots with a 50 per cent. solution of 
peroxide of hydrogen for a few moments (being careful not to slop over 
on the healthy parts). The next day the spots may be treated with 
