Blood Shot Fins—Tailrot: Condition caused by sudden temperature change or injury. Use salt treatment.
Fungus—White scum forms over fish. Use salt treatment.
Fluke: Flat and sunken belly. No known cure.
Salt Treatment: Use glass or enamel container, raise temperature to 80° F., 1 teaspoonful rock or sea salt per gallon of water. (May be doubled in extreme cases.) Salt (Rock or Epsom) will kill snails and plants.
Tropicals in poor condition, usually indicated by folded fins, should be isolated at once. Gradually raise temperature to 80° F. Feed live food. Give salt treatment. Frequently a cure is affected by placing ailing fish in tank of “green water.” (see [page 31].)
Sick fish more easily cured in shallow water.
Sudden changes of temperature may be fatal to weakened fish.
Potassium permanganate solution is an excellent disinfectant and deodorant. Also destroys algae in aquarium and pool. Tint water faint pink, repeat when color disappears. Avoid excess.
ENEMIES
Fish enemies are usually transferred to the aquarium by the introduction of new aquatic plants that are obtained from outside pools. To avoid fish enemies—AVOID USING PLANTS AND SAND THAT ARE OBTAINED FROM OUTSIDE POOLS OR PONDS. If you are suspicious of source rinse for a minute or two through a strong solution of salt water. This should kill all insects and not injure plants. Examine plants carefully for eggs. [Fig. 6] shows larvae of Giant Beetle (Water Tiger). [Fig. 7], larvae of Dragon Fly. Both attack fairly large fish and devour small ones in quantities.