Evening star., 1934-02-13
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES e. TRACEWELL.

abuse in this than the goldhshes
will, that is all.
This is the primary distinction
necessary In the proper keeping Of
these distinct types Of fishes.
That it is not always kept in mind
will be readily realized by those who
have seen both types kept in the
average home.
The goldfishes one finds crowded
up in small acquaria scarcely fit for
such small tropicals as guppies. the
various plates. or moons, and the So
called zebra fishes.
The tropicals are often given no
attention at all in regard to their
water temperature requirements.
Many amateurs, in fact. fiatly re-
fuse to believe that a fish, any fish,
must scrupulously be kept up to Ger
| tain temperature in water.
They do not realize, often do not
want to realize. because they cannot
furnish the requirements, that the
temperature of the fish Is the same
as the temperature of the water.
They do not believe that a few
degrees lowering Of the temperature
from a standard which they feel is
entirely theoretical would do any
| harm.
But in this they are entirely
wrong. as any one will be willing to
admit who has kept a large number
and variety of tropicals over even so
comparatively short a period as a
year.
Temperatures intermittenly lowered
beyond safe u degrees (but "A is
a better minimum) in the cases OF
the majority Of the tropicals now
largely kept in home aquaria, will
result in a lowered vitality. which,
in time, and often quite suddenly, will
result in some disease.
Fishes, as human beings, are sub
jected to the lurking attacks of vari-
Gus plant and animal parasites.
Just as the germs of many serious
diseases Of mankind lurk both in the
air we breathe and the water we
drink, and are said even to be present
in most human throats. waiting for
lowered resistance in order to null
tipiy, SO these spores and parasitic
forms are present in most water.
ready to begin their life cycles when
the vitality Of a fish, through any
OF a number OF reasons. becomes
lowered.
The most common of these fish
parasites is what is known as the
''ich,' or white spot. In popular alb
breviation, just as influenza is known
as FLU"
In Australia during recent years
this fish disease has spread so ran
idly that the game and food fishes
are IN real danger, according to
ichthyOlogiSts there.
A plea has gone up in that country
| Tor the exercise of every care on
the part of game wardens and others
TO prevent its spread from the infected
districts to reservoir water. for it is
felt that If it ever gets in the res
ervoirs, while harmless to humanity
1t Will end the popular hobby of fish
keeping in the Australian home.
The incidence Of this disease. per Sc
usually comes when the water in
the home tropical aquarium has been
permitted to drop. usually at night
below the point Of safety.
Making a fish susceptible to this
disease, however, Is not all that a
lowered temperature does. Above all
1t undermines the entire constitution
OF the animal. 1t is much the same
as If a South Sea Islander within a
few hours time were suddenly trans
planted from his coral isle to Wash
ington at this time of year-without
any added clothing. Well, it would
be pretty tough on him. wouldn't it,
and it is on tropical fish when the
water temperature falls too low