Please help my shubunkin

[shubunkin]

Please help. I have been told to and have used "General Cure", contains 250 mg Metronidazole and 75 mg Praziquantel per packet. I used 3 for my 30g tank (per instructions) treatment last night for Shubunkin (5") with very red patch at base of gill. First noticed very slight light brown color at base of dorsal fin, fin clamping and the fish gasping(few days ago). Then I noticed the redness on gills and now at base of bottom fins, I also notice a small white node or something the size of large salt grain on the redness in both locations. The red on the bottom looks round and protrudes from the fish. The fish tries to eat but I can tell he/she is very uncomfortable, the mouth motion is also not normal, seems like mouth gets stuck closed sometimes. The fish does dart around at times and mostly sits still near bottom of the tank.

I have recently (2 weeks ago) added a new smaller (2") shubunkin. Prior to adding the new fish the water did need to be changed, I hadn't done it for a few weeks. I noticed the pH was low but the old fish (we originally found him in our outdoor pond) always did fine but thought new fish may not do well because it came from 7.0pH evironment, so I added something (I forget the name) to raise pH.

So I did the water change and added the new fish (after floating him to get acclimated and adding some existing tank water), made a mistake and added the water that came with the new fish to the aquarium. The new fish came from an outdoor pond/fish store. I also put in a small piece of plant material for them to graze on. It is one of those oxygenating plants for outdoor pond (which I do have, but no fish because it's only 18" deep - which is why we had to take out the now sick Shubunkin, he wouldn't have survived the winter). Promptly removed plant after they showed no interest (a day or two). The new fish (much smaller) chased around the older fish for a couple of days and then they got used to one another, chasing stopped. I do believe the older fish was slightly stressed by this, even though he/she is much larger.

Person at pet store suggested it is probably a parasite and suggested the above medication. I also added some aquarium salt 4 tablespoons predissoved and added it slowly over 12 hour period.

I have also attached two photos. The fish is beginning to look like he/she is losing weight and getting "flat" color. The other fish looks healthy. Also it seems to me the fishes skin looks thinner, especially around or on the head/gill area.

Aquarium - 30 gallons
Filter - Whisper Power filter 30
No bio-wheel
Removed carbon
Black plastic mesh media in filter
Has been established for 7 months

Using dropper type
Ammonia - 0

Using Laguna brand test strips
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 40
PH - 5.5-6.0
Alkalinity - 80
Temp - 68
Hardness - Soft water or 25PPM

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, this fish is special to us. Also, I have recenlty read using pH products is not good, any suggestions on how to raise pH?

Thank you.

 

[Zagz]

A stable ph is better than trying to acheive perfect ph. What I would do is increase water changes to once a week 50%. Do you have an airstone in the tank? Also is the fish still eating? I agree it looks like a parasite. You could also try some medicated food if the fish is still eating. Some aquarium salt might also help the fish.

 

[shubunkin]

Thanks. The fish is still eating. I have been advised to use Maracyn one and two for bacterial infection that can come from flukes. I plan to try some after another day and water change.

I don't have an airstone in the tank. I have let the water down a little (3 inches) so that more water is agitated from the filter.

 

[jsoong]

I've found that antibiotics added to water is not that effective for goldies. It is generally better to use oral antibiotics <Gel-tek or other antibiotic food>, or make your own by soaking some pellets in a bit of antibiotics solution. (I know you can use metronidazole orally, Praziquantel I don't think so. Erythromycin <Maracyn II is one brand>, however is what I would use first.)

I think salt is the first thing to use for parasites. The amount you are using is not high enough to kill parasites. I would gradually up the salt to 0.3% (which would be a total of 18 tablespoons in 30 gal). In addition, I've had good results treating with salt baths. I usu. use a 0.9% salt sloution in a bucket, and dip the fish in it for 3-5 minutes daily for 3-5 days. You would need to remove the fish to fresh water sooner if it shows any untowards effect, or if it appears to pass out. <Golds will pass out with high salt, it is one way of anesthetizing them, although mine never do at 0.9, they just get more docile.> If you are new to salt dips, or for weak fish, start with half that concentration - ie 0.4 or 0.5%.

Salt is effective against 80% of common goldies parasites & is good for some bacterial infections. It is also cheap & can be use in combination with anti-biotics/antifungals.

More details on salt & golds:
http://www.mu.edu/~buxtoni/puregold/disease/treatment/trtmnt.htm#salt

Dig around that site, there is a wealth of info about sick golds there.

 

[majolo]

It is generally better to use oral antibiotics <Gel-tek or other antibiotic food>, or make your own by soaking some pellets in a bit of antibiotics solution. (I know you can use metronidazole orally, Praziquantel I don't think so. Erythromycin <Maracyn II is one brand>, however is what I would use first.)

I just wanted to mention that Gel-Tek Ultra-Cure PX is an oral anti-parasite medication containing metronidazole and praziquantel. I have no info on its use with goldfish. I tried to use it with some loaches, but I couldn't really tell if they were ingesting any.