Hi I'm a new member seeking goldfish advice

[Goldie14]

My goldfish, Goldie, is now 14 years old. Her tank mate, an Otto named Nemo, died last year at the age of 13. I've had to treat a few things over time: constipation and fins that looked a little unhealthy. Most issues were because of inexperience and a fear to disturb them and their environment. However, now am a fanatic about clean gravel and water, and also change up the greenery and ornaments from time to time so she/he doesn't get bored!

At Christmas time I noticed a white lump on Goldie's tail. A week of Melafix/Pimafix cured it completely. Now, there is a similar white growth or two on one side of body, on head and along top of gill. A week of meds didn't do anything.

Any ideas what I am dealing with? Thank you. (Tank parameters checked today and are great. She's swimming and eating as usual.)

 

[Matt68005]

Looks like infected body wounds. I would up the Water changes to twice a week about 1/3rd tank volume, double dose Stress Coat declorinator, and add aquarium salt.

If you want to also go the medication route, a extended (several hours, or even a whole day or more) bath in a strong solution of Methylene blue would work.
Furan-2 could be added directly to the tank, and would work, its cheap you can find it at walmart called "fungus cure" its like 4 dollars.
The M blue is more easy on fish, and you can usually find a small bottle at a fish specilaty store for around 6-9 dollars.

 

[Delapool]

That's a good post above. Was um'ing on viral but like that better.

 

[Coursair]

Can you post a pic of the tank ?
What are the parameters ?
Temp ?

Any sharp ornaments or fake plants with sharp edges ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Goldie14]

Thanks for your reply and advice. Have started the increase in water changes and will check to see if the water changes help, even a little. By waiting a bit I'll see if it's a virus. (thanks for suggesting)


But, will definitely look into those meds that were suggested. Since she's so old and I've never handled her before, I'd probably go with the medication that goes in the tank.


As for a pic of the tank, will try to get one up in a few days. The greenery is plastic, and, yes, perhaps she scraped herself.


Thank you for the replies. I'll take your ideas and try them out. Will keep you posted.

 

[Autumnsky]

Size of tank too?

 

[Goldie14]

Parameters and Photo

Tank now has Stresscoat, Aquarium salt and Furan - 2.

This is a 20 gallon tank with bio wheel and carbon filter (carbon filter is out for now and currently stored in spare tank water).

Nitrates nitrites ammonia levels were all at the first colour on the colour charts in test packages-- so the lowest numbers.

Ph 7.0

We have well water so no chlorine.

Water temp is our room temp and reads 22 degrees C.

I see that my fish now has the white growths on both gill covers AND blood streaks on throat area. I just can't imagine I had an ammonia spike, so am going with the suggestion that she is sick with an infection.

Now to wait to see if the meds help.

Thanks again for advice. P.S. She's just had a treat, so got a shot of her mouth wide open. At least she's eating ok.

 

[Goldie14]

Another pic

 

[Autumnsky]

She is going to need a larger tank soon to continue growing properly - here is a link with a great visual. She is very pretty and you'd want her to have the room she needs to get bigger. Hoping the meds work quickly.
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forum...uire-big-tanks-visual-perspective-265871.html

 

[Goldie14]

Well, you sure have me thinking and checking out bigger tanks! I thought that my 20 gal was a great "retirement" home since she's 14 years old and had assumed she'd finished growing!

Fingers crossed she responses to treatment and then.... I'm already excited about expanding my hobby and getting a better setup for her.

Thanks!

 

[Autumnsky]

She well may be done at 14 years I guess, but they can get so much bigger and enjoy really swimming around. She could be stunted and have crowding in her organs this issue can cause some problems. I had a rescue/adoption Goldie huge and beautiful but she was sick and never got altogether better - better, worse/ better, worse even through treatment.

I probably would like to have a huge tank for a handful of fancy Goldies some day. They hold a dear place in my heart.

Its nice to see them swim gracefully across a 4' tank - 55G but 75G is more depth and gives plenty turning room. Then even have room for her a friend.

 

[Matt68005]

Glad to see your taking our advice seriously..... as it usually is spot on.
Now that i see your tank, im wondering where the wounds actually came from?
Just keep an eye on it and keep us informed. There are also skin parasites that can cause damage to the fishes scales and cause wounds like this, but for right now we shall deal with this the correct way, one problem at a time, and give it time to work.....
Im thinking of getting back in to fancy goldfish, their easy and lovely fish. They can live for 20 years and get the size of a football. You can even hand strip them when their in mating season in the spring and fall and grow the eggs. Youtube it.
They say, 20 gallons for the first fancy goldie, then ten gallons for each one after that.
Its best to feed them sinking pellets, as gulping air often leads to swim bladder problems for goldfish. Small meals 3 times a day as goldfish have small stomaches, and when you add a pellet to water, it expands in their stomach (like the dog that ate too much dry food and then drank water)

 

[Goldie14]

Hi, there. Thanks for another suggestion. I agree about trying to take this one treatment at a time. Unfortunately, it might be time to go on to the next treatment. Finished up the meds and salt as mentioned prior and have been watching for changes and checking water quality. The blood streaks have gone, however, the bumps remain. In fact....could it be that I'm seeing white spots on her tail??

Will upload a couple of pics if you wouldn't mind having a look. It's difficult to see online, I know, but, if you ignore the water bubbles, you may be able to see the shadows of spots.

If it is ich or some parasite, advice appreciated. I've been reading about salt/temp increases/meds. Lots to worry about!

Thanks again.

 

[SumthingsFishy]

Have you treated for ich yet?

 

[Goldie14]

No. I wanted to wait to see if there was a post to confirm I should. And, if I should treat for I have, salt, heat or meds?

Am going to bring meds home later this evening, just in case.

 

[SumthingsFishy]

I'm not sure if you can subject goldfish to high temperatures like most tropical fish but usually a good cure for ich is to gradually raise your temp to ~86°(You can technically even stay as low as 82°), wait a couple days and dose with ich medication (I usually use the disintegrating tablets - much easier to dose) then do about a 50%-70% water change after about a week of high temps has passed. Continue to do regular water changes(<I CANNOT stress that enough. Water changes and temp are the key to beating the ich.)Also regularly test your parameters. Keep us posted and good luck!

Also-if you are using carbon in your filter make sure you remove it as this will help keep all medication in your water. Carbon in your filter would normally filter out nutrients and medication you may need.

 

[Goldie14]

Thanks for speedy reply! Yes, the temp is a concern. She has lived her whole life without a heater. But I do understand the reason behind the heat.

And gradual rise for sure.

Thanks, again.

 

[SumthingsFishy]

Thanks for speedy reply! Yes, the temp is a concern. She has lived her whole life without a heater. But I do understand the reason behind the heat.

And gradual rise for sure.

Thanks, again.

No problem, I would look into articles explaining the life cycle of the ich virus. It can give you some pretty good insight into how to properly fight it away. Also research if a temperature increase is a good idea, like I said I don't keep goldfish so I wouldn't know for sure, it's just what I do to treat my fish. Cheers!

 

[Delapool]

What meds have you used now (duration and strength) and what salt dosing level?

 

[Goldie14]

Meds: Furan-2 one treatment regime as per box. (2 pkgs per dose, repeat after 24 hrs, 2 pkgs, 25% WC, repeat for a total of 4 doses)

Salt: 4 rounded TBSP of salt for the 20 gal tank. Adjusted after water changes.

That's all I've done. When the Furan was over, I waited 48 hours then did a 30% WC