Hi,
I'm glad to be on the forum and could use a little advice on my sick comet goldfish. He seemed a little off recently and is now bottom sitting constantly with no interest in food, clamped fins, and a slight twitch (full body, like he has hiccups), and almost no "breathing" (for the past week). Slight red veining in the tail as of yesterday but no other external symptoms or injury. Positives are that he is sitting upright and eyes are alert. But I am very concerned as this is really unusual and he has a history of being the strongest, most healthy fish I have.
He does has a history of sensitive digestion (easily constipated) but overall has been very healthy, a voracious eater, and active forager. He is about 5" long and approximately 7 years old. He is the only occupant of a 20gal tank with some floating plants. These plants are not new; about 6 months old.
Last night when I got home there was a gross, giant white thing in the tank that I took to be feces. It was so big it looked almost like an organ. There was also a dark red thing that I assume is also waste but with blood. I sucked both into a test tube for further examination. See linked images. Gross.
worms perhaps? I was thinking internal bacteria issue but....
http://www.artbugdesign.com/tmp/IMG_0042.JPG
http://www.artbugdesign.com/tmp/IMG_0049.JPG
http://www.artbugdesign.com/tmp/IMG_0050.JPG
http://www.artbugdesign.com/tmp/IMG_0051.JPG
http://www.artbugdesign.com/tmp/IMG_0052.JPG
I've tested the water and performed regular waterchanges (25% - 50% and testing once a week, religiously) for years. We do have chlorinated tap water here so I always treat it (AquaSafe) and let it sit for a bit before adding it to the tank. I've made no recent changes to filter media, plantings, etc.
Added some Prazi on Monday, which doesn't seem to be having any effect.
Current water parameters and other info:
Test Results for the Following:
* Ammonia Level(Tank) = 0
* Nitrite Level(Tank) = 0
* Nitrate level(Tank) = 0
* Ammonia Level(Tap) = 0
* Nitrite Level(Tap) = 0
* Nitrate level(Tap) = 0
* Ph Level, Tank = 7.6
* Ph Level, Tap = 7.4 to 7.6
Other Info:
* Brand of test-kit used and whether strips or drops? SeaChem drops
* Water temperature? room temp, approximately 65 to 68 degrees
* Tank size = 20 gal, established 2.5 years ago
* What is the name and "size of the filter"(s)? I have two AquaClear A-595 filters running (each moves about 100GPM)
* How often do you change the water and how much? (25% - 50%, once a week)
* How many days ago was the last water change and how much did you change? (yesterday, 25%)
* How many fish in the tank and their size? one, about 5" long comet goldfish
* What kind of water additives or conditioners? AquaSafe
* What do you feed your fish and how often? Pro gold in the morning, a cooked pea at night
* Any new fish added to the tank? no
* Any medications added to the tank? occasionally treat with Prazi for prophylactic reasons
* List entire medication/treatment history for fish and tank. Please include salt, Prazi, PP, etc and the approximate time and duration of treatment. Last Prazi treatment was about a month ago.
* Any unusual findings on the fish such as "grains of salt," bloody streaks, frayed fins or fungus? mild fin streaks on tail, has had white (not clear, WHITE) feces this past week and I have not remember seeing a normal poop recently.
* Any unusual behavior like staying at the bottom, not eating, etc.? bottom sitting, not eating, droopy/clamped fins, lethargy, shallow breathing, subtle twitch (like a series of hiccups)
I'm glad to be on the forum and could use a little advice on my sick comet goldfish. He seemed a little off recently and is now bottom sitting constantly with no interest in food, clamped fins, and a slight twitch (full body, like he has hiccups), and almost no "breathing" (for the past week). Slight red veining in the tail as of yesterday but no other external symptoms or injury. Positives are that he is sitting upright and eyes are alert. But I am very concerned as this is really unusual and he has a history of being the strongest, most healthy fish I have.
He does has a history of sensitive digestion (easily constipated) but overall has been very healthy, a voracious eater, and active forager. He is about 5" long and approximately 7 years old. He is the only occupant of a 20gal tank with some floating plants. These plants are not new; about 6 months old.
Last night when I got home there was a gross, giant white thing in the tank that I took to be feces. It was so big it looked almost like an organ. There was also a dark red thing that I assume is also waste but with blood. I sucked both into a test tube for further examination. See linked images. Gross.
worms perhaps? I was thinking internal bacteria issue but....
http://www.artbugdesign.com/tmp/IMG_0042.JPG
http://www.artbugdesign.com/tmp/IMG_0049.JPG
http://www.artbugdesign.com/tmp/IMG_0050.JPG
http://www.artbugdesign.com/tmp/IMG_0051.JPG
http://www.artbugdesign.com/tmp/IMG_0052.JPG
I've tested the water and performed regular waterchanges (25% - 50% and testing once a week, religiously) for years. We do have chlorinated tap water here so I always treat it (AquaSafe) and let it sit for a bit before adding it to the tank. I've made no recent changes to filter media, plantings, etc.
Added some Prazi on Monday, which doesn't seem to be having any effect.
Current water parameters and other info:
Test Results for the Following:
* Ammonia Level(Tank) = 0
* Nitrite Level(Tank) = 0
* Nitrate level(Tank) = 0
* Ammonia Level(Tap) = 0
* Nitrite Level(Tap) = 0
* Nitrate level(Tap) = 0
* Ph Level, Tank = 7.6
* Ph Level, Tap = 7.4 to 7.6
Other Info:
* Brand of test-kit used and whether strips or drops? SeaChem drops
* Water temperature? room temp, approximately 65 to 68 degrees
* Tank size = 20 gal, established 2.5 years ago
* What is the name and "size of the filter"(s)? I have two AquaClear A-595 filters running (each moves about 100GPM)
* How often do you change the water and how much? (25% - 50%, once a week)
* How many days ago was the last water change and how much did you change? (yesterday, 25%)
* How many fish in the tank and their size? one, about 5" long comet goldfish
* What kind of water additives or conditioners? AquaSafe
* What do you feed your fish and how often? Pro gold in the morning, a cooked pea at night
* Any new fish added to the tank? no
* Any medications added to the tank? occasionally treat with Prazi for prophylactic reasons
* List entire medication/treatment history for fish and tank. Please include salt, Prazi, PP, etc and the approximate time and duration of treatment. Last Prazi treatment was about a month ago.
* Any unusual findings on the fish such as "grains of salt," bloody streaks, frayed fins or fungus? mild fin streaks on tail, has had white (not clear, WHITE) feces this past week and I have not remember seeing a normal poop recently.
* Any unusual behavior like staying at the bottom, not eating, etc.? bottom sitting, not eating, droopy/clamped fins, lethargy, shallow breathing, subtle twitch (like a series of hiccups)
