What is this?

[Laurencallen74]

My Oranda has a vague mucous-like substance near his mouth, and I really had to look hard to see it.

 

[librarygirl]

Does it look like cotton? Cotton-mouth maybe? Can you get a pic?

 

[abrahamavelar]

or maybe velvet

 

[Laurencallen74]

Almost resembles a barely there mucous/slime shedding. Sorry. No pic.

 

[abrahamavelar]

yeah we need pics so we can help you out

 

[Laurencallen74]

I tried, but you can't see it on the pic. Not velvet. And it doesn't look like cotton mouth.

 

[abrahamavelar]

Hmmm has ur fish been fightin

 

[abrahamavelar]

I found this at the lfs

 

[Laurencallen74]

No and yes. He's the sweetest Oranda, and I think I have given my buddy the death sentence.

Yes, because I think the poor guy is fighting for his life.
(story below)

Hello all,
Being a novice fishkeeper, I feel I may have done my beloved fancies a great disservice.

Short story:
I had two fancies gifted to my 5 year old over a year ago. I had no idea what I was doing with these fish in a 10 gallon tank. As I read up, I realized these two were probably grossly over crammed. At first I'm sure we over fed. Then, Bob got a cloudy eye and unfortunately passed. (after 3 months)

Enter more studying on fish.

We got a 25 gallon and didn't probably cycle properly. I made the unfortunate decision to listen to a friend who has remarkably sturdy goldies that defy every odd when it comes to surviving a transfer.

Stripe (my son named him and funny enough, we have no idea if it's a male and he has no stripes!)

We set up the tank, used prime in the water, and did NOT cycle. I didn't listen to the nitrogen cycle info because I was sold products that I was told would work instead and I wanted Stripe to have more room.

He is an oranda. He and our new addition Bella adore each other, and did well despite having me as their keeper.

Only now that I got a 46 gallon for them have I realized what a bad study I have been.

I read everything late.

I used the old gravel, one small filter with the old media, (transferred directly from old tank) a new emperor 280 (with more old media in it) and live plants from old tank along with some new ones and 2 moss balls.

24 hours running, used prime and Seachem's Head Start kit with stability. I bubble wand and a bubble stone. added tiny bits of fish food.

I really thought I was doing right by them and felt proud. So after 24 hours I added them after temp acclimation.

I have the API master test kit. My ammonia (it's day 3) is at 0-0.25 Nitrite at 0.25. My water is hard so the PH is at about 7.5. (don't worry, I used prime to dechlor)

Today I did a 25% water change.

My oranda swims around, but tends to favor the bottom corner. The other fantail is very active, but loves her buddy so she is always checking on him.

He also has vague veins that are red in his tail.



I'm so sad. Has anyone has fancies survive the nitrogen cycle? I'll be so sad if they pass because all this expensive upgrading is just for the happiness of two fancy goldfish.

So much conflicting advice out there.

Any thoughts on what I can do to try to help them survive this cycle, or are they doomed because of me?

Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated, and please be gentle, I feel crappy enough as it is.

Thanks a million,
Lauren, Stripe, and Bella.