AaronW
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Today I noticed that my goldfish is swelling behind his gills?
Parameters were
.25 ammonia
0 nitrites
20 ppm nitrates
Parameters were
.25 ammonia
0 nitrites
20 ppm nitrates
Is my goldfish sick?
- Thread starter AaronW
- Start date
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jlk
Aquarium Advice Addict
Tank size? Stocking? How long has the tank been running? The last time you added a new fish? Anything specific beyond red gills such as flashing, gulping at surface, red black or white spots/patches/steaks, heavy or rapid breathing, etc ? The more info you can provide the better we can help!
OP
OP
AaronW
Aquarium Advice FINatic
jlk said:
The tank has been running for 3 months. The last time I added fish was Christmas eve. He doesn't have red gills. He gulps at the surface. No rapid breathing. He has clamped fin.
I am currently overstocked. I'm trying to fix that but I just don't know how.
He's in there with 2 severums 4 Congo Tetras, 1 tiretrack eel, 1 Pleco, 2 clown coaches, a gourami and a Pictus cat. The tank is 60 gallons
I've been having temperature issues because it's very chilly for California.
jlk
Aquarium Advice Addict
What is the temp in the tank? I would start by increasing your water changes to keep the amm below .25ppm. I am guessing because the tank has only been running for three months that all of these fish are new (as in past 3mths)? The issue is how I would address the goldie wont work with the other fish in the tank. Is it possible you can pick up a 15 or 20g plastic storage bin from walmart or kmart and a cheap filter (if you dont have an extra)? I know both of these stores near me still have xmas stuff on clearance & bins like this are on clearance for a couple of dollars (usually @10).
My suggestion would be to move him to this and treat him with a combo of .1% salinity (may up this to .3 if needed) and Prazipro for atleast 3-4wks. My guess is its a combo of the ammonia and either/both gill flukes or ich in the gills. But this also presents the issue if he does have ich or flukes, this means its in your tank as well even if no else has symptoms yet. You can treat everyone safely with Prazi but most of the other fish cant handle salt needed. I also dont know absolutely if they can handle the double dose schedule needed to treat the goldfish. Let me know how you would like to approach this because its a bit complicated and we can try to figure out the best means for your situation.
My suggestion would be to move him to this and treat him with a combo of .1% salinity (may up this to .3 if needed) and Prazipro for atleast 3-4wks. My guess is its a combo of the ammonia and either/both gill flukes or ich in the gills. But this also presents the issue if he does have ich or flukes, this means its in your tank as well even if no else has symptoms yet. You can treat everyone safely with Prazi but most of the other fish cant handle salt needed. I also dont know absolutely if they can handle the double dose schedule needed to treat the goldfish. Let me know how you would like to approach this because its a bit complicated and we can try to figure out the best means for your situation.
OP
OP
AaronW
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Well from what I've read on the Internet is he has dropsy. Or at least symptoms of it. I've moved him to a qt tank. But I'm not sure how to treat him. I may take him to the vet. There's one near me with a fish specialist
jlk
Aquarium Advice Addict
Are his scales pineconing (lifting up)- this indicates dropsy. Swollen gills/surface gulping is not indicative of dropsy- it means he is having a hard time getting oxygen into his body. Is his stomach swollen as well? An aquatic vet can offer alot options/diagnostics but your going to need to address his living situation as part of the solution as well. Let us know what the vet says!
