Please Help Sick Comet Goldfish

[kmp1123]

Hello all,
I am looking for help for my sick goldfish. She is a 9 year old comet goldfish named Jack about 9 inches long. She is in a 30 gallon tank by herself with only gravel in it right now. One morning she was at bottom of tank and flipped upside down. Then she moved around and swam to top, she went back upright and to the bottom of tank. This is how it started. Then she was slightly on her side and seemed to be stressed. I immediately called around and researched. She has red streaks like in the tail fin, later after about 5 days the body from approx the anus to tail fin turned red/pinkish. She mostly hangs at the bottom in the corner by the airstone. She swims a bit here and there and seems to kinda sink back down as she is swimming back to the bottom. The redness got worse and scales seem to be out similiar to dropsy, and only in this part of her body. I spoke with a few fish people at pet stores and was told at first it was septicimia, bacterial infection, then later dropsy(due to the infection??). She has not and will not eat for about 14 days now. I have been putting in Kordons all natural disease treatment. I did 7 days, then 20% water change. I am on the second treatment for 5 days now. I also was told to put in aquarium salt so I did that. I also was told to keep temperature between 78-80 degrees. Then I was told it is too high and to lower temp under 70 degrees. I had the water tested and it was pretty good, but thinking I should test again. There is not really any improvement and she looks the same. I am stumped and not sure what to treat her for and what to do? She has been sick for 2 weeks now. I am feeling horrible and wish there was someone to talk to. Is there a way I could post pictures? Can anyone help me?
Thank you so much!!
Kimberly

[Mlani]

I'm sorry I don't know more about goldfish. Do you have a test kit? I'm sure you'll be asked what the tanks levels are exactly. Ammonia, ph, nitrites and nitrates? Also are you using the app for mobiles? Or are you on a computer? The techniques for posting pics are different between the two.

[kmp1123]

Hi there,
I thank you for taking the time to reply. I do not have a test kit right now and need to get one. I am using a computer so if I can post pictures I would do it through my computer.

Thanks so much

[Mlani]

While you're waiting for someone with more knowledge about goldfish, I'd pick up a master test kit.(I recommend the liquid drops) You can get them at your lfs (local fish store) here they run about $24.00. Then test your water carefully following the directions. Once you've done that post your results on this thread so others have more info to help you with. As for the pictures that I can help with When you're posting there is an icon that looks like a postcard. Click on that and add the URL for your picture.

[jlk]

Pics and your exact readings for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, & ph will help us out alot!!! It does sound like septicemia (internal bacterial infection) with the red streaking in the fins but this can also be caused by poor water conditions (thus, the test kit). As your fish is not eating, proper treatment will be more difficult. How much aquarium salt did you add? I would start with this- do a 50% water change asap with temperature matched (match new water temp to your tank water), conditioned water (dose conditioner to the size of your tank). Continue doing this daily until you can get a test kit & we can see what is going on with your water. Skip the Kordons treatment. I would like for you to procure some kanamycin for your water until he starts eating again & then we can switch to a med food. You can find kanamycin on amazon (Seachem's kanaplex $5-6 a container) if your lfs does not carry it. Keep us posted!!!

[stingrays4]

Hi also do you have a filter on the tank? Also the temperature reading could be handy? The water changes will certainly help,also be honest is the tank clean or mucky? Is there any muck around on the gravel?If so try and remove this. Goldies are notoriously mucky fish! Good luck

[kmp1123]

Hello all,

The salt I went by the instructions of 1 tablespoon for every 5 gallons, but I only added 4 tablespoons. I do have a filter for a 20-30 gallon tank and it is one that is on the top of the tank, which is the kind I have always used. The water is clear and clean. There is a small amount of stuff on the gravel, which is why I was thinking...should I take out the gravel? She is a messy fish yes and sometimes the tank does get more dirty. I was going to clean the tank again. I also bought Prime to add to the water and was told it was good stuff. The tank temperature now is 70 degress.

I do not know how to post the pictures and if I could figure it out I could show you I am being honest and the tank is not really dirty. I do not know what the URL is to add the picture, sorry I am not a computer guru. I just transfered pictures from my camera to my computer.

Thank You all

[jlk]

Do you have a gravel vac for doing water changes? If not, i would look into getting one so you can suck the muck out of the gravel. Dont even consider removing the gravel right now- theres lots of beneficial bacteria in it & without a test kit, you will not be able to monitor your tank conditions. Test kit first!! Prime is great stuff, btw!
If you have the pics on your computer, try this- click on the 'go advanced' respond button below. When the screen comes up, look on the top of the box you write in & you will see a little paperclip. Click on the paperclip & another box will come up. Click on the 'browse computer' box & your computer files will come up. Then just go to your pictures & click on a pic (it will highlight it) & click 'open' & then hit 'upload'. Repeat the browse, click on pic, open, & upload for each additional pic. Hope this helps!
RE- salt
When you do a water change, only add back the salt you are removing. If its a 50% pwc, add back 1/2 of the original dose of salt premixed in a cup of tank water.

[kmp1123]

Hello Again,
I attached my pictures here so hopefully this provide better feedback.

Thank You so much all!!!

[jlk]

Have you considered upgrading his tank? He really needs a bigger home. He def has an infection happening. Start doing daily water changes until you can get some kanamycin (kanaplex). If you are unable to order it, you can try Maracyn2 (minocycline) which is available in most Petsmarts in addition to the aq salt. And get yourself a test kit so we see whats going on with his water. Keep us posted!

[CMN]

I would keep using salt and 50% water change often.

[Starka]

Originally Posted by kmp1123

Hello Again,
I attached my pictures here so hopefully this provide better feedback.

Thank You so much all!!!

She's very pretty. I hope everything turns out well.

[Mlani]

How's Jack doing? Is she looking any better?

[stingrays4]

Hi i would try and get a bigger tank if i was you if possible? A little muck isn't going to hurt as most tanks contain some,mine more than most Have you ever added any live plants at all? Some eleoda could help benefit the tank? Plust the fish may nibble on it as they like there greens unlike me Good luck and keep us posted. Also if you do not know how to test the water a local fish shop should be able to do this for you? Also well done on adding the photo's

[kmp1123]

Hello All,
I really appreciate all the help and advice from everyone. I went to the pet store and got some Maracyn 2, which I started Wednesday night. I could not find Kanamycin/Kanaplex. Also when I did some searches to find the meds Maracyn came up. Do you know are they the same medicine as Maracyn? The redness in her body has gotten better and its more pink. The scales are still sticking out by the tail. She seems to be trying to move around more. I had the water tested and the ammonia and nitrate was slightly elevated. I did another water change about 50%, added Prime in bucket before putting in tank, then waited a bit and put in the Maracyn 2. I used my gravel syphon when I changed the water. There is not much dirt in the tank. I am keeping the temp at 70-72, is this good you think? She is not eating still and thought I would see what happens after the 5 day treatment. If she is not better shall I repeat the Maracyin 2? The package says you can. A far as a bigger tank I am kinda stuck because I do not have any place to put her. I asked what would happen if I kept her in the same tank and was told I would need to stay on top of the water to keep it clean. I really thought the 30 gallon would be ok.

Thank you so much all!!
Kimberly

[jlk]

Hi Kimberly! I am glad you are seeing a bit of improvement! Def repeat the maracyn2 for a second course of treatment if necessary. FYI, Maracyn is erthromycin(gram positive) while Maracyn2 is minocycline(gram negative). They are very different types of antibiotics. Keep up the good work with the pwcs, the salt, & the meds! Your temp is fine so dont worry! Ill keep my fingers crossed for you & Jack (love the story about her name!)!!! Keep us posted!!

[kmp1123]

Jack update: Jack's redness is now turned to a very light pink. The scales are not sticking out as much. She is still not eating though and I am trying medicatd food. I did a 5 day treatment of Maracyn 2 and did a water change/cleaning, and added carbon back in filter for 3 days now. I am going to repeat the Maracyn 2 5 day treatment starting today. I have kept the temp at 70, and tested water. As of this morning the Nitrate level was slightly elevated according to the chart, it was around 20 caution. The alkallnity was 300 high and PH was 8.5 . The hardness was 300 ideal and the other levels were good. She does not swim much and not eating as I said, so this is worrysome. Am I doing the right things?

[jlk]

Yes, you are doing good & i am glad you have seen some improvement! I didnt realize your ph was on the high side. This is not a bad thing but it does make Maracyn2 less effective (bit complex to explain). This would be my suggestion- order some 'kanaplex' (amazon @$7-8) because this will be a more effective treatment given your water parameters. Go ahead with the second course of treatment with the maracyn2 in the meantime & we will see how things look in 5days. Keep us posted & good luck!

[stingrays4]

Hi good to hear Jack seems to be improving if not eating. Fish can go along time without food so no real worries there yet. Keep offering food though and offer various type of foods just in case he fancies a certain type of food? Good luck

[kmp1123]

Hello All,
I just wanted to post an update for any who may see my post here. Jack was too sick and she did pass away. I found a doctor and took her to a fish vet specialist and he was so nice, but said her chances were not good. He also informed me she was pretty old. I see that Comet Goldfish have a life expectancy of 14 years and she was 10. The medicines I used he said were good just not strong enough. After speaking with the doctor I decided to put her to sleep. I am so sad and really miss her, she really had quite the personality. I want to thank all of you who were so nice to help me here as I really appreciate all of you. I apologize for not posting earlier, but I have been sad.....may sound weird.....she was just so, so cute! I feel better because she is not suffering and now has the biggest tank ever in fish heaven.
I plan on trying to get another fish sometime.
thank you again everyone