Sick Oranda

[Elle]

I believe my Oranda is sick and am wondering how to treat. I noticed him sitting on the bottom of the tank a couple weeks ago, but it was early in the morning and I thought he was sleeping. As of yesterday, he has begun spending most of his time bottom sitting. I don’t know how to tell if he is “gasping” for air. I definitely see his open and close, but his breathing doesn’t appear rapid. He swims when I come by the tank and feed. Occasionally he goes to the top to gulp air (he’s always done this). His swimming appears normal. He has had semi-recurring cotton on his head the past couple weeks as well, but I do not see any now. The other fish in the tank act fine.

Aquarium: 65 gallons, 4 goldfish and 1 pleco
Age of tank: 6-7 months
Filtration: penguin 350 power filter
Temp: 70 F
PH 7.8
Ammonia: .25
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 60
Food: topfin goldfish flakes 1x per day

I usually do 50-75% changes every other week, but it has been about 3 weeks since the last water change before I did a 50% change yesterday. I will do another tomorrow. In the meantime, I used Prime to detoxify the ammonia and nitrate. Nitrate levels are always a bit higher than I would like.

 

[King Fisher]

50% water changes every week is good practice. Your nitrates are a little high for long term health.

 

[Elle]

Thanks for the advice, I will start doing that.

In the meantime, wondering how to treat my Oranda. He has deteriorated overnight. He has a cotton-like growth on his head and his fins don’t look healthy (starting to look frayed). I had fasted the tank for two days to feed peas, but he did not perk up at all when I put some flakes in to see how he would react. I’ve now put him in an isolation tank and dosed with melafix. Should I combine with another medication? Is Melafix a good way to go? I’m thinking the issue is likely bacterial, but I have some methylene blue to treat for fungus if that’s advised.

 

[King Fisher]

I don't care for melafix. Methylene Blue should work. Personally I'd dose Seachem Paragaurd and Seachem Kanaplex at the same time with 50% water changes every two days until he heals up.

The Paragaurd you'll dose daily. The Kanaplex you dose every two days.