Though, the fish stay indoors. They've been doing well until a couple days past I noticed my blackmore appears to be lathegic? Then yesterday one of my other goldfish shows same behavior. Sluggish coming to feed. Stay in the bottom more. "Fishmouth" breathing (looks labored). I'm concerned, these are 2 years old fish. Any help out there?
My blackmore gold fish looks sick....
It could be a number of things. High ammonia levels. Several diseases can produce those symptoms. The most common one is gill flukes.
Have you checked ammonia levels? Try a partial water change. If that doesn't perk them up you may want to treat for flukes.
Hi Prickle;
Boys am I glad I've got a response. The water was changed in a regular basis. New filter too was replaced not too long ago. Gill Flukes? There is no open sores noted, the gill, fins appear normal too. Is Melafix, an antibacterial fish remedy one? We've started the treatment last 24 hours. Anxiously waiting for any changes. Thank you, very, very much.
One very worried fishmomma.
Kim
Parasites are treated a little different than bacterial and fungal infections.
Potassium permanganate is one treatment. Fluke-tabs are another and there's PraziPro which is a liquid.
I'm sure there are others but those are the ones that immediately come to mind. I'm using PraziPro which can also be used twice a year in spring and fall as a preventative.
Thanks again,
Since I wasn't sure which ail my fish. K-Permanganate, Fluke-tab. and PraziPro. I'm heading out to the store ASAP.
Thank you, again.
Kim
Let's hope whatever you do works. Keep me posted :)
Many thanks,
The new tx. is applied as per direction on the bottle. I'll be sure to post the results.
How long ago was the filter replaced? And when you do water changes......you mean partial water changes right?
Hi azreno,
The filters were changed less than a week, the water was changed on May 30th, at that time a complete cleaning of the rocks with suction/vac. 1/3 water body was changed out, and replaced with proper amount of de-chlorinate solution.
I didn't see where you had checked your ammonia levels? You wiped out the bacteria in the tank that breaks down the waste. I think you're fish are stressing from that and are not actually afflicted with something. You could help them by increasing any air you have going in there. Also if you have the old filter pads still just placing one where water can flow thru will help (there's good bacteria on there). You can also get a jumpstart bacteria, but chances are you're already at or past the point that would have prevented- the point where you might lose your fish. Stop feeding immediately! You can do 25% water changes daily until they improve.
I hope they make it Kim!
Hi Prickle, azreno;
Last night, the two fish appeared somewhat perked up for a brief few mins. But this morning they're back to the baseline of the day before ~ on the bottom, and looking tired.
Due to the Tx. recommendation, we've to temporarily removed the carbon filters. Less air circulation. Oh boys! Did we mess up bad? Should we resume the filter pump? We didn't check the amonia level because the water supposedly being clean. Too clean? (inadvertently wiped out normal beneficial floras). Urgh!!!!!
Kim
Never remove the oxygen supply, even if you pull the carbon out...(the carbon will pull things out of the water, even medications)
Definitely check the ammonia, a "too clean" filter system certainly CAN wipe out your good bacteria and allow ammonia to take over. There are several options available at the pet store to correct that situation. Go for one that lowers ammonia immediately, and get a "good bacteria" concoction to reseed the healthy bacteria that keeps your pond balanced. Both are easy to find in most of the larger pet stores. Keep oxygen going!
Salt can be added to cure a great many diseases that are invisible and lurking, without altering the whole water quality system.
Azreno is correct, hold off on food for a few days, to see if you can balance your water again.
Ditto that, thanks Mary, will do all we can. Hubby wants to replace maybe 25% of the water today. Is that sound? Will hold the feeding for 24 - 48 hrs.
Amonia checked, and it was neg. The blackmore has shown evidence of Parasitic infection. The scales loss on big portion of its body. It tries hard to survive, another multicolor goldfish is also being affected. Though no visual damage seen on this one. The two fish seem to huddle together on the bottom of the tank. :(
In our 55 gals. tank, there are other 4 gold fish, a tetra, and a silver dollar (?) small fish. My question now is, should I isolate the affected 2 fish. Should there be proper new tank set up, with pump-filter for the quarantine tank?
"My question now is, should I isolate the affected 2 fish."
I would.
"Should there be proper new tank set up, with pump-filter for the quarantine tank?"
You'll need something with at least an oxygen supply.
Some people use rubbermaid or sterlite storage bins for temporary fish housing, like bringing them in for the winter. With a pump and filter set up.
This message was edited Jun 12, 2007 1:19 AM
This may or may not help:
"Scale Loss- If your fish are losing scales for no apparent reason (such as breeding) then it is commonly found to be caused from Myxosporidiosis. The only treatment for this is to keep doing water changes and get rid of the parasites. Symptoms: Fish gasping, pale gills. (back to top)"
from:
http://www.goldfishinfo.com/ailment1.htm
If you're positive you have parasites and you're afraid you'll lose them, I'd say it's time for a salt bath. Also, someone suggested salting the tank, I would be sure to do that as well.
Ok, I've read the articles, and am uncertain still as how the "salt dip" works. Rather, how do one do it? Take the affected fish and dip them in a salt bath momentarily? Then return them back into the tank.
Salting the tank? How long should the salt-water being kept. Before we replace it back to it normalcy? Or is the water is contaminated already?
We replaced 1/2 water the day before after the 1st Fluke treatment. Will do the other half water change today.
Another question; To cut down the amount of algea growth, we've not provided extra artificial light to the fish. Is that a mistake? The ambien nutural light in the room is minimal, window facing North.
The fish All are in a diet right now. (withheld feedings). When can I resume feeding them? Oxygen pump is on 24/7. Filters were removed temporarily while Fluke treatment is in progress.
On feeding, I would not resume until they show signs of activity, i.e. if it doesn't look like they will eat all you would be doing is dirtying the water :(
.Salt dips are a quick dip then a return to the tank. The fish should be showing signs of serious distress before pulling out- it is risky and if you're not confident in doing it, then don't. Such a concentration of salt kills parasites though.
Salting is something that is very subjective, some people will keep tanks salted all the time, others only when they need to. Salt does help fish maintain a slimecoat though which is how they normally repel parasites. My guess would be they lost their slimecoat with the recent filter change (there would have been a point where your ammonia was terribly high) and became vulnerable to something that was there all the time. So the water should have at least some salt in it all teh time, how much would be a personal descision.
On lighting, I dunno if they would do better with more light or not....sounds like a science project! Who's got kids that need one?
Cute! I'm feeling a little stressed. And feeling helpless isn't a very good feeling either! The two fish is huddling on the bottom of the tank!!!
Kids may not want to see these 2 poor fish. They may cry. I am NOT very happy right now.
::hug:: I'm sorry there's not more we can do to help you.
It sounds like you're trying all the right things.
This explains how to salt dip:
http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/Salt.html
Thank everyone, for coming to help. A third gold fish, a larger multicolor one also shows sign of distress. I dipped all three of them this evening. Blackmoor especially is looking worse, of the 3. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks for all your support.
Kim
Good news, bad news...
Bad news is my blackmoor didn't make it. I lost it on June 13th. Four days later, the good news; my other gold fish seem stronger. They resumed feeding, and more active. Once again, I thanks for the aids provided. Especially to Prickle, azreno, merryMary.
Kim
Sorry you lost it, I just love black moors- I think they have such personalities. I hope things continue on an upward trend for you Kim! Things like this are so frustrating, it is so difficult to know exactly what action to take :(
Lily_love I'm sorry he died. My ex and I once had a black moor for several years until he eventually died from swim bladder disease. My ex really took it hard. Some people think they're "just" fish but they all have their own personality.
I'm glad the other fish are perking up though. I hope they continue to mend.
Here I go again,
The above gold fish looks bad, here are some symptoms; Staying on the surface gasping for oxygen? It did that for a day or two. Now it's back to its base line, where it just stay in the bottom, and appears sluggish, tried to feed, but then it spitted the food back out. I've noticed some missing portion of its fronts fins (thus made it less mobile?). We've since then "salt-dip" it twice. Is there any thing else I can do? I thought it was recovering nicely, now the relapse!
Kim
This message was edited Jul 1, 2007 1:54 PM
So the story goes....
I lost my fish, a neighbor caught a fish, one of our friends brought another friend a big ole frog for his newly made pond, lost the babe during transit. This morning the other friend was driving to work, and the frog jumped into his laps as if to say "take me to my new home". :-)
So he turned around a brought 'Hermit' the frog home. Hope he wasn't docked for being late to work.
I have a baby koi that is sick. Don't understand the salt dip.
Christie,
The salt is to help rid of parasistic organisms that attacked your fish, as I understand it. Read up on the link provided above by Azano, meryMary and Prickle. It's very informative.
DH and I bought several big bags of (special salt), not our iodized salt, table salt is a no no. We bought the salt when our Kois got sick last summer, but it was too late. So we had it at hand to use on the Gold fish, it seems to help. But I think the disease was far advance, we have lost the above two fish (pictured).
Kim
So sorry , love. Thank you for your assistance.
These are great places to ask advice and look up treatment info for goldfish and koi:
http://thegab.org/forum/
http://koivet.com/
Hi Everyone
I don't have fish but I was thinking about it. I thought I'd drop in on your posts to learn what I could. There is a lot to learn. You all are very knowlegeable. I am not sure I am ready for it. I am a respiratory therapist and spend a great deal of time helping people to breathe effectively and I am not sure I want to do that days and work on fish breathing the rest of the time! Question: I have a long stream with a few waterfalls (three separate small ponds) that ends in a gravel bog. I know that koi aren't suitable, but will goldfish survive? Will the waterfall action send the fish to the gravel bog or will they be able to stay in each pond? I think each pond is about 2 feet deep in the center. I wouldn't have a filter but would have plants. No problems raising frogs - I have a million of these little one inch sized critters everywhere. It is clear how much pleasure and (pain) it can be to raise fish (sorry about Spot and all the other loses). Maybe this photo of my "resident" fish will brighten your day. Any input on whether gold fish will do well and how much maintenance gold fish will need is appreciated.
just toooooo cute! What is her name?
Hi Missingrosie;
Welcome to the wonder land of water gardening. Yes, keeping the fish health it's like intepretating ABG. A delicating balance, have fun and best of lucks. For a good start, those links were provided by merryMary, azreno, and Prickle are good bookmark links for future referrence. One thing I learned is that agonal respiration pattern, is an endstage progression. Another short coming is that, we couldn't hook it up on to an EKG to read the vital rhyths of our beloved fish.
Hi Christie
I haven't named her - she already thinks she is queen around here - no sense encouraging her. That's why I've strung her up - to keep her humble!
Kim
Understand the difficulties with no ECG abilities and associated shortcomings - but there is a bright side to that: If you found yourself in a position to shock - underwater - ...it would be a real hair-raising experience!
Here is a photo of the stream layout
and where I am afraid the fish may end up once their wild ride is over
Good point, Rosie. You've got a nice thing going on there it seems. I'm no expert, others has lot more to contribute. Though remembering my first water feature. I guess-e-mate it to be couple hundred gallons worth. DH laughed, and asked when did we have one that size? It was a mere 40 Gallons. And we raised a few gold fish in there. 2 feets are plenty deep. I believe, unsure how the stream and other factors going to affect your fish. It's time to call in the expert, I do believe.
merryMary, azreno, and Prickle
Any opinion on whether or not I can provide a healthy environment for the gold fish in the stream feeding the gravel bog?
I would appreciate your considered opinion(s).
Thank you.
Dot
What a beautiful water feature! I love the way it winds down the hill.
Throw some goldfish in there. If the water is that deep that will give them plenty of room to escape whatever turbulance is caused by the waterfalls. Having the waterfalls will also provide plenty of oxygen in the water and keep it fresh. When I had my first pond (I have not been able to resist adding a little on each year, now I have two ponds and a stream with waterfalls connecting the two) I just went to the bait shop and got some feeder goldfish. They did very well with no care from me and were fascinating to watch. I am sure you will enjoy the activity and color they will provide for you.
Hi missingrosie,
I dunno. I've never had a stream. In fact I'm new to having a pond. My thought would be that they would probably end up in the bog if the water flow is strong.
Hopefully someone with more experience will come along. You might want to make this a new question on the main board. It would probably attract more attention that way.