This isn't technically a pond question but I thought you all might be able to help me with my goldfish. He lives in a 30 gallon tank by himself, has a biowheel filter rated for that size, and I change 5-10 gallons per week. No matter what I do, he gets a case of fungus about once a month that responds quickly to medicine. When he's healthy, he's shiny, active, bright, and generally a happy fish. Does anyone have any ideas about how I can prevent his monthly fungus? I hate to keep dumping antifungals in the tank.
goldfish fungus
Have you ever looked at the fungus with a microscope to confirm what exactly it is? Maybe it is a certain type that needs a different course of treatment. What medications have you been using so far?
No--I wouldn't know what I was looking at, even if I had a microscope! (gave it to the nephews...) I'm just using one of the all-purpose fungus medications from Petco (I don' t have it here). It works really well--and then it comes back. I have just been using one course, because he seems to be bright-eyed and finny-tailed after that. Maybe I need to do another course right after the first one even though he looks better?
You may want to add more salt to the water. I keep mine at a fairly high level, and it keeps away a good many fungus and bacteria.
thanks, I'll try that--he seems to have done better after the double course of fungicide, but we'll see...