My gold fish is sick

:cry:

Hi all,

I have a 60 litres tank with two gold fishes (a big one and a newcomer).

The big one, I call it food-wreck, is sick. It lies on the bottom and does not move at all. I don't know what to do. I have air bubbles, clean water (1/3 change every two weeks) and medication is also ok.

Any ideas ?

Rgrds Tev

 

hmmm...is it eating at all or showing any symptoms such as being bloated, or having any parasites on him?

 

can you post a pic ?

 

How long did you add the newcomer? Were they sold as feeder fish? I could be possible that if the newcomer was a feeder that it could have brought something into your tank.

 

How large are the fish?
What are your readings for ammonia, nitrIte, and nitrAte?
What type of goldfish?
You said medication is okay? What meds are you using?

60 liters (approx 16 gallons for us metrically challenged) is a bit too small for goldfish. For 2 fancy goldfish, you really need closer to 115 liters (30 gallons) and larger would be even better.

-Chelle

 

Hi all,

Thanks for quick response. My food-wreck is 7-8 cm long with a magnificient tail. I've had it last 3,5 years. I suspect the newcomer as well. However, it has shown some signs of sickness before. Once I tried to give a small portion of tubfex worms, instead of usual gold fish flakes. After that, I observed that it has been slower in movements and signs for unusual digestion activity.

As medication, I use Ektozon and aqua-salt against nitrite, parasites.

No parasite signs. Maybe eyes has become bigger.

Visit http://itefix.no/download/food-wreck.jpg for a photo.

Water-test according to Tetra-test strip :

NO3 - 25 mg/l, NO2 - 1 mg/l, GH > 16, KH - 0, pH - 6.4

Rgrds Tev

 

hmmmm, that spot on its side.....has it alwyas been there or does that seem almost more like a bruise? (where blood has been seeping into the skin) if its new, thta could be a major symptom that would help figure out the cause of the sickness.

 

A nitrIte (NO2) reading of 1 is probably part of the problem. I suggest doing daily water changes to keep it as close to 0 as you can. After that, I would increase your water changes to every week and start looking for a larger tank. If the fish is only about 7 - 8 cm after over 3 years, it's probably a bit stunted which can lead to immune system problems and greater susceptibility to diseases among other things.

The nitrIte reading also indicates that you either don't have enough filtration or it went through a mini cycle when you added the new fish. Since you say you're adding salt for nitrIte, has that been an on going problem even before you added the new fish? What filter do you currently have? Can you get a reading for ammonia (NH3)? Also, if there are no signs of parasites, there's no need to be treating for parasites.

-Chelle