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Should I worry ...?

Discussion in 'Fish and Aquarium - all types' started by Berriano, Feb 11, 2005.

  1. Berriano

    Berriano New Member

    Let me start by saying...I'm not a big fish person!

    My goldfish's scales are losing color...some of them have gone from bright orange, to silver/white. Is that normal? Also, he has what looks like a dark red bubble (tumor?) on his side...I've had him for 10 1/2 years.

    The only other fish I had was also a goldfish...he swam upside down for 3 years with what appeared to be a busted vein in his tail. He was 11 when he finally died...about 8 years ago...

    So...I obviously don't have a lot of exposure to fish...should I be concerned with this one, at all?
     
  2. Kirk

    Kirk New Member

    You must be doing somthing right if your fish died when it was that old! Well 10 and half years old is a ripe age for a goldfish. I believe that he average lifespan of a goldfish is 6-8 years. Is the goldfish a feeder or a fancy goldfish? I think the red spot may be a tumour. Thats what it sounds like to me but Chelle will know.
     
  3. t_chelle16

    t_chelle16 New Member

    What size tank is he in and what are the readings for ammonia, nitrIte, and nitrAte?

    Goldfish do change colors a bit over time, but it could also be a sign of illness so knowing those test results would help a lot.

    Can you post a pic of the growth on his side? My two initial guesses just from your description are tumor or lymphocystis. A tumor would possibly be treatable with surgery, but you would probably have a hard time finding a fish vet. Lymphocystis is a viral infection. There's really no treatment but it's generally not life threatening.

    As for your other goldfish, 11 years is pretty good for a goldfish. He was probably swimming upside down because he had swim bladder problems which are very common in the fancy, round-bodied goldfish. There are many causes so it may or may not have been treatable. But like I said, 11 years isn't too shabby for a goldfish so I think you did a pretty good job caring for him.

    -Chelle
     
  4. Kirk

    Kirk New Member

    How long has your goldfish had the tumour for?
     
  5. Berriano

    Berriano New Member

    Thanks, guys.

    Chelle: as for the readings, I don't have a clue! We've never kept tabs on it...or have the equipment to do so! He gets AmQuel and NovAqua every time his water is changed. He's in a small tank...not quite sure how bit it is...I'd guess 5 gallons? My mother won't allow him in a bigger tank because she doesn't want him to grow anymore.

    Kirk: He's a fancy...I believe. he's pretty big, and round bellied...

    I'll try and get a pic of him and the tumor thingy...I just noticed it for the first time today. It's pretty small, but it is noticable.

    What type of equipment should I look for, for the readings? Since if I go in unprepared, they'll probably try to sell me a bunch of things I don't need lol

    Like I said, I'm not a fish person. I know my horses, and everything about them and their health....but the fish are another story!

    Thanks guys :)
     
  6. Kirk

    Kirk New Member

    A fancy goldfish needs at leest ten gallons to itself. That is the bare minimum. If it is a tumour there isnt much you can do but hope it is benign. Well this is at least what I found when i researched. Trying to remove it would probaly do more harm than good. You do have a filter right? I wouldnt know what kit to get i have never tested my water either. I am getting a kit ASAP though.
     
  7. Berriano

    Berriano New Member

    Kirk: yes, there is a filter. It's changed regularly. I don't know if it's fancy or not....I won it at a carnival years ago. It looks just like my old one, but my parents bought me that one when I was really really young...I'd say 4 or 5....so I don't know!! I'm still trying to get a bigger tank, but house rules are "fish stay in the kitchen", and nothing bigger fits in the kitchen...but I'm working on finding another place Malaszhe (fishy) can stay (my room, or the sun room for example)
     
  8. Kirk

    Kirk New Member

    Yeah, tell them you goldfish really needs a bigger home.
     
  9. t_chelle16

    t_chelle16 New Member

    Does your fish look like this:
    http://www.shirleyaquatics.co.uk/pages/ ... ldfish.gif

    Or this:
    http://www.petoftheday.com/archive/2003 ... ber/29.jpg

    Common goldfish (the first pic and the kind most often won at carnivals) are supposed to get over 12" long and should have at least a 55 - 75 gallon tank (and even then they're more suited for ponds than aquariums). This variety generally lives 20+ years.

    Fancy goldfish (the 2nd pic) get around 6" long and should have at least a 20 gallon tank. This is the variety that generally lives 10 - 15 years.

    When fish "grow to the size of their tank" they are actually being stunted. It leads to deformities, weakened immune system and disease, and a shortened life span. It is NOT healthy for the fish in any way. And not to be mean, but I'm suprised your fish has survived so long in a 5 gallon tank. Especially if it's a common.

    You really need tests for ammonia, nitrIte, and nitrAte. They are toxic to fish and w/o the tests you have no idea if they are present and in what concentrations. With a goldfish in a 5 gallon, it is highly likely that they are not all in the safe range.

    Also, when you say you change your filter frequently, what exactly do you do? Replace all the media? Or just rinse it off? How often do you do water changes and how large are they?

    -Chelle
     
  10. Berriano

    Berriano New Member

    !!!! My poor fishy:(

    I had no idea!!

    He much more resembles that first one...12"?? wow...maybe I'll have to break the snake tank back out for him!
    When we change the filter, we replace all the media. And I'd guess the water is changed about once a week...we just change it all at once. I didn't think that was right, but it's been working so far, so I've left it be.
    My last fish was in a smaller tank...either 3 or 5 gallons...because that's what the pet store guy recommended...so I just figured this one would be OK in the same type of tank :\

    I'll be working on getting a bigger tank in the next couple days, I want Mal to be comfortable. He's always looked cramped in his current tank, but as I said, I've had trouble convincing Mother to allow a bigger tank...she's one of those "if it ain't broke, don't fix it...it's alive...the pet store guy said it's ok...so we're leaving it as is" kind of people.

    But I'll get on this right away

    Thanks, Chelle!
     
  11. t_chelle16

    t_chelle16 New Member

    That's great that you're getting a bigger tank! Yay for you and your fishy! :eek:

    Your cleaning routine really hasn't been ideal. When you replace all your media, you are throwing out all the benficial bacteria that helps get rid of the toxic ammonia & nitrIte.

    First, I suggest you read this article about the nitrogen cycle (it explains more thoroughly what the beneficial bacteria does) :
    http://flippersandfins.net/Cycling.htm

    I also strongly recommend you buy those test kits especially since you've been completely replacing your media and the tank has been cycling each time.

    Also, if it helps convince your mom, you could try showing her this pic of a 3 1/2 lb (looks to be about 12") common goldfish:
    http://www.kevinwakeman.com/fpics/jun702goldy.jpg

    -Chelle
     
  12. Berriano

    Berriano New Member

    ha. it's been almost 3 years since ive been on here. sadly, the update is that nothing changed. i moved out, ma was in love with mal and wouldnt let me take him, so he stayed...and nothings been done to change his living conditions. on the plus side, i was at ma's last week, and he's still going strong :)
     

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