Re: Fantail with Hanging Sac
Just a question: the bulge is coming at the joint of his two tails...I don't see it connected to his anus. Wouldn't the intestines, if they were to come out of his body, come out through the anus? I do see white stringy feces in the tank.
<These sort of prolapses do occur at what we would consider the anus... the pore/opening is actually a communal opening for the excretory and reproductive products. Bob Fenner> 

What's up With This Goldfish?
A few weeks ago I bought 4 fish. The calico goldfish and one of the other fish that looks like a goldfish but is much darker [I don't remember what the name of the fish is] kept chasing each other. it wasn't aggressive chasing like the rainbow shark was doing. kind of like mating chasing and they both kept wiggling. I swear I didn't get 2 goldfishes.  I had 2 mice that had 10 babies and I DO NOT want to go through THAT again!
<Mmm, well, goldfish are not quite as likely to reproduce>
The fish did the whole chasing thing for a whole week, now the goldfish has dug a hole in the gravel in one of the corners of the tank [I have a 10~gallen by the way] directly under the heat pump. We have 2 ponds [not for show, for fishing out of] and I only know when our bass and catfish do this it's when they mate.
<Yes... but not goldfish, I assure you>
PLEASE tell me the goldfish is sick and that I can cure the fish by giving the fish some medicine or something. I really don't want baby fishies swimming in the tank.
<Don't know that it IS sick... likely your system... and the fish/es being new is at play here>
until you reply I'm going to put the goldfish into a quart jar that has marbles at the bottom and an air stone, and I'll transfer the heat pump from the two containers every two hours so the fishes won't get too cold. [I am REALLY hoping the goldfish is just sick]
PLEASE!!!
EMAIL ME BACK!
Kacy
<Do read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/gldfshsystems.htm  and the linked files (above, in blue). Bob Fenner> Oh, also... I feel really bad for putting my little fishy in the quart jar, but I can't afford 2 tanks. but that's all I have. :( so that will just have to do for right now. I plan on going to Wal-mart tomorrow and getting a Betta tank [5~gallon] and keeping it in there until it gets better so it won't look so un comfy. :(
<Ah, good. Bob Fenner> 

Bubble eye
I bought a bubble eye from Wal-Mart on Sunday. I also bought a black moor and a lionhead none of which are real big. They are in pre-cycled clean 10 gallon tank...
<This tank is too small for these fish...>
...and have been doing great. Now today on Thursday all of a sudden the bubble eyes' eyes have deflated. He looks healthy and still eats good but I don't know what happened.
<Your system is going through "another cycle"... with too much waste...>
When I got up this morning he was fine and now all of a sudden when I got home this evening he has deflated. I have some plastic plants but nothing that I think would puncture him. I also have some natural plants that will start to grow shortly.
<Ah, good>
Could you please help me and also tell me what food is better between the pellets and that flakes?
<Good question... there are actually good/bad of both... I/we will gladly comment on the brands if you want to state which you're referring to. Better/best to supplement your fish's diets with some frozen/defrosted food occasionally, offer some fresh greens (like peas, boiled...) on a daily basis. Really though, your system is likely inadequate... Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/gldfshsystems.htm and the links (above, in blue). Bob Fenner>
Thanks, Brandi

Listless Goldfish
I need help with a small orange Oranda who's about as big as a human thumb. I bought it last week at a local pet store who has a good reputation for taking good care of their fish. I brought it home and placed it in the 3 gal. tank with the other pearl scale goldfish that was already there.
<This is way too small a volume both these two fish>
The first few days it was in the tank it was swimming around happy and feeding well. Then it started staying at the bottom and not wanting to move, so I took it out and put it in a separate tank. I haven't noticed any outward signs of ich so I thought that maybe it was an internal parasite. I put Rid Ich plus disease treatment in the tank and changed about 25% of the water every other day, most recent change was yesterday.
<Uh oh... this medication will effectively kill off your biological filtration>
Unfortunately the fish still stays the same not moving just staying at one place on the bottom of the tank. I don't believe its the water quality of the main tank since the pearl scale is happily swimming around and feeding without problems. Can you please suggest any other treatments or ideas as to what can be done to help my fish?
Thanks,
Sharon
<Good move on the water changes... Likely the first and primary cause of the listlessness was just "being new" to your system... secondly, the inability of the small system to "ramp up" to processing carbon dioxide, nitrogenous wastes... Short answer: three gallons is too small for even one of these fish. Then the "ich" treatment... Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/gldfshsystems.htm 
and the Related Links (in blue above)... and over to what parts of the site you lead yourself to on Cycling. Bob Fenner> 

I have a goldfish that has a Nemo problem.
<He's been captured and sold to a dentist in Sydney?>
One fin is normal size, the other fin is very minimal.  
<Oh... no big deal... a genetic anomaly>
When we bought the fish, it was about 1", and the tail and fins look normal. Now, the fish body is about 2-1/2" long, but the tail hasn't grown much. The fish is getting so big that it has problem balancing.  The other goldfish I have in the same tank is normal.  Is there anything I can feed him to make his fins grow?  D
<Mmm, not as far as I know... all will likely work out in time... with the tail growing some, balancing the fish. Bob Fenner> 

Goldfish breeding
A few years ago I bought a goldfish. recently I bought another Goldfish that has white spots all over it's body,
<Mmm, not all over... this is a disease>
could this be a male? the first goldfish has never had white spots but is generally big. how can I get them to mate, they don't really seem to notice each other. the male is smaller than the female. Do I need to raise the temperature in the tank or give them a different diet or what?
regards
Martin
<Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/goldfish.htm
and the blue links above. Bob Fenner>

Re: Sick Betta, Goldfish
Thanks for getting back to me sooo fast
My pH is Either 7.4 or 7.6 my regular Ph test says 7.6 and my high Ph says  
7.4 this is high which probably isn't that good but Ph changes quite a lot and  
it says that a Ph of 7.5 is ideal for goldfish which I have one mysterious
one  who poops all day as mentioned before.
<These ranges, readings are fine>
Ammonia and Nitrite are both 0 ppm
my KH is about 35.8 ppm (supposed to be 0-50 for Neons and cardinals which  I
have and 50-100 for tetras which I have also)
I gave him the inside of a thawed pea yesterday and have cut back food a  
little on all fish. He ate the peas right away which made me laugh because that  
was the most active he had been in a while but he is still hanging out in the  
bottom corner looking sad.
I do know that goldfish grow very fast and poop a lot (24-7 practically)  
which is kind of irritating seeing as I took this fish after my neighbors turtle  
wouldn't eat it.
<Good for you>
My pleco is not a regular one and should get at the most about 4 to 6  
inches... my last one died after three and a half years at about 6 1/2 inches I  
called him pucker lol but this one is a rubber pleco and I've had him for about  
a year and he's only grown about half an inch so he's up to three inches  now.
<A much slower growing species>
About adding the Epsom salt... should I just put it into the tank and let  it
evaporate or should I put it by my filter and have it go into the water that  
way?
<Better the latter, or to pre-dissolve and pour in>
Also I cannot move my Betta to another tank because A we can't buy another  
and B we can't buy another heater which he would need because going from a  
maintained 76-80 degrees to a 72 room temperature might be more harmful than  
good.
<Yes>
I'd much rather just give the goldfish to someone or put the goldfish in a  
regular tank with no heater.
<Agreed>
As I am typing this Jaz is trying to move around the tank which is quite  
funny because he almost sinks to the bottom but the other fish are leaving him  
alone and are actually kinda scared of him which is an advantage.
Other than that I think that's all I have to say
Thank you soooo much for your wonderful help and promptness it really  helped
me and will hopefully help Jaz get better
<Me too. Bob Fenner>

The disappearing goldfish... with help
In August I bought some goldfish. The unfortunate part is that he left me in charge of the tank and I did not do my homework!!!! I was confused when my fish started dying in December.
<Hey, this could pass for a Hemingway entrance.>
I was changing the water, etc... apparently the filter needs to be changed.
<Eureka!>
We managed to save one out of the five fish. Calie, my calico fantail. We continued cleaning and checking the pH level and, after two weeks, I decided to buy Calie a couple of friends. We bought a sucky fish, two small calico fantails and a bug-eyed fantail.
<Uhh, for how large a system?>
Calie did not seem to like her new friends and within a couple of days she developed white spots. I asked other fish owners and was told to by Ick treatment. I did and tried treating her but after 3 days her tail started to look shredded. I went to the fish store where I bought her and they gave me some treatment for fin rot - just in case. Well, she died the next day. Over the next few days the other fish (Who had also developed some spots) started to get better. Patches, the larger of my two little calico fantails, just had a couple of spots left. That was yesterday. This morning she was gone. I've checked every where in and around the tank. She was active yesterday - I can't see her dying overnight. And I think she was too big for my other fish to just eat. And there are no signs that she was even in the tank!! Do you think it's possible that she was ate?! If so, is my smaller fish safe?!  
Ainslie
<Ains, take a read through our goldfish pieces... Look here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwsubwebindex.htm
Read, learn, stop killing your livestock. Bob Fenner>

Bloated Goldfish
Good Day,
I have had 3 pond goldfish (2 with fantails) for around 6 years.  They have thrived and are now approx 8 in big (not including tail). I have them in a 55 gallon tank.
In the last couple of months one of the fish has become bloated to the point that it looks like it is going to explode.
I have not noticed it pooping and there doesn't seem to be a poop hole to speak of.
<Mmmm, what do you feed these fish?>
I have kept the water clean, and clean it weekly,  all tests are good, temperature is good.  I have chained their diet to Spirulina and put some live plants in the tank.
<Ahh, good move>
The fish seems to still be active, maybe even a bit slower than the others, and seems to try and eat a bit some times.
Is there anything else I can do to eliminate this bloating.
thanks so much for any help you can give me.
Peg Sulivan
<I would try adding Epsom Salt per others experiences related re Goldfish Disease. Our input archived here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwsubwebindex.htm
Bob Fenner>

Chocolate Oranda sickness query
hi there
<Hello>
I have a problem with one of my tanks - a chocolate Oranda in particular -  
it has now died but I need to protect the other fish in the tank  so here  
goes...
Background: 60l tank with 1xblack moor (3"), orange/black Oranda  (3")-recent
addition, 2x fantail (1-1 1/2"), 1x chocolate Oranda (1 1/2")  (deceased) and
1x what I believe to be an Oranda (has small head formation but  only itchy
(1"))
Big Oranda was moved into tank 5weeks ago as it was getting bullied in  other
tank. About a week after moving the Oranda I noticed two white spots on  the
head and one white spot on the chocolate, thinking as the big Oranda was new  
- bringing disease - I treat the full tank with white spot treatment, (but
have  noticed that the first tank he was in is fine).
<Mmmm<
After the treatment they both seemed fine with no spots so done 15% water  
change and put in carbon filter.
Current situation: looked in tank 2 days ago and found chocolate Oranda  
(what I thought) was stuck behind filter (Rena) so moved him out and shifted  
filter back.  But I noticed he had on his head white, almost stringy,  strands
floating off it. Later on in day (showing my partner) he was behind  filter
again, his head looked a bit worse, so we moved him out again  and watched tank -
the moor and the big Oranda were bullying him, biting at his  tail and fins.  
He was trying to get back behind the filter, so we set up a  quarantine tank
for him, moved him in and treat the water with Doc Wellfish's  Melafix. As the
day progressed his head became worse with the White stuff moving  back across
his head, pretty much 3/4 of the head formation ended up affected  with it
looking red but transparent underneath.  it's almost as if the head  formation was
being eaten away.
<Actually... just a highly vascularized area, mal-affected by the medicine (ich, herbal...) and mucus production resultant from their poisoning... as well as the ill-effects of these chemicals on your biological filter... exacerbated by the crowding in this tank... 15 gallons is too small a volume for these fish>
His swim bladder was affected - upside  down, on his head
and sideways - but seemed to get better later as he kept  himself upright.  A
few hours later he died.
<...>
Due to the progressive nature of the disease/injury we suspect it might be  
disease, but as he was stuck and getting bullied it could be injury, but then  
again he could have been getting eaten as he was on the way out.  We don't  
know.  In the original tank, all seems fine at the moment but I don't want  to
leave it incase 1. it's disease or 2. the new oranda's arrival is  causing
problems.
<A type of disease... environmental... once again, you are very likely right re the initial troubles being imported with the new fish... but all has to do with capacity of your system, the loss of nitrifying bacteria by way of the "treatments"... ongoing poor water quality>
Any advice you have will be a great help as we are just undecided as to the  
cause of the chocolate's death.  
Much Appreciated
Amanda & Phil
<Where to start... I would NOT continue to put in the Melafix... WOULD test for ammonia, nitrite, and TREAT for same or execute water changes to keep lower than 1.0 ppm... WOULD add aquarium salt/s... Would NOT worry re the apparent dissolving of the wen/hood of the fish... WOULD read through our goldfish postings: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwsubwebindex.htm
You obviously care dearly for your wet pets... and with a bit of further understanding, will be able to rectify the situation here, decide whether you want to up-size their system, give some away... Bob Fenner>

Not sure if treatment is needed, sick goldfish?
Hello,
I have been trying to match up my fishes problem with the list of things
that can go wrong and am in need of some advice! I have a young Oranda I've
had in a 10gal tank for over 7mo. alone. Water params. are 0 am, 0 Nit I,
30 Nit A (home water starts at 15-20 baseline... <Something is wrong here... you should NOT have this much nitrate in your tapwater... much more than the EPA allows... not good for your health>) and PH 7.6-7.8. Plenty of
aeration and penguin bio wheel filter.
<Rest sounds good>
Symptoms: yesterday- fish was lethargic, long whitish stringy feces or
casings, laying at bottom with slightly clamped fins- would swim when
disturbed. Ate if offered in front of.
<What sort/s of food/s?>
Seemed uncomfortable. I took him out
and examined gills- nice and red, not mucousy, not shredded. The gills do
have an area very deep in the crevice that looks pale or grayish (can't
tell), both sides have this and I'm not sure if it's a normal structure as
I've never examined gills before.
<Might be the branchiostegals... gill arches, supports>
The fish has no sores, and the slime coat
is normal- color is good. I had assumed one of the behaviors I noticed for
months was just a "personality" quirk- he swims up to the surface, grabs a
mouthful of air, swims down "chewing" this then spits it out, but he
doesn't hang constantly at the surface or by the filter outlet. No flashing
or glancing noticed.
<All normal>
I purchased some antibiotic food yesterday thinking a possible gut problem
from constipation and have been feeding that from last night- he seemed a
bit better, fins are not clamped, but he still retreats and "rests" on the
bottom often. He does come out, swim around and nose for food in the
gravel, but seems tired. The more I read- the more I think flukes?
<No... not if you've had the fish by itself for months... where would they come from? And, don't tell me this is a fluke!>
Could a
fish kept alone for months, seemingly healthy suddenly come down with a
symptomatic case of flukes. And if so- what would be the best meds that
would not kill my bio-filter?
<Not possible, and no need for medication per se. I would however add some aquarium salt, try some foods like frozen brine shrimp or krill that have laxative action>
Please let me know if you have any input on this- thanks!
<Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/gldfshdisease.htm
and the Related FAQs (see the links above?). Bob Fenner>

My Goldfish
Sorry to bother you again. but I have one more question for you...Is it possible for a fish to go blind...but only in one eye?
<Yes>
I think that Nemo may be blind in his left eye...because he seems to get frantic when something moves on that side of him. And he also runs into things (rocks...walls...plants) but only on that side. And there is a smallish white-grey blotch in that eye. What do you think? Thanks!!! Sincerely, Kara
<Am hopeful your goldfish will recover its vision, but if not, that it will adjust to being blind in one eye (as a personal note, I am... and not great at depth perception, sports... but do okay!). Bob Fenner>

Orandas with impaired equilibrium
Dear Mr. Fenner,
<Kim>
I have had 2 Orandas in a 55 gallon aquarium by themselves for the past 2 years. All has been great with water changes weekly and all ammonia , pH , nitrate levels correct. About one month ago my one large Oranda started swimming upside down and  had trouble righting herself. She now stays at the top of the tank upside down. My second Oranda about 2 weeks ago almost stopped eating entirely and has lost a lot of weight. I have tried an all vegetable diet, peas, green beans, etc. but to no avail there has been no improvement with either one of them. I have tried the over the counter medications from the LFS for swim bladder disease but this has not helped either.
<They almost never do>
I have also tried the Epsom salts in the tank. Is there anything else I can do? I do not want to lose them and I really need help.
Thanks,
Kim
<This condition is truly a heartbreaker... and all-too-common in "roundish" breeds of goldfishes... The best one can do is to prevent such by good maintenance and avoidance of exclusively dried food diets... once the condition occurs, placing the affected specimens in shallow water (still filtered...) adding Epsom Salt, waiting and keeping trying foods is about all one can do as far as I'm aware. Once the fish/s loose enough body fat, they often do right themselves. Bob Fenner>

Injured goldfish
Hi!
I have a bubble-eye goldfish that has got his bubble stuck in the return water filter. When I came home he was "attached" to the filter water return. I turned the filter off and was able to unstick him without any damage I think... but he went to the bottom of the tank. He is "breathing and uses his gills no problem and periodically tried to move a little. I think he is probably stressed and exhausted from his ordeal. I remove water from the tank and removed the fish into a container with this water so that he can "rest". I have put a little food in the water and he has tried to eat. I am removing any excess. I want to give him the greatest chance of survival! Is there anything else I could or should be doing. Eternally grateful for any advice you can give.
Mark Devereux
<Please read through our Goldfish Disease FAQs starting here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/gldfshdisfaqs.htm
and beyond (the links are above, in blue). People try various chemical remedies for these physical injuries... salts are often a good idea. Bob Fenner>

Rose the Floaty – 01/11/2005
My daughters goldfish, 'Rose', is 8 years old.  Just recently, 'Rose' has developed what looks like a bubble growing out of her side.  The tail is also getting more and more crooked because of the bubble in its side.  It's hard for 'Rose' to swim and it looks like if she stops swimming, she starts floating little.  Is she sick, is there anything I can do or is this it for 'Rose'?  
<The deformation of the tail may be normal, and just a result of “old age”, but the bubble as you describe sounds like “fish/carp pox”.  This is a viral illness, and is not curable, but may go away on its own if the fish is provided with pristine water conditions.  Almost invariably, this issue is linked with high nitrates – please test the water for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate and let us know the results.  If you do not have test kits, you can bring a sample of water to most any fish store, and they will likely be willing to test it for you.  The floating may be related to a nitrate issue, as well, but is more likely linked with dietary issues – be sure to offer her lots of vegetable matter for munching.  Plants like anacharis/elodea are excellent for goldfish to just have on hand to eat as they like.  Also, feeding things like thawed frozen peas (squeeze the shell off first) are excellent dietary supplements.  Other human-consumption veggies, like fresh spinach, can be blanched and then offered as food.  There are some good frozen foods available, as well, like Ocean Nutrition’s “Formula Two”.>
She is approx 7 inches long, in a 10 gallon tank by herself, she is a dirty fish and we change her tank's water approx every other month.  
<Mm, I’m almost convinced that there is probably a nitrate issue at play, here; I would strongly urge you to do water changes much more often – monthly at the very least, preferably every couple of weeks.  If at all possible, this fish really ought to be in a larger tank.... as you pointed out, goldfish are very messy critters.  If you were to aim for something as large as 30-40 gallons or larger, Rose would be able to have a friend or two – goldfish are very social animals.  If a larger tank is simply not possible, do most definitely start changing the water more often....  50% every two weeks would be a good idea.>
She loves to eat but is not eating as much as usual.  We do have a carbon filter attached to the tank that hangs on the side.  Can you tell me if there is anything I can do for 'Rose'.
<Just as above.  Sounds like you’ve been doing very well to get Rose this far – with proper care and a little luck, you should have many years left to spend with her!>
Thanks,  Karen
<Any time, Karen.  Wishing you, your daughter, and Rose good health and long life,  -Sabrina>

Sick Goldfish
Please can you help.  Goldfish lives with one other in an Aquarium (16 litres),  It started drifting round tank with nose in the air, it seemed healthy in every other way - eating, swimming now and again, no spots, ragged fins or ulcers.  It has now gone to the bottom and seems to want to just lie there. It does swim around now and then, but seems very lethargic. (Could it have Dropsy?)
<Not likely... do you see it so bloated that it's scales are sticking out like a pinecone?>
Have treated with Disease Safe, but have a carbon filter - which forgot to remove.  Can I treat with anything else?  
Hoping you can help before I lose him.
Laura
<Laura, do you have water quality test kits? If not, and you haven't done so already, do start making some successive (daily) large water changes... a quarter to half the tank... refilling with treated tap. This is very likely an environmental issue... maybe "something" fell, got in to the tank... Best to dilute the effects, and not add to them by blindly pouring toxic medicines in. Bob Fenner>

Re: Sick Goldfish
PLEASE HELP - EMERGENCY! Hi,  I sent you an email yesterday re. my sick fish.  It now seems to have got worse and looks like it is dying.  I have moved it to a small bowl with treated water, disease safe and a measure of Aqualibrium Salt.  It lies belly up most of the time and swims around like this.  Obviously it will not eat.  I did think it would die overnight, but it still seems to be hanging in.  Is there anything I can do!!!!!!
<Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/gldfshdisease.htm
and the Related FAQs (linked, in blue, at top) for further input. Bob Fenner>

Fantail goldfish
I have had Jaws (our goldfish) for 13 years. He was a bully, but recently has allowed 2 other fish in his 100 gallon tank. They both recently died of dropsy.
<What do you think the cause of this condition was?>
He has quit eating on top of the water like he use to. And his eyes are a little cloudy. My husband said they always looked like that, I don't agree. He has hurt his fins 2 different times. Which he has never done before. I thought he may be lonely since he liked the other fish I got him a new friend white Koi. He finally decided it could stay in the tank. He only picks up rocks now instead of coming to the top to eat. For 13 years he has ate on top of the water. Could he be blind ??
<Is possible>
I thought maybe he couldn't see the food or objects in tank anymore , and that could be the cause of his eating and wounds lately.
How do you tell if your fish is blind.       Mechelle
<By observing its behavior, and lack of response to usual stimuli as you state... Do you check water quality? Do regular water changes? I would vacuum the bottom (gravel) and replace a good twenty percent of the water, daily, for the next week or so... and do look into improving the diet of your fishes... Perhaps a better brand with more nutrition will provide needed vitamins, restoring the goldfish's sight. I do hope so. Bob Fenner>

Re: fantail goldfish
I check the water quality , everything is showing up normal .I recently did
a cleaning of rocks sides and over half of his water. Our electric was off
for 8 days because of ice storm. I hooked his tank to the generator for about
an hour or more a day. But he was sick before then.
I have only fed him Wardley goldfish pellets and Wardley Tubifex worms. What
is the best food to feed goldfish?
<Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/gldfshfdgfaqs.htm>
Thank you for your quick reply, Jaws is part of our family and we want to
help him feel better as quick as possible.
Mechelle
<Bob Fenner>

A Black area on my goldfish
My goldfish has got a black area.  It has black areas on both its sides and it's mouth.  When I looked at it for closer inspection one of the spots seemed to be covered with a white filmy substance.  The other side looked like the scales might just be coming off but there were none to be found in the tank.
I have a 5 gallon freshwater tank with 2 goldfish, an algae eater, and three ghost shrimp.  Both fish were won at the fair in October 2004.  They have been in good health since.  But recently the fish with black spots has been jumping in the water and there are bubbles lining the sides of the tank.  I have a whisper filter and use tap water to fill the tank.
PLEASE HURRY WITH THE ANSWER, THE FISH DOES NOT LOOK LIKE IT HAS THAT MUCH TIME LEFT.
<I would change a good half of the water in the tank, replace with water about the same temperature, with conditioner to remove the tapwater sanitizer. Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/gldfshdisease.htm
and the Related FAQs (linked, in blue, at top). The change in color alone is not problematical, but the behavior you list is indicative of some sort of environmental trouble. Bob Fenner>

Upside down goldfish after a move
Today I transported my goldfish to a new apartment.  Prior to moving them they were fine; they were swimming and eating.  To move them (I am relocating and they came with me) I placed them in a bucket of tank water (they were in there for only about 2 hours.)  When I got them to new the place I set up the tank (29 gallons.) I used the same filter and then filled up the tank.
<Hopefully you moved a good deal of their old water with them as well...>
It has been about 4 hours since they have been in the tank (there are only two of them) and they are not doing well.  Neither one will eat, and the larger one is floating upside down.  I read your website and I am getting ready to go out and buy some peas.
<Not useful here... your fish have been poisoned by the new water. You did treat it I hope>
  But I am wondering if the move could have done something to them, and if there is anything I can do for them?  I moved them three years ago and nothing like this happened.
Thanks for taking the time to read this and to answer it.
Ana Zelia
<Look for "Prime", "Amquel", or "StressCoat"... and apply liberally. Bob Fenner>

Sick Fantail
I purchased a 10 gallon aquarium last July.  It was the home for a small celestial goldfish and a fantail goldfish.  The aquarium was originally housed at the office I worked at but in October, I decided to move the aquarium home, as the building does not provide heat on the weekends and the aquarium does not have a heater.  
<Okay... a heater may not be necessary if this tank is in part of your home where the temperature is pretty stable (not near an outside door, window, close to an outside wall)>
I ran into some rather substantial problems when I moved the tank home, as when I went to purchase some new floss for my filter I received some rather unfortunate advice at the pet store.  They advised me that I had to replace all the rocks in the tank, the vegetation and the water
<What?>
as I should not have an algae problem and should not need to clean my filter floss in such a short period of time.  Although I was skeptical (I know goldfish produce a lot of waste) I followed the advice given and this dramatic step sent my poor fish into shock and weakened their immune systems as they developed a rather nasty white infection.  I was able to successfully treat the infection with one cycle of Nitrofura-G antibiotics and managed to stabilize the aquarium water.  The fish both recovered beautifully.  
<Great! Well done>
At the beginning of December I purchased a small algae eater to prevent over-tampering with the aquatic environment - I figured it would be a natural way to keep the tank clean.  Within a week, of his introduction to the tank my fantail goldfish developed a swimbladder problem.  He had to be isolated to a hospital tank with shallow water.  I tried feeding him peas and adding aquarium salt to the water.   This was not successful.  I then tried another cycle of the Nitrofura-G antibiotics.  This seemed to be effective again and soon he was swimming much better.  
<Good... if there is a next time, try Epsom Salts instead of "aquarium">
Unfortunately by this stage, my celestial goldfish also seemed to be getting ill.  He was forming a white mucous/fuzz around the globes of his beautiful eyes.  I decided to transfer him to the hospital tank.  Unfortunately, he did not survive a full day before he expired.  I am quite confused by his rapid decline and sudden death as I had only noticed the infection the previous day.
In the meantime, my fantail goldfish had been returned to the original tank for a week and has now become ill again with swim bladder problems.  He has the same symptoms as before and I am trying to treat him as I had done previously.  However in addition to the swim bladder symptoms (floating on his side near the top, the bloated lower abdomen, the lack of bowel movements, and listlessness) he has developed a large clear bubble over each gill flap. Any idea what could be causing this?  I have found no information on-line or in books.  
<Likely environmental... with some influence from nutrition, genetics. This is the time to try the Epsom (one level teaspoon per five gallons>
Any help would be appreciated as I suspect he may be suffering.  I am trying to keep him in a quite area and have even tried to intermittently apply air flow to reduce the stress on his body.   I had to see him go through this again...
Darlene
<I do hope the best for you and your goldfish. Bob Fenner>

The Fish-Eating Filter 1.8.05
Hi WWM,
<Hi! Ryan helping you today.>
I have read over your site and found a few articles about fish meeting their end by getting sucked into their filter. From July until today I have had a total of three fish get stuck in the filter, a black moor (Buddy), a comet (Ace), and a calico (Daryl). We have tested the water for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, and our water is fine. All of our fish seem perfectly healthy and happy before they get "sucked". We have five goldfish (each about 1 and a half inches long) that  live in a wide 30 gallon tank. We do a 25% water change once a week and we recently started feeding them gel food because of swim bladder disease caused by flake food.
<Great move for overall health as well- Gel contains nutrients which would be destroyed by the drying process.>
I was wondering if you could suggest what the cause might be and how we can fix the problem.
<I’d suggest using a sponge over the filter inlet.  They make a variety of circular and tubular sponges for this purpose…Many of which can be easily attached with a needle and fishing line.>
I am very attached to my fish, and was very devastated when I woke up this morning to find Daryl stuck to the filter. I was also wondering if there is anyway to save a fish after being sucked.
<A solitary area, typically called quarantine, would be in order.  There, you could make sure he’s eating, and not being harassed by his fellow tenants.  You could also medicate the water in an effort to rebuild his damaged tissues.>
Each of my fish are unique and have vibrant personalities, I just want to save my babies.
<You’re on the right track- And you may want to consider adding a small powerhead once you make the sponge covering- It may reduce water flow.  Good luck! Ryan>
Please help!

Treat for Ich, End Up With Fin Rot
Hi, My comet goldfish is sick (I think). You see, he had ick so I treated him with Aquarium Products Quick Cure. He seemed to be getting better before his tail seemed to shed and turned white. The white was almost all gone but I came home today and it had gotten a bit whiter and the end of the tail looked like a black/red color. Is this Normal results for the medicine? Tomorrow I'm going to replace half of the water in the tank because it has been 6 days which the medicine says to wait until to replace the water. Should I still do this? Is my Fish just getting better or is this fin rot or something? Please send me information as soon as possible! I don't want my little fishy to pass away! Other information: My comet goldfish is in a 10 gallon tank by himself. I have removed the filter cartridge because it had charcoal in it and the medicine couldn't get to the fish with it in there. The filter is still working though. I am feeding him Wardley Tropical Flakes right now and he seems to be eating alright. He's swimming alright now and he still acts the same. There are no other fish with him. I REALLY HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME
Shelby
<Are you sure he had Ich? It would show as tiny white spots on the fish. If he did it is important to run the full course of treatment. Don't stop just because the spots are gone. It will come back. But you can still do water changes. You just have to replace the meds in the new water. If you're doing a 50% water change, put a half dose in before you add it to the tank. The meds can cause an ammonia spike that could cause the fin problems your seeing, so water changes are very important. If you did not see the Ich spots, then discontinue the meds and do daily 50% water changes for a week. Add one tbls of aquarium salt for every 3 gallons of water to help him heal. Don>   

Sick Goldfish
Hi! I really need your help! FAST!  I have a 55 gallon tank  with 3 very sick
goldfish. My levels as of this morning are Ammonia .5, Nitrite  .5, Nitrate
5.0, and ph 7.4. I know the ammonia is a little high but I have  done quite a
few water changes recently trying to cure these poor guys. I am a  little wary
of changing it again. Here is what has taken place in the course of  2 to 2
1/2 weeks. I had 5 fish originally and have had to put 2 to sleep. Very  sad,
hard thing to do!  The first one had been floating upside down  for about 3
weeks and I tried everything I could to save her. She was a rescue  from the pet
store, as she only had  one eye. It just got to the point  where I felt bad for
her and she developed what looked like the beginnings of  dropsy. The other
fish that I put to sleep had been really "mopey" for  about a week and then
developed some kind of lump on his side and had some sort  of white thing coming
out from under his scales. That one went away and then  another one came out
on the same side. He also started to look as if he was  developing dropsy and
was not eating. I treated the tank with Melafix and all  symptoms progressed.
The 3 remaining fish at this point have red streaks in  their fins and on their
bodies. Then they all got small white bumps on their  tails and then on their
bodies. It doesn't look like Ich to me. So I went back  to the pet store and
bought Parasite Clear. The fish did not seem to get any  better and were
actually kind of floating head down. Occasionally they would  swim around
frantically as if they were trying to get away from something or  trying to knock
something off of themselves. They are doing a lot of  flashing and scratching. I
then did a major water  change, vacuuming the gravel really good to get all the
"bad stuff" out.  One fish has SEVERE fin damage on his tail fins. I have now
treated one  time with Anti-fungus (active ingred. -Malachite green,  
Arciflavine hydrochloride) directions say to treat once every 48 hours for  2
treatments. It says it is a fungus and fin rot treatment but  I really do not see much
of a change in the symptoms. Should I wait  until tomorrow and treat with that
again so that I will have done a full  treatment and see if it helps? The
dots are still there. The one fish  that was floating head down is just kind of
hanging out at the top of the tank.  They all are still eating and I gave them
some peas this morning and they ate  them. They normally eat ALL of the peas I
give them but that was not the  case this morning. I am wondering what my
next step should be? Maybe it is Ich  and I should go get the treatment for that.
If so, should I do another major  water change to get the anti -fungus
treatment out? I have aquarium salt but  have not added any as I keep reading
varying opinions about its use. I  have one snail in my aquarium who is doing fine,
if I should add the salt  what should I do about the snail? Help me please!!!  
I really love  these guys and am trying desperately to save them!!!! And once
I get this  mess figured out how long should I wait to add a new fish? I
would like to add a  Moor to my fish family. By the way do you know of any good
dealers/ breeders in  the Richmond, VA area? I don't think my local Petsmart
knows very much about  goldfish! Thanks for your time and your help!
< First of all you have a sick tank. Go to Marineland.com and look at Dr. Tim's library and look at an article titled "The First 30 Days". It will explain why you tank has such high levels of pollutants. I would clean the gravel with a 30% water change and clean the filter. Do not feed the fish until you have cleared up some of the problems and the pollution problems have settled down. Treat the tank with Nitrofuranace to clear up the bacterial problems. Treat the water every other day. On the days you don't treat you will need to change 50% of the water. At the end of the last day then do a water change and add carbon to the filter to remove the rest of the medication. Feed you fish some high quality goldfish food instead of peas. Give them only enough food so that all of it is gone in two minutes every day. Add some Biospira by Marineland to replace the good bacteria needed to break down the fish waste. Change 25% of the water weekly and clean the filter once every two weeks. On the week you do not clean the filter then vacuum the gravel during the water change. When you get the tank straightened out then write back about adding new fish.-Chuck>
Kerry

Re: Help with Goldfish
Okay I have read the article and we are in the process of cleaning  the
gravel now. This isn't a new tank though. I have had 2 of the 3 fish for  3  years
and the other one for a year. What should I do about the fin rot  and the
white bumps or will these problems be taken care of by the Nitrofuranace?  Thank you
for your help!
Kerry
<Please read here re Goldfish Disease: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/gldfshdisease.htm
and the Related FAQs (linked, in blue, at top). Likely, improved water quality, nutrition will solve these other troubles. Bob Fenner>

Re: Help with Goldfish
Also I don't know where to get the Nitrofuranace  you told me to get in your
first response. I looked on the Marineland  site and they didn't have any
listings for it there.
<Use your computer search tools... most all online aquarium supply etailers sell this compound. Bob Fenner>

Goldfish sudden sideways floatation
I have small feeder goldfish that is 7 years old this month.
<Still small? This fish could be more than a foot in length by now>
  I have
had "him" in a round bowl by himself without an air filter for all of
this time.  I clean his bowl with a 100% water change every two weeks
and feed him tetra flakes.  Today I noticed in the afternoon he
suddenly started floating sideways and there seems to be some eye
bulge.  When I go over to the tank and tap on it he will respond and
move rapidly.  I read in some other entries about your suggestion for
Epsom salts, would this apply to my fish or is he dying of old age?  Am
worried....Deborah
<Might well be this fish's time. Pre-mature though... Comets can live for tens of years given better environments. The Epsom would be worth trying if you had a larger system... the addition in a bowl will likely push this fish over the edge. Bob Fenner>

Goldfish poisoned by tap
Hi Robert,
<Betty>
I have owned a goldfish for the past 6 months.  Since then I have changed
the water once every day and feed it twice a day.
The past 2 weeks when I change the water, the gold fish goes to the bottom
upside down for about 24 hours.
<Yikes... your tapwater may not be as consistent a product as you believe. I encourage you to set out next week's water ahead of time... like in gallon jugs.>
After adjusting to the water, it is back in
form again. But during that time it does not eat and it has no bowel
movements.  And her belly is expanding. My immediate thought is to change
the water once a week, but I am unsure if there is something more I should
be doing? I would appreciate your thoughts.
Thanks!
Betty
<Likely you are seeing the consequences of sanitizer (chloramine) poisoning... Not easy to treat fishes in bowls... as water quality vacillates highly and adding chemicals reduces the fishes capacity to breath. If you have an aquarium with aeration, filtration, I would administer a teaspoon of Epsom Salt per five gallons to its water. Bob Fenner>

Fantail gold fish
Dear Robert,
We have a pond with various cold water fish including a fan tail goldfish who is about 11 years old. It is bloated up to about treble its size and the scales are protruding out, it also lies upside down at the bottom of the pond.
<Yikes... not good... your venerable goldfish displays a condition called dropsy... or pinecone disease (in Japanese)>
when we move it swims fine but soon turns over again. We have read your site and are going to try and the Epsom salts as it sounds like dropsy.
<Yes, this is about the only practical course. Your fish is quite old and likely its age is a factor here.>
we have also read about the frozen peas bit but are not sure what to do with the peas, therefore please could you tell us. Thanks
Jean and Dave Walker.
<The peas are best blanched... either parboiled or lightly microwaved, cooled, offered pinched (the skin broken) right in front of the fish. Bob Fenner>

Messing with pH
Help! I have a small tank (6 gallons) with two tiny calico goldfish. I checked the pH and it was low, so I put in some powdered stuff they recommended at the pet shop according to the directions. One of the fish died within two days, now the other one has been lying on his side for the last day and appears to be dying. To top it all off, the pH hasn't come up at all into normal range. I feel terrible for my sick goldfish, I need help right away. I want to change the water, but I don't know if this would be worse. By the way, I have another larger orange goldfish who hasn't seemed to be affected by any of this at all, he looks fine.
<Do change the water. About 50%. Do this daily for a week or so. Do not worry about your pH reading. It's not an "incorrect" pH that is harmful in most cases. It's the change in pH that kills. Goldfish can adapt to a wide range. A steady pH is the best pH. Also, this is far too small a tank for goldfish. Your problem may not be pH related but poor water quality in general. Test for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Keep the first two at zero, nitrates below 20ppm. Either way, water changes are the answer. Don>

Red Veined Redcap
Hi, you have a great website, but I couldn't find an answer for my situation. My Redcap Oranda (lives alone) has discolored areas in his head. He started hiding out, and not coming to the side of the tank when I went to feed him.  It's been about a week now. In doing the water change, I got a chance to look closer at his head. It looks like certain sections have lightened to an orange, rather than a reddish-orange color. I also noticed for the first time that he has a couple little red veins in his tail. I read on you site about adding salt, in case the problem was a disease, but I am not sure how much salt to add. So here are the stats: 10 gal tank (I know - too small - saving for 29 gal), BioWheel filtration system, eats Bioblend pellets and Tetra Baby Shrimp. Tonight, I fed him a couple of thawed frozen peas after visiting your site again. His appetite is great, but he is so reclusive lately. He used to get all *excited* when I showed up to feed him, madly wiggling his tail and everything. I've had him for a couple of years, and would hate to lose him. I just don't know what to do. Can you help me, please?  
Patricia
<Hi Patricia, Don here. Sounds like your fish are affected by Bacterial Hemorrhagic Septicemia. A big name for dirty tank disease. Up your water change schedule, a goldfish can foul a ten very quickly. A few 50% water changes done daily will help him greatly. Always use a gravel vac to remove the uneaten food and waste out with the old water. If he is not improving in a week treat with Oxytetracycline. Do not treat until you try the fresh water. Salt may help. You can try that with the water changes. Use one tbls for every 3 gallons. Make sure you mix in the correct concentration of salt into the new water before you add it to the tank. Good luck>   

Re: Discoloration on head of Redcap Oranda
Don, thank you so much for the assistance. I have started doing daily water changes. I do use a gravel vac, but was wondering if I should change the gravel too, and get new gravel. I tested the pH of the water and it came out at 7.4.  Is that too high?  I am afraid to add any salt to the water, because doesn't that also affect the pH balance?  If 7.4 is okay and I can add salt, please let me know. When I went to the pet store, they have Tetracycline, but not Oxytetracycline. I'll call around to find out if there is a store that carries the Oxytetracycline. I have Melafix on hand, but don't know if that would help any. So far, Chewy has been eating okay, and I am feeding him less, especially since I added peas to his diet. He still hides out a bit, and the discoloration doesn't seem to have worsened. Please let me know your thoughts on the pH, gravel, salt, and medicine. I appreciate your help. I am learning fast how much I didn't know. Your website is great!
Patricia
<No need to replace the gravel, just keep it clean. Your pH is fine. Goldfish can adapt to a wide range. It's not an "incorrect" pH that causes problems, it's a swing in pH that can kill. Far better to leave as is. Also check the pH of your tap. As long as it is the same as your tank you can go nuts with water changes. Don't worry about salt changing pH. If the clean up and salt do not help you can try the Tetracycline, but continue to test. Both can kill off the good bacteria with the bad, causing ammonia spikes. That's the reason you medicate as a last resort only. Throw the Melafix away. Snake oil, IMO. Don>    

Coppered Goldfish
Hi there, I have a 55 gallon tank that had 10 Oranda Goldfish in it. I recently lost half my tank to a very strange happening. My fish showed no sign of illness and one by one they would die. I added CopperSafe and aquarium salt to the water and did daily water changes for two weeks. I also tested for poor water quality and nothing was amuck. The remaining fish were doing much better for the past 4 days but this morning they looked like someone smeared mud all over them and they are really listless at the bottom of the tank. My question to you is what is the brown stuff on the fish? How do I get rid of it? And does fishkeeping get any easier? HELP!
Thanks, Tina
<Hi Tina, Don here. Not sure what you tested for. And giving us the numbers would be very helpful. It sounds like the Copper nuked the good bacteria in your tank. This would cause ammonia to buildup and cause the problems you are seeing. I suggest you start doing a few large water changes. 50% at a time, at least one a day for a week. Test for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Keep the first two at zero, nitrate below 20ppm. Do even more water changes to correct any spikes>

Re: Coppered Goldfish
Thank you Don.  Would it help to put some Cycle bacteria in the tank?  I test with the strips and all came back no nitrate peak, no nitrite problem and the ammonia tester comes up light yellow, which is perfect. The water hardness is neutral and the pH is neutral. The fish look like they are smeared with mud. It is the weirdest thing that I have ever seen. Thank you for getting back to me. I can use all the help that I can get! I'm almost tempted to buy a hamster!
<The only product that will instantly cycle your tank is Bio Spira. It will not work until all trace of the copper is out. Do several large water changes, then run some fresh carbon for a day. A good idea because I really think you have a problem with water quality. I also suggest a better test kit. Your readings are too perfect. pH and hardness(?) neutral, with ammonia, nitrite and nitrate all zero! Or at least nitrate not spiking. Not possible. The ammonia, nitrite and nitrate are all the same thing, one being converted to the next by bacterial action. The ammonia in the fish's waste has to be going somewhere. If it's not being converted to nitrite, then nitrate, it is still in your water. And since copper will kill the good bacteria in the filter it is more likely old test strips are giving you bad readings, or in this case no readings at all. Aquarium Pharmaceuticals makes a good Master Test Kit which will give you everything you need except nitrate. Purchase that one separately. Don>