I have 2 chocolate ryukin in my 5 gallon aquarium. I bought them thinking they were chocolate oranda, because they are gold with brown on the top of thier body. However, they have done really nicely in my tank, and couldn't be happier. I always do my weekly water changes, and I even put in aquarium salt in slightly less than the recommended dosage.

Recently the tank has become warm during the day because of they heat of my house, currently the tank is at about 25 -27 C on a hot day. When it cools off it is around 22 C.

Once of the ryukins has started losing his chocolate color on his back, it got patchy before when it got warm in the tank, but came back. However this time, with a week long heat wave, the color has disappeared from his head, and I can actually see right into his head and make out the dark lump that is his brain...

Is this normal? Could this be Hole in the head disease? What should I do? Has anyone had this happen before and did it get better?

Thank you all,
HooDude

Hole in the head is caused by a parasite that comes out when the fish is stressed or has poor enviroment. They will also have light and stringy feces. Is it possible that the color could be disappearing because of poor diet?

Valerie

What are u feedin ur goldfish?

Hey,

I've been feeding them bloodworms, but before that I was feeding them Tetra brand 'The Primary Meal' Goldfish flake food. They love it, they always eat everything up. But their color continues to diappear anyways. Could it be artificial colouring?

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