Goldfish

[jolaf]

Hi All,

I have a goldfish that is missing scales on the side of his body. his behavior is fine other thatn the sccales missing. I have isolated him to a tank by himself and started both tanks with a medication of Marcilite green. This med was suggested by the LFS. Just wondering if anyone has seen this type of parasite or disease and how it was cured if any? Thanks.

 

[tttnjfttt]

Can you please give us some more information? How big is your tank, what fish were in it, and what are your water stats (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH)? Also, what is the temperature.

Does the fish seem to have any other physical changes besides missing scales?

I am guessing that it is not a parasite, but more likely a bacterial infection of some type.

 

[jolaf]

forgot to mention there is a picture attached

I have a 29 G tank with two opaline gouramis, one silver tip shark and three rasboros, and one blood parrot along with the goldfish they have been together for almost 6 months. my ammonia is at 0, my nitrites at .01 and ph is 7.2 will drop after water change today.

Can you please give us some more information? How big is your tank, what fish were in it, and what are your water stats (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH)? Also, what is the temperature.

Does the fish seem to have any other physical changes besides missing scales?

I am guessing that it is not a parasite, but more likely a bacterial infection of some type.

 

[jolaf]

The temp is a constant 74-76 degree

Can you please give us some more information? How big is your tank, what fish were in it, and what are your water stats (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH)? Also, what is the temperature.

Does the fish seem to have any other physical changes besides missing scales?

I am guessing that it is not a parasite, but more likely a bacterial infection of some type.

 

[WILDER]

Can see why you have problems the tanks is over stocked, goldfish are big waste producers and need a 20gal for the first goldfish alone, plus excellent filters, i would invest in another filter till you can rehome some of the fish.
The fish dosn't look to good in the pic, does it look fluffy where the scales are missing, any signs of flicking and rubbing against objects, and laboured breathing.

 

[jolaf]

He was rubbing the shark at times. I go by the inch per gallon to a grown fish size in my tank. I haev a great powerful filter and have not had water problems before. Thanks for the information.

Can see why you have problems the tanks is over stocked, goldfish are big waste producers and need a 20gal for the first goldfish alone, plus excellent filters, i would invest in another filter till you can rehome some of the fish.
The fish dosn't look to good in the pic, does it look fluffy where the scales are missing, any signs of flicking and rubbing against objects, and laboured breathing.

 

[tttnjfttt]

Actually, i would honestly re-home the goldfish OR some of the other fish. As wilder said, goldfish are massive poop machines that can grow to be very large. The general rule for gold fish is the first fish needs 20 gallons, and then each fish from there needs 10 gallons. So for two goldies, you need a 30 gal tank.

It is also a bad idea to mix tropical fish with goldies. Goldies are cold water fish, who generally like their water on the cooler side. Tropicals like it on the warmer side. In general, mixing the two is just a bad practice.

You talked aobut stocking based off of the inch of fish per gallon rule. That rule is made for smaller fish, and doesn't always apply. For example, and oscar grows to about 12", but you would not want to keep it in a 12 gallon tank. Your blood parrot will need a much larger tank when it grows up, as it can reach 8".

Back to your original question of what is wrong with the goldie, when you look at him, do his scales seem to be sticking out like a pinecone?

 

[WILDER]

If he's rubbing himself on things, you have parasites or columnaris, as fish can rub with columnaris too, so it going to be hard to find out which it is.
I think i would add a parasite med first.

 

[samyboy]

if you dont want to get rid of your goldfish have you considered an outdoor pond (if space allows)