Looks Like Ick

[Cary772]

Here's the set up. 4 goldfish. 5 gallon tank with filter, air stone, heater (runs about 74 degrees) and it's still cycling. Two of the goldfish are showing signs I believe are ick. I've had bettas with this but not in a new tank. I hate to add medication to a new tank. One fish has a patch of white one side. Another is developing more of a spotted appearance. Alkaline is around .3, Nitrites are low, ph around 6.4. They are swimming slightly sideways. I wouldn't have even noticed if I didn't obsess over my fish. Is there an alternative to medication that won't crash a new tank?

 

[Doc7]

Cary it sounds like your tank is overstocked especially considering that you are cycling the tank.

Can you return the fish?

 

[the biffster]

whats your ammonia reading

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Firstly the goldfish will outgrow this tank pretty quickly. Goldfish will grow to 12" in length.

Goldfish also don't need a heater, they are a coldwater fish.

The tank is overstocked as well.

However do you have a photo of the fish as it will be easier to ID from a photo

 

[the biffster]

sounds like your testing
with test strips are you
there vastly inaccurate

 

[Cary772]

All I have here is a Walmart and all I can buy is the strips. I'm gonna have to look into buying supplies online. They have been doing good in this tank other than the ich but I was worried it would be a little small. I also have a 10 gallon that just has 2 danios in it. It has had ammonia problems and I lost 4 danios, but now it is finally stabilizing. We are going to set up a 55 gallon, but I want the 10 gallon to be going good before we start it, so if my goldies can hang in a month or two, I'll give them a nice big home. This 5 gallon is really only good for a hospital tank. But I am worried that adding ich medicine will upset the balance in it since it still cycling and crash the tank. I can't move them to the 10 cause they'll spread the ich and overload that tank. That's what I get for buying my fish at Walmart. "sigh"

 

[Cary772]

Firstly the goldfish will outgrow this tank pretty quickly. Goldfish will grow to 12" in length.

Goldfish also don't need a heater, they are a coldwater fish.

The tank is overstocked as well.

However do you have a photo of the fish as it will be easier to ID from a photo

It's a small heater. Never gets over 74 degrees. Only because my house gets a little chilly during these Iowa winters. And I would take a picture but the only goldfish that will come see me when I come near the tank, Spot, doesn't have it, yet. If Spot gets it, he'll pose for a pic. He's a friendly little guy.

 

[Bettas_for_life]

They need somewhere near the 33's and 40's NEVER BELOW 32o they will freeze to death