Lost Mouth

[Soaup]

I went into my brothers school today to pick him up after school and noticed the fish inside there fish tank were in horrible shape! Worst ive ever seen. There are about 6-7 goldfish in a 50 gallon tank. One fish was sitting on the bottom not moving a teacher said he hadnt in days.. Another fish for the last 2 weeks has been swimming on his side and upside down.. A common goldfish who was rather large had a fungus on his fin that looked to be eating away at the fish, the same fish's lower jaw looks to have almost been eaten away by this fungus.. The Areas around this are red almost like it is cut or bleeding.. The Worst of the fish is yet to come.. Both his upper and lower jaw are gone! His lower jaw it seems at least some of it is inside i guess what you would say a throat because there really is no mouth.. This tank is a horror.. I dont think there is much that can be done for these fish but i told them i would do my best to do whats best for the fish.. Is there a medicine.. Well first lets see if anyone can tell me whats wrong with this fish.. Its much more then any whitespot fungus ive ever seen which is really the only problem i have had in my fish keeping experience. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[WILDER]

Sadly it sounds bacterial, also need to know water stats in a ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph.
Plus if schools can't be bothered with the pets they keep it dosn''t exactly send a good message to the pupils.

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

Oh lord that's horrible! Sadly it sounds like some of them are beyond help and the kindest thing to do would be to let them go to sleep. Some may yet be saved though. Water stats are always a good starting point. Nothing like good clean water then move onto the best meds for the fish.
My daughters school has goldfish in a 70litre tank. It's far too small for them and the ornament in it takes up a whole heap of room. But the fish are kept clean and are cared for as best as pos considering their cramped conditions. *sigh* I'm considering taking in a sheet of recommendations of how to take care of the fish correctly and what they need tank wise. Somehow I doubt they'll take much notice but if no one does anything, as in the case at the school your brother goes to, they'll become neglected and fall ill and suffer.
Hugs,
P.

 

[Soaup]

How do you treat a something bacterial of that nature.. Im thinking i might go in there and clean the water good and do a good change.. I dont know if i have time to do so im in school myself and they are usually closed by the time im out.. But if possible im willing to give these fish a fighting chance.. I also told them that i would be willing to donate a fish if all the others dont make it im thinking about giving them my irridescent shark who is currently housed in a 125 gallon tank with 2 oscars and an albino channel cat.. The fish is about 9 inchs now and he should be ok in that tank i assume.. I dont know very much about him otherwise i rescued him from the pet store as i often do with many of my fish. Anyways the only concern i have is his lonelyness as the only fish in that tank and the fact that its much smaller then the 125 he is used too.. Well anyways my main concern now is to save the fish that are sick in the school. Is there a medicine i should buy for them to save the remaining fish? What should i do with the ones that are in there.. There is no where to isolate them.. Its a catholic school so i cant even bring up putting them down to end there pain.. Im at a loss as to what to do for these fish.. Thanks again

Mike

 

[James007]

The cause of the problem needs to be looked at as well as otherwise all of your hard work will be undone again as it sounds like they have been neglected.

There must be some kids at the school who are or would like to be into fish and could set up some sort of shedule for the feeding/treating/water changes etc.

Something to spark their interest is needed like a school poll to select the new fish (if the current fish don;t make it)

 

[WILDER]

Bless them some are really in bad shape, can't do to much work on the tank too start as don't want to shock or stress the fish with a big swing in water stats. Willl need to test ammonia,nitrite,nitrate, and ph.
I would get this med.
http/www.waterlife.co.uk/waterlife/myxazin.htm
Plus anti fungus and finrot med by interpet.