My goldfish is sick!

[Ginger726]

I notice this morning when I came to work my goldfish is losing his scales one at a time. I got him from a friend a few months ago. I noticed then he had one or two scales missing. I hasn't been getting worse that I noticed until today. Wow he is losing quite a few, Anyone have some advise? He is in a tank with some perch we have caught from our rice fields and they all seem to be o.k. Please help Gilbert!!

 

[Dragonslair]

How big is the goldfish in comparison to the perch?
Scales are a fishe's armour and unless the fish is unhealthy, ie. has dropsy and is bloated to distort its scales the only other explaination is that it is being bullied when you are not watching. There is another explaination-parasites. This could be making the fish flick itself against hard surfaces and thereby damage the scales. You will need to watch very carefully, because where the fish has exposed parts, it is guaranteed to be a site for infection. Various pathogens will eventually break the slime defense all fish have under their scales.

 

[Ginger726]

You were right, it was a new perch I had added to the tank that was picking on the goldfish. i took the new guy out and put some antibiotics in the water to prevent and hopefully clear up the poor guys skin. It looks like it hurts. A few patches have turned red, and is probably infected. This goldfish was bigger than the perch I guess not as aggressive, don't suppose I will be keeping the two together. What a goof! Hope he will pull through, if he hasn't kicked the bucket yet I think he has a chance. Anyone have more advice on treatment of a nearly scaleless goldfish. Poor Guy

 

[Vimy]

I always wanted to add some wild fish I cought to my tank, but its important to keep in mind how aggressive they will be, also, they will most likely be carrying disease.

 

[Ginger726]

Yep, It definately increases the chance for parasitic infections as well as bacterial and other various diseases. I have added quite a few perch to various tanks I have and they all are fine. I have had one or two sick perch that have died, no real fish have gotten sick from them. I guess that is why your suppose to have a quarintine tank. The perch I added is more like a goggle eye or a warmouth. He is different. I have also kept these in my tanks at home but they never attacked my other fish. I guess gold is just too pretty. I like catching and keeping local fish it is neat to see what all species you can find. The problem I ran into with the goggle eyes is that they only ate live food, therefore more difficult to maintain.

 

[28erl]

hi, i am new to this and was researching in google about keeping wild fish such as perch, as i have a tropical tank, and my typical manly boyfriend wants some 'real fish' from our local river! how easy is it to catch these fish and put them into a tank of their own? any help would be great!

 

[luque]

a tropical fish tank with coldwater fish from england. impossible i'd say what fish were you thinking of? but i don't thik it can be done