Worried about my black moor

[Beaner]

I recently got a black moor. I guess it would be about two weeks ago. Right now I have him in a bowl. He eats properly with no decline in hunger. I clean the bowl every 4 to 5 days. I plan on moving him into a tank in the next month, but at the moment I don't have the space.

I have a small live plant in the bowl. Sorry I threw out the tage, so I don't remember the name. I keep the fish next to a lamp which has a full spectrum light.

I guess it would be about 2 days ago I noticed discolouration above his mouth. It's definitly not ich, because more then anything it just looks like his skin has turned white...In some spots of the patch its almost transparent and you can see through to darker skin. In other spots its opaque.

I've been watching him closely and he hasen't presented any signs that seem abnormal.

I'm wondering if I should be worried about it?

Also is it weird for him to swim up at the top of the bowl all day and suck/gulp at the top of the water?

Thanks

 

[Susielyd]

hi there,
do you have an ammonia test kit? I don't know about the spots, but as the fish is not in a cycled tank the ammonia my be getting to him. As far as I am aware, they don't generally gulp for air at the top of the water unless there is a problem.
Someone else will answer soon about the spots soon I am sure.
Good luck

 

[xWendyx]

Hello

Gasping at top generally means the fish needs a little more oxygen in it's water. Try taking some of the water out to increase the surface area of the water. This should help.

In regards to cleaning your tank, try little water changes done on a more frequent basis. This will help keep your ammonia down and won't stress your fish as much. If, say, you have a 5 litre bowl, try changing a litre a day. Also, I would recommend buying an ammonia neutraliser block (you can generally buy them from the supermarket). This will set you back all of around $2.00 AUD.

Is your bowl filtered? You can buy decent filters for not a lot of money.

I'd get rid of the light though. I don't see why you need it. I'd also take the plant out, as at night it's going to suck up what little oxygen you have in the tank. Sorry if that sounds barbaric - you could keep it alive in a bowl (tupperware or rice cooker, etc, etc) until you have your tank.

In relation to his skin, it could be:

1) Damage from continual gasping (I was clueless when I started out with my goldfish and had the same 'gasping at the top' problem and my fish got 'sores')
2) The beginning of a fungal infection

I personally wouldn't medicate, but something like melafix should help in 'repairing' without stressing your fish (I'm not a 'let's throw medicine in' person though. Some people are more 'precautionary' though). You can also buy, if you want, special tonic/salt stuff for moors/goldfish.

What you're going to be told though is buy a bigger tank. Big tanks are a godsend. My sole surviving goldfish is now in 18.5 gallons (20 gallons is recommended min ) and looking after him is a BREEZE compared to the days when he was sharing a 4.5 gallon tank with his now deceased goldfish brethren.

Finally, good luck and welcome

 

[Beaner]

Thanks for your help. I appreciate it. And hopefully it will help my fish out.


Toodles