black smudges on my fishs tail

[aznknight]

how can i heal ammonia burns??
i assume this is what they r

[GoLdFiSh_GrL]

my fish has those blackish smudges on his gills & a stripe on his top fin.... I was wondering, is that just his color or does he hav somthing? if he does, wut is it?

CaliforniaGrl91910@yahoo.com

[ChilDawg]

I'd have to see much more info and possibly pix, but I think that, since goldfish are constantly changing in color, I wouldn't put too much stock in it being ammonia burns without more detailed descriptions...

[GoLdFiSh_GrL]

i don't hav pix just yet, but i'll tell u about the environment... its a 1gal., has 2 artificial plants, isn't in direct sunlight, has a suction-cup floating thermometer, & has 1 Comet Goldfish (Tiger) inside. it also has about 1 1/2 in. of blu gravel. is that enough?:confused:

[ChilDawg]

In another thread, I discussed it, but I think that the environment is too small. Even if you can't get the 50-100 right now, getting a 10 for the (very short) interim is a must.

[GoLdFiSh_GrL]

ok, but my dad was already complaining that he's spending 2 much money on fish.... (he's buying a tank 4rm the classifieds) so i'm afraid i cant buy a 10gal 4 now... but do u hav n e other suggestions? (ok, yur replying 2 my posts, but yur not on. that's kinda wierd...)

[ChilDawg]

I choose to not make my availability known, so I have invisible mode turned on...

Even a 5 gallon bucket (4/5 full) would be a better choice for the goldie than a 1 gallon tank...but only for a short while, and with weekly 50% water changes.

[GoLdFiSh_GrL]

i change my goldfish water 100% (w/ conditioned water "Stress Coat") evry 2-3 days i gotta go eat now.... B on shortly & dont leave!

[ChilDawg]

K, I'll be around...that's a good tank regimen...just be advised that you may have to step it up once he gets any bigger!

[GoLdFiSh_GrL]

ok, 4 example, if 4 meanwhile i put him in a 5gal. bucket... wudn't he need air filtration? cuz that's wut my 1gal. has ryt now....

[ChilDawg]

That's what the water changes are for. If they're complete water changes, then he wouldn't need filtration necessarily. I do not recommend this approach, but I would recommend it over the 1g approach for Tiger. However, eventually, yes, he would need filtration and the larger tank would presumedly have that.

[GoLdFiSh_GrL]

um, wud i B able 2 put the 1gal. filtration system in the bucket?

[ChilDawg]

I doubt that...unless it is hang in tank...

[GoLdFiSh_GrL]

i personally think i'd b able 2....

[ChilDawg]

I'd have to know the length of the intake, the height of the unfilled portion of the bucket, and the filter type to know for sure, but I believe you.

Just remember that some of the bucket has to be left unfilled or else Tiger will jump.

[GoLdFiSh_GrL]

he'll JUMP?! woah... ok then... its the oxygen level or sumthin lyk that, ryt?

[ChilDawg]

Fish just jump sometimes. Even pond experts like Stephen Meyer (Aquarium Fish Magazine author) have had jumpers from absolutely wonderful holding tanks.

[ChilDawg]

I should clarify. He might jump either way, but his jumping would be out of the bucket if he doesn't have enough room to stay safely within...Also, a cover might help.

[GoLdFiSh_GrL]

ok.....

[aznknight]

wow..........ppl finally replied! hehe...............well chidawg.........i have 4 small goldfish in a 10 gallon now..........which is just temp.......cause i got them 40 gallon..........which is cyclin now.........all my fish appear to be healthy......except for the one i describe with the black smudges on his tail fin............they fish had gone thru ich before.....and recovered and now.......is left with black marks......all over its tail and on its mouth so i assume they r ammonia burns.........i change 30 to 40% of the water each week.........and the PH and Ammmonia levels r safe.........so.......u have any idea how i can help the fish heal a bit faster?? not much info around on black smudges

[ChilDawg]

Did you pick up some Melafix? That stuff is supposed to work wonders!

[GoLdFiSh_GrL]

well, it sure does sound lyk ammonia burns... take yur fish 2 the nearest exotic animal hospital 4 a vet 2 check him is all i can recommend ryt now...