Please help!--What should I do?

E

Eve

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Dec 21, 2005
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On and off (with on and off periods of medication) one of my goldfish's scales are puffing out (usually just small sections at a time) and becoming ulcerated form skin breaking apart. Now could this be dropsy or not? I don't know what to do anymore; A large part of it's side is protruding with broken skin. This has been a problem that comes and goes for nearly six months now. The fish seems fairly happy. I'm going to try to get a good pic., hopefully someone can help. I don't know if I should keep medicating the fish or try to put it in my grandma's pond or what. Should I consider putting it down?

Also (off topic), for a couple of months or so I've been getting orange algal blooms, which usually turns green. Don't all tanks have algae? Could the orange algae be a problem?
 
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Are there any tankmates that could be causing the injuries? Is the water OK-- 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, less than 20 ppm nitrates? Algae is usually the result of high nutrient content in the water. Water temp cool and between 60 and 70 degrees F? Are you using any chemicals in the water that might be irritating the fish--a basic dechlorinator (no 'slime coat enhancers' etc.) is fine.

Usually a fish with dropsey has no interest in eating, and dies a short time after showing symptoms. I wouldn't keep the fish in medicated water indefinitely. Meds are for short-term use only.
 
Can you post a picture?
Do the raised areas/ ulcers appear whitish? One of my goldfish had a condition on and off for several months where he would get raised scales with a sort of whitish substance which would then disappear leaving a small ulcer, which healed over slightly. The only disease I could find which was close to it was lymphocystis, but it wasn't that, I don't think.

Orange algae is diatomic. It is perfectly fine. So is green algae. Excessive amounts mean too much nitrate, which is bad.
 
OrionGirl said:
Tanks specs? Tankmates? Maintenance routine?
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PH about 8 to 8.2

Nitrate around 10 but possibly more like 20,
it's super hard to compare the nitrate test

Ammonia and nitrite 0

The one with the problems is an orange common goldfish and its only tank mate is a white fantail.

I clean the tank every week, every other week or whenever it needs to be cleaned.

Ms.Bubbles said:
Water temp cool and between 60 and 70 degrees F? Are you using any chemicals in the water that might be irritating the fish--a basic dechlorinator (no 'slime coat enhancers' etc.) is fine.

Usually a fish with dropsey has no interest in eating, and dies a short time after showing symptoms. I wouldn't keep the fish in medicated water indefinitely. Meds are for short-term use only.
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Water temp. varies (which I know is bad) because of temp. changes. In MI it's difficult to maintain a water consistent temp. Usually in the summer the temp. is around 80. It hasn't yet this year and when it does go up it's gradually of course. In the winter it stays between 68 and 72. In the past month or so it has ranged from 68-76.

I've always used a declorinator. Mostly Aquaclear but more often and more recently (I guess in the past 6 months or so) I've been using Stresscoat.
Sometimes I put aquarium salt in. the only other chems. I use are Melafix and Pimafix. Also, a mild anti-parasite med. for a short time months ago.

Momar, I'm working on getting a pic. The water is too cloudy right now because of the meds. Also, I have to use my dads camera. The pics I took last night didn't turn out.

Some of the ulcers had a sort of pinkish tint to them and some secreted white things.
 
Originally posted by Eve:
Some of the ulcers had a sort of pinkish tint to them and some secreted white things.
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That sounds like what mine had. It certainly wasn't dropsy. In the end I euthanized mine, but I will not advise you to do so as only you know your whole situation. It would still be useful to see a pic.

I doubt it has anything to do with the condition, but my goldfish was also a normal orange one in a tank with a white fantail...

:)
 
Thanks!

I really appreciate all the help! I'll try to post a pic. in the next couple of days.
 
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