red veins in red cap fins-a problem?

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E

euglossa

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Nov 9, 2006
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My year and a half old red cap, Jack, has always had red veins showing in his fins, sometimes more, sometimes less. Right now he's in a more phase, so all the fins have a pinkish tinge, although the attached pictures exaggerate the color quite a bit.

20 gallon tank
Water parameters; amm 0, nitrite 0, nitrates usually 10 before a water change, occasionally 20. 5 after a weekly water change of 9 gallons.

I've seen pictures of redcaps with red veins and without. It makes sense that you'd see red blood through a thin white fin, but is this a problem or is this in the range of normal?

No frayed edges, no open sores or abbrasions. He eats well, is active and growing.

Twice over the past year and a half I have tried a treatment for this, once I ran a course of Maracyn Two and this spring tried Pimafix. I didn't notice any change.

I plan to move him and my new ryukin to a 75 gallon tank this week, but if there is any treatment recommended I'd like to do it while he's still in the 20 gallon tank.

IMG_0671.JPG IMG_0679.JPG
 
THE V

THE V

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Nov 25, 2007
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Red veins in the fins is usually a sign of bacterial infection of the blood (hemorrhagic septicemia). I've seen it where one fish had damage just like yours for 6 months before it got really severe. I would treat him with a gram-negative antibiotic immediately. A antibiotic feed would probably give you the best results.
 
squabeggs

squabeggs

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Oct 7, 2008
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My big orange comet has visible veins in her white tail as well. No other red streaks anywhere else. When I was re-sealing my larger tank I had her in a smaller one with a bit of salt added. They never went away. She appears happy with no new fin damage. She always (since I inherited her with my pond) has had a beat up tail fin. Slooowly healing and growing back in parts. I think it will always be kind of jagged looking. The only other tail damage she had healed very quickly in the salt tank. She split it right down the middle escaping the siphon tube (yes it was my fault and I felt terrible) but it healed back together with amazing speed.

I got off course in my ramble...sorry. I would keep a close eye on the veins and other fins...It is probably nothing.

I am still learning though so...

And I see now that maybe I should look into the antibiotic as well...(V beat me to the post)

Around here (Missoula, Montana) this is all I can get for medicated food.

Question is...should I feed it to all of my fish? I have four comets and have nowhere to put the veined one. My other tank is currently full of fry.
 
Last edited:
Inka4040

Inka4040

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Prominent red veining is always a red flag for poor water conditions. To an extent a white finned fish may always show a couple red veins, but the magnitude of manifestation in your fish is certainly cause for concern. Though your posted water parameters seem ok, I'd increase both the size and frequency of your water changes until you cant get your goldies into the 75.
 
E

euglossa

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Nov 9, 2006
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thanks, sounds like there are several things I can do.

I'll go ahead with the move ASAP and get some medicated food. I'll move the two fish and the Rena XP1 to the new tank, which also has a Rena XP 3 canister and a big air pump.

and I will look for medicated food tonight.

my API test kits may be quite old-I bought them out of a discontinued bin-do they have a shelf life? Maybe I'm not getting accurate readings. They are just about empty anyway and I'll have to order new, petsmart only carries strips now.
 
THE V

THE V

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squabeggs said:
Question is...should I feed it to all of my fish? I have four comets and have nowhere to put the veined one. My other tank is currently full of fry.
Click to expand...
Yes - it won't do them any harm. However, in your larger goldfish's case it might just be scar tissue from the previous damage. So treating with antibiotics might not have any results.
 
Arakkis

Arakkis

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Apr 7, 2008
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red veins can also be a sign of inadequate oxygenation, if this is the case you would also see the gills/operculums more red also
 
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euglossa

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There was a spike in nitrates since saturday. It was between 20 and 40 last night, up from 5 on saturday. I did a big water change and got it back to five. I began using a new food on the weekend. I wonder if I overfed them with it, they really liked it.

I found a medicated food and the goldies appeared not to be taking to it right off, but I gave them a little more before bed and they snatched it all.

I'll be checking water levels daily.



I'll see what I can do to boost oxygenation.
 
caitylee

caitylee

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Mar 12, 2008
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Don't forget to keep us updated on their progress, they are beautiful fish :D

Wish you and them the best.
 
Flaringshutter

Flaringshutter

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Hey all, let's remember that just like in humans, overmedicating can cause resistant strains of bacteria. I think the veining will clear up simply by upping the frequency and size of the water changes. Long-term low levels of nitrite and nitrate can cause prominent red veins, as can low oxygen levels. Fix that BEFORE medicating! If you end up with resistant diseases, you're in a whole world of trouble.
 
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