1. What is the size of your tank?
55G
2. What are your water parameters? State the brand of test kit used.
I have an API liquid test kit, I didn't write the numbers down when I tested the other day but everything was perfect. Normal and safe.
3. Is your aquarium set up freshwater or brackish water?
Slightly brackish at the moment as I added 1 1/2 C of aquarium salt last week. I have done 25% water change since then so has a bit less salt now.
4. How long the aquarium has been set up?
5-6 years??
5. What fish do you have? How many are in your tank? How big are they? How long have you had them?
Common goldfish (mix of some sort, he has a fancy tail) 8-10" long, about 10 years old. Tankmates: tiny Otocat, small lory-? catfish (don't remember the name)
6. Were the fish placed under quarantine period (minus the first batch from the point wherein the tank is ready to accommodate the inhabitants)?
n/a, no new fish introduced in 2-3 years
7. What temperature is the tank water currently?
78-80 F
8. Are there live plants in the aquarium?
no
9. What filter are you using? State brand, maintenance routine and power capacity.
Marineland Canister filled with bio-balls, ceramic rings, white fluffy stuff, baggie filled with activated carbon (was removed during treatment)
10. Any other equipment used (aside from heater and filter which are two very important components of the tank)?
Air pump
11. Does your aquarium receive natural sunlight at any given part of the day? What is your lighting schedule (assuming you do not rely on sunlight for our viewing pleasure)?
no natural sunlight, hood lights are turned on during day, and off at night.
12. When did you perform your last water change and how much water was changed? How often do you change your water? Do you vacuum the substrate?
Wednesday was last water change of 25-30%, I am currently doing biweekly changes with gravel vacuum.
13. What foods do you provide your fish? What is the feeding schedule?
We feed him Omega One goldfish pellets (soaked) every evening
14. What unusual signs have you observed in your fish?
Over a period of several months: Red spot, veiny fins, cloudy eye, increased breathing, lethargy, swim bladder issues, fin rot
15. Have you treated your fish ahead of diagnosis? If so, what treatments did you use? State your reasons for planning ahead of proper diagnosis.
We've tried peas when he's having difficulty swimming, doesn't really help. Soaking food helps though
Months ago, I tried a fungus cure because his ulcer? looked like it had a fungal infection. The fungus went away but ulcer didn't
Tried 2 courses of Melafix, neither helped at all.
Recently I tried Furan-2, it seemed to help for the 4 days it was in the water. But right after putting the carbon back in, the fish started turning vertical again and isn't healing as fast. Should I do another course or does anyone have another suggestion?
All of his symptoms seem bacterial to me, hence the treatment with bacterial cures.
Any more questions?? I'm labeling this emergency because this is the 3rd forum I've posted in and I guess my problem is so common that no one wants to offer any help. The biggest response I got back was suggestions for swim bladder issues. This is only a symptom so I need an overall treatment suggestion.
Thanks for your help!!
55G
2. What are your water parameters? State the brand of test kit used.
I have an API liquid test kit, I didn't write the numbers down when I tested the other day but everything was perfect. Normal and safe.
3. Is your aquarium set up freshwater or brackish water?
Slightly brackish at the moment as I added 1 1/2 C of aquarium salt last week. I have done 25% water change since then so has a bit less salt now.
4. How long the aquarium has been set up?
5-6 years??
5. What fish do you have? How many are in your tank? How big are they? How long have you had them?
Common goldfish (mix of some sort, he has a fancy tail) 8-10" long, about 10 years old. Tankmates: tiny Otocat, small lory-? catfish (don't remember the name)
6. Were the fish placed under quarantine period (minus the first batch from the point wherein the tank is ready to accommodate the inhabitants)?
n/a, no new fish introduced in 2-3 years
7. What temperature is the tank water currently?
78-80 F
8. Are there live plants in the aquarium?
no
9. What filter are you using? State brand, maintenance routine and power capacity.
Marineland Canister filled with bio-balls, ceramic rings, white fluffy stuff, baggie filled with activated carbon (was removed during treatment)
10. Any other equipment used (aside from heater and filter which are two very important components of the tank)?
Air pump
11. Does your aquarium receive natural sunlight at any given part of the day? What is your lighting schedule (assuming you do not rely on sunlight for our viewing pleasure)?
no natural sunlight, hood lights are turned on during day, and off at night.
12. When did you perform your last water change and how much water was changed? How often do you change your water? Do you vacuum the substrate?
Wednesday was last water change of 25-30%, I am currently doing biweekly changes with gravel vacuum.
13. What foods do you provide your fish? What is the feeding schedule?
We feed him Omega One goldfish pellets (soaked) every evening
14. What unusual signs have you observed in your fish?
Over a period of several months: Red spot, veiny fins, cloudy eye, increased breathing, lethargy, swim bladder issues, fin rot
15. Have you treated your fish ahead of diagnosis? If so, what treatments did you use? State your reasons for planning ahead of proper diagnosis.
We've tried peas when he's having difficulty swimming, doesn't really help. Soaking food helps though
Months ago, I tried a fungus cure because his ulcer? looked like it had a fungal infection. The fungus went away but ulcer didn't
Tried 2 courses of Melafix, neither helped at all.
Recently I tried Furan-2, it seemed to help for the 4 days it was in the water. But right after putting the carbon back in, the fish started turning vertical again and isn't healing as fast. Should I do another course or does anyone have another suggestion?
All of his symptoms seem bacterial to me, hence the treatment with bacterial cures.
Any more questions?? I'm labeling this emergency because this is the 3rd forum I've posted in and I guess my problem is so common that no one wants to offer any help. The biggest response I got back was suggestions for swim bladder issues. This is only a symptom so I need an overall treatment suggestion.
Thanks for your help!!