I have a 20 gallon tank that is still cycling -- two goldfish - one common and one ryukin. I have diagnosed her, based on research in books and the web, with gill fluke. She was lying on the bottom of the tank with clamped dorsal fin and slightly swollen gills which appear pinkish underneath. For days I have been trying to figure out why she continually goes to the surface of the water to get air. I have lowered the temp, added bubbles, and as I mentioned there are two filters. The nitrite is 0 and PH is 7.5. I've been keeping the ammonia down to just above 0 (definitely under .5) with 10-15% water changes almost daily.
I have put her in a 5 gallon hospital tank (it's the best I have) with a biowheel filter from the 20 gallon tank (there are two biowheels in the 20 gallon), an airstone, no gravel, and a plastic plant.
I put Melafix in the hospital tank because at first I thought she had a few scales that had come off (still not sure if this is the case). Then I added maracyn once I concluded it was gill fluke.
My questions are:
how long should I keep her in the 5 gallon hospital tank? For the 5 days of maracyn treatment?
Should I ccontinue giving melafix during this time?
Should I feed her?
Regarding the ryukin still in the 20 gallon:
She is also going up to the surface regularly to get air. She doesn't show the gill swollenness although she is starting to hide a bit, but not with clamped fins or lethargy. Still pretty much swimming around normally.
Should I also be giving maracyn to this fish?
Or do I wait to see if it progresses further?
p.s the water temp varies from 73 to 75.
Then, if I do give the ryukin maracyn, what happens to the biowheel filters? Do I have to change them once the fish get healthy???
When I put the common back in the hospital tank should I change the filter before putting it back on the 20 gallon tank?
I know there are alot of questions. But I need to do what's best and I really don't know.
Thanks!!!
I have put her in a 5 gallon hospital tank (it's the best I have) with a biowheel filter from the 20 gallon tank (there are two biowheels in the 20 gallon), an airstone, no gravel, and a plastic plant.
I put Melafix in the hospital tank because at first I thought she had a few scales that had come off (still not sure if this is the case). Then I added maracyn once I concluded it was gill fluke.
My questions are:
how long should I keep her in the 5 gallon hospital tank? For the 5 days of maracyn treatment?
Should I ccontinue giving melafix during this time?
Should I feed her?
Regarding the ryukin still in the 20 gallon:
She is also going up to the surface regularly to get air. She doesn't show the gill swollenness although she is starting to hide a bit, but not with clamped fins or lethargy. Still pretty much swimming around normally.
Should I also be giving maracyn to this fish?
Or do I wait to see if it progresses further?
p.s the water temp varies from 73 to 75.
Then, if I do give the ryukin maracyn, what happens to the biowheel filters? Do I have to change them once the fish get healthy???
When I put the common back in the hospital tank should I change the filter before putting it back on the 20 gallon tank?
I know there are alot of questions. But I need to do what's best and I really don't know.
Thanks!!!