It is the pleco. Plecos are NOTORIOUS for slime sucking...They particularily like goldfish for some reason... The Pleco has to go one way or another anyway. Plecos are most active at night and I bet $50.00 he is the culprit.
You have 2 types of fish that are HIGH waste producers. Think "geese with gills". There is no way-no how that either the pleco or the goldies can live in that 10gal. The fin clamping and dropped colour is stress. You could do 50% a day and still not keep that ammonia down. Unfortuately your goldies will not have a long lifespan and probably succumb after several bouts of disease. Their growth is stunted and immune system weak from being in such a tiny tank.
Your only solution (besides a larger tank) is to immediately trade in the pleco and the one healthy goldie. Treat the remaining goldie with LOTS of high volume water changes and anti bacterial meds.. The absence of the pleco and clean water MAY be enough to clean up the "red spot", but id hit him with Maracyn2 to be sure. Once he is healthy trade him in too.
At the end of the day 10 gallons is just not sufficient for a goldie let alone 2 with a pleco. It will be a constant battle that you will lose. A 10 gal can be a fabulous little tank if stocked correctly. Hope this helps.
We were all noobs one time- atlest you have made the attempt to get educated and be the best fishkeeper you can be! Stick around AC, lots of nice people and alot of good solid advice.
You have 2 types of fish that are HIGH waste producers. Think "geese with gills". There is no way-no how that either the pleco or the goldies can live in that 10gal. The fin clamping and dropped colour is stress. You could do 50% a day and still not keep that ammonia down. Unfortuately your goldies will not have a long lifespan and probably succumb after several bouts of disease. Their growth is stunted and immune system weak from being in such a tiny tank.
Your only solution (besides a larger tank) is to immediately trade in the pleco and the one healthy goldie. Treat the remaining goldie with LOTS of high volume water changes and anti bacterial meds.. The absence of the pleco and clean water MAY be enough to clean up the "red spot", but id hit him with Maracyn2 to be sure. Once he is healthy trade him in too.
At the end of the day 10 gallons is just not sufficient for a goldie let alone 2 with a pleco. It will be a constant battle that you will lose. A 10 gal can be a fabulous little tank if stocked correctly. Hope this helps.
We were all noobs one time- atlest you have made the attempt to get educated and be the best fishkeeper you can be! Stick around AC, lots of nice people and alot of good solid advice.
