Help! Red spots on Goldfish! pics inside...

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goldiegirl2011

AC Members
May 8, 2011
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Help! My lionhead goldfish (about 1.5 inches) has red spots that just appeared on her belly and around her gills. It's a new tank - still cycling, but the water parameters seem normal (0 ppm ammonia, 0 ppm nitrates). She has only been in the tank for two days now, and the spots just appeared in the last 12 hours or so. She's eating, but tonight has just been swimming up and down in one spot, not really venturing out around the tank. Her balance also seems off, as she keeps tilting with her tail towards the top of the tank. Does anyone know what is causing this, and what we can do to treat her?

Tank Stats:
55 gal
3 goldfish - all about 1.5" - (2) lionhead, (1) golfball pearl scale
water temp - 73 degrees F
ammonia - 0 ppm
nitrates - 0ppm
no real plants


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Did those readings come from a good liquid test kit? Discounting bad stock to begin with, which is most likely the case if you obtained them from a big box store, water changes with a good dechlor like Prime are your best friend right now.
 
Bob,

Thanks for your reply. Yep - I used a liquid test kit. The fish weren't from a big box store, rather a 'mom and pop' type of local pet store that came recommended from a member of a local goldfish and koi club. However, being that we've only had her for about 2 days, I'm going to hope that the illness came from the store, and not from our tank.

OK - so water changes and dechlor treatment... Should I be worried that it might be contagious to the other two fish in the tank?
 
I agree with Bob, but please keep a close eye on this fish. If it isn't water condition related, it could be septicemia, which can be very aggressive. It can be treated with a broad spectrum antibiotic. I would give it a day or two, and if the fish doesn't look any better, consider a more aggressive treatment.

My limited experience has been that redness like that is usually from one of two things (barring physical injury of the fish, of course) ammonia toxicity or a bacterial infection. Since your ammonia is at "0" I would keep a close eye on the little guy.
 
things aren't looking too good for her tonight :-( it has gotten a lot worse. her entire chest area, and area around the gills, is bright red. There is also a little bit of white fungus looking stuff in the same area. The balance issues are also worse. I did a 30% water change, dechlor, and macryn II treatment. If she manages to pull through, should I continue doing water daily water changes?

today's readings:
ammonia ~0ppm
nitrate ~0ppm
nitrate ~5ppm
 
I would start by adding salt tothe tank I read somewhere that salt baths can do a lot of good for goldfish you may need a lot of salt though because I think the formula is two tablespoons per gallon first 24 hrs add another two tablespoons per gallon after first 24 hrs and then another two tablespoons per gallon for the third day keep fish in this solution with aeration and raise heat a little to 75-77 degrees F. Use the antibiotoc you first used and keep fish in this for at lest ten days then start decreasing salinity by small water changes each day Good luck
 
I think you are doing the right thing by treating with Maricyn II. Follow the instructions on the package-- don't forget to remove any carbon that is in the filter. I would continue your water changes after the treatment, but test water aggressively, changing if you have any spiking values.

I would not use salt in conjunction with Maracyn II. I believe if it is a bacterial infection, which septicemia is, raising temperature has a tendency to make the infection progress more quickly, which may not be desirable under these circumstances. I have heard of the salt treatment that gpb suggests in conjunction with the treatment of ich, however. I have never salted my goldfish tanks, but I have heard of people who do. I just could never find any reason to do so.
 
The salt treatments are usually 1-3 TEAspoons per gallon (3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon). In this case, going with a stronger antibiotic is probably a better choice. Salt has some general antiseptic qualities, but for an internal infection you're better off with an antibiotic....even better if you have one that's in food form. Salt may not be a bad idea though if you start to notice the fish bloating up and getting dropsy. It'll help maintain the osmotic balance while the kidneys recover, although if the fish starts to dropsy, your chances of a recovery go way down.
 
Thanks for all of your replies and advice! The little gal is still not doing great, but it didn't seem to get any worse from yesterday evening. From the responses above, I think I'll continue with the Maricyn II treatment for the full five days recommended on the box, and continue water changes and dechlor treatment despite the good water level readings. I'll hold off on the salt for now, but will keep that in mind for future treatments. Keep your fingers crossed for a miracle recovery!
 
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