sick feeder fish

[lesamm]

Hello all...

I have a 45 gall galvanized tank on my patio which I set up as a water feature. After reading a bit about pond fish on the internet, I got 5 rosey minnows which have been wonderfully hardy.

With beginner's luck, I cycled my tank sucessfully. I use an outdoor submerged oxygen pump which keeps the water circulating and well aired.

Not so long ago, I thought I would try a few "feeder" fish in the tank. These were the little orange ones that look like miniature Koi.

One after the other these little feeder fish began wasting away, got fin rot, appeared oxygen starved, and died. The Rosey minnows on the other hand, continue to thrive and seem to be healthy.

With each sick feeder, I tried Maricide II in a hospital tank [3gallons, with a separate bubbler] strictly according to package directions and to be honest, it just seemed to hasten their death.

I find this very distressing because I feel responsible for the well being of these little feeders. They may be "cheap" fish, but they have very distinct and endearing personalities. I don't know what to do. I have just one left alive. He doesn't show any signs of sickness yet

Could anyone suggest what might be ailing these feeders and where I might find specific information about how to help them when they get this wasting disease?

Thanks...Lesa

 

[zazz]

These feeded fish are actually common goldfish.
They DO have great personalities and can be very lovely looking also.
they are kind of favorites of mine.
The problem is, because theyare bred and raised only to be fed to other fish, they are not healthy. They most likely have diseases when you buy them, they definitely are weak from poor nutrition and poor conditions and ,i imagine, poor breeding. A tank of feeders will also contain fish with 'birth defects that would not ever be sold as pet fish.
SO, don't feel too bad.
I have managed to raise a few ( lost several first) but it was very long ago. Steady temperature, good food and very clean water helps most. Then treat specific diseases If you can identify them. ( salt/heat for ICH. melafix for wounds/finrot) If you select the healthiest looking feeders from the healthiest looking tanks you can end up with some great fish. ( by clean water I mean water free of fish wastes/dead plants, extra food.... Gold fish IME really like algae.)
HOWEVER!!!!
The bottom line is, If these fish survive, they will outgrow your tank, or be stunted in your tank. Common GF in nature can live 20 years and more. they can grow to 2' and longer. I didn't know this when I started. I ended up having to give my fish away to someone with a pond.
Because your outside tank is unheated you will have trouble keeping feeders alive. You also are likely to introduce something to the tank that will sicken the minnows. If it were me, i wouldn't try getting anymore for these reasons.
Best of luck with your surviving feeder, I am sure you will enjoy it as it grows. It will like to eat anacharis and whatever live food it is large enough to eat. I can't tell you how long before the fish starts to feel the effects of stunting. IMHO this fish was slated to die and any healthy years you can give it are abonus. Keep an eye out for a pond that will adopt it when it is bigger.
OH I don't know how big the rosey minnows are. When the GF gets big enough it may eat them !

 

[lesamm]

good info

Thanks for all the info. The Rosey minnows are about 3" long and I was told by the local fish farm that they won't get much bigger.
I didn't realize the little feeder will be getting to 2 ft long someday.
As you suggest, I'll begin looking for a local pond where he can go.

Lesa