Fungus; Please Help

Oooookay. Lets try this again.

Goldfish. 6 inches. Survived fungus four years ago.
Has patch of fungus extending from lateral line on left side up over back, a little on right side of dorsal fin; fungus is thin, white, and film-like; has begun to eat away at fins.
Tankmates are two rosy red minnows, also one 2-inch and one 5-inch goldfish. No new additions.
Tank has not yet been treated with any chemicals or salt, etc.
pH 7.4
Nitrite 0 ppm
Ammonia 0 ppm

Please keep in mind before going on, these fish haven't been under my care for some time. They live with other family.

Nitrate 80 ppm
Tank is 10 gallons
Water is changed maybe every 2-3 weeks, between 50 and 100%.

Look here at that link and see if the first symptom describes what your goldfish may have. It sounds like he is producing extra slime, which he may mean he has Colmnaris.

This goldfish would also be better in a tank by himself while he is being treated.

As one goldfish to start needs at least 20gallons on its own, and for each additional goldfish another 10gallons. A water change in that tank should be done every two days with 25percent being changed in and out.

Yes, I know how much space a goldfish needs. Like I said, they're not under my care right now, I just want to help. He was my fish once.

Thank you for the link...

Yes the goldfish has columnaris, treat with an anti bacterial & fungal med like Pimafix and raise the airation in the tank. A water change once every 2-3weeks is not adequate, really for a an overstocked goldfish tank i would advise a 40% water change twice a week.
The columnaris was most likely brought on by the lack of space in the tank and lack of water changes, to treat it successfully and prevent it from coming back in the future, something really needs to be done about the tank and cleaning maintanence etc. More regular water changes will help reduce the background bacteria and fungus levels in the tank (and help reduce nitrate levels, which are quite excessive in your tank), while upgrading the fish to a tank of at least 3times the current size will help create a lot less stressful environment for the goldfish to live in.

Do you know what type of goldfish it is? There are many fancy and non-fancy varieties of goldfish, varying a great deal in the eventual sizes they grow to (anything from 5inches to 15inches+ depending on the type of goldfish). What sort of goldfish you have will help decide what sort of size tank they need. Here is a link containing the names and pics of many types of goldfish;

http/www.bristol-aquarists.org.uk/goldfish/goldfish.htm

What sort of goldfish do you have based on the link above do you know ?

I hope I do not sound too defensive but again, the fish were not under my care, I know the water changes are inadequate, I know the fish are sick because they are not being kept well, I know the nitrate is way too high. Unfortunately, I go back to college in the fall, and there's no guarantee anything I do will be kept up here. Hopefully I can work this all out now.

And I know what kind of fish he is. He's a common goldfish; nothing fancy. To tell you the truth, he was one of a dozen my family bought for a dollar at a WalMart. He's been with me a while now, and I've grown to like him alot. He looks like a big orange trout. In fact, he looks just like the one in the picture. (great site by the way.)

I will take the advice about the water changes, thanks; and the cleaning - are you recommending a complete overhaul here? Sanitizing and everything? Also, I wasn't sure about the medication - I've heard a lot of it doesn't work. Generally, I've heard anything with malachite green in it will be okay; any experience? And actually, last time he was sick, I used a salt bath. It worked, even though according to a lot of sources it may not be the best idea. Can I try this again?

To treat columnaris you will need a strong antibacterial medication. And because the disease is very contagious things need to be cleaned throughly. You could also use Maracyn 1 and Maracyn 2 made by Mardel Company.

Also the only reason we suggest the upgrades, is because it would improve the live of the fish greatly and help with sicknesses being less common. I myself have four goldfish, a common, a comet and two fantails. So I can understand the upgrading of tanks and housing situations. As we all only want the best for all the fish, we suggest those things.

Good Luck!

I didn't mean to sound snappy. I would get them a much bigger tank if I could. I would get them a lot of things if I could. I'm making the same suggestions you are to them.

There are no good aquarium stores where I live, but theres always Petco, I'll pick out something from there.

It's closed at this time so I think tonight I'll give him a salt bath... salt dip? Geez, I forgot how to do this...

The stuff on him is much more visible now, but he seems more active and is eating. A good sign ?

Also be sure to check out Ebay or Aquabid, for fish tanks and supplies. Also flea markets sometimes if you have those in your area. Those a just a few suggestions.

At least he is eating, and more active. That is better news!!

...will do... hmm, I feel better already. quick one though:

1. Will the other fish be harmed by whatever I put in the tank?

and 2. Does anyone know how I should go about cleaning , mainly the net, because there are two but I don't know which was used for the goldfish, and I don't want to accidentally infect the other aquarium. I read something once about a bleach solution, but I think it was just for the gravel, and won't that kill the fish...?

1. You mean be harmed by the medication? No, if anything it will help prevent them from catching the disease also.

2. I woud use hot water and you can boil certain items. However don't boil the gravel.

Hi...I have recently treated my tank with a combination of pimafix and melafix together. I did two treatments for saddleback columnaris. I have not had any probs since. Yep definatly high nitrates would cause fungas infection and saddleback.

Good luck...if you maintain regular water changes this will help as you already know. Perhaps the family could be left with instruction while you go back to school. Really care is simple if kept up regular.

dont just use pimafix by itself....as melafix helps fungas and pimafix helps combat bacteria. They are a perfect combination.

Good luck...I truely hope it all works out for you.

P.S. It wont hurt you to treat you entire tank....im sure other fish will have it eventually....by treating your entire tank you are cleaning it to a certain level. I would do the two week treatment as I found this effective...take out any charchol...if you have fry or corries etc just do half the reccomended dose it is safe and wont harm the bio filter, plants rocks etc. Also if you ahve a undergravel you need to slow the filteration down for the duration of the treatment.

Pimafix and melafix are totally safe, colourless and has a nice smell to it.

If you have any further questions please just drop me a post and I will reply asap.

Regards, and good luck

Regarding the net...I would soak it in aquarium salt and hot water over a week or so. Even wouldnt hurt to soak it in some melafix.

what's "saddleback" columnaris; from its name it sounds like what my fish has, or is it something completely different

Ooooh, that's pretty ugly. Thank goodness mines isn't that bad.

anje said:

Ooooh, that's pretty ugly. Thank goodness mines isn't that bad.

Click to expand...

Hi..I think there is columnaris which is fungas in different parts of the body face etc...where as saddleback is as it says...generally around the tummy area like a saddle. My fish had various stages meaning some had fungas on eyes...some saddleback and others on fins and gills ect.... It can get very nasty and hard to treat...and some worse case fish wont survive treatment...where as others will. Keep in mind I breed Guppies and plattys...these are very small compared to your goldfish...so i rekon he has good chances. All my fish are breeding fine now...Im still however trying to lower nitrate levels...I have taken many plants out and kept mainly solid type longstanding plants. I have done a gravel vac and put these tea bag type things in tank to lower nitrates...apparently the bag floats around the tank for a couple of months until its falling appart. Already I have noticed a major drop in levels. All my other water stats are perfect..just nitrate.

Nitrate will cause fungas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Desired nitrate levels are always - 0 although some testing kits say that 20-40 ppm are safe levels...this is not true. As I learned the hard way. lol

I LOVE FISH!!! No really I DO!

Two of my blue male guppies... 3 months ago I lost nearly 40 guppies....10 survived and now they are all healthy and breeding like Guppies!!!! The treatment I used was highly effective. I have helped so many people diagnose and treat columnaris at mlfs where I spend alot of my time. It makes me happy that these people are not going through endless treatments and misdiagnosing like I had to, to get an end result. Thats why I am more than happy spending my time to help you. I really hope your fish are ok...and you can begin treatment asap.