Fish's Face A Bit Smushed...how To Help It?

[fishnewby]

Size of aquarium
cool 14 with mini elite filter

Types of fish -
1 goldfish
Number of fish and sizes -
just the one and about 1.5 inches long

Filtration used and how do you clean it and how often -
mini elite filter cleaned evry 3 weeks
How much in the way of water changes and how often --
evry 2 weeks will change 50% of water or more often if necessary
Do you dechlorinate -
i add some liquid to make tap water safe...(if thats what it means..)

Symptoms of sick fish ie, spots, behaviour, etc -
fish over last 3 weeks has lost right fin and top fin starting to shrink and just now when chaning water etc noticed its top lip is mushed...

also it hasnt been eating well over the past week..
How long has the fish been sick and which medications are your currently using or recently used -
about 1 week.. and i have some "cycle" stuff to help the scales etc...
Test results for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and ph both from the tap and tank -
no idea ...
Anything else you need us to know -
just that the top lip looks all raggedy and smushed...the only other thing in the tank apart from the filter is a stone ornament...in which the fish is always hiding...

any advice please...

 

[peter22UK]

well firstly i would maybe try doing a weekly water change and also there is no need to clean the filter every 3 weeks this may inadvertantly be harming your fish.

what are your water parameters?

when you say it has lost its fin? has it gone completely?

have you checked the ornament for sharp edges?

 

[WILDER]

How many gallons is the tank.
How many fish and which type.
Sadly if the mouth is rotting away I would end the fish misery.
You need to answer some of the above poster questions.

 

[fishnewby]

hello,

thanks for the replies.

Water parameters? sorry im new to all this so have no idea what that means

its a 14Litre tank,
i have checked ornament for sharp edges and its very smooth all over..

i have cleaned the filter as per the instructions it came with..

the fin left is only a little stump...one night it was there (i say goodnight every night and morning evry morning )the next morning it was gone...

as in OP i have 1 ordinary common or garden pet shop goldfish with silver gills and orange and black patches and slightly translucent skin.

This fish used to be a fat fishy but is now losing weight and not eating properly...

I feel terrible as it was happy and swimming about last week....

 

[WILDER]

The tanks way to small for a goldifish, the first goldfish alone needs 20 gallons as there massive waste producers.
Also they need double the filter size to the tank, so you need 20 gallons and 40 gallon filter.
I would take a sample of your tank water to the lfs and tell them to write the readings down for you.

 

[fishnewby]

seriously the pet shop have said that 14l is fine for upto 7 fish...i have enclosed photo of tank.

the fish is hiding inside the ornament...

 

[WILDER]

Is the tank a 14 litre
The lfs are telling lies.
http/www.fishforums.net/content/Coldwate...-fish-in-tanks/

 

[fishnewby]

sorry who are the lfs?

yes tank is 14litre..

 

[WILDER]

Lfs- local fish store.
The tanks to small and the filter won't cope with the goldfish waste, resulting in ammonia poisoning.

 

[fishnewby]

OMG!!!! pet shop owner is a good friend of mine!

what kind of fish can be kept in it as leaflet even says suitable for goldfish etc....

 

[WILDER]

A betta fish would be fine in there.
That leaflet wrong, do a search on goldfish we don't make it up.
Ive kept goldfish and they need large tanks and good filters.
Goldfish are massive waste producers.

 

[chesterscot]

ive got just one goldfish in a 20g and it looks squashed i wouldnt keep 1 in your tank regardless of the leaflet a beta would be fine or a few white cloud mountainj minnows

 

[fishnewby]

A betta fish would be fine in there.
That leaflet wrong, do a search on goldfish we don't make it up.
Ive kept goldfish and they need large tanks and good filters.
Goldfish are massive waste producers.

By no means am i saying you are , you will have vastly more experience than i do!
im just surprised seen as the fish is only 1.5" long....

what to i do with it now, with its missing top lip etc....we have no other tanks...

 

[WILDER]

Read this to see if its fits with what your fish has.
http/www.articledepot.co.uk/article-29320.htm

 

[fishnewby]

sounds like it.....

how much salt should i use?