Ill Chinese Fancy Goldfish- Fungal/bacterial Infection?

[Jules H-T]

Hi There,

I have two fancy Chinese goldfish, and have had them for about two weeks.

Janet (don't ask), is not well. She has been moping about since we first got her, never quite as active as Brad. Today she really wasn't looking too perky, so I've had a closer look.

She has this white whispy stuff on her. It is all around her gill line, extending out into the middle of her sides, running under and along her pectoral fins. Here are some photos.

Fish are in a 36*12*18 with a mature Eheim external cloned from my 500L tropical tank. Water changes (in the time I've had them) have been weekly 33%. They have a heater in there set to 16 just to keep them OK if the heating isn't on. She's still eating well, although not as well as Brad (who as yet shows no signs of being anything less that 100%).

I take it I'm looking at a bacterial infection, Columnaris type effort. Can anyone assist with diagnosis please, and moreover recommend a good solid treatment (UK)? I'm keen to get on this ASAP obviously. Should I add any aquarium salt (which I have right here), before I get chance to medicate? Lights off or OK to leave on?

Thanks,

Jules.

 

[*Fishkies*]

I suggest also posting this up in the Emergency section of the forum. As many people do not always look at the coldwater fish forum right away...

 

[Jules H-T]

I'm not going to cross post, but yes you're right I almost did post in tropical emergencies. I'll be treating for bacterial tomorrow unless I hear otherwise. Was kind of hoping for a response before I go to work in the morning (08:00 GMT) so we'll see if the other side of the world can help first!

Where is Wilder when you need them?!

 

[black angel]

looks fungal to me, so go that way first

check water stats too

 

[Jules H-T]

Cheers black angel. Think I'll buy a range of meds as going shopping during business hours is difficult.

Will check stats later.

 

[Davo86]

I'd reccomend getting Protozin, its quite effective against any fungus, or velvet condition, which it looks like your fish may have, we use it in store to treat similar conditions

with this you treat on the 1,2,3, and 6th day,

 

[Jules H-T]

This is getting bad apparently. My girlfriend at home says it's much worse. She's bleeding from her dorsal fin which is completely ragged, and coughing up white spores in big chunks.

I'm treating fungal as soon as I get home, but do I salt bath her for a few mins?

 

[Davo86]

If the fish is in a bad way then personally i wouldn't as it is very stressful for you fish and he might not make it.

 

[*Fishkies*]

Are they the only two goldfish in the tank? What do they get fed?
Do her gills seem reddened at all?
Is there anything she may be trying to scratch against?

 

[Jules H-T]

0, 0, 60 on the stats, 0, 0, 30 tapwater.

Have treated with Interpet #8 and melafix, did not salt bath. Will see where we are in 24 hrs, if not looking measurably better in 48 will add carbon, strip out the meds and start again with antibacterial. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Jules H-T]

Damn it, she's dead. First fish lost to disease in 20 years. Ah Bo*****s! Wish I'd tried a salt bath now. I suspect the gill damage was already done though.

That was fast- less than 48 hours from first signs to death, the latter 24 of them under treatment. Let's hope the treatment stops Brad from developing any illness. Maybe time for a big water change and remedication.

 

[*Fishkies*]

Sorry for the loss. Sometimes problems do arise quite quickly that there is nothing you can do fast enough to save them.

Good Luck with your other goldfshy though!!

 

[Jules H-T]

Right, 90% water change, and remedicate. Not the time you want to suck start an Eheim but if you reduce the water level without switching it off then that's what happens.

The filter is periodically spewing out these bunches of what I can only describe as spores. I'm now away until Sunday which is not ideal. I am sorely considering mixing meds- the Interpet no. 8 Anti fin rot and fungus, and Myxasin. Might start a thread on that separately.

 

[Jules H-T]

Right, Brad is starting to show symptoms. Medicating with Myxasin now in addition to Interpet 8.