ripped fin with black streaks

[haylien]

At the weekend i bought two lovely little gold oranda's, Tarzan and Jerry. After only four days Tarzans tail fin has black streaks in it and today i noticed a small rip in it too. So i panicked and drove all the way back to the garden center to ask what was wrong? the man said he is still young and is probably changing colour. Now on jerry's fin he is starting to get black speckles, i am feeding them natural colour enhancing flake food but i dont believe for a second that the black streaks and speckles are ok? I have treated the water with tap safe, and the water has been cleaned since sunday. I have got some 'disease safe' but i'm wondering whether to use it or not, could someone please help me out i really don't want my lil fishies to die thankyou xx

 

[WILDER]

What size is the tank, and what are your water stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph, add some salt if you just have goldfish in there, and a few water changes.

 

[haylien]

My tank is a 14 litre hexagonal one with pump, filter and light. the temperature is 24c and i use tap safe in the water. i dont know the ammonia etc do you think these symptoms are serious? thanks for your help x

 

[WILDER]

Sorry to say this but they are not going to last long in that 3 gal tank, they will get stressed and desease will set in,they need at least a 20gal tank with an excellent filter, bad advice from the lfs yet again.

 

[WILDER]

Read the thread below on bent fish there are your answers, good luck.

 

[black angel]

just to point out too that the black is the healing from high ammonia. since you have put him in clean water then the healing can take place.
please get tests for what wilder has asked for. I would also change your pet shop as they havent a clue about caring for goldies.
good luck with them and read the post wilder has pointed out
any more questions please post as we are here to try and help.

 

[haylien]

thanx for the help guys, on the instructions of the tank it says the the tank is big enough for three fish so i thought i was doing the fish a favour, obviously not! i'm going to invest in a bigger tank this weekend and Tarzan is starting to look a bit better, which is good! thanks xxx

 

[black angel]

you will also need a filter that can turn the water 10x in an hour. the gravel if you go with that, as more and more people are keeping them bare bottom, must be too small for them to choke on.
good to read that you are upgrading them, good luck