I have a persistent case of fin/tail rot w/ my goldfish. Tried antibiotics but it seems to return. any ideas?

Question

I am currently feeding the fish brand new food. I use a cannister filter as well. I cant seem to determine why the condition keeps coming back. My one theory is that one of the fish has the persistent but stable condition and is giving the others fin/tail rot. Another theory may have to do with too much bacteria? I change 10 gal of water out of the 60 gal tank every 2 weeks. The water condition is within normal levels for pH etc.

Answer 1

Buy some aquarium salt for fresh water fish and add it according to the directions. It will cause the fish to produce more slime which will protect them from more occurrences. When you medicate the tank, you kill off all the beneficial bacteria which causes spikes in the ammonia, nitrates and nitrates, which leaves them open for another case of fin rot.

Answer 2

I had the same problem with an Oscar and when I told the woman at the fish store she screamed at me. But this was her advice, and it seemed to work.

- make sure you vacuum the gravel once a week (how long would you be comfortable swimming around in your own feces? probably not too long)
- canister filters are no good. I got a pretty decent over the side filter for about $15
- Change 20% of the water every week and use StressCoat, StressZyme, and aquarium salt with every water change (it sounds like a lot, but its perfectly safe to use them all at the same time. It makes the water crystal clear and keeps the fish healthy)
- Majorly decrease the amount you're feeding them. If they dont eat all the food you put in the tank in about a minute, take out whatever they didnt eat and throw it away.

Good Luck.

Answer 3

put fish in a bucket empty fishtank completely wash gravel and fish tank with salty water and wash your filter till the water comes out clean because the parasite might be sitting in the filter once cleaned re fill tank but put the medecations in the tank with the fish and run for about 2 weeks then change 50 percent of the water

Answer 4

you didnt mention how many fish you have and how big they are, but i will assume they have 2-3 gallons per inch of body size. What is the usuall temp of your tank? Goldfish being a coldwater species are more prone to fungal infections when they are in temp. around and above 70. they prefer 60-62

Answer 5

You don't mention whether you have charcoal in your filter . If you are medicating your tank, it is very important to take the charcoal out while medicating them as the charcoal ruins the medication and this could be one reason they aren't improving. It took me a few years before I found out about this. If you don't have charcoal in your filter, then I don't have another answer===good luck

Answer 6

I even have this situation each and all the time. purely because of the fact I placed on a bunny healthful does no longer mean i'm honest game contained in the place of work. heavily. And once I capture them commencing at my tail they turn around and act like i'm the obsessed one. I believe you. purely tell them to invite you out like everyday human beings. i like my dad too.

Answer 7

get another fish(one of those water pet bugs), that can eat the parasites and fugus off of his tail

Answer 8

Get another fish. Its probably chronic.

Answer 9

flush it.