My gold fish's scales are turning black,?

Question

My goldfish's scales on his head are turning black and it is spreading. What is it and how do I get rid of it?

Answer 1

When a fish turns from orange or red or any color to black its not natural. It is usually a sign of healing ammonia burns but can also be from other things. If the fish is new then its probably healing from being in a tank that had really high ammonia, its good that its healing but now you need to watch out for high nitrite. Signs of that good be heavy breathing, bottom sitting, red streaks and others. There is nothing you can do to make the black go away it will do it on its own, its kinda like if we had a bruise. Test your water, if the ammonia and nitrite are 0 then I would look into diseases.

Answer 2

Does sound like ammonia burn. And definitely fin rot. All fish need a filter. Goldfish especially. They are massive waste producers and require double the filtration of the tank size. You probably have ammonia levels that are off the charts right now, and killing the fish. Fancy goldfish are the smallest goldfish, reaching 6 inches at maturity. They go for $15-$30 depending on if they are mature of not. The most common goldfish, called the common or comet, get over 1 foot long. They are sold at about 2 inches as food for other fish. Under $1. Two fancy goldfish need 40 gallons minimum with a 80 gallon filter. 2 common goldfish need 120 gallons minimum with a 240 gallon filter. It is time to give the fish away if you do not have these minimum requirements. Do 100% water changes daily until you can find someone who knows how to properly care for them. They live 30+ years, and because they are only about 2 years old and in that condition, it is obvious that they will not be alive much longer. Wild guess.... Bowl?

Answer 3

It may possible be a disease.
However, some gold fish change colors. If this a normal comet goldfish (the kind you get at a fair)? Or a fancy goldfish?




Here is what one article says:

1- Genetics plays a big roll in the color of goldfish. When Goldfish Breeders pair their goldfish for breeding, they breed for good goldfish type and color. I'll use the beautiful moor as an example because it is one of the types of goldfish the goldfish breeders use in their goldfish breeding programs that proves my point.
I know you have seen pictures of, or even own a moor that is black as velvet with excellent goldfish type. Some moors will hold this beautiful black-velvet color while others will begin to turn gold. The reason some will turn gold is, in order to improve the bodies and or eyes of the moors, the goldfish breeders will use gold telescopes as a cross.
The goldfish breeders sort the fry (baby goldfish) for type and color at a very early stage in their lives. The fry that are black are moors, the fry that are any other color become telescopes. Now, if the genetics are just right, some of the moors will remain black their whole life, others will turn gold within six months or even years. Some will just have a light colored belly. I'm not saying that all goldfish breeders use this method of breeding, however, many of them do.


2- Goldfish Collectors with new goldfish become concerned when within a few weeks or months their GOLD goldfish start showing signs of big black patches of color on the body and fins. The black is a sign of healing. Like a "black and blue" mark on your arm after you hit it on something. The new fish have been knocked around, handled and bruised from the moment they left the country the were born in. When you bring them home and begin to give them some tender loving goldfish care, they begin to heal, that's when you see the "black". When I imported hundreds of show quality goldfish each year I was very happy to see the "black" on my GOLD goldfish, that's when I knew I had them strong and healing. It could take two weeks or longer for the "black" to disappear.


3- Now here's a color change that should throw up a big "RED FLAG" to any person who wants to give good goldfish care.
When the colors of you goldfish become very dull and your goldfish becomes inactive, act at once! This is a sign that could mean big health problems! Attention: One major cause of "dull color" are parasites!! Treat ASAP.
I've also had goldfish lose color because of a quick drop in pH. I've had goldfish become thin with dull color after major treatments of antibiotics. The reason? The "good bacteria" in their digestive tract was destroyed by the antibiotics. The nutrients of the food they were eating were not being absorbed into their system and they were starving. That's why we formulated our "Jump Start" to replace the "good bacteria" in their digestive tract. High quality probiotics are a must after any treatment of antibiotics or long sickness.

Answer 4

Give him an antibacterial medication just in case. Goldfish have a tendency to change colors (I once had one that was bright red when I bought him and turned completely white within a couple of months!) Try changing the light on the aquarium - the spectrum of fluorescent lights starts changing after about six months, so that could cause the color change. It's probably nothing to get too worried about.
Good luck

Answer 5

sounds like fin rot, go to the pet store and get some medicine to put in the water.

Answer 6

go to a pet store and ask them 4 medicine for him

Answer 7

you need to go to the pet store it has a fungal disease and needs medicine...

Answer 8

Finally, that's what I was looking for! Thanks to author of this question.

Answer 9

Loved this question

Answer 10

go to doc