why would goldfish lose there scales?

Question

I have a friend who has 7 goldfish in an aquairum 3 of them have lost there scales

Answer 1

They could be rubbing on things and scraping them off or the other fish could be bumping into them and scraping them off.

If they are rubbing into things they may have a parasite, so make sure your friend checks them out to make sure. Hopefully the tank is very large, around 70 gallons, otherwise they could be fighting for space. They can also get stressed easy if the tank isn't large enough and that will lower their immune system and make them more susceptible to diseases. Not to mention the fact that the more over stocked a tank is the harder it is to keep the water params in check which can kill them all.

Answer 2

Fin rot can cause scale loss in very bad cases, but it's rare. Usually lost scales means fighting or a bad skin infection which can come from several different bacteria. You certainly don't have dropsy. That's a common term for any one of a dozen or so internal infections that all cause fluid retention in the abdominal cavity, not scale loss. You can try treating with a good dose of both gram negative and gram positive antibiotics in the typical manner. That is: 1: Big water change (50 - 60%) 2: remove the carbon from your filter or it will remove the medicine from your tank 3: increase the temperature to about 80 (yeah, even Goldfish) 4: Treat with the correct antibiotic or "shotgun" if you can't be sure what the exact bacteria is. 5: do water changes and monitor the ammonia levels throughout the treatment and until the good bacteria is reestablished. Also be prepared to fight off a fungus infection as well, that's normal with skin ailments.

Answer 3

Each goldfish needs 10 gallons (at least, larger fish need more space) all to itself. So unless he has a 70 gallon tank, they are over crowded. Over crowding leads to all sorts of health problems.
It has to do with oxygen exchange in the gills. An air stone won't help, and it has nothing to do with waste removal so it doesn't matter what filter you have.
Look here, this is a fantastic website:
www.kokosgoldfish.com
Your friend needs to get rid of some of his goldfish.

Answer 4

Scale loss are normal among goldfishes, this are due to flashing or flukes.
Only happens when the water quality are bad, so changing water frequently and add a little of salt during water changes should help.
Another advise here....if you have the budget..go for a bigger tank. Remember the rule.. 10 gal per fish.
Otherwise, do you have a water testing kit? Test your water for levels of nitrite, nitrate and ammonia. These should all read zero to make sure you have a healthy tank.

Answer 5

there are several reasons that they care missing scales one is that the other could be nipping them off to establish dominance another is there environment may be to small to accommodate them or they could simply be rubbing them off on decorations in the aquarium but i think that if they look act and eat right than i wouldn't worry best of luck to ya

Answer 6

Why your goldfish lose their scales is because of stress. When fish are scared, and move into new takes, they get really stressed/scared. A good idea to cure your fish from losing scales is to go to a local pet store and ask them for "Stress Coat". Stress coat is for all fish. Mainly used on fish you lose scales and lose their color. Stress coat is a liquid. Pour stress coat into the tank. Directions are on the back of bottle. When stress coat goes on your fish, it relaxes their skin/scales. It also gives their scales that gooey and stickey feeling. Also is kind of like a glue, it keeps their scales on and keeps fish happy. Stress coat also gives your fish a longer life. Use stress coat reguarly and your fish will stop losing their scales.
Hope I Helped! :-)!