My comet goldfish's dorsal fin has been laying on its back and its tail is fraying otherwise seems fine??

Question

I have had it for over a month, the other fish are fine but I am concered that it will affect the other fish, any help would be great! thanks

Answer 1

It's a possibility that your fish has what's called fin-rot. Try to google it for more info and compare his symptoms to the info you find. You should find acceptable treatments on the net as well. I hope this helps.

Answer 2

This sounds to me like finrot.
Otherwise, it could be fin-nipping. What other fish do you have in there? They may be gnawing on each other's tails, so keep an eye out for aggression. It's probably finrot though - finrot looks like fraying, but with fin-nipping, actual chunks of the tail will be missing / torn.

Finrot is caused by stress and/or poor water quality and/or overcrowing. How big if your tank and what do you have in it? Comet goldfish are big fish, growing to 18+ inches, and they need a lot of water to be healthy (like at least 50 gallons per goldfish), and powerful filtration. Make sure that your fish have enough room, and that you are doing weekly water changes of 30% (more, if the tank is a little crowded).
If the tank is overcrowded, this is stressing your fish and causing a build-up of ammonia. You WILL be able to succesfully treat the finrot, but you'll need to adjust living conditions to prevent future problems.

Anyhoo, to treat, increase the temperature by 1-2 degrees and do a large water change.
Add 1 tbsp of aquarium or kosher salt per 5 gallons of water, disolved first a cup of aquarium water (raw salt will burn their gills).
You can treat with melafix if you want, but it is not necessary.

The salt will be removed as you do your weekly water changes.

Keep the water clean, and your fish should recover nicely.

Finrot isn't really contagious, so the other fish are not at risk if they are in the same tank - however, they are living in the same conditions that caused the finrot on your comet goldfish, so they are at risk, also. The salt should help a litt.e

Answer 3

I was just experiencing the same thing and treated with Maracyn. However I didn't see much improvement. I had my water checked at the pet store yesterday and was told my p.h. levels were high (very high) and that all the symptoms that I was noticing could have been caused by this. I am fairly new to fish keeping and just learning as I go here. I added some product to lower the p.h. and with in 15 minutes my fish were active, swimming and soooooo much better. I would 1st get your water tested, and if that is good then I would medicate for fin rot. GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 4

This could be a number of things:

a) Your poor goldie is being nibbled on. What other fish do you have? Have you noticed this behaviour? If this is the case, try adding more plants and hiding places for it.

b) Poor water quality (ie too much ammonia). Do a 50% water change, wait about 4 days then do a 25% water change.

c) Too high a ph. This can be treated. Most pet stores will test your water for free.

d) Fin Rot. This will spread to other fish, but is treatable. If you nitice white around the tears, this is what could be happening.

Answer 5

Water quality is the first thing to check. If you don't have water testing stuff,just do a 50% water change. Of course, use conditioned water(de-chlorinated),that is about the same temperature as the water in the tank. Follow up with smaller water changes every other day or so,for about a week. If high ammonia levels are the problem this should help. Another thing just occurred to me,if your other fish are tropicals,and they are OK then the water may just be too warm for a goldfish. Goldfish don't do well at temperatures above 70 degrees F. Hope this helps. PeeTee

Answer 6

This sounds odd but one my fishes fin used to do the same, apparantley its a sign they are afraid or upset. It also had a frayed tail, i watched it for a while and noticed bigger fish were chasing it and trying to eat it(explains the depression!) Eventually it also grew and it doesn't get picked on as food now. The tail seems fine now, although its fin is still a bit relaxed...maybe its just a lazy fish?! Good luck.

Answer 7

you're wrong. intercourse in no way turns into boring even at 60 plus, and it continuously thrills. in line with risk there's a alleviation in the frequency, in spite of the incontrovertible fact that it continues to be the comparable because it grew to become into in the commencing up. i do no longer understand the way it turns into exciting after seeing others. in spite of everything, it is all in the suggestions.

Answer 8

i doubt it has fin rot or what he said the purple stuff (ich prevention) i would say if you have any rocks or anything sharp or pointy in your tank it may be getting mad and hitting him or herself up against the rock or ornament, i would advise trying taking the ornament out and see if it gets any better , or atleast not any worse.

Answer 9

fish may have an algae on it there is a medicine u can get i forget what it is called but its purple color, best to check at a pet store call one they probally can help you out better goodluck.