What is going on with my goldfish?

Question

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We have 2 goldfish, 1 orange and 1 white. 20 gallon Eclipse Tank. They are about 2 yrs old and were doing fine until today. Today the white one turned red near the head (see photo) and acting very listless at the bottom of the tank. Ammonia levels are in the safe range. The orange one seems unaffected and is keeping the white one company, sometimes nibbling at the white one. The white one looks like he is about to die!

Answer 1

What do you mean by ammonia levels in the "safe" range? There is no safe range for ammonia. Ammonia should be 0 - anything about 0 is toxic.

Redness is usually caused by ammonia burn. However, it's not fatal if treated quickly, so do a large water change (50%) to dillute / remove the ammonia, and add some salt (4 tbsps for your tank), disolved first in dechlor water. That should make him feel better.

Your goldfish apear to be commons/comets... these goldfish are POND fish, not aquarium fish; they can easily reach 12" in length. They need 50-60 gallons per fish to be healthy. If by chance they are fancy goldfish, those grow to 7-8", and still need a good 15-20 gallons per fish. Either way, your 20 gallon is too small ; look into upgrading your tank or getting some different fish.

Answer 2

I'm so sorry to hear about your goldfish. It sounds like he has a condition called "Septicemia". It causes bloodstreaks on the fins, inflames blood vessels, and causes your goldie to be sluggish. If you have another tank - I would quarantine him. Then I would speed to the pet store to purchase some antibiotics. Usually, septicemia alone or as a symptom of another problem such as fin rot, can be fatal unless you medicate him immediately. One or two streaks in the fins can be ok- but it judging from your picture- I'm not sure how much he will recover. Regardless, it's time to try to save him :)

Medications: I would recommend the following--

"KanaPlex™ (by SEACHEM) is a blended kanamycin based medication that safely and effectively treats several fungal, and bacterial fish diseases (dropsy, popeye, fin/tail rot, septicemia). Because it is absorbed by fish it is useful in treating internal infections in those situations where food is refused. It does not adversely affect the filter bed and is easily removed with carbon. To enhance palatability use with Garlic Guard™. Food may be refrozen. " "Use 1 level measure (180 mg) per 20 L (5 US gals). Measurer included. Repeat every 2 days until symptoms disappear or up to a maximum of 3 doses. Turn off UV, ozone, and chemical filtration."

"Maracyn-Two Freshwater
Antibiotic (Minocycline) recommended for the treatment of Popeye, gill disease, fin and tail rot, dropsy, septicemia, secondary and internal infections."

How is the temp in your tank? It should be around 68 to 75 °F. Also, I would consider doing a water change. Just because the ammonia level is low- doesn't mean that your nitrates aren't high. I would try to test the water - then do a 25% - 50% water change- adding similar temp water back in.

Hope this helps! I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Answer 3

Your fish has septicemia. Septicemia is a condition where bacteria gains entry into the fish's body through wounds or the stomach. The bacteria can cause failure of the internal organs, damage to body tissue, blood vessels, and result in recognizable symptoms. This often results in internal bleeding, due to the fluids filling the fish's abdomen. Dropsy may occur as a result. The problem with this type of situation is that the bacteria is present inside the fish and safe from the antibiotics you would place in the water. It could be the result of another infection or caused from dirty water. Symptoms: Clamped fins, bulging eyes, red bellies, eroding, reddened fins, lack of appetite, and fish showing signs of being sluggish or exhibiting sluggish behavior. Because the infection is internal, it is best to feed the fish antibiotics rather than using the kinds you place directly into the water. Feed your fish Metro-med or Medi-Gold. You should also place the ill fish in a hospital tank while administering treatment. If you wish to medicate the water, you should use Forma-Green. Use 2 drops per gallon in aquarium water. Treat one time and leave in the water for 5-7 days. Check your local petstore for some good medicated food and for antibiotics if necessary. Septicemia is fatal if not treated immediately!

Answer 4

Looks like it is being burned, most likely from ammonia or nitrite. You said ammonia is in the safe range, what is the number? The safe range is very small.(below .2) Check your nitrite as well. It is just as toxic as ammonia.

There very well could be a problem, because those kinds of goldfish are better suited to a pond than a tank, and your tank is pretty small.

Answer 5

Looks like septicemia, it can be caused from a bacterial infection or bad water. Ammonia should be zero even if it is 0.5 that is still too high, nitrites should also be zero and nitrates around 20 or less. If params are fine then get some meds to treat bacterial infections.

Answer 6

properly tetras are tropical fish and shouldnt truly be stored with goldfish for many motives.... a million) goldfish produce thank you to a lot waste and in case you dont clean it out very in many situations then all your fish will go through 2) goldfish are coldwater fish and preserving coldwater with heat you cant get the splendid temperatures for each fish that's undesirable for his or her wellbeing 3) they simply shouldnt guppies can go the two way they are able to consume golfish sturdy, i feed the guppies in my pond goldfish nutrition. even though it won't comprise the splendid nutrition for the tropical fish, that's yet one greater reason they shouldnt bekept jointly

Answer 7

there should be no ammonia at all please change your water get those fish out as soon as possible you may be able to save him if you change the water like NOW

Answer 8

Ammonia could be burning it, check your water params

Answer 9

Well, I used to have this goldfish and he would eat my other goldfish. he nibbled at their bum, hahaha, and then their insides started coming out. Then, they started swimming on their sides. That was the end of it. I never could figure out what happened, but we think the fish was EATING him!!! I hope this doesn't happen to you... :( My fish didn't turn red, though. Good luck!