Help! My cousin is killing her Goldfish. Is there still hope?

Question

I've posted several questions on here before reguarding Goldfish, as I'm still new to keeping aquariums. And unlike my cousin, I researched and asked questions BEFORE I bought my goldfish.

Anyway, my cousin, age 23 or so came to visit and she really liked my Ryukin fantail, Charlie. Sure enough, a few days later, she went and bought some for her kids. Her children are about ages 11 and 12. And like alot of younger kids, arn't ready for the responsibility of a pet (especially a fish).

Anyway, she told me she bought some fish and told me to come over and see them sometime.I went there expecting to see 2 pretty Black Moores(sp?) but instead was met with the VERY saddening sight of a white Lionhead Oranda COVERED in a fungus outbreak and floating at the top on his side with an apparent swimbladder problem.(Not dead) And her other calico was sick with something, because his dorsal fin was constantly clamped.

I told her its probably ich or a fungal outbreak..(continuted with edit)

- And upon looking on the internet, it was a fungal outbreak and a swim bladder problem.

She said she wasen't goin to buy anything else because it turns out she had already bought some ammonia tablets because her 2 black moores died. She said her son wasen't doing his responsibility and she didn't want to do it as she was already taking care of their birds.

I told her I'd get him better under the condition that I got to keep him. She said okay, but my mom wouldn't drive me a petstore to pick up some medication and aquarium salt. I honestly don't think that fish is going to last much longer.

Am I right with prescribing 1 thawed green pea for the swim bladder problem, a fresh tank of water, medication for fungus, and some aquarium salt?

She told me the fungus has been there for 3 days. His tail also seems to have fin-rot and his red veins in the tail and his gills. The fungas is REALLY BAD. I'm going to try to get my mom to pick up the stuff he needs tomorrow. Will he last?

Vets not going to help guys. I hear 99% of the time vets can do nothing for fish. Also, my mom sure as heck isnt going to pay, and neither is my cousin if he wont even spare 2 bucks for fungal medication. :(

Whoops. 32* not 23 years old. Lmao.

LOL Nemo. But what you said is 100% true. :/

Answer 1

First, your cousin is lucky to have you, or, I really should say, the lionhead is lucky to have you. And, at least, I'm glad that your cousin realizes that she's not cut out to keep fish and has given up on the idea. PLEASE remind her of this debaucle if she ever gets the thought again! Your diagnosis and treatment sounds right on. Remember to take the shell off the peas. If the fish has only had the fungus for three days, he may still be okay, but if you can't get to the store, I guess you have no choice but to take your chances. You can at least, start the treatment by not feeding him for the 3 day fast required for SBD. Also, if you live close to a grocery store, maybe you could walk to it to get some salt. You don't have to use aquarium salt. You can use kosher salt, rock salt, sea salt, non-iodized table salt. A high lelvel salt dip is good to start with. Add 1/2 cup salt per 1 gallon of water. Put the fish in there for as long as it can stand. It will float to the top,. When he does, nudge him, and he should swim a little again. Take him out when he doesn't swim again when nudged. Also add salt to the aquarium at 1 teaspoon per 1 gallon of water. I'm sure you've done enough research to know that this now puts you in the spot of having to upgrade to a larger tank or getting a second tank, so I won't go into my "lecture" on that! lol! I do hope with all my heart that the fish survives long enough for you to get your treatment going on him. You deserve a big gold star for being informed and caring! God bless you!

Answer 2

This is obviously an extreme case and honestly there isn't much hope for the fish. First obviously get the fish in totally new, clean water. Keep the water cool to help slow the various diseases. Since you don't have any other medications available you will need to rely on salt. Now, you can use table salt if it doesn't have iodine added. It will say so right on the front of the box. Special aquarium salt is not needed.

Prepare a salt dip for the fish. Do this in a clean container that will hold the fish and about a gallon of water if possible. If not go for 1/2 a gallon at least. Make sure the water is the same temperature as the tank and dechlorinated of course. Set up the dip with 2 teaspoons of salt per gallon of water. Place the fish in this dip for 3 minutes then return it to the tank. You can do this again in an hour and again in two more hours. This kills fungus really well and will help with the fin rot some and will kill any ick the fish might have. You will have to have medicine for the swim bladder problem assuming the fish lives until morning. The best medicine for the swim bladder is medicated food for bacterial infections and an antibiotic called Furanace. You can get both at a good pet shop. Get enough to treat the fish for 2 weeks. This medication will cure the rest of the fin rot as well.

Best of luck saving him!

MM

Answer 3

first thing i think you need to do is test the water. how are your levels? Red veins could be a sign of nitrate poisoning, high levels of ammonia or nitrite, parisites, or bacterial infection. Are they gasping for air? Clamped fins is vague and could only mean a fish is unhappy not dieing. I have read that peas help with swim bladder but have never had to use them thankfully And salt would help for recouping and stress. I would get a test kit at the pet store and see whats going on in the tank..also 20% water changes couldn't hurt you at this point..but do make sure the water you put back in the tank is treated for chlorine.
i hope this helps.

Answer 4

Hey a 12 year old kid is responsible enough if s/he has been raised right I am 13 now but I got my fish when I was 12 and I had 5 in an aquarium that didnt work (so I had to clean it by hand) and only one of my fishes died and it wasnt a gold fish it was my only wild guppy

Answer 5

If i were you i would toss the fish, because they are going to die. This is what you do, you tell your freind to empty all the water in the tank, wash everything with water (no soap or anything) and just scrub it all with a normal towl. remove all the gravel and everything else in there and wash it with hot water as to get rid of the bacteria. Then put the gravel back in and put new water in. Make sure you put in AmQuel in the water as to remove all bad things for your fish and put in about six 25 cent feeder goldfish and wait about 1 week. When the tank is properly cycled, take the goldfish back to the fish store if you refuse to kill them. Then buy whatever fish you want, by this time the tank should be cycled, but just in case if your brining in large fish buy a bottle of live bacteria to make sure the tank cycle runs smoothly. As for your other fish, the best you can do is take it to the fish store and ask the man to take care of it, because there is no way a person with your experience level will be able to save it(no offense)

Answer 6

Wow. Maybe you can take them to the vet or foster the poor fish for a while. Your cousin is not treating her fish very well.

P.S. She's 23 or so and her kids are 11 and 12?!

Answer 7

You shuld go to the pet store where you got the fish or a vet to confirm what is wrong. Take action, keep the tank clean. Does she have a water filter?

Answer 8

if she keeps killing us, she doesn't need fish. how hard is it to make sure our water is treated and clean and make sure we have food. I mean c' mon.....

Answer 9

Proberbly no, but see a vet ASAP

Answer 10

Their only goldfish I would not worry too much.