How do I help my Sick Oranda?

Question

I just got this fish yesterday.. felt really bad for him.

The problems:

1.) His "coat" isn't shiny or bright or anything, it's a really dull almost like it could be seethrough. I've looked at a ton of pictures of fish like him, and couldn't find one that looks remotely like he does.

2.) A few of his scales are uprooted. Poking out I suppose. Only about 6-7. The tanks he was kept in only had rocks in it, and he was by himself, so I'm hoping this won't be the cause of some disease.

3.) He's got a black splotch around his eye, like if you would drop some sort of black dye into water, it gets swirlyish? Not a normal marking, and I can't figure out what it is, there's also something sticking out of his head by the splotch that is also black, but I can't really make it out.

4.) He has an open sore on his gill that I'm treating with Melafix, but he doesn't show any signs of gasping.. so I think he might be okay in that regard.

Any ideas of what might be wrong and how to fix?

Answer 1

Wow gizmo, you have a very sick fish on your hands. A picture or two of him would really help me to be sure about his condition, but a few things you say really point to potentially bad news. All of these symptoms could be caused by one thing, or by several different things going on at once. Lots of the choices I'm afraid are fatal.

The scales that stick out, are they close to the black area on his face? or are they along his body somewhere else? This could be one of several things depending on the location. If they are alond the belly and in one clump it could be the beginning stages of dropsy, a disease that is difficult to treat and often fatal. If they are in different places around the fish, it's probably damage or scales starting to fall off due to a bacterial infection in the skin.

They worst part of what I am reading is the dark spot on his face and the thing that appears to be sticking out of his head. If the area looks thick and the scales are standing out a little, that's likely to be a Melanosarcoma, or a cancerous tumor that cannot be treated and will eventually be fatal. There are also several parasites that can cause this appearance but without the raised scales. Untreated they would become fatal as well. it can also be caused by a fungus infection.

The color of the fish being dull looking... does he look really slimy? If so he probably has one of any number of parasites.

An open sore on his actual gill would be the sign of either damage or a gill parasite such as a fluke. If it's on the hard gill cover it could be from damage or from a bacterial infection.

I woud suggest you return the fish if at all possible, but if you really want to try to save it, you can give it a shot. You will need to treat first with a good general parasite medication containing Malachite green. This will get some of the parasites that may be the problem plus treat any fingus problems. Also treat with another parasite medication like Clout. It will kill other potential problem parasites. Since the gill sore could be bacterial in nature I would suggest you watch it closely and see if it seems to improve or get worse. If it gets worse during these treatments you will need to add an antibiotic to your treatment. Furanace or Maracyn would be good choices for an open wound. You can stop using the Melafix, it will be of no use in this type of situation.

Try these and see if the fish improves and if anything doesn't seem to respond. Feel free to drop me a line and I'll try to help more if you have any additional questions.

MM

Answer 2

That poor fish sounds like he is having a rough time, at least you rescued him!

The dull colour is probably just from him being unhealthy. I suggest feeding flakes in the morning and frozen food such as blood worms and brine shrimp to bring back his colour, in the evening.

As it isn't all his scales sticking out, It shouldn't be dropsy or anything. Maybe just general unhealthiness.

A black spot usually indicates an infection or parasite and most can be treated with melafix.

It sounds like you are doing everything right.

Good luck to you and your poor fishie

Answer 3

It sounds like your fish has ick. Most fish don't live very long after they get ick. You might be able to learn how to treat the fish for diseases by reading some of the information at GoldfishConnection.com.

Answer 4

Oranda goldfish are relatively vendors to swim bladder ailment. because of form of their physique the tummy isn't right this moment by using like an undemanding goldfish. you could attempt quickly it for some days yet in my adventure the subject gets worse in not alot of time. you will see wide-spread swimming and flicking alongside on one edge for a pair of kicks. There are treatments yet i'm yet to locate one that works

Answer 5

Ask a vet what to do.

I know a very good Vet, her name is Karen Tumblewood. She does things free for me. If you e-mail her at [e-mail] and say that you know madeline. Then she will give you some advice.