Goldfish Question! And I REALLY need to KNOW the TRUTH! PLEASE HELP!?

Question

Okay friends, another question here. Can all Goldfish live in 70 or above degrees Temp? I really need to know because if they can, and if warmer water will get the ICK and bacteria down, I'll do it if the Fish will stay safe and happy!

Answer 1

NO. Only Lionheads (and others like it) can live in temps at or above 70. The heat you need to kill ich is closer to 90. Do your fish have ich now? DO not treat the tank if they do not. DO NOT add salt either. The amounts of salt you would need to add would kill the fish, and will not kill ich. Ich just doesn't like salt, but does not kill it.

More on Ich.
Is it white spot disease or is it Ich? You need to know the difference between the two since they are treated differently.

Cryptocaryoniasis, White Spot Disease or Marine Ich is caused by an infestation of the ciliated protozoan Cryptocaryon irritans. Although Cryptocaryon becomes a parasitic organism at one stage in its life cycle like Oodinium and Brooklynella do, and it progesses less rapidly than these other ich diseases, in a closed aquarium system it can reach overwhelming and disasterous numbers just the same if it is not diagnosed and treated upon recognition.

Unlike Oodinium and Brooklynella that typically attack the gills first, which allows these ich diseases to advance into life-threatening levels quickly as they go unnoticed, Cryptocaryon usually appears at the onset as salt-sized white spots visible on the body and fins of a host fish, and when the organisms become parasitic, it is then that they move inwards to the gills. Because crypto is more easily recognized in its beginning stage, this makes it much easier to treat and cure before it gets out of control.

Aside from the appearance of the white spots, fish will scratch against objects in an attempt to dislodge the parasites, and rapid respiration develops as tomonts, mucus, and tissue debris clogs the gills. Fish become listless, refuse to eat, loss of color occurs in patches or blotches as the trophonts destroy the pigment cells, and secondary bacterial infections invade the lesions caused by the trophonts.

Although copper is very effective on Oodinium, and it works well to eliminate crypto organisms in their free-swimming tomite stage, it is not as effective on the Cryptocaryon trophonts that burrow deeply into the tissues of fish. A combination of freshwater and formalin treatments adminstered by means of dips, baths, and prolonged treatment over a period of time in a QT is recommended

Reinfection will occur no matter how effectively the fish have been treated if Cryptocaryon is not eradicated from the main aquarium, which can be accomplished by keeping the tank devoid of any fish for at least 4 weeks. For fish-only aquariums hyposalinity can be applied, and to speed up the life cycle of the organisms, elevate the tank temperature to 85 degrees for 10 days to 12 days. For treating reef tanks, FishVet No-Ich Marine, Ruby Reef Kick-Ich, and Chem-Marin Stop Parasites are Cryptocaryon specific remedies that are said to be "reef safe". Several days prior to returning fish to the main aquarium, clean all filtering equipment, change any filtering materials, and do a water change.

Remember to remove all filters media and turn off protein skimmers when treating for any types of Ich.

Although many over-the-counter remedies contain the general name Ich or Ick, carefully read the product information to be sure it is designed to specifically target and treat "Cryptocaryon"

Brooklynella hostilis - these protozoa reproduce asexually by means of simple binary fission through conjugation, which is why they are able to multiply so much more rapidly than Cryptocaryon (White Spot), and Oodinium (Velvet Ich), and why it can kill fish within a few days and even hours upon recognition

Most similar symptomatically to Oodinium, this too is a parasite that primarily attacks the gills first. At the onset fish may scrap up against objects, rapid respiration develops, and fish often gasp for air at the surface as the gills become clogged with mucus. Fish become lethargic, refuse to eat, and colors fade, but the most noticeable difference that sets Brooklynella apart from Oodinium is the heavy amount of slime that is produced. As the disease progresses a thick whitish mucus covers the body, usually starting at the head and spreading outward, skin lesions appear, and it is not uncommon for signs of secondary bacterial infections to arise.

Suggestions range from copper, malachite green and other remedies, with some recommended being used in conjunction with formaldehyde. However the general consensus is these types of medications are either largely ineffective or do not work at all, and that the best and most effective treatment for Brooklynella is formaldehyde alone. Typically a standard 37% formalin solution (shop & compare prices) is mixed with either fresh or saltwater in a separate treatment container, initially all fish are given a quick dip or a prolonged bath, followed by continued treatment and care in a QT. Of course the longer fish are exposed to the formalin treatment, the more effective it will be at eliminating this "disease". Whether to administer a dip or a bath to start with is something you will have to determine yourself, but there's a very simple way to do this.

Since these are Free swimming parasites which are in watersources, come attached to our fish etc. The only way to ensure NO ICH is to get a UV Sterilizer and addit to the tank. The UV Sterilizer kills the free swimming forms of various ich and other parasites.

Hope this helps

I have many outside ponds. Ich will only attached itself to a stressed fish. Raising your tank temps will stress your fish more.

Goldies also need lots of Dissolved Oxygen. This enters the tank by way of filter, waves, waterfalls, fountains powerheads etc.

If you need additional help feel free to email me.

Answer 2

Goldfish prefer water that's less than 80 degrees. You want to raise the water temperature because you believe that will prevent your goldfish from getting ick? I'm not sure if that will work. You are supposed to treat the water with chemicals each month to prevent ick and parasites. You also have to keep your filter clean, and you need adequate space for your fish. One goldfish needs 10 gallons of water. You will have problems with ick and parasites if you don't have a big enough tank. You may have to get a bigger tank, or you may have to get rid of some fish.

Answer 3

Goldfish really need cooler temperatures. When you increase the temperature add 1tbsp of aquarium salt per 5 gallons. If you have a filter system keep up maintenance and if not you should be cleaning your tank every week. 25% water changes every couple of weeks or as needed since goldfish are pretty dirty. If you have a filter system, it needs to be turned off during treatment, otherwise you defeat the purpose. Next time you see one of your fish sick, quarantine it til it gets better, that way you don't spread it to your other fish.

Answer 4

strangley enough goldfish do better in colder water, and they can survive in really cold water. I have a 35 gal. tank the water is cold enough I get gooseflesh when I have to retrieve the net or filters from the bottom. I don't and haven't had ick problems, with colder water. I also have tetra's in this tank and they don't mind the cooler water. I have had goldfish and comets come from various sources--the neihbor's moving, the feeder tank for turtles, and these fish have done the best with out treatment for ick or various other things. regular half water changes will help, (you need some dirty water to help keep them happy)clean or replace filters the same time (1/2 tank changes) and ick meds from your pet supply

Answer 5

Gold fish will cope with it for a short period of time. Ive seen people keep goldfish in tropical tanks and the fish thrive!

It should be ok for the short time you need to treat, just make sure you increase aireation as much as possible.

Answer 6

I just treated my fancy goldfish for ick and I raised the temperature between 80-85F. Treated them with Quick Cure by Aquarium Products for 14days, remove carbon or foam from filter, added a 1 1/2 tbs of non iodized salt per 5 gal. Vacuumed 25% water weekly or depending on size but remember to add salt each time accordingly. I also used a bit of coppersafe from Mardel. Because you are treating them you should also use medication I used Maracyn, or Maracyn-two (they are both different ask pet store person). My fish are fine now. Always make sure to keep your tank clean, check ph balance and ammonia balance.

Answer 7

keeping goldfish in the warmer temperatures will have detrimental affects, especially if you just do it for a few days to combat illness, and then bring them back down to cool temperatures again. this will do more harm than good.

what are your fishes symptoms? is it definately ich? i would medicate with ich/white spot treatment for the alloted time stated on the bottle, and keep up with your weekly water changes, and make sure the filter is sufficiant. a healthy clean tank is an illness-free tank.

remember: 20 US gallons for one goldfish, 10 US gallons per goldfish thereafter. Common Goldfish (long-bodied) should be kept in ponds really and not tanks, never mix long-bodied with fancy goldfish, and never keep tropical fish and goldfish together.

Answer 8

NO they cannot. 70 is pushing it. Gold fish are cold water and need to stay in temps below 65 68 for a short period of time.

Keeping a gold fish in temps 70 and above will make them mushy and basically deoxygenize them. Warm water has less oxygen than cold water. Gold fish need a lot of oxygen.

Answer 9

You could try it. Goldfish are pretty hardy that way. Make sure you have a good filtration system that will aerate the water very well. To get the ick out- you need a good parasite treatment, not just warm water. The water needs to be about 85 degrees for the temperature to allow the parasites to run through their life cycle more quickly.

Answer 10

Try covering your tank,total darkness, for two weeks.Ich killing temps are too hot for Goldfish. Also you should find out the cause of the outbreak and treat it from that side. Goldfish are big ammonia producers and need frequent water changes,test the water parameters,to seek the cause of the problem. Good luck.------PeeTee

Answer 11

Never put tropical fish (yes goldfish are a kind of tropical fish)
in waters under 75 degrees F. Lower water temps lead to ick and all sorts of other bacterial infections. Also be sure to add water conditioning salt to your tank (available in pet stores). Also goldfish do not do well in small tanks. 30 gallon tank with 3 goldfish is about smallest you should go. 55 gallon is better because then you can mix in some other fish with them. Be sure and get a thermometer and a heater. Also a larger air stone would be a good idea. Goldfish need a lot of air in the tank. Also be sure to get some vitamin drops for the fish. This helps a lot too.
I've had fish for years. One of my goldfish is 5 years old and over 15 inches long.
I have a 100 gallon tank along my living room wall. I also have a 55 ga;;on salt water tank.
Fish are very expensive pets because they need so much to keep them alive and happy and healthy.