URGENT help needed concerning goldfish (finrot and pH level)?

Question

2 days ago, I found Goldie (7 year old goldfish) at the bottom of the tank on his side. I spoke w/ a fish store who advised me to test the pH level - it was at 6.0 and the ammonia level was high. I changed about 75% of the water. After changing the water, I put chemicals to lower the ammonia and raise the pH. I added more chemicals yesterday and today there is still no difference in the pH/ammonia levels even after changing the tank. Yesterday, Goldie was doing better, he was able to swim to the top of the tank and swim strait up for about 20-30 seconds... he couldn't do that the first day this started. Today (the 2nd day), he got finrot and it is progressing very quickly over a 24 hour period. I have been using Melafix, an antibacterial fish remedy that heals sores and finrot. It may be slowing the progression but it is not stopping it.

Is there anything else I can do? I don't want my fish to suffer. Chemicals I am currently using: Stress Coat, Melafix, pH up and ammonia remover.

I have a 10 gallon tank with two goldfish. One is 7 years old and the other is 3.

I have always only used store bought distiled water to change the tank so I have never had any problems with the pH levels before.

These are very, very stong fish. They survived a car ride from Kansas to Virginia - most of the ride was bumpy through the mountains.

Tank temperature is between 70-72 as it always is.

The Melafix I am using sounds like it just heals finrot, not prevents it. Is there anything I can do to stop or slow down the process of fin rot?

Answer 1

First, I'd agree with the first answer - way too many chemicals that are not necessary.

The best thing to treat fin rot is to first do a water change, which you've already done. Fin rot can be more common in a fish in poor water conditions, such as high ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate, since these weaken the fish's immune system. See this link : http://www.fish-disease.net/diseases.htm Since you're already seeing sores on the body, try treating your fish with an antibiotic like Maracyn (erythomycin is the name of the drug you want if you an't find it by the brand name). Melafix won't stop this if it's progressed to the point of sores.

You don't mention what you use as an ammonia remover, but the best remedy again is a water change when the level starts to get high. Some of the ammonia removers like Amquel will still give a false reading for ammonia even when it's bound by the remover. So as long as you use the product, you'll never know how high the level of harmful ammonia actually is.

The reason your pH is so low is that you're using distilled water. It doesn't have any buffering capacity, so as your fish "poops", the pH will drop. Unless there's something wrong with your tap water (and if there is, you shouldn't be drinking or cooking with it!), plain tap water with something to remove the chlorine or chloramine is perfectly fine, and also contains some minerals that would benefit your fish (which are removed by the distilling process). Not to mention it would probably cost less. Using chemicals to control the pH will only cause them to fluctuate, which stresses your fish even more.

I'd recommend that you do another water change to remove most of the chemicals you've currently got in the tank, using tap water of about the same temperature with added dechlorinator to (slowly) refill the tank, and use the antibiotic suggested above.

Answer 2

I ought to trust Ghapy in this - do no longer do something until you identify the reason for the severe pH, and it somewhat is advisable to run yet another try (or have your puppy shop try a pattern of the water and your faucet water for you). i've got saved fish in a pH around 8.3 and the fish are extra adaptable than you could think of. The gasping on the right may be a demonstration of too little oxygen (or too severe of a water temperature) yet it somewhat is regularly a demonstration of ammonia or nitrite interior the water, tremendously if this might nicely be a sparkling tank or you have used an antibiotic those days. The antibiotic destroys the micro organism that convert the ammonia and nitrite, that are poisonous on your fish, to nitrate. In a sparkling tank, you only have not had time for the micro organism to construct up interior the 1st place. fairly than only checking the pH, examine the ammonia and nitrite levels, and if the two is above 0.5, do a 50% water substitute ASAP, yet upload the hot water SLOWLY! Making any substitute is stressful to fish, and if a mix of ammonia, nitrite, and pH are distinctive, you do no longer desire this to take place too quickly! additionally, be useful that your water conditioner is nicely suited with the chemical ingredients used by your water organization - some use chlorine, others use chloramine. in case you employ the only for chlorine and that they upload chloramine, you're additionally liberating poisonous ammonia and chlorine into your tank. If uncertain, use the conditioner and dose (via fact some manage the two) for chloramine, then call your water corporation Monday and discover out that's used. ADDITION: in the experience that your pH relatively is that top, including driftwood to the tank, or a fabric or mesh bag of peatmoss on your filter out will help to slowly decrease it. yet as Ghapy stated, verify you haven't any longer something interior the tank inflicting the pH to enhance - get rid of any coral or seashells, and consider many of the gravel and any rocks by taking them out and dripping a touch vinegar on them - if the fizz, take them out of the tank, as those would be what's inflicting the pH to bypass up (inspite of the reality that it may be unusual. to have them enhance the pH above 7.8). It your water source has the comparable pH, doing water ameliorations as others recommend won't carry it down. So examine your faucet water (if that's what you employ) as nicely.

Answer 3

Try to find a penicillin based med for him. It may also be tuberculosis, a deadly and untreatable disease.

Answer 4

maybe you should use less chemicals?
I REALLLLYYY HOPE YOUR FISH GET BETTER !!!!