Do goldfish shed their scales?

Question

My fish (I only own one) is surrounded by white stuff. I think his scales are shedding, but he's my first fish, so I'm not sure. There's also a long white strand (not the best description) hanging near his bottom back fin. Can anyone tell me if this is natural or if he's sick? What should I do if he is sick?

Answer 1

Goldfish don't shed scales. From your description, it sounds as though he's got a number of different problems. The long white strand is probably his poop, and if it's white and thin, this is usually an indication of an internal infection (unless you're feeding him white food). The only parasites that hang from a fish in this manner would be anchorworm (white, but less than an inch) or camallanus (dark red).

Scales only come off if there's a physical injury (he's scraping against objects in the tank, which would mean a skin parasite or infection and he's trying to scratch an itchy spot) or if he's been fighting or attacked by another fish, which you don't have.

If he's surrounded by white stuff, he's either produced a heavy layer of slime as protection against a parasite or infection, or it's an actual infection that you're seeing. If the white has a fuzzy appearance, it can either be Columnaris, a bacterial infection that's white and usually begins in a circular pattern, or a body fungus, in which case the edge would be more irregular, and the "threads" longer. This link has photos of columnaris: http://www.fishjunkies.com/Diseases/columnaris.php treat this with Furanace and this link shows the body "fungus": http://www.fishjunkies.com/Diseases/fungus.php

If the white isn't fuzzy but more like slimy, there's a parasite. This can be treated with Clout, or other antiparasite medication. If you can't find Clout, you can treat using a medication with malachite green (preferably with formalin as a second ingredient). Both of these are carcinogens, so be careful not to get these on your skin. You'll also need a medicated food for the internal infection.

At any rate, as PeeTee said, you have a very sick fish.

Answer 2

He is most defendantly sick. Fish generally do not shed there scales. I would start by adding slowly adding some aquarium salt to the tank. Until you have reached 1tsp of salt per gallon of water. Do that over the next two days. At the same time I would also increase the temp. in the tank to 80 degrees. For about 7 to 10 days. You did not say if he was eating or not. If he is still eating I would feed him some medicated food as well.

Answer 3

How large is his tank? If he is a comet or other large fancy goldfish you should have about 50 gallon tank. Fancy should have at the very least 20 gallons. Do you check the ammonia levels? If not, get a little kit. You can get strips or a vile with test drops. Follow the instructions. There may be too much ammonia. Is so do a 25% to 50% water change. If he is in a too small a tank get a larger one (be sure to cycle first). If you have not cycled this tank he may be dying too because there is not enough bacteria to eat the ammonia. Good luck.

Answer 4

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RE:
Do goldfish shed their scales?
My fish (I only own one) is surrounded by white stuff. I think his scales are shedding, but he's my first fish, so I'm not sure. There's also a long white strand (not the best description) hanging near his bottom back fin. Can anyone tell me if this is natural or if he's sick? ...

Answer 5

NO, goldfish dont shed their scales like that. its a sign of sickness, and he sounds like he has parasites or a fungal infection.

Have a close look at the string thing hanging from him. if it looks like a parasite, Id treat the tank for parasites first, THEN treat for a fungal infection.
otherwise treat for fungal first.

you can get medication for these from your local petshop.... you need to do it immediately or the fish will die.

kara k - while some breeds of goldfish have tinted scales (known as "calico" goldfish) most have clear scales. the colour of ALL goldfish comes from their skin, not the scales, tinted or not.

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Answer 6

To answer your question, Yes. Goldfish do shed their scales. I had one that turned from silver to bright gold as it got older and bigger. But this particular situation sounds like a bad fungus. Ask your local pet store for anti-fungal solution. Give them a description of what it looks like and the fish person should be able to get you the correct medication.

Answer 7

Its shouldnt shed and thay often poop long strand from behind its back fin

Answer 8

They don't shed scales,and the fish is very sick.