My goldfish is developing black spots, a disease or just late coloration?

Question

Well, my goldfish is fairly new, I got him around a week ago. When I got him, he was a normal golden goldfish, nothing special. But now he is developing these black spots on his head, scales and his upper fin (the one on top of him), I dunno if he is developing a disease/skin condition or if he is just growing late spots. All the other fish in the tank with him were either spotted or gray. Any ideas?

*Also, he's developed this weird pattern. He'll go to the middle of the tank, then jolt up to one of the corners, and he'll keep repeating this. Is he just bored and needs a friend?

He doesn't have any other fish in the tank with him, he's all alone. And the spots are definately coming from the outer part of his skin, they're definately not internal. I've had goldfish before but none of them have ever changed color. Well now I'm not worried, thanks. :)

Ohh what I meant by the "other fish in the tank" were the other fish in the tank at the pet store. Haha sorry for the confusion.

Answer 1

Do you have a test kit to check for ammonia and nitrite in your tank? The black coloration combined with racing around the tank can indicate the levels of these are high. If you don't have a test kit, try a partial water change of around 25%. You can also take a sample of the tank water (take it before you do the change) and have a pet/fish store test it for you.

If ammonia is the problem (and with a new tank, I'm betting that it is), he'll begin gasping at the surface like he's not getting enough air, or become lethargic, sit on the bottom and stop eating next. See this link: http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/disease/p/ammoniapoison.htm If your ammonia is high, I don't recommend using the chemical neutralizers - these still show up on water tests, and doesn't let you know when a real problem is developing. The best solution is a water change.

The reason I believe ammonia is that a week old tank hasn't had time to cycle. This refers to building up enough bacteria that convert the ammonia (which is toxic) to nitrite (also toxic), then to nitrate (relatively non-toxic in moderate amounts). This can tank 3-6 weeks, usually, and during this time your water can appear cloudy. Don't tear down the tank and try to clean it - this is a result of the population explosion by the bacteria in your tank. As long as there's more ammonia and nitrite than they can use, they reproduce. Once their number is to the point they are converting all the amonia and nitrite to nitrate, the reproduction will slow, and the cloudiness will disappear. See this link for more explanation on cycling: http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

Answer 2

Black Spots On Goldfish

Answer 3

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A black spot is probably an ammonia burn from their water being too dirty. If it is an ammonia burn then it should heal a week or two after the ammonia levels go down, the blacks means it starting to heal. You need to do an immediate water change, about 50%. Take a sample of your water into a good petstore and ask them to test it for ammonia, nitrates, and pH. You need to keep making partial water changed until there is no ammonia in the water. Do you have a filter on your bowl? How big is on this bowl? A goldfish needs about 10 gallons of water each. They produce a lot more poop than the average fish and need more water because of it. If they have less than 10 gallons then you need to change the water more often to make up for it. About a quarter to a third of the water needs to be cleaned out every week in a filtered tank. You need to use a gravel vacuum as well, to get out the poop hidden in the gravel. Never do a 100% water change. Healthy bacteria builds up in your tank which will help keep your fish healthy and ammonia levels down. Changing too much of the water at once will kill off the healthy bacteria. If your filter is something that should be washed instead of replaced, like a sponge, it should be rinsed out in the water taken from your bowl before you pour it down the drain. It will help preserve the good bacteria in it where chlorinated tap water would kill it. Try googling 'goldfish ammonia burn' to see a picture of what it looks like. It will help you figure out if that's what it's wrong with your fish.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

Goldfish change coloration their entire lives. This is nothing to worry about. A friend of mine actually had a black moor that splotched orange..then went completely gold...turned into a telescope goldfish! Then....TURNED BACK again :)
You say all the other fish in the tank with him. What other fish and what is the size of the tank? Goldfish can't be kept with tropical fish due to the temperature of a heated tank. If he's in a heated tank he could be bolting to the surface for oxygen. If you have other goldfish in with him, what is the size of the tank and your filtration like? Goldfish put out a huge amount of ammonia. For fancy goldfish, a minimum of 10 gallons each is recommended with filtration meant for the next size up tank. If you've overstocked, this could be the first signs of toxicity (ammonia, nitrites, too high nitrate, etc)
Goldfish don't do as well alone..and like a friend. But you DID say you have "other fish in the tank with him". Do you mean in YOUR tank? Or at the store?

Answer 6

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Answer 7

hi,

you need to observe closer whether the black spots is coming from "outer" or "inner" skin.
What Imean by outer skin, the black spot is protuding out as an individual substant and stick on the fish's skin surface, most likely it is bacteria, fungus infection and medication need to perform.
If from inner skin that mean it is coming from within the fish itself, it is not some unknown substance that stick on the skin surface, it may due to thermal shock- drastic change in water temperature when u perform water change may cause stress to your goldfish, thus develops black spot and black patches. There is a need to check the water temperature and quality next time you perform a water change.
For more infos on the medication and water condition of tap water, please read this article:
http://www.fynnmood.com/GoldfishMood/viewforum.php?f=14&sid=638ba4e097ec71c28554644e295c3ec3

under topics "danger of C" , "tank temperature" and "Common disease"

Answer 8

His fin is low and lingers on the bottom of the tank. He does eat. He does have friends that are swimming around normally. What is wrong and what do I do?

Answer 9

It's normal. I'm sure he'll be just fine.