My goldfish Julliette has been with me for a month so far, she is just a common goldfish but still very pretty bright gold well up until a few days ago I started to notice that on some of her fins had started to turn black, but she still swims around like everythings fine and she still eats. Is this fin rot? And how can I treat it??
2007-07-09 08:54:35 · 7 answers · asked by Kitty 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
Probably not fin rot, unless the fins appear to be getting shorter (from rotting away) as well. Usually black isn't a color goldfish gain as much as lose. The black is typically a sign of an irritant, chemical burn, or rough handling, and is similar to a "bruise" in people.
My guess is that your fish may have been exposed to some ammonia from the tank water. Fish produce ammonia as part of their waste, so may the water wasn't changed as quickly as it should have been. This is especially a problem in tanks less than 2 months old (there's not enough bacteria to convert the ammonia into something less harmful), and in small tanks where the concentration can build up quickly as the fish grows. Goldfish should have at least a 10 gallon tank with a filter to help prevent this.
The black should go away on its own in about 2 weeks if the water quality stays good.
2007-07-09 09:07:09 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It could either be a skin/scale color change, which goldfish do easily and often, or it could be ammonia burns. If it's just a color change, it's no big deal, however, if it's ammonia burns, you will need to do some quick water changes and get your water parameters back in line. Do about a 50% water change, making sure to dechlorinate the water first and then go to the pet store and buy a master test kit. It must test for ammonia, nitrates and nitrites. Choose the drops over the strips as they give a more accurate reading. The perfect water conditions should read, ammonia, 0 ppm, nitrites 0 ppm and nitrates, 0 ppm. The ammonia and nitrites must get down to 0, but the nitrates can be .5 or so and still be okay. Familiarize yourself with proper water cycling so that you understand this process and how to correct bad water. Good luck!
2007-07-09 09:04:33 · answer #2 · answered by Venice Girl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to test the water in the tank you currently have the fish in. Generally when fish start turning black it's due to a change in the water or pH in the water. It's probably being burned by ammonia and you need to check it. Make sure that even once you check the water you take your fish to a vet to figure out what else could be wrong just in case it's not the water.
2007-07-09 09:07:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Agreed with testing your water. Check the ammonia.
If your tank water checks out the only other thing would be genetic breeding. I have a number of comets in my ponds and some have black tipped scales in a variety of patterns. It all depends on the breeding of your particular fish.
If he is swimming and eating and the water has no problems, It sounds normal. Comets are known to change their color up to 12 times before maturing.
Fin rot is from poor water conditions. Keeping the water clean 25% weekly water changes or when needed will keep finrot from starting in the first place. medicated food and good water are your best solutions there.
I would keep an eye on him for the next few days. Mostly for a change in eating habits.
Good luck
2007-07-10 15:15:56 · answer #4 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If the fins are rotting, then it is finrot, but I recon that the fish is maturing, and that fish has parents with black fins too. You can get treatment from a local pet shop if the fins are rotting.
2007-07-09 08:59:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could just be that she's changing color or that you have to much ammonia if your tank. Mabye you should try taking some water out.
A$H!
2007-07-09 09:09:45 · answer #6 · answered by A$HLEY*! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ditto to VG and copperhead, probably ammonia burns.
MM
2007-07-09 10:49:01 · answer #7 · answered by magicman116 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋