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i have two ruskin goldfish that were in the same tank when i bought them one had what looked like a small cut on its side when i got home. i watched it and it didnt seem to get better so i got some maracyn-two and treated the tank with both fish in it for 5 days. now the affected fish has a big gash on its side. its oval white on the inside with dark red edges. what do i treat it with now. the fish eats and plays like a normal fish

Submitted: 207 days and 15 hours ago.
Category: Pet
Value: $9
Status: AWAITING CUSTOMER ACTION
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Optional Information

Breed: ruskin goldfish

Already Tried:
maracyn-two

Posted by TROPICAL FISH AFICIONADO 207 days and 15 hours ago.

Info Request

How long has your tank been up and running with fish in it?

 

Is only one fish affected by the cut/gash?

 

.

207 days and 15 hours ago.

Reply

i put the fish in on april 12. the tank was up and running for a week prior with the flter. and yes its just the one fish. but they rub on eachother all of the time.its like the other fish is trying to help.i know thats not possible

Accepted Answer

Thanks for the information as it proves to be very important.

 

Before I can even begin discussing a diagnosis and treatment plan I need to alert you to the fact that your tank is cycling. Listed below is a link which will explain the cycling process. I urge you to read it. Now the only way your tank would not be passing through the cycling process would be if you have been doing large or 100% water changes.

 

The medicine you were using, Maracyn-Two, did not effect a cure for 2 reasons=

 

1) assuming the tank is cycling, ammonia and nitrites would counteract any and all positive benefits of any and all medications.

 

2) The affected fish is suffering from a fungus of which Maracyn-Two isn't the best suited medicine to use. It's normally an excellent product but not specifically designed to treat Fungus.

 

What I think is best to do here is to bypass the cycling process as this will be the only way to effectively treat and hopefully cure the fish. The way to do this is by changing a large amount of water or all the water in the tank thus ridding the water of any harmful ammonia and nitrite.

 

Once done add some aquarium salt at a ratio of 1 tablespoon per every 5 gallons of water as the salt will help prevent any secondary infections that might occur.

 

After the water change and addition of salt begin to treat the fish with either of two products and they are 1) Maracyn (regular) or 2) ,Methylene Blue, click on links below for a view of the products. Both medicines can be easily found at most pet stores. Just follow the directions on the product label for usage/dosage amounts.

 

Keep in mind that for the treatment to be successful there cannot be any ammonia and/or nitrite in the water and the best way to acheive this is by changing large amounts of water every 3-4 days. Make sure that when doing water changes the water parameters, i.e., temperature, ph ,etc.,etc., do not vary too much.

 

Once the fish is healed you can then take on the cycling process but keep in mind that the affected fish might be a bit more susceptible to problems during this period of time.

 

Best wishes and please let me know if you have any questions.

 

http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/cycling.htm

 

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4615+4629+4838&pcatid=4838

 

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4615+4629+4822&pcatid=4822

 

 

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Expert: TROPICAL FISH AFICIONADO
Pos. Feedback: 99.4 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 4/28/2009

YOUR TROPICAL FISH RESOURCE

OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE W/TROPICAL FISH---BREEDING, MAINTAINING, CURING

207 days and 14 hours ago.

Reply

i have read the cycling website a few days go. and i did change all but and inch of water above the gravel yesterday. i cant get to a pet store til wedsday. should i do this water change again and should i clean the tank and gravel before i add the salt and meds. both of these fish are beautiful and i would hate to loose either. i waited a long time to find fish this beautiful. i use to raise fantails and ruskins. i had them for ten years or so. i sold them when i moved states away. i just decied to get back into it and ive never had this kind of problems before. it breaks my heart to see this fish this way but it hasnt stopped or even slowed the fish down. its still a very active fish

Posted by TROPICAL FISH AFICIONADO 207 days and 14 hours ago.

Info Request

Great!- You're already aware of the cycling process--Very important!

 

Yes, it would be advisable to change a large amount of water again but remember to not let the water parameters vary too much as this can shock the fish.

 

There's no need to do extra work by cleaning the gravel and decor. Just changing a large amount of water prior to adding meds/salt is fine. Remember to not overfeed the fish as overfeeding is fuel for ammonia/nitrite growth.

 

Also keep in mind that the ideal water temperature range for goldfish is 62f-72f degrees.

 

I can certainly understand your attachment to the fish so if I may make a suggestion it would be to cycle the water using different fish. I'll explain below.

 

If possible, set up another tank, very basic, no gravel, no decor just the basics, i.e., filter, air, heat. The tank could be 1/2 the size of your current tank. Place some zebrafish or any other hardy fish and use them to cycle this tank.

 

During the time that the second tank is cycling keep doing the large water changes in the main tank (where the valued goldfish are) and keep the water ammonia/nitrite free.

 

Once the second tank has cycled you can use the water from that tank and place it in the main tank. Just add 1/2 new water and the filter media from the second tank and you'll have a completely cycled goldfish tank without having the goldfish pass through the life-threatening cycling process.

 

When I mentioned the filter media from the second tank I meant put the filter media from that tank into the filter of the goldfish tank after the second tank has cycled. The filter media is a magnet for beneficial bacteria.

 

I have done the above before when I didn't want to risk losing favored or personally valueable fish.

 

Once again best wishes and thank you for your accept.

 

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