Hi again. I remember we last communicated some time last week.
Glad to hear that the whitespot has subsided.
As the fish is still suffering from Septicemia and has been for some time now, I think it's of the utmost priority to begin treating it.
What I recommend be done is to start of with a 35% partial water change. When changing the water try and use a Gravel Vac (a device which simultaneously vacuums the gravel while suctioning up water). The gravel vac will help rid the water of some of the whitespot (parasite) eggs which might remain.
If you haven't already done so, add some aquarium salt to the water at a ratio of 1 tablespoon per every 10 litres of water and then, yes, definitely begin to treat the tank with No9 anti-internal bacteria making sure to follow the directions on the product label.
As per our initial conversation it would be best to place a heater in the tank as fluctuating water temperatures will stress the fish thus leaving them open to disease.
Please remember that weekly 25% partial water changes are important because a filter alone cannot maintain good water quality.
Best wishes and please let me know if you have any questions.
.
YOUR TROPICAL FISH RESOURCE
OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE W/TROPICAL FISH---BREEDING, MAINTAINING, CURING
Hi. Thank you for your answer.
I did not explain that my original question about whitespot on 5th June was regarding my fishtank, not my Mum's. I followed your instructions for my tank exactly and I gave the final dose last Thursday. Unfortunately the other small goldfish with the redness around the gills died, but the others are looking much better. Blodwen, my favourite fish, who was the only one showing any spots and was very sick, came up for food on the second day of treatment. She was very weak and only made it half way up the tank but I fed her separately by hand for a couple of days and she is sailing around like she used to. I am so pleased and grateful to you.
I have not treated my tank with No 9 yet. I gave the final dose of Protozin last Thursday and their eyes are now clear but they were showing finrot, though the whiteness has gone and I wonder if it will clear of its own accord. Do you think I should treat with an anti-finrot or with No 9 next?
The question I asked on 13th June was about my Mum's goldfish in a 50L tank, which I look after for her as she is 84 and disabled. Originally, she had two goldfish but one died and she bought a companion for the remaining fish. This is when problems began. The old fish constantly chased the new one and Mum asked me to take the new fish into my tank, which I did. I added Myxazin to the water in both tanks for a couple of days, but I did not quarantine the new fish. Mum's goldfish became ill and my fish became ill. The woman at the shop said it sounded like a water quality problem and asked me if I had carried out regular water changes. I replied that I had not lately because I had been using Tetra Easybalance, which that water changes are only necessary every 4-6 months. She said this is not so and I should still change the water regularly. So I am not sure if the new fish or lack of water changes has caused our problems. A water quality test carried out by the shop was good.
I have started treating Mum's goldfish with No 9 this morning, with salt and heating water to 26C, as you advised. Should I keep the temperature up to 26C during the complete treatment with No 9 or just for the first 48 hours. and should I repeat the treatment if there is no improvement in his fins after 7 days?
Sorry for the late reply (and the length). I am on a dial-up connection which takes ages, and sometimes I cannot get connected for hours and then lose it. I do not use the computer much and am not very proficient.
By the way, the new fish has not shown any sign of illness all through this.
Thank you for your help.
Hi again and as always nice to hear from you.
You've touched upon a few subjects so I'll answer them in the order you asked.
I'm glad to hear your tank is doing better but sorry to hear about the passing of the smaller goldfish. Apparently the illness, Septicemia (redness around the gills), was too far advanced.
If your tank the fish are still showing symptoms of finrot then yes, you should definitely treat the tank with an anti finrot medicine. The #9 treats internal bacteria so this would not be the appropriate medicine to use for finrot. If I haven't already done so, please let me know if you need a recommendation for a finrot medicine. Finrot will not clear of its own accord.
With regards to the goldfish originally in your Mum's tank. It's always best to quarantine new fish for at least two weeks before adding to the main aquarium. If within the 2 week period the fish display symptoms of disease they can be treated accordingly and save the main tank from a disease problem.
I would not recommend continuing the use of Easy Balance. It does do what's it's advertised to do, keep nitrates under control when regular partial water changes are not done, but it does not remove other elements, i.e., accumulated waste, hormones released by fish, other debris and low level toxins. There's no substitute for weekly partial water changes.
I totally agree with the comments/advice that the woman at the pet shop gave you.
As for treating the fish in your Mum's tank, you didn't mention what the symptoms were so I'm unable to confirm if the treatment plan you want to use is appropriate. Please supply me with more detail, i.e. symptoms, and I'll be glad to help.
No need to apologize about a late reply as I can sympathize with having a dial-up connection as I used to have one too and it can be most difficult to procede at times.
Take care and I look forward to your response. Thank you for your accept.
Ric
Hi and thanks for your reply. I have only just found it - it wasn't in my inbox thing. I think I shall have to go on a computer course.
I will certainly never miss regular water changes again or add a new fish without quarantining it.
Regarding the finrot in my tank, I have Myxazin, which I think treats finrot, and I have Interpet No 8 Anti-finrot and mouthrot, but I seem to remember using this product once and it knocked out the filter. What finrot medicine do you advise?
As for Mum's goldfish, the symptoms are a very bloodstreaked tail fin, especi
ally at the ends, and lethargy. He still comes up for food. I started treatment yesterday with salt, No 9 and heating the water to 26C. He does seem more active today. Should I keep the water at 26C throughout the treatment, and should I repeat the treatment if there is no improvement in his fin after 7 days?
Can you tell me , is it a good idea to always heat the water to 26C when using fish medicines and should I use salt with the finrot medicine?
Look forward to hearing from you and thanks for all your help.
Viv
Hi Viv.
Myxazin does state that it treats bacterial infections such as finrot. I believe the product
label also states that it (Myxazin) should be used until the symptoms disappear which they say should occur between 3-5 applications. So if you've encountered a problem with Interpet #8 by all means treat with Myxazin.
As for Mum's tank.
Bloodstreaked fins are an indication of a disease called Septicemia which is basically internal bleeding.
I would continue to use medicine #9 but would suggest that you gradually lower the water to around 20c-21c degrees as this is more of a suitable water temperature for goldfish. Continue to use aquarium salt but remember that it only needs to be added to the new water when making water changes if it's already dosed at the correct level in the tank.
Yes, if there is no improvement in the fish's fin, repeat the treatment in 7 days but remember to follow the directions on the product label whilst administering the product. Many medicine product labels advise that partial water changes be done during treatment and that the carbon media be removed from the filter. Once again check the medicine's instructions for proper usage.
In general it's not necessary to raise the water temperature to 26c degrees when treating fish although there is one benefit and that is the fish's metabolism speeds up sometimes effecting a quicker cure. One has to use their discretion with each individual
case.
The only disease that calls for a high water temperature in all cases is Whitespot disease aka Ick.
Wishing you all the best on speedy recoveries for you and your Mum's fish.
Take care.
Many thanks Ric. I will definitely request you again if I have further problems. It is very reassuring to be able to ask an expert. I really thought I was going to lose all the fish before I contacted you.
Best wishes.
You're most very welcome Viv and I think it's so nice that you're also caring for your Mum's fish too.
Please remember that the best preventative against fish disease is weekly 25% partial water changes making sure that the water parameters do not vary too much when doing them.
Feel free to contact me whenever you desire.
Best wishes on a healthy and thriving aquarium for both you and Mum.