Jules

Hi all,
Im new here, so forgive me if I get things wrong!
My problem is with my fantail goldfish. For the past 3 days he has refused to eat and has virtually remained on the bottom of the tank. I have treated for possible constipation without any improvement, but now im getting really concerned about him. His symptoms are:

Stays on bottom of tank.
Refuses to eat.
Twitches and flicks body.
Fins lowered, (most of the time).
Excretes white faeces. (they look like long worms, but not alive).
Opens mouth really wide (Occasionally)

He has no visable sores, reddness, or attachments to his body or gills. I just don't understand whats wrong with him. Can someone give me some suggestions on what to do next?

Shawnie

Hi jules..welcome to fishlore...first thing we should know is your water parimters? ammonia , nitrites, and nitrates...those are important to know which avenue to go...he sounds like he might have some ammonia poisioning...daily water changes will help him and if you can find some prime for water conditioner, some vita chem and maybe some garlic juice to help him feel better also...goodluck!

Jules

Hi Shawnie!
Thanks for replying so quickly!
In answer to your question:
Ammonia = 0
nitrite = 0
nitrate = 10 ( this is because its still going through the cycle).
pH = 8.0.

I do a 15-25% water change each week!

Fish Addict

You are supposed to have nitrate, so that is good...

MissMTS

Does he rub up against the rocks in your tank? It sounds like some sort of parisite to me (especially since the feces are white and he is refusing to eat), but I am not positive. If it is parasites, I would treat him with Parasite Clear by Jungle Labs. It has worked very well for me in the past. Good luck with him!

Shawnie

well awesome on the water!! at least we know its not that....and yes you are suppose to have nitrates..under 20 is great...as missmts asked, any other signs of rubbing? coloration different? spots of salt? etc..

lilFishyfish

I would of thought Ammonia poisoning for sure, but since you said it has 0 it could be so many things!!! What size tank? Also do you have good oxygen levels in the tank? Like a air pump or strong filter with a good water flow??

Jules

Thank you to everyone for coming to my aid! It's nice to know that there are other people out there that I can talk to!

He was rubbing and flicking his body against the gravel and plants, but didn't see him do it with the ornaments. There are no sores etc on his body!
My tank is a 100 litre 'B' shaped aquarium.
Im glad to know that the Nitrates are okay. I test the water each week before I do a water change, but the Nitrates have been slowly increasing and I wasn't sure whether that might have something to do with his problems.
He is looking slightly paler than usual.
The oxygen levels are fine. I have the oxygen coming from the filter and an air pump going as well. I also check and clean the filter each time I do a water change. (I wash the filter medium in the tank water removed, not tap water!).

Im starting to wonder if it might be an internal bacterial problem? parasites

capekate

If you suspect that it may be an internal bacteria, I would start with some meds designed for that. If your nitrates are raising, it can just be that gold fish are heavy producers of waste.
I also would not be rinsing out the filter media every week, as every time you do that, you are loosing essential good bacteria that helps to keep your tank cycled.

Jules

Im really worried now!
I just turned the light on on my tank, to see millions of tiny white worm type things crawling all over the glass. They are also swimming around the tank.
These have to be parasites, yes?
I saw some of them sticking out of his mouth as well....my poor fish.....what do I do?
I thought maybe a water change and treat for internal bacteria as I was going to do anyway, unless anyone can suggest anything else that I should be doing
Please help, I don't think he will survive much longer as things are!
I can't move him into my spare tank, as Im looking after my mums fish in there while she moves house!

dee34

hey jules that doesnt sound good ,is there fish still in the tank?

Steen16

I get millions of little white worms in all my tanks I just clean them off.
I think they are'nt harmfull otherwise my fish wouldnt still be here. My fish also like to eat the little worms, so your fish probly does, that could explain them in his mouth and his Poopies being white.
The scratching to me sounds like velvet my fish had that once (easy to treat)

Hope this helps

jdhef

It sound like you have a type of worm (I forget the correct name, but it's something like plantera worms). They are usually cause by either bad water quality and /or overfeeding. I don't think they are harmful to your fish, and I think your fish will eat them. But I'm not an expert on this subject, so hopefully someone with more knowledge will chime in soon.

griffin

are you talking about planaria? if so, it's usually caused by over feeding/dirty water.

i would do a water change and be careful about how much is fed, making sure that all the food is eaten quickly

Jules

Thanks for all your replies!
I did a 20% water change and treated for internal bacteria, (which won't harm him anyway), so hopefully that may help for now!
I read about these 'planeria' on this site. It sounds like it could be them?
I have a second dose of this treatment to give him in 3 days time. After a week I can treat for velvet if needs be,(if he's still with me!)
Since treating him, I have noticed him swimming about a bit more, who knows!!! I can only keep my fingers crossed!
Thanks again! I will keep you all up to date!

Steen16

CoOl, I hope he gets better soon

Let us know how it goes.

Jules

Hi everyone!

Well so far he's hanging on in there! After his first dose he immediately picked up, only to go back to sitting on the bottom of the tank again
He has done exactly the same after having his second dose! He is still pooing the white stuff, sometimes it's so long (15cm) in length, I can't believe what Im seeing
He is still refusing to eat! How long can they survive without food? Iv'e tried giving him different things, i.e; Dafhnia, Bloodworms, etc....he's just not interested!
I have to wait for 4 days and do another water change before I can treat him with anything else, so I will just have to wait and see what happens

Shawnie

what test kit are you using? and do you have the carbon in your tank as you are treating it?

I hope the lil guy makes it!

Jules

Hi Shawnie!

Im using the 'API Freshwater Master Test Kit'.
No, I took the carbon filter out, as I know you're not supposed to use it while treating the fish.
He managed to swim up a little to get some of the Dafhnia that I fed him tonight, but didn't have much....still it shows that he is hungry!
His breathing is becoming more laboured now, though, so I think tomorrow I will do another water change and try him with the 'Velvet' treatment. This is basically the last ailment I can treat him for, as I have treated for just about everything else! It's either that or Im going to lose him anyway. He' a real little battler, which is whats kept him going so far.....I have to keep going just like him.....I won't give up on him yet!

Jules

It's too late, he's gone!
He took his last breathes with me about 30 minutes ago. I went to check on him after posting here earlier and found him on his side!

I feel really sad! He was a beautiful fantail with superb markings....I would sit and watch him for hours swimming around the tank, he was so mesmerising!

R.I.P. Georgie!

Tomorrow I will strip the tank down and scrub everything. I don't feel like getting any new fish just yet, but when I do, I will let you know!

Thank you to all of you that gave me advice and encouragement! No dought I will be back for more when I start my aquarium back up!

Thanks!
Jules. x

cpk

Hi he can go for a good five days without food I used to have fantails.how is his gill movement?I would do a major water change 75 % and again treat with melafix an api product and yes make sure carbon is out of filter let us know how he is getting on good luck

cpk

sorry to hear that ,doesnt matter what you do sometimes you loose but you can only do your best

Steen16

Im sorry for your loss

Jules

Thanks Guys!