gsb_78

Hi, My 20 gallon tank houses 4 Goldfishes, 2 Black Moore, 1 Sucker cat and 1 white shark. The tank was setup 5 months ago and has undergone cycling. Recent readings showed: ammonia-0ml/l, nitrite-0 ml/l, nitrate<25 mg/l and pH-8.0. The tank has two filters.
Of late for past one week the color of goldfish turned from orange-gold to white and has now become completely white including its tail. Moreover, i have noticed 4 red patches on its body which have grown in size and color in past week and she has also developed a a red streak on her tailfin. On closely observing i saw similar red patches on other goldfish too but they have not turned white in color. Plz help.

Tony G.

hmmm goldfish change colors over time sometimes. However your tank is far too small. They need 20 gallons for 1 goldfish and 10 gallons for an additional goldfish. So overall you would need a 50 gallon tank. I would wait for someone with more experience with goldfish to come help. good luck

ABCDemily

I'm echoing Tony on the tank, you need a far larger tank to successfully house the goldfish and moors, and sucker cats and white shark, overall you're probably looking at a 100 gallon to keep them all happy.

Now, the colour change could be either of the following:
-Stress from being in a tank too small.
-Ulcers from being over-stocked
-Septicemia.

The 'red streak on her tail fin' could be caused by septicemia, which is a bacterium that attacks blood vessels and causes them to hemorage. The red streaks on the fins are the first sign.

Read up on this article: http://www.angelfire.com/blues/fish_...EPTICEMIA.html

Also, getting a far larger tank would be best for this fish as well.

You can also, so I've heard, treat it with Macaryn 2, and it can be successful.

Good luck!

aquarist48

Hello GSB. I have to agree that you are way over stocked for a 20g tank. The red streaks on the goldfish sure sounds like Septicemia as ABC mentioned. Below is a link concerning Septicemia disease.

http://www.ponddoc.com/koihospital/D...Septicemia.htm

What type of test kit are you using? Septicemia is often caused by poor water conditions. You're readings look great that you posted. That is why I'm inquiring about which tests you're using. It you are using test strips they can be very unreliable.

Best of luck for a full recovery!
Ken

fish_newbie

I have experienced the same problem. I had a white and orange ranchu. I kept it for a while and then it just turned just white. I didn't know what happened.....