Jackie Frost

I hope I don't get in trouble for repeating a thread. But I think it's okay becuase it's a new topic. As some of you may know already I have been struggling keeping my aquarium temperature under control for two goldfish. Now that I have finally managed to fix that, my goldfish has white patches growing on him!

I don't think it's ICH, because the patches are larger then ich. It's on his right side and his dorsal fin. My Black Moor seems to be doing fine. (A little listless because of temperature flucuations but I'm hoping she'll recover now that I have that under control finally.)

I have no spare tanks so quarantine is out of the question. At one point I even considered euthanizing him (to keep my other fish safe.) But I just can't do it even if it means the death of both of my goldfish. So onwards with the medicine. What do I use? I don't think it's ich. Maybe velvet or cotton coat? Are there even medications for those?

Oh I have a fifteen gallon tank for two goldfish. (I know it's too small now but unfortunately I didn't know that before I bought the fish). Slight amonia of 0.25 which I plan to purchase products to fix tommorow morning. Nitrates and Nitrites are all 0. pH and Alkanity are high but I'm afraid to treat for that as someone on this board told me it would do more harm to my fish.

Lucy

Hi! If I haven't said it before, welcome to FishLore
I'm sorry your fish isn't feeling well.
You were right to start a new thread for a new topic.
Is there anyway you could post a pic? Maybe someone can tell you what's going on.

Getting your ammonia under control will help your fish feel better.
What products were you planning on buying?
With your readings, your tank isn't cycled. Instead of buying products, the best way to take care of that is by doing daily water changes until your tank is cycled.
Your tank will be cycled when your readings are 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, with some nitrates (5-10)
The only product I'd recommend is Prime. It's a water conditioner that will detox the ammonia for 24hrs. between water changes.
Some members have had luck using Tetra SafeStart to cycling their tanks quickly.
Don't be confused by products with similar names.

Goldies are high waste producers so you'll need to keep on top of water changes once your tank is cycled.
Be patient, cycling can take up to a month.

peacemaker92

Hi Jackie.

Lucy has got you covered. Hope everything gets resolved soon. Good luck!

aquarist48

Hello Jack. Sorry to hear your fish isn't quiet up to par.

I'm glad you have your temperature issues under control now.

I see that you've mentioned a "lowering agent" to reduce your pH levels. This is not necessary and can do more harm than good. Most fish will adapt to the pH levels that we have to offer from the tap. pH adjusters can be very unstable and even cause your pH to crash or drop drastically and result in fish loss. Here is a link on how to maintain your pH levels naturally:
Properly Maintaining the pH in a Freshwater Aquarium - Rate My Fish Tank

Since you are showing traces of ammonia in your tank, I suggest a 50% water change and add your Prime (I see listed in your aquarium info) to detox the ammonia for 24 hours until it's time for another water change. Do the changes daily until you reach the readings that Lucy gave you, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and under 20 nitrates. Then your tank is cycled.

I'm not familiar with the test kit you have mentioned. I assume it's a test "strip" kit? If so, what is most highly recommended is the API (liquid) Master Test Kit. It will test for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, pH levels. If you don't have the means to buy the entire kit at one time you can also purchase each test separately. I suggest starting with the ammonia liquid test should this be the case.

As for you fish ailments/fungus (if indeed it is a fungus)...look into a product called Melafix. Make sure you read the label and see if it's what you think might help your fish. If your fish has ICH it would look like it has been sprinkled with salt and would require different treatment. I agree with you and it doesn't sound like ICH.

Keeping your fish healthy at this point is more crucial than getting your tank cycled. However, you'll have to keep up with daily water changes. Once your fish are well then concentrate on the cycling issues. I suggest not adding Tetra Safe Start (TSS) to your tank until your fish are healthy or you could be wasting your money in the long run. Depending on if you have to medicate or not. (If anyone disagrees with this paragraph by all means speak up. Discussion is what this board is for

Best of luck and I hope your fish are going to be alright.
Ken

Melissawater

I agree, great information above! I will worn you though the melafix has a strong odor that most people do not like lol, what we do for our fishes!

Shawnie

I agree with lucy..it could very well be ammonia burns so I wouldnt medicate but daily water changes with prime....if you can find some stress coat+, that will help heal his skin also....the daily water changes with prime are a must though to keep them safe...

Jackie Frost

Update;

Okay I'm home from the store and I already applied the Ich/velvet medication. Hopefully it'll work. I also added the extra 'Prime' when I suddenly realized that I probably should have waited until after the 25% Water Change. (I have to wait until late afternoon before I do the water change in order to make sure the water in my pitcher is the same temperature as the one in the tank.) And yes the pitcher water has already been treated with Prime. After reading Aquarist's 48's comments I now know I need to make a 50% water change. The problem is I need a bucket for that and I don't have one now. Oh well ...it's back to the store.

By the way, both fish seem to be doing much better (even my sick one) since I stopped the wild temperature flucuations. They are now acting healthy and perky. That's something of a relief.

Jackie Frost

Goldie died. I feel awful. I wonder if I over did it on the medicine ...

Shawnie

im sorry for your loss...rip goldie boy!

the fish are stressed and sick from going through the cycle..who knows if it was the meds or just the ammonia ..

Melissawater

Sorry about goldie It will take a little while to cycle and the fish will get stressed, but in the end it is all worth it.

Lucy

I'm so sorry you lost your goldie.