MaddieLynn

Since I seperated my goldfish, the moor is doing well, but today I noticed that some of its scales stick out slightly, like dropsy, only not that extreme. It's not bloated, acts normal, swims around, and eats. Is this anything to be worried about?

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aquarist48

Hello. Did you move him in a net? Possibily some of his scales got damaged then if so. If not it could be the beginning of dropsy.

MaddieLynn

I have netted him a few times, but he laid still and didn't try to flop out. Also, I thought that dropsy started with the fish bloating and then towards the end the scales started to stick out? All the accounts I've heard have the fish swell up huge and then towards the end the scales stick out.

aquarist48

Here are two links that you may find helpful in diagnosing the little guy/gal. I hope it's going to be alright. http://www.jbl.de/onlinehospitaluk/p...=2&GalleryId=2
http://www.fishyportal.com/diag/

gremlin

It almost looks like it may be the beginning of ICH. Is that dirt on the lens? or is there a white spot on the dorsal fin and on the tail? I would (just as a precaution) treat with ich attack. Fancy goldies seem to be very susceptible to ich when they are moved. Heck, most fish are susceptible to ich when they get moved from one tank to another.

MaddieLynn

I have ich medication handy, so I'll go ahead and throw some of that in.

Also, I have some aquarium salt called Fritz A+ Aquarium Salt. It claims to be good for livebearers and goldies. It also says it helps in waste breakdown. Should I follow the directions and put some of that in there?

Shawnie

medicating any fish is always a risk...I wouldnt put anything in there with him and if you think its ICH, (I dont see that) then use the higher temps with more airation method as the meds could cause more issues as well as kill your cycle....I also dont think its dropsey as you know they swell first, which causes the scales to raise...I think he needs time to adjust to his new home, as well as prestine water with some stress coat as he came to you with a bad eye didnt he? dont always jump to the meds as they can cause as much harm if treated improperly

MaddieLynn

Uggh... I already put the ich meds in. :-( I'm pretty sure the box says it doesn't harm the cycle, though.

No, he didn't have a bad eye. He's pretty skinny and his tail is crooked from being neglected in a tiny tank for awhile, though.

Shawnie

maddie, meds are not always the answer with fish...and I will tell you from reading alot of threads, that MOST meds, even if they say they wont, will kill the cycle....that pic you have in the post doesnt warrant meds IMO and you said yourself, he is acting fine.....I knew he came with something wrong wasnt sure what it was...goodluck with him

MaddieLynn

Well, I checked the package and it didn't say anything about not killing the cycle. B ut I have used this same med before and not had any issued with the cycle.

Also I only half-dosed the tank since he wasn't obviously ich-y.

Shawnie

why dose at all if it "wasn't obviously ich-y" ?

Lucy

Using 1/2 a dose of meds isn't helpful.
I'm not saying he needs meds, I'm honestly not sure.
What I'm saying is 1/2 dosing a fish is like you taking 1/2 dose a medication because your infection 'isn't that bad.' Resistance builds up then should you need the medication it will no longer help.

Good luck, I hope your fish gets better.

MaddieLynn

I wish I hadn't medicated but there is nothing I can do about it now. Unless I put the carbon from the other filter in there?

I medicated because gremlin suggested it and she has goldies. I used half dose because that's what the package said to do for "weak or scaleless fish" and the moor is a little weak.

I'm about to run carbon through the filter.

Shawnie

im not saying gremlin was wrong by any means...just dont always jump to the meds for something that might just be simple....I do hope things get better for your fish baby ..goodluck

Lucy

I didn't know the directions say you can 1/2 dose. Sorry.
Thought you took it upon yourself to 1/2 dose.

MaddieLynn

OK, new question:

I'm going to run the carbon through the 55g overnight. After that, do I need to throw it away? Will it leak ich meds back into the water?

Shawnie

yes you should throw it away after..carbon removes meds and impurities and you shouldnt put it back on another tank after you have done so

gremlin

I was concerned about ich because there is a white bump on the tail fin and another smaller one on the dorsal fin in the pic. Also, since the goldie was just moved to a new tank. When my sister got a rescue goldie from an acquaintance - the scales were slightly raised and there was one teeny tiny patch of white on the leading edge of the dorsal fin. At first my sister thought it was just a bit of scar tissue built up, so she went ahead with getting the fish used to the outside temps. In 3 days, that tiny little white bump of "scar tissue" was full blown ich. My preferred medication is ich attack and I treat the fish in a bare quarantine tank. I have not had any problem with ich attack damaging my cycle, but then I have a pond - not much is gonna hurt the cycle out there...Of course, those little white specks in the picture may just be floaties in the water, or dirt on the lens...in which case you wouldn't need to treat for ich.