Baby ranchu very sick

So, my little jellybean (baby black ranchu) is getting really sick and I don’t know what’s wrong.

The tank is a 29 gallon planted tank (vals, crypts, rotala, Java ferns, Java moss, marimos, etc). Ammonia and nitrite 0, nitrates are usually super low due to plants and my super thick layer of sand substrate that I think has some denitrification going on. PH is 8.

The tank houses two baby goldfish (the ranchu and my little red cap oranda baby) and a small school of kuhlis. The red cap seems healthy as can be, super active, eats a lot, growing, etc. the ranchu on the other hand is more sluggish, has always had some slight swim bladder issues and ate less. Recently, I’ve notice him looking skinnier and less... “even” then he used to. He’s been eating less and hasn’t grown at all in the few months I’ve had him.

Today I came in to give them dinner and noticed him resting in the Java moss. His fins look ragged and frayed, he is weak and just laying around, he’s not hungry, didn’t put up a fuss when I picked him up. He appears to have some ever so slight scale distention and his spine looks a little funny.

I moved him to the breeder box and added praziquantel to the tank. I just did a large waterchange yesterday after I was busy and didn’t do one for two weeks, so I’m wondering if the stress lowered his immune system.

I’m really freaking out, because my last two goldfish I’ve had over the last year died with almost these same symptoms, and this little jellybean is so precious to me. I’m sad and scared and I don’t know what to do.

Edit: I decided to skip giving the dinner. I turned the lights out. I dissolved about 4 tablespoons of salt in warm water, then strained it through some panty hoes so no granules would be in it, and added about half of that solution to the tank. I also added some extra prime.

 

The salt is the right first shot, but your baby Ranchu needs to go into a hospital tank. Just in case the illness affects the other, and the proper dosages may not go so well for your freshwater plants. Even a food grade container / bucket will do the trick.

Air stone & heater is all you need, do the 1 tea spoon per 3 gallon first and daily water changes up to 50%. Try to keep temp very close with the new treated water and of course replace the salt. Just to be clear, if you have a 6 gallon and water changed out 3, then you'll need to mix in 1 tea spoon with the new water.

Sounds like you are already aware of the general treatment but always good to be sure. I'm concerned your previous fish had similar issues but water seems fine of the things normally checked. Is this the same tank and items in it? Diet?

 

The salt is the right first shot, but your baby Ranchu needs to go into a hospital tank. Just in case the illness affects the other, and the proper dosages may not go so well for your freshwater plants. Even a food grade container / bucket will do the trick.

Air stone & heater is all you need, do the 1 tea spoon per 3 gallon first and daily water changes up to 50%. Try to keep temp very close with the new treated water and of course replace the salt. Just to be clear, if you have a 6 gallon and water changed out 3, then you'll need to mix in 1 tea spoon with the new water.

Sounds like you are already aware of the general treatment but always good to be sure. I'm concerned your previous fish had similar issues but water seems fine of the things normally checked. Is this the same tank and items in it? Diet?

So, I set up a hospital tank today. All I had on hand was a 3 gallon sterilite tub. But it should be fine temporarily since this goldfish is really tiny. I put in an extra cycled sponge filter from my betta tank. I also added a couple moss balls and an anubias plant in there so he’d be more comfortable. I added a little salt and lots of prime.

I don’t have an extra heater, so room temperature will have to suffice for now, but it’s warm out, so my room has been staying above 70.

I’m pretty much at a loss at what else to do. This goldfish is my baby and this makes me so sad.








Regarding the tank. The last two goldfish that passed were in the same tank, that is what is concerning me. it also took about the same amount of time for them to get sick.
They were from a completely different store though, so this makes me fear there is something wrong with my tank.

I don’t really understand what about my tank would be making them sick though. Good parameters, maybe a slightly high ph, but not death worthy. Tons of plants, over-filtration. My sis does make me turn bubblers off at night because she works full time and is a light sleeper (filters still run though), but that shouldn’t be death-worthy either.

 

So, on top of what I’ve already done, I took 1 drop of caigeput in a container with some tank water and shook it up, then added that to the tub as a really mild dose of sort of DIY melafix. The ranch is still moving around and seems okay. He still won’t eat. I’m going to try some boiled spinach later today since he usually goes for that.
NevermindIgnoreMe thoughts?

 

It is tough to diagnose until visible, and in my experience it is brought on from shock/stress. That's why a general treatment is a good first step. Keep in mind that salt also gives a calming effect, so laying at the bottom of the tank for the first day is not unusual as the little one adjusts.... plus the new surroundings.

Normally you will not have to keep the hospital tank in a spot without much more than day lighting, the darkness helps keep them calm. You'll need to continue to the 'level 3' treatment for a period of 5 - 7 days and monitor closely.

You can also see about frozen treats, blood worms & brine shrimp offers plenty of protein for the healing process... plus not dry or hard in case we're looking at a digestion issue.

Continue doing daily water changes of at least 50%, you main objective to ensure the little one takes food but don't stress if he does not for a few days. I know that can give anxiety, but if it was a digestion issue the tried & true method of no feeding for 2 - 3 days and peas really does help. I have save a number of fish this way.

Melafix has mixed reviews of the natural treatment, so worse case that's harmless to the baby.

After about 4 or 5 days and no visible issues seen but no improvement you can go to level 2. This is one tea spoon per 2 gallons. Level 1 is 1 tea spoon per gallon.

You need to just stay calm, not over treat and be patient... get the little guy some frozen grub and try. Hikari is the brand I use due to reputation.

Your main goal here is allow him/her to adapt and soon eat. As long as they eat it's a good sign. Remember, nothing in your hospital tank but an air stone (heat no biggy as days are warmer) nothing else. You will need to be the filter with your daily water changes, vacuum up that bottom!

Until you can determine the issue it is best to keep the general treatments. Sorry for repeating myself... but I like to try and be clear as possible.

 

It is tough to diagnose until visible, and in my experience it is brought on from shock/stress. That's why a general treatment is a good first step. Keep in mind that salt also gives a calming effect, so laying at the bottom of the tank for the first day is not unusual as the little one adjusts.... plus the new surroundings.

Normally you will not have to keep the hospital tank in a spot without much more than day lighting, the darkness helps keep them calm. You'll need to continue to the 'level 3' treatment for a period of 5 - 7 days and monitor closely.

You can also see about frozen treats, blood worms & brine shrimp offers plenty of protein for the healing process... plus not dry or hard in case we're looking at a digestion issue.

Continue doing daily water changes of at least 50%, you main objective to ensure the little one takes food but don't stress if he does not for a few days. I know that can give anxiety, but if it was a digestion issue the tried & true method of no feeding for 2 - 3 days and peas really does help. I have save a number of fish this way.

Melafix has mixed reviews of the natural treatment, so worse case that's harmless to the baby.

After about 4 or 5 days and no visible issues seen but no improvement you can go to level 2. This is one tea spoon per 2 gallons. Level 1 is 1 tea spoon per gallon.

You need to just stay calm, not over treat and be patient... get the little guy some frozen grub and try. Hikari is the brand I use due to reputation.

Your main goal here is allow him/her to adapt and soon eat. As long as they eat it's a good sign. Remember, nothing in your hospital tank but an air stone (heat no biggy as days are warmer) nothing else. You will need to be the filter with your daily water changes, vacuum up that bottom!

Until you can determine the issue it is best to keep the general treatments. Sorry for repeating myself... but I like to try and be clear as possible.

Thanks a lot. I’m boiling some spinach now.
I usually give them A mix of frozen bloodworms and mysis shrimp, but I’ll mix in omega one pellets or boiled veggies on occasion. I’ll give a few different things a try and see if he’ll eat.

 

Poor baby, I hope he gets better. Has he been going to the bathroom normally/at all?

 

I got him to eat a bloodworm and 1 piece of mysis shrimp. He is definitely less enthusiastic about eating, but at least it was enticing enough for him to swallow it.

I boils some greens (cabbage, red leaf lettuce, spinach and chard), but he didn’t go for any of it. So far the bloodworms seem the most enticing.

Poor baby, I hope he gets better. Has he been going to the bathroom normally/at all?

No, he has not. Also worrisome.


On a different note, I decided to order some catappa leaves. I figured the worst that could do is nothing. Tannins should lower stress for him and almond leaves might help if it’s an infection of some kind.

Edit:

So, since he is not really eating or pooping, I decided to setup an Epsom salt dip. I took a bucket and added a small handful of Epsom salt (maybe 2 tablespoons-ish) with 1-2 gallons of dechlorinated water.

I just put him in there. I’ll let him sit in that for about 15 minutes and see if it helps him relieve himself. Fingers crossed.

Edit again: After the Epsom dip, he/she did have a very tiny little poop in the bucket. At least it’s a sign something is moving. I got him back in the tub and he looks like he's relaxing. I did notice some ever so slight scale distention, so he might have some fluid build up going on. I hope this isn’t early signs of dropsy.

 

Morning update:

I believe it is indeed dropsy. This morning I see much more severe scale distention (pineconeing).

He is still moving around and it looks like there are several small poops in there, but I’m growing quite worried. I’ve never successfully treated any kind of dropsy before.


Im doing another waterchange this morning, and will step up the salt dose a little.

Note: I don’t actually have aquarium salt, so I’ve been using rock salt. I’ve read that is perfectly safe, but I don’t know if it changes the effect on the illness at all.

 

poor thing. Your doing a great job and I’m glad at least he’s going to bathroom and eating at all.

 

Does anyone have any advise for treating dropsy?

 

Goldfish Dropsy Disease Treatment For Goldfish
This is some general advice I found-seems what your doing currently may be the best for now. Are there any exotic vets in your area with knowledge of treating goldfish/koi?
*edit dropsy is a symptom of a certain illness, and can be the effect of a fungal/bacterial infection.(please correct me if wrong, this is based of my recent research on the topic). My betta had dropsy and I made the decision to euthanize her. Hopefully ur little guy is a fighter and with the right help will persevere. Good luck and please seek more professional advice/look for vets.

 

Goldfish Dropsy Disease Treatment For Goldfish
This is some general advice I found-seems what your doing currently may be the best for now. Are there any exotic vets in your area with knowledge of treating goldfish/koi?
*edit dropsy is a symptom of a certain illness, and can be the effect of a fungal/bacterial infection.(please correct me if wrong, this is based of my recent research on the topic). My betta had dropsy and I made the decision to euthanize her. Hopefully ur little guy is a fighter and with the right help will persevere. Good luck and please seek more professional advice/look for vets.

Unfortunately I don’t have any exotic vets near me.

My baby seems to have gotten a lot worse today. I keep doing waterchanges and using salt and Epsom salt, but he’s really lethargic and just sits there now. Won’t eat, moderate pineconing. I’m really sad and worried, I’ve never had a fish live from dropsy and I don’t really have money to dump another $30 on antibiotic fish food that may or may not work at this stage. I just feel so awful for my poor baby.

 

Unfortunately I don’t have any exotic vets near me.

My baby seems to have gotten a lot worse today. I keep doing waterchanges and using salt and Epsom salt, but he’s really lethargic and just sits there now. Won’t eat, moderate pineconing. I’m really sad and worried, I’ve never had a fish live from dropsy and I don’t really have money to dump another $30 on antibiotic fish food that may or may not work at this stage. I just feel so awful for my poor baby.

Do you have clove oil? If it seems like he’s getting worse and suffering honestly it would be best to properly euthanize him. I’m so sorry, goldies are such personable little chonkers and he’s a very handsome young man. Don’t lose all hope yet but be realistic with what you can do to keep him comfy.

 

Do you have clove oil? If it seems like he’s getting worse and suffering honestly it would be best to properly euthanize him. I’m so sorry, goldies are such personable little chonkers and he’s a very handsome young man. Don’t lose all hope yet but be realistic with what you can do to keep him comfy.

I do have clove oil on hand, but I don’t think he’s that bad yet. He seems relaxed and he’s still moving around, he just seems kinda lethargic. The pineconing is visible, but not terribly severe yet. I’m just at a loss about what to do. Out of the 6 goldfish in the last 2 years, this is the 4th to get some form of dropsy.
My first pair, one came with dropsy from the store. I ended up euthanizing him, but the other was fine and lived a healthy, happy life until I rehomed her when we moved. When I got a chance I bought another pair of goldfish after the move, had them for about 6 months before they developed some sort of illness and both died (they both had popeye and scale distention, making me think it was some sort of dropsy). After that, I later got a 3rd pair. Now another 6 months down the road this has happened.

I feel so terrible because I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. My tank is well taken care of, planted, good parameters, every other species of fish I’ve kept besides goldfish have been fine and I’ve never had problems with them. I just don’t understand. I love goldies, I just can’t seem to keep them healthy.

 

I do have clove oil on hand, but I don’t think he’s that bad yet. He seems relaxed and he’s still moving around, he just seems kinda lethargic. The pineconing is visible, but not terribly severe yet. I’m just at a loss about what to do. Out of the 6 goldfish in the last 2 years, this is the 4th to get some form of dropsy.
My first pair, one came with dropsy from the store. I ended up euthanizing him, but the other was fine and lived a healthy, happy life until I rehomed her when we moved. When I got a chance I bought another pair of goldfish after the move, had them for about 6 months before they developed some sort of illness and both died (they both had popeye and scale distention, making me think it was some sort of dropsy). After that, I later got a 3rd pair. Now another 6 months down the road this has happened.

I feel so terrible because I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. My tank is well taken care of, planted, good parameters, every other species of fish I’ve kept besides goldfish have been fine and I’ve never had problems with them. I just don’t understand. I love goldies, I just can’t seem to keep them healthy.

It’s going to be alright Frisbee. There’s so many factors(bad breeders, pet store/facility conditions, how many times a fish is shipped or places under stressful conditions, the fish’s immune system, the breed/variety of fish in particular, etc) and you can’t just blame yourself. Ornamental goldies, like many other designer pet breeds, are at a risk for health issues regardless because of how they are shaped. You did a good job(at least from what I can tell) taking care of this lil one. You also have your red cap baby who’s still alive and well, be thankful for that!

I don’t really know what else to add here but I really hope things turn around for your little guy. Don’t be too hard on yourself for this.

 

It’s going to be alright Frisbee. There’s so many factors(bad breeders, pet store/facility conditions, how many times a fish is shipped or places under stressful conditions, the fish’s immune system, the breed/variety of fish in particular, etc) and you can’t just blame yourself. Ornamental goldies, like many other designer pet breeds, are at a risk for health issues regardless because of how they are shaped. You did a good job(at least from what I can tell) taking care of this lil one. You also have your red cap baby who’s still alive and well, be thankful for that!

I don’t really know what else to add here but I really hope things turn around for your little guy. Don’t be too hard on yourself for this.

Thank you. Yes, I can be grateful for my little red cap. He is still spunky as can be and is at the front glass begging for attention right, haha. I ended up giving him most of the cabbage I boiled up for the ranchu, so he’s happy.

 

Thank you. Yes, I can be grateful for my little red cap. He is still spunky as can be and is at the front glass begging for attention right, haha. I ended up giving him most of the cabbage I boiled up for the ranchu, so he’s happy.

Aww what a cutie take care, again hope the little one makes it through. Your being a good fish mom/dad/whatever u wanna be called

 

I am unsure of rock salt, but aquarium salt treatment does help with dropsy. Although the stage the little one is a factor. Your still now having to increase to level 2 of aquarium salt and need antibiotics. Fresh high quality foods is needed, with daily water changes.

Hard to see internally and the state of the kidneys, but I highly doubt it was anything you did. Bad breeders, stress/trauma from mistreatment, etc etc is what I would bet on.

My personal thing is as long as the fish doesn't give up, I won't give up on treating.

 

Update this morning. There seems to be no change. He is still moving around but kind of lethargic, moderate scale distention and he is spitting out food. I’ve done another waterchange with more salt and Epsom salt.

I’m thinking about ordering some kanaplex. It seems the most promising. I don’t have a lot of experience with meds though.

One thing I’ve noticed on the ranchu I forgot to mention, his back has a kind of white “film”. I don’t know if it’s fungal or just excessive slime coat from stress.

 

I have to leave today and will be gone till tomorrow afternoon. Luckily the heater I’ve been waiting on arrived so I don’t have to keep monitoring the temperature. The almond leaves came as well. I’m going to be leaving in about an hour, so I did another 50% waterchange on the tub, and this time I added steeped almond leaves as well as the salt and Epsom salt. My little ranchu seems to be doing okay. I still can’t get him to eat, but he’s moving around and responds to my fingers. I’m going to offer him some more bloodworm before I leave.

I also ordered some Kanaplex. Should be here in a day or two (Amazon is my life saver), I don’t know if it will help or not, but I figured it’s worth a try.

he’s not getting better, but at least he doesn’t appear to be getting worse, so my fingers are crossed.

Edit:
I thawed a fresh cube of bloodworms, and he ate a couple! Not very much, but It’s some progress. He was just spitting the mysis shrimp out, so I decided to try just bloodworms and it seemed to have worked.

 

Okay nicely done doing all that your doing for the Ranchu! First thing is do not over medicate, one treatment at a time. Epsom bath is fine, that will help with some issues but not really for a tank water thing when you have aquarium salt already in there. After a few days of level 2 you can up to to level 1 if no improvement - however if he/she is not deteriorating further keep it at level 2. Keep in mind if you got him/her stable, that may actually mean healing which also takes time.

Along with the aquarium salt start your antibiotic treatment and just one, and stick to full instructions. If a 7 day treatment is instructed stick to all 7 days even if on the 5th he seems to be swimming about fine.

For one of my baby fish I pretty much had to spoon feed her for an entire week, she has bladder issues and too small for any surgical treatment... still she cannot go too deep due to the bladder and a crooked tail which makes her do loops. So, I mounted a lid on top of an aquarium deco as her food tray. She is able to feed herself from there.

You have or about to have plenty of options, and I'm sure you did plenty of reading for dropsy. Just be patient, your doing amazing!

 

Update, just got back from my trip. He looks about the same. I’m going to do do another waterchange (no Epsom salt this time) and see if I can get him to eat some more bloodworms.

Kanaplex will be here tomorrow. The heater went a little crazy while I was out of town, and when I got back the tub was 78° (I had it set to keep the tank 68-70). I’ve read heat is a treatment for bacterial dropsy though, so I don’t know if that was a blessing in disguise or not. I guess I’ll see. I’m not going to keep messing with the heater though, because at this point I think more temperature swings will only make things worse.


Edit: yay! He’s eating! He still seems lethargic, scale distention looks about the same. He seems a little “floaty”, but he’s actually eating. He wolfed down some bloodworms, a mysis shrimp and a tiny piece of mashed pea.

NevermindIgnoreMe

 

Update, just got back from my trip. He looks about the same. I’m going to do do another waterchange (no Epsom salt this time) and see if I can get him to eat some more bloodworms.

Kanaplex will be here tomorrow. The heater went a little crazy while I was out of town, and when I got back the tub was 78° (I had it set to keep the tank 68-70). I’ve read heat is a treatment for bacterial dropsy though, so I don’t know if that was a blessing in disguise or not. I guess I’ll see. I’m not going to keep messing with the heater though, because at this point I think more temperature swings will only make things worse.


Edit: yay! He’s eating! He still seems lethargic, scale distention looks about the same. He seems a little “floaty”, but he’s actually eating. He wolfed down some bloodworms, a mysis shrimp and a tiny piece of mashed pea.

NevermindIgnoreMe

Well I like hearing the term “wolfed down”, if he has enthusiastic feeding responses that’s progress!

 

Well I like hearing the term “wolfed down”, if he has enthusiastic feeding responses that’s progress!

Yes. I could tell he liked it. After he had a bite or two he stopped and didn’t want anymore, but immediate response to bloodworms waving in front of his face was “chomp”, so that was a good sign. Certainly better then just ignoring it.

His “pineconing” doesn’t seem quite as bad either. It’s hard to tell, but it doesn’t look quite as severe to me as the last photos. Still visible though.

 

I am so happy to hear the progress, and the increased eating is an excellent sign. However, don't slow down your treatments and start that antibiotic. Your still in a fragile period, this illness makes him/her vulnerable. Another reason that salt is in there, a more 'sterile' tank.

Temperature at 78 was only a tad higher above what is believed 'comfort levels' for fancies. 76 I believe, and can go higher if slow enough. I am guessing that heater is one that just pumps a certain preset temperature? If that's the case it would take a little water ratio to figure ideal temperature so yes warmer days no big deal. Just FYI I keep mine in 72, and if in hospital tank temp is set to 76 - 78.

Repeating as reminder, patience and stick to one treatment at a time. Your doing great!

 

I am so happy to hear the progress, and the increased eating is an excellent sign. However, don't slow down your treatments and start that antibiotic. Your still in a fragile period, this illness makes him/her vulnerable. Another reason that salt is in there, a more 'sterile' tank.

Temperature at 78 was only a tad higher above what is believed 'comfort levels' for fancies. 76 I believe, and can go higher if slow enough. I am guessing that heater is one that just pumps a certain preset temperature? If that's the case it would take a little water ratio to figure ideal temperature so yes warmer days no big deal. Just FYI I keep mine in 72, and if in hospital tank temp is set to 76 - 78.

Repeating as reminder, patience and stick to one treatment at a time. Your doing great!

Thank you. It’s actually an adjustable heater, it’s just a cheap one and I don’t think the thermostat is very accurate. It probably has something to do with the small amount of water.

I’ve read before that raising the temperature into the low to mid 80s can slow the reproduction of bacteria that causes dropsy, but I don’t know if that’s a myth or not.



Edit: a bit of an emergency, I went to check on him this morning. He is much much worse. He is floating around in his side, swimming sporadically, breathing heavy. I looked at temperature and realized it had gotten up to 82! I unplugged the heater and did another waterchange that got it down to 79, but I didn’t want to make drastic changes. These temperature swings are really stressing him.

I’m crying right now. I don’t know if my poor baby will make it. He’s super super sick. He’s been just laying on his side on the bottom of the tank. I’m kicking myself for getting that stupid heater in the first place.

I was so hopeful yesterday...

 

Thank you. It’s actually an adjustable heater, it’s just a cheap one and I don’t think the thermostat is very accurate. It probably has something to do with the small amount of water.

I’ve read before that raising the temperature into the low to mid 80s can slow the reproduction of bacteria that causes dropsy, but I don’t know if that’s a myth or not.



Edit: a bit of an emergency, I went to check on him this morning. He is much much worse. He is floating around in his side, swimming sporadically, breathing heavy. I looked at temperature and realized it had gotten up to 82! I unplugged the heater and did another waterchange that got it down to 79, but I didn’t want to make drastic changes. These temperature swings are really stressing him.

I’m crying right now. I don’t know if my poor baby will make it. He’s super super sick. He’s been just laying on his side on the bottom of the tank. I’m kicking myself for getting that stupid heater in the first place.

I was so hopeful yesterday...

I’m so sorry frisbee. Just try to keep that’s heater in check and calm him down the best u can.

 

Don't beat yourself up over it these things happen to everyone, does sound like the heat change caused today's issue.. Allow the tank to cool naturally... as you mentioned last thing we need is another temperature shock. I believe we should provide some 'security'... do you have a clean anubias handy for him/her to hide under? Then all lights off in a more shaded part of room where you can still observe of course.

 

Don't beat yourself up over it these things happen to everyone, does sound like the heat change caused today's issue.. Allow the tank to cool naturally... as you mentioned last thing we need is another temperature shock. I believe we should provide some 'security'... do you have a clean anubias handy for him/her to hide under? Then all lights off in a more shaded part of room where you can still observe of course.

Yes, I have anubias and duckweed floating around the tank. It has now cooled down to about 75° and I’ll leave it there.

Sadly he is only getting worse. He has been laying on his side all day and only moves when disturbed. The Kanaplex arrived and I dosed the tub. I also mixed some frozen bloodworms, crushed pellets (powder form), garlic, a scoop of Kanaplex and some gelatin to make a small batch of medicated food, but he wouldn’t eat it.

as a preventative, I decided to give my red cap a little bit of the medicated food, and he went absolutely nuts for it, so I know it must taste good, my ranchu is just really sick.

I’m going to continue to try and get the ranchu to eat it, but so far he looks pretty close to dead. I’ll give the antibiotics i added to the tank a couple day and see if they help, if not, euthanasia might be my only option.

I feel so sad, my poor baby.

 

The not willing to feed is not uncommon going through stress/trauma... like the last round it will take a little while for the fish to adapt. We took a step back as we were moving forward...

 

The not willing to feed is not uncommon going through stress/trauma... like the last round it will take a little while for the fish to adapt. We took a step back as we were moving forward...

Luckily I was able to re-adjust the heater and it’s been staying at a steady 75° all day.

I hope he makes it through this. This fish is really special. I love ranchus and he’s only the second I’ve ever had.

 

Luckily I was able to re-adjust the heater and it’s been staying at a steady 75° all day.

I hope he makes it through this. This fish is really special. I love ranchus and he’s only the second I’ve ever had.

He’s an adorable little guy and for your sake and his I hope he does power through.❤️

 

He passed away a short while ago. I went to check on him and found him lying by the sponge filter. No Gill movement. I held him in my hand under the water for about 10-15 minutes while I cried a bit. Still no gill movement. I took him outside and buried him in the garden.

RIP my little jellybean.

 

I am sorry for your loss, I know this is heartbreaking. You did everything you could to help treat the disease, and did nothing wrong. The little one knew you were caring for him and was not alone, you have your memories and new knowledge. I know little comfort, but now you are much better prepared.

 

Oh no I am so sorry, poor little buddy. You did the best you could, thank u for not giving up on him. Give the red cap some extra love and take care of yourself, don’t feel like any of this was your fault.

 

Thank you. I know he’s no longer in pain and he’s probably swimming in some beautiful pond in fishy heaven (well, maybe not, but it’s nice to think about).

Luckily I’m more set up now and actually have an antibiotic treatment, praziquantel and almond leaves on hand, along with a quarantine tub setup. Hopefully now I’ll be much more prepared for sickness in the future.

I will definitely give the red cap some extra love. I’ll probably re-scape the tank and do some things I’ve been meaning to do on it (trimming overgrown plants, re-doing the filter setup, etc), then try to wait a couple weeks before I think about replacing him. I want to make sure my red cap is fine and it wasn’t anything contagious.