I Dont Know What Disease My Goldfish Has

Hello I am new here and hope to have some help I don't know what to do.

One of my goldfish got stuck in one of my fish decor. My parents where taking care of feeding them for some days while I was out (I am currently moving) and they noticed he was stuck and tried to get him out. Since we think he had the whole night like that when he got out he was missing some scales and barely swiming. I told them to put some medicine (supposedly natural) and waited to see if he improved. 2 days later they send me a video of how he is and my parents where worried, he has his tail and fins torn and it looks like he has fungus with white eyes, he also lost a lot of scales. I was so worried I had to go where they are at and I did a big water change and moved my goldfish to another tank (the only one I have is 6.5 it has proper heater and filter I know its too small but that is all I have) and put some slyme coat and medicine. I read I could give espom salt but I want to be sure before taking that step.

Can someone tell me what to do? I really care for my fish and I want him to survive.

 

Do you have a pic?

 

Hey. You can use plain aquarium salt. Epsom salt removes fluid. You can also give him methylene blue baths.
We really need a picture of him. Missing scales and torn fins are treatable. Get us the pics and let’s see how far it’s gone. Ok?
Stay calm. I totally understand loving the finbaby. All of us on fishlore do. Please please get us a pic?

 

Try API Fungus Cure or just salt baths with aquarium salt, not Epsom salt.

 

Do you have a pic?

We’re talking at the same time again!

 

We’re talking at the same time again!

Yep, just sent a message to your inbox.

 

Thnak you for replying, he is still hanging in there I hope he is not in much pain. So do I not use Epsom salt? Where do I get the salt baths from? Also I'm giving something similar from the same brand I believe suposedly for fun rot and infections is that Ok?

This is a picture of how he used to look. He was a healthy fish never saw anything bad and always thought he was the sturdiest one.

 

Thnak you for replying, he is still hanging in there I hope he is not in much pain. So do I not use Epsom salt? Where do I get the salt baths from? Also I'm giving something similar from the same brand I believe suposedly for fun rot and infections is that Ok?

This is a picture of how he used to look. He was a healthy fish never saw anything bad and always thought he was the sturdiest one.

Don’t use epsom salt. Just plain sodium chloride. Aquarium salt is fine. Just dissolve it first in a cup of aquarium water.

 

Don’t use epsom salt. Just plain sodium chloride. Aquarium salt is fine. Just dissolve it first in a cup of aquarium water.

Where can I buy it? Is it at petco or petsmart?

 

Where can I buy it? Is it at petco or petsmart?

Yes. They both have it. Hubby can’t see any finrot in the one pic that is clear. The salt should help him heal and keep infection/fungus from taking hold. Is he eating/swimming ok today?

 

I recommend trying to figure out what the problem is before you start dumping in a bunch of medications.

How is a person with a sick fish supposed to sort through all the instructions?

There are already five suggested medications, all before anyone has any idea what the problem might be. Everyone is skipping the diagnosis phase, the most important phase of dealing with fish ailments. This would be like calling the doctor's office, saying, "I have a pain in my side," and having the doctor say, "It sounds like an emergency. I'll send a few prescriptions to the pharmacy. Take them and see if anything works."

Sorry. I just see it as unproductive knee-jerk reactions with little knowledge of what's actually happening in the aquarium.

If you could get a photo, that would be very helpful.

Do you have a way to test the water? If you have toxic levels of ammonia or nitrite, no amount of any medication is going to do any good.

To be honest, I don't believe that moving the fish was a good idea. It's obviously stressed, and putting into a new tank is not going to help that. These situations are usually nothing more than educated guesses as to what's wrong, then proceeding with a treatment plan. At least have a guess as to what the problem is before you start treating with anything or moving fish. I realize the desire to do something, anything!, to save your fish, but it sounds serious and you'll give the thing the best chance if you worry first about diagnosing the problem.

 

I recommend trying to figure out what the problem is before you start dumping in a bunch of medications.

How is a person with a sick fish supposed to sort through all the instructions?

There are already five suggested medications, all before anyone has any idea what the problem might be. Everyone is skipping the diagnosis phase, the most important phase of dealing with fish ailments. This would be like calling the doctor's office, saying, "I have a pain in my side," and having the doctor say, "It sounds like an emergency. I'll send a few prescriptions to the pharmacy. Take them and see if anything works."

Sorry. I just see it as unproductive knee-jerk reactions with little knowledge of what's actually happening in the aquarium.

If you could get a photo, that would be very helpful.

Do you have a way to test the water? If you have toxic levels of ammonia or nitrite, no amount of any medication is going to do any good.

To be honest, I don't believe that moving the fish was a good idea. It's obviously stressed, and putting into a new tank is not going to help that. These situations are usually nothing more than educated guesses as to what's wrong, then proceeding with a treatment plan. At least have a guess as to what the problem is before you start treating with anything or moving fish. I realize the desire to do something, anything!, to save your fish, but it sounds serious and you'll give the thing the best chance if you worry first about diagnosing the problem.

Well, since the OP stated that the fish got trapped in an ornament then pulled out of it, we pretty much know the “root cause”. It has damaged scales and fins. Aquarium salt will help with healing and preventing infection. Mblue also helps with this. I never recommend meds or treatments Willy nilly. Perhaps if you went back to the beginning of the thread you could give constructive opinions or advice without becoming judgmental. The OP posted pics. Please. I mean no offense. My only goal is to help the OP with the care of her goldfish.

 

Excuse me, WhoKnows. We already know the fish got stuck in an ornament. Been there, had that happen. Gypsy is about the most educated and experienced goldfish keeper I know. She knows her stuff. And the meds, where are the 5 suggested? All I see is aquarium salt, Fungus Cure and Methylene Blue. Fungus Cure and Methylene Blue do the same thing. If you have better suggestions, please, jump right in. We welcome any and all suggestions.

 

Yes he got stuck and then after that he got worse maybe due to stress. I have always heard to place the sick fish in a hospital tank to prevent any disease to spread to other fish and that the best thing to do first is to do a big water change so I don't know if I did wrong there.

 

Yes he got stuck and then after that he got worse maybe due to stress. I have always heard to place the sick fish in a hospital tank to prevent any disease to spread to other fish and that the best thing to do first is to do a big water change so I don't know if I did wrong there.

You didn’t do wrong. The hospital tank will help in dosing helpful meds if they become necessary. Hurt fish 101. Hospital tank. Clean filtered heated water. Observation. Aquarium salt for infection prevention and to aid in healing. You did exactly the right thing.

 

If you have better suggestions, please, jump right in. We welcome any and all suggestions.

I gave my suggestions. I'm just not automatically assuming the poor fish just took a wrong turn and ended up stuck in a decoration and that's the only possible explanation. There's information about possible fungus, white eyes, lost scales, and the information about someone stepping in to watch the fish, which often leads to problems. You can be dead certain there's nothing else wrong, and maybe that's correct, but I think it's jumping to conclusions. We have no idea what the water parameters are. If we find out that ammonia's off the charts will you still stick to your diagnosis of decorationitis?

I'm reacting to the phenomenon where any time there's a question about a potential problem with a fish, a bunch of people jump in with different diagnoses and recommended treatments when there's no way they can be certain of what the problem is. It's like everybody falls all over themselves to be the first with the diagnosis and recommended treatment plan. The problem is that there are few ailments where the diagnosis is cut and dried. If someone says their fish looks like someone sprinkled table salt on it, yes, you can say with confidence it's ich and can recommend a treatment method. If someone says their fish got stuck in a decoration and has trouble, you can't say with confidence what the problem is. You're taking wild guesses.

I'm not trying to belittle anyone's fish keeping knowledge. I've learned a lot on this forum. But, if you don't see the tendency for responses to dive into recommending treatment before there's any real evaluation of the symptoms and conditions, we must be looking at different posts. Put another way, I believe that treating for the wrong ailment is worse than not treating at all. To be more blunt about it, I think people should be more careful about recommending treatment when they don't have enough information to make a good guess at what the problem is.

Especially for newbies, and myself included, I believe that a study of the processes of diagnosing fish ailments through the process of elimination is going to do more good than making snap judgments and saying to grab this or that and dump it in to the tank.

 

I gave my suggestions. I'm just not automatically assuming the poor fish just took a wrong turn and ended up stuck in a decoration and that's the only possible explanation. There's information about possible fungus, white eyes, lost scales, and the information about someone stepping in to watch the fish, which often leads to problems. You can be dead certain there's nothing else wrong, and maybe that's correct, but I think it's jumping to conclusions. We have no idea what the water parameters are. If we find out that ammonia's off the charts will you still stick to your diagnosis of decorationitis?

I'm reacting to the phenomenon where any time there's a question about a potential problem with a fish, a bunch of people jump in with different diagnoses and recommended treatments when there's no way they can be certain of what the problem is. It's like everybody falls all over themselves to be the first with the diagnosis and recommended treatment plan. The problem is that there are few ailments where the diagnosis is cut and dried. If someone says their fish looks like someone sprinkled table salt on it, yes, you can say with confidence it's ich and can recommend a treatment method. If someone says their fish got stuck in a decoration and has trouble, you can't say with confidence what the problem is. You're taking wild guesses.

I'm not trying to belittle anyone's fish keeping knowledge. I've learned a lot on this forum. But, if you don't see the tendency for responses to dive into recommending treatment before there's any real evaluation of the symptoms and conditions, we must be looking at different posts. Put another way, I believe that treating for the wrong ailment is worse than not treating at all. To be more blunt about it, I think people should be more careful about recommending treatment when they don't have enough information to make a good guess at what the problem is.

Especially for newbies, and myself included, I believe that a study of the processes of diagnosing fish ailments through the process of elimination is going to do more good than making snap judgments and saying to grab this or that and dump it in to the tank.

You obviously have a HUGE chip on your shoulder and why, I don't know. That is your problem though. We are trying to help this person and her fish out. As far as treatments, there are 2 of us offering suggestions and we are offering the SAME suggestion so nothing confusing there. No one claims to be an aquatic vet here. We wish we had some but we don't. Therefore, we work off of experience and what worked for us. You are mouthing but offering no suggestions. When you can do better, please speak up. Again, we would love any help we can get. Until then, most of us on here have to work from experience. I'm sorry if you disagree.

 

PinkH. I'm sorry for the interruptions. If you will get the salt and begin the treatment as Gypsy13 advised, I think your fish will be fine. Gypsy has walked me through a couple of tough issues and my fish are all the better for it. She can be trusted and most people on here look to her as a resource. Please keep us posted as to how your fish is doing. Best of luck!

 

I gave my suggestions. I'm just not automatically assuming the poor fish just took a wrong turn and ended up stuck in a decoration and that's the only possible explanation. There's information about possible fungus, white eyes, lost scales, and the information about someone stepping in to watch the fish, which often leads to problems. You can be dead certain there's nothing else wrong, and maybe that's correct, but I think it's jumping to conclusions. We have no idea what the water parameters are. If we find out that ammonia's off the charts will you still stick to your diagnosis of decorationitis?

I'm reacting to the phenomenon where any time there's a question about a potential problem with a fish, a bunch of people jump in with different diagnoses and recommended treatments when there's no way they can be certain of what the problem is. It's like everybody falls all over themselves to be the first with the diagnosis and recommended treatment plan. The problem is that there are few ailments where the diagnosis is cut and dried. If someone says their fish looks like someone sprinkled table salt on it, yes, you can say with confidence it's ich and can recommend a treatment method. If someone says their fish got stuck in a decoration and has trouble, you can't say with confidence what the problem is. You're taking wild guesses.

I'm not trying to belittle anyone's fish keeping knowledge. I've learned a lot on this forum. But, if you don't see the tendency for responses to dive into recommending treatment before there's any real evaluation of the symptoms and conditions, we must be looking at different posts. Put another way, I believe that treating for the wrong ailment is worse than not treating at all. To be more blunt about it, I think people should be more careful about recommending treatment when they don't have enough information to make a good guess at what the problem is.

Especially for newbies, and myself included, I believe that a study of the processes of diagnosing fish ailments through the process of elimination is going to do more good than making snap judgments and saying to grab this or that and dump it in to the tank.

In the majority of cases, people will come back and thank our forum for their experience and knowledge. We get many reports of fish improving and recuperating after following a memebers advice. All we have to work with is experience and what worked for us. That's the best we can offer.

 

thank you much for all of your guy's help. Ive done my reasearch before and watch plenty of videos while I had my fish (for a year and a half) just in case something like this happened, but of course this looks alittle different that what Ive seen, so I needed some suggestions and I am thankful. I will go today after work to buy the aquarium salt and hope for the best.

Thank you again all And will keep you guys updated

 

These are screenshots from the video that my parents sent me once they saw him. I wish I could sene you guys the video but its not letting me.

You guys can imagine the sadness I feel to see him like this.

 

I had one that rubbed himself down to raw meat...bleeding after being stuck in a decoration. He came back around and is doing fine now. I think his scales will grow back just fine. He may have some permanent vision loss from the abrasions on his eye. I hope not. Time will tell. Even if he does, fish do well with one eye.

 

Good news! His eye looks much better and he is eating now!

 

Wonderful. And the aquarium salt will aid him not hurt him as long as you follow the directions and dissolve it completely before adding. Do please keep us posted.

 

I gave my suggestions. I'm just not automatically assuming the poor fish just took a wrong turn and ended up stuck in a decoration and that's the only possible explanation. There's information about possible fungus, white eyes, lost scales, and the information about someone stepping in to watch the fish, which often leads to problems. You can be dead certain there's nothing else wrong, and maybe that's correct, but I think it's jumping to conclusions. We have no idea what the water parameters are. If we find out that ammonia's off the charts will you still stick to your diagnosis of decorationitis?

I'm reacting to the phenomenon where any time there's a question about a potential problem with a fish, a bunch of people jump in with different diagnoses and recommended treatments when there's no way they can be certain of what the problem is. It's like everybody falls all over themselves to be the first with the diagnosis and recommended treatment plan. The problem is that there are few ailments where the diagnosis is cut and dried. If someone says their fish looks like someone sprinkled table salt on it, yes, you can say with confidence it's ich and can recommend a treatment method. If someone says their fish got stuck in a decoration and has trouble, you can't say with confidence what the problem is. You're taking wild guesses.

I'm not trying to belittle anyone's fish keeping knowledge. I've learned a lot on this forum. But, if you don't see the tendency for responses to dive into recommending treatment before there's any real evaluation of the symptoms and conditions, we must be looking at different posts. Put another way, I believe that treating for the wrong ailment is worse than not treating at all. To be more blunt about it, I think people should be more careful about recommending treatment when they don't have enough information to make a good guess at what the problem is.

Especially for newbies, and myself included, I believe that a study of the processes of diagnosing fish ailments through the process of elimination is going to do more good than making snap judgments and saying to grab this or that and dump it in to the tank.

But you are trying to belittle others’ knowledge. You think because I answered a call for help I didn’t think long and hard before offering my suggestions? In case you hadn’t noticed, my suggestions would also help if it was ammonia or nitrite poisoning. But, I had pictures to guide me. I had the OP’s info to guide me. You didn’t see a single post recommending strong medications that could potentially harm this fish. I just think you need to step back and think about your willingness to assume facts not in evidence. This was an unanswered thread about goldfish. Which I’ve kept for over thirty years.
Please, don’t assume just because someone answers a plea for help that they do so without due deliberation. My first concern, as most of us on fishlore, is the health of the fish. But I’m also concerned for the person begging for help. Goldiemom is one of the kindest people I’ve met on fishlore. I could judge you on the tone of your posts but I won’t. I’ll keep an open mind. Help when you can. Take care. Peace.

 

I know one thing Gypsy13 and Goldiemom if I was having an issue I wouldn't even question what either of you advised. So op your in good hands.

 

I know one thing Gypsy13 and Goldiemom if I was having an issue I wouldn't even question what either of you advised. So op your in good hands.

As I wouldn’t question anything you advised. You’re an angel!

 

I know one thing Gypsy13 and Goldiemom if I was having an issue I wouldn't even question what either of you advised. So op your in good hands.

Awww, thanks David1978. You’re a sweetie!

 

UPDATE***

I finally moved yesterday to my new home and now I am able to take care of my fish myself. I bought the aquarium salt and added it yestedsay night. Before that I did a small water change because the water looked alittle cloudy. The PH level was good but the ammonia was high, I'm not sure if this is because I'm adding the salt or what but I put an ammonia reducer pill to see if it helps.

My fish looks the same hasnt really improved since las time. I will keep you guys updated.