Oranda NOW loosing scales and there’s blood

Well he lost 2 just today and where the scales were there’s like bloody patches
but anyone who’s been following this knows just this month he had hemorrhage under the skin on his face and a cut on his face and now this with NO decor. Well I found out he loves to turn very slowly on his side on the surface of the sand he’s not flashing. It looks like flashing but very slowed down and he doesn’t do it that often. PLEASE HELP should I add melafix or salt?! I promise I’m not making this stuff up

AMMONIA 0
NITRITE 0
NITRATE 40+ ppm
im doing a 50% wc right now

 

Sorry, all I know is that 40+ ppm is too high. Doing a water change is pretty good, but you might want to clean the filter too.

 

Sorry, all I know is that 40+ ppm is too high. Doing a water change is pretty good, but you might want to clean the filter too.

I did the filter was clean but I gave the sponge a squeeze in tank water
Do you think the high nitrates had anything to do with it?

 

I’m not sure, but the Nitrates weren’t helping tho.

 

I’m not sure, but the Nitrates weren’t helping tho.

Ya i know I really need to start making a habit to change water more often

 

I guess my question is it seems like when he scrapes across the sand he’s getting injured so should I remove most if not all the sand even though he likes sifting through it
Example of him doing it again very slowly I guess to change direction

 

I’m not sure. Is the sand the only thing that can injure him?

 

I doubt 40 ppm on nitrates is a concern for a goldfish. Keeping it below that would be optimal though.

Something else is likely wrong with the fish for it to be doing this scraping behaviour.

 

I’m not sure. Is the sand the only thing that can injure him?

there’s sand,a sponge filter and a squidward house but that’s all smooth

I doubt 40 ppm on nitrates is a concern for a goldfish. Keeping it below that would be optimal though.

Something else is likely wrong with the fish for it to be doing this scraping behaviour.

I posted something a long time ago about the behavior and someone (who knows if they were right Lol) said that there goldfish has been doing it all there life
And that it’s normal
There’s also a hob filter with a little intake tube but that’s like almost at the surface
And buttercups been doing the scraping behavior simce I got him

 

There’s also a hob filter with a little intake tube but that’s like almost at the surface

I am going to recommend you add an extension to the intake tube so it is pulling water from closer to the bottom of the tank. You don't want it low enough to pull sand in the filter as it will chew up the impeller but you do need to be pulling water from the lower part of the tank.

What you are seeing is not normal for a goldfish or any fish. Something is irritating this little guys skin.

I will recommend you keep up with water changes. Change out no less than 50% of the water weekly. For right now though I would lengthen the intake tube and I would be doing a water change daily until this scraping against the sand has stopped.

I don't normally get into stocking but this tank looks too small for this fish. Waste is going to build up quickly so water changes are even more critical. Photos can be deceiving so I will ask, what size is it.

 

I am going to recommend you add an extension to the intake tube so it is pulling water from closer to the bottom of the tank. You don't want it low enough to pull sand in the filter as it will chew up the impeller but you do need to be pulling water from the lower part of the tank.

What you are seeing is not normal for a goldfish or any fish. Something is irritating this little guys skin.

I will recommend you keep up with water changes. Change out no less than 50% of the water weekly. For right now though I would lengthen the intake tube and I would be doing a water change daily until this scraping against the sand has stopped.

I don't normally get into stocking but this tank looks too small for this fish. Waste is going to build up quickly so water changes are even more critical. Photos can be deceiving so I will ask, what size is it.

Ok thankyou I’ll do anything for my cute little buttercup and also I asked for a 40 gal this Christmas and if I don’t get it I’ll just buy it myself

 

Ok thankyou I’ll do anything for my cute little buttercup and also I asked for a 40 gal this Christmas and if I don’t get it I’ll just buy it myself

I do hope your Christmas wish comes true. I fear this little one will continue having problems until it is moved to a suitably sized tank. Until that happens big water changes, possibly more than once a week, will need to be done.

 

Nitrates are high but goldfish are very hardy, i doubt that's the problem. How long have you had the fish? Does he possibly have ick [small white spots]? Are you using a dechlorinator when you do water changes? Tank size?

 

Im not trying to ask too many questions or question your knowledge but if he’s been doing this behavior for months wouldnt that rule out flukes or ich?

Nitrates are high but goldfish are very hardy, i doubt that's the problem. How long have you had the fish? Does he possibly have ick [small white spots]? Are you using a dechlorinator when you do water changes? Tank size?

1 year and I don’t think it’s ich and yes I use prime and 20 gal

 

I've only read the posts on this thread i'm unfamiliar with how long this has been going on. Unless you are sure what your dealing with i wouldn't rule out anything. Has he been sick and displayed this behavior long? My reason for thinking nitrates aren't the problem is i've has tanks [both tropical and saltwater] with nitrates over 100 and the fish were fine. The fact that nitrates are high means you have to address that, if it solves B/C's problem great i hope i'm wrong. I just don't know anything aside from parasites that would cause a scratching behavior.

 

I've only read the posts on this thread i'm unfamiliar with how long this has been going on. Unless you are sure what your dealing with i wouldn't rule out anything. Has he been sick and displayed this behavior long? My reason for thinking nitrates aren't the problem is i've has tanks [both tropical and saltwater] with nitrates over 100 and the fish were fine. The fact that nitrates are high means you have to address that, if it solves B/C's problem great i hope i'm wrong. I just don't know anything aside from parasites that would cause a scratching behavior.

It’s been going on for months should I put in some paragaurd or prazipro?
Guys I had to do a 98% wc just now I filled it back up with primed water and I kept the sand wet and the sponge filter and my hob media cause there was mold under the tank (it’s not leaking we can’t figure it out anyways lol) so my dad made me move my tank. Right now it’s heating up from 50 f because we have a water softener EXCEPT for the cold water I have no idea why so will buttercup be ok if I put him back in the tank? Like cycle wise

 

I hate to add meds if i'm not sure what i'm dealing with, it can stress the fish even more. Your comment about it can't be flukes or ick because because it's going on for so long got me thinking. Normally that's true the fish are usually recovered or dead by that point. Goldfish are so hardy they may be able to hang on with a serious issue. How's his general condition? Does he eat well [goldfish are pigs]? is he laying on the bottom a lot or is he swimming normally most of the time? I would see how he does with the big water change. Your parameters should be perfect now. If he continues to have problems i would try treating with Paraguard or a similar med. Your mold problem could be caused by some water splashing from the filter. Make sure the top covers leave very little area for water to splash out. Also be careful not to spill and water doing water changes. Edit to add your cycle shouldn't be affected by the water change as soon as it gets to @70 it should be ok.

 

I hate to add meds if i'm not sure what i'm dealing with, it can stress the fish even more. Your comment about it can't be flukes or ick because because it's going on for so long got me thinking. Normally that's true the fish are usually recovered or dead by that point. Goldfish are so hardy they may be able to hang on with a serious issue. How's his general condition? Does he eat well [goldfish are pigs]? is he laying on the bottom a lot or is he swimming normally most of the time? I would see how he does with the big water change. Your parameters should be perfect now. If he continues to have problems i would try treating with Paraguard or a similar med. Your mold problem could be caused by some water splashing from the filter. Make sure the top covers leave very little area for water to splash out. Also be careful not to spill and water doing water changes. Edit to add your cycle shouldn't be affected by the water change as soon as it gets to @70 it should be ok.

he acts fine and he eats a ton (healthy amount lol) but now that he’s in a bag acclimating he lost even more scales earlier today cause there not in the bag the bucket had only a sponge filter in it
There missing in a small area

 

He’s not pineconing or anything

 

Hi,

After reading the thread and seeing the pics of Buttercup, I think that I would stop the melafix, and do aquarium salt treatments. It will help him to produce a better slime coat, and help those areas of missing scales heal as well as help to prevent infection. (1 tablespoon for every 2 gallons, and change about 25 to 30% of the tank water every 3 days or so for a little while).

As always, I just love that fish!!!!