Pink patches on white goldfish - is he going to be okay?!

I've had a 25lr tank set up for a few months now, which contained one goldfish which I added when the tank was up and running healthily. I have some small plants and a snail, and everthing was going really great up until recently. I bought a white goldfish just over a week ago and added to it my tank, which already had one other goldfish. Soon after there was an ammonia spike, despite the fact that I keep up with regular water changes. My first goldfish died, my new goldfish seems to be very lively and not at all affected in a similar way. The old goldfish was a Black Moor, I'm fairly sure his death was a result of the ammonia etc as he was gasping and didn't seem to have any obvious physical abnormalities. I've increased water changes in the hope of sorting this asap. However toward the back of my new goldfish's body on one side a pink patch has appeared, and a small red mark in the tail, which was not present before. I am really concerned that it may be septicemia. Any help would be desperately appreciated, after losing the last fish I am horrified at the idea of losing this guy. I've tried to attach some photos but apologies they are pretty bad quality as he's incredibly lively and I couldn't focus the camera on him.

 

25 liters? So approx. 6 gallons? I just want to clarify....

I am sorry you lost your black moor :-( If the tank is 6 gallons, you will have a very hard time keeping the ammonia down and keeping the water stable. A tank that size is really not suited for any kind of goldfish. Mostly just bettas or inverts unfortunately.

 

I bought the tank at Pets at home and was told that I could have two goldfish and a pleco, they reckoned an individual goldfish would only need ten litres, but I've seen a lot recently about how their advice isn't great. I don't have much money so a bigger tank isn't an option for me right now, however I did invest in a much better filter in the hope that that would make it a little better for the current residents. I'm not sure if I should take the fish back to the shop so he can have a better chance and start again with bettas or something, I'm concerned that if the current goldfish does have something like septicemia it'll also stay in the tank and infect future pets?

 

I bought the tank at Pets at home and was told that I could have two goldfish and a pleco, they reckoned an individual goldfish would only need ten litres, but I've seen a lot recently about how their advice isn't great. I don't have much money so a bigger tank isn't an option for me right now, however I did invest in a much better filter in the hope that that would make it a little better for the current residents. I'm not sure if I should take the fish back to the shop so he can have a better chance and start again with bettas or something, I'm concerned that if the current goldfish does have something like septicemia it'll also stay in the tank and infect future pets?

You didn't get a pleco did you?
I can't believe they would tell you such a thing!!!

I do think with a tank your size (approx. 6 gallons) that the best thing to do would be to bring the fish back. I am not familiar with the illness part of it, but I would probably take the tank down and clean it and the filter really good and start from scratch. Just to be safe.

I hate to be the barer of bad news....but plecos and goldfish are some of the last choices that should be put in a tank that size. It just blows me away how irresponsible pet stores can be sometimes.

They didn't just say you can keep one goldfish in your 6 gallon tank (would would be bad enough!!!)...they said TWO goldfish AND A PLECO? wow. I am really sorry that you were provided with such terrible advice!

 

I did and I was really attached to the little guy! It's horrific that all of this has happened and I really don't want to be flushing another one down the toilet because its pretty upsetting and such a waste of their poor lives! Thank you for your advice, you've been really helpful. Considering the size of my tank if I was to get a betta fish do you know if I'd be able to get more than one? My sister has the same tank as me now as she once bought a 15lr bio-orb which was disasterous, and now has three minnows and two platys, who seem to be happy and healthy. I'm now also wondering if that's also overcrowding?

 

I know it's all about selling but why would people flat out lie like that knowing the fish he recommended would not survive. "The almighty buck" Sometime a retailer will tell you something that they believe and it's an honest mistake but something like this is amazing.

It's like my Daughter who insisted on buying a car by herself and believing everything the salesman said. I don't need to go any further. My point is they see young people go to the LFS or Petco/Petsmart whatever and actually look to take advantage. Some advice for young people who one day will look to buy a car you negotiate from the invoice up (that you get from consumers report for a small fee) not from the sticker down. When they ask what do you want to pay a month tell them non of your business and have your paper work in your hand and don't be afraid to walk. Okay enough on that back on point.

My guy at the LFS actually gets a commision for every 15k a month in sales he gets $500 which is pretty good because of what he's paid. So do you think he won't lie to you. I never paid full price on anything I buy there they cry but they know I'll walk but kids are kids and this place has a lot. The people who get taken have to take some responsibility also the world is tough so be touger be reasonable but be tougher. Okay I'm finished with young people teaching.

 

I did and I was really attached to the little guy! It's horrific that all of this has happened and I really don't want to be flushing another one down the toilet because its pretty upsetting and such a waste of their poor lives! Thank you for your advice, you've been really helpful. Considering the size of my tank if I was to get a betta fish do you know if I'd be able to get more than one? My sister has the same tank as me now as she once bought a 15lr bio-orb which was disasterous, and now has three minnows and two platys, who seem to be happy and healthy. I'm now also wondering if that's also overcrowding?

Can you bring the pleco back to the store? You shouldn't be flushing him, especially if he is still alive!! :-(

I feel your pain. It makes me so sad when fish stores give such horrible advice and then people fall in love with their fish and then their fish die, or get ill or they have to rehome them because they are too big. But all they care about is making a sale!!!

As for bettas, the pretty/colorful ones that you typically see at the stores are males and they can't be kept together with other bettas. Some people might take a tank your size and put a divider in it to keep two bettas together....I don't have much experience with bettas, so I will leave that up to other's to advise you....I believe the rules are slightly different with female bettas.

 

Can you bring the pleco back to the store? You shouldn't be flushing him, especially if he is still alive!! :-(

I feel your pain. It makes me so sad when fish stores give such horrible advice and then people fall in love with their fish and then their fish die, or get ill or they have to rehome them because they are too big. But all they care about is making a sale!!!

As for bettas, the pretty/colorful ones that you typically see at the stores are males and they can't be kept together with other bettas. Some people might take a tank your size and put a divider in it to keep two bettas together....I don't have much experience with bettas, so I will leave that up to other's to advise you....I believe the rules are slightly different with female bettas.

I agree get your money back and give the fish a chance at living in a diffrent aquarium! I am blowln away by some of these stories of big box stores. It's all about money with those people

 

I did and I was really attached to the little guy! It's horrific that all of this has happened and I really don't want to be flushing another one down the toilet because its pretty upsetting and such a waste of their poor lives! Thank you for your advice, you've been really helpful. Considering the size of my tank if I was to get a betta fish do you know if I'd be able to get more than one? My sister has the same tank as me now as she once bought a 15lr bio-orb which was disasterous, and now has three minnows and two platys, who seem to be happy and healthy. I'm now also wondering if that's also overcrowding?

According to your post you flush live fish down the toilet you shouldn't be flushing anything dead or alive. I can't believe someone hasn't said anything about this. What good does it do not telling these people when they do something as unbelievable as flushing a live fish down a toilet and then says it's upsetting. .

 

According to your post you flush live fish down the toilet you shouldn't be flushing anything dead or alive. I can't believe someone hasn't said anything about this. What good does it do not telling these people when they do something as unbelievable as flushing a live fish down a toilet and then says it's upsetting.

well technically I did mention that the OP should not be flushing a fish ESPECIALLY if it is alive. That was my simple way of saying....don't flush a fish, dead or alive.

Honestly.... I didn't want to assume the OP was flushing them live. But if the OP is flushing them live, then yes, that isn't a nice thing to do AT ALL. Most fish stores will take fish from anyone. Sometimes even for store credit....

 

well technically I did mention that the OP should not be flushing a fish ESPECIALLY if it is alive. That was my simple way of saying....don't flush a fish, dead or alive.

Honestly.... I didn't want to assume the OP was flushing them live. But if the OP is flushing them live, then yes, that isn't a nice thing to do AT ALL. Most fish stores will take fish from anyone. Sometimes even for store credit....

I'm sorry but I'm from a different Generation and sometimes you have to be a lot stronger in your message if it's something like that. I'm not blaming anyone for not being stronger but certain things just need to be said. Life regardless if it's fish or a frog or even your pet rat they all deserve the best you can give them and if you don't believe then move on to something else.

Yes Lucy or Coradee I'm done with this topic.

 

I'm sorry but I'm from a different Generation and sometimes you have to be a lot stronger in your message if it's something like that. I'm not blaming anyone for not being stronger but certain things just need to be said. Life regardless if it's fish or a frog or even your pet rat they all deserve the best you can give them and if you don't believe then move on to something else.

Yes Lucy or Coradee I'm done with this topic.

You don't know how old I am....so how can you say that?

I chose not to be more blunt because I wanted more info before jumping down the OPs throat. That's all.

 

I’ll just confirm that the pleco was definitely dead… I would never flush a live fish down the toilet, I loved the poor thing! I considered burying him but I don’t have a garden and it seems a little odd to bury him in a plant pot, so I opted for the toilet. Can someone please explain the issue with flushing dead fish down the toilet? I suppose if it were to happen again I’d opt for the bin then. I was suggested to flush the guy by my family, and also I don’t particularly appreciate being referred to as ‘these people’ as if I am stupid, I was only acting on the advice of what I assumed were qualified professionals, although clearly by the response that’s not the case.

 

I’ll just confirm that the pleco was definitely dead… I would never flush a live fish down the toilet, I loved the poor thing! .

Which is EXACTLY why I personally chose not to make any assumptions! I did not want to ASSUME you flushed him live because...you know what happens when people assume!!

The flushing them dead thing is, if I understand correctly, because it can end up ultimately causing harm to wild fish......I don't really know, I just know you aren't supposed to do it. I planted my last fish in a pot with a nice pothos plant. Now it is his little memorial.

 

I appreciate that, thanks. As far as I was concerned I as looking after my fish well, and I came to this group for help when problems began to arise and I began to understand the situation. To the helpful people so far, including yourself bizaliz3, thank you, I do care for creatures and took their deaths to heart, which is also why I am here.

 

He was dead all along I promise! Sorry for not mentioning it and thanks for hearing me out! Also the memorial is a lovely idea, I wish I'd actually done that now!

 

He was dead all along I promise! Sorry for not mentioning it and thanks for hearing me out! Also the memorial is a lovely idea, I wish I'd actually done that now!

Well I hope you stick around. Fishlore is a wonderful community with many friendly helpful people!

I got the memorial idea from someone here on fishlore. It was a great idea and I am glad I was given the idea!!

 

I cleaned up this thread a little.

I want to remind everyone that at FishLore we do not "jump down people's throats" about anything. We politely give our opinions and points of view.

I also want to say that I guess for some people, it's only alright to flush a dead fish down the toilet if you have eaten it first.

 

I just want to say welcome and to mention that many years ago, in one of my failed fishkeeping attempts, the pet store sold me a Common Pleco to clean the algae out of my 1 gallon betta bowl. You're not alone in being given bad advice x

Also, to say that bettas are awesome

 

Thanks guys! I'm still worried about my current goldfish having septicemia, I guess I'll return him as my tank is clearly not the best place for him! I suppose a betta it is then, but I think I'll take a little break first

 

Could it be velvet disease?

 

Just looked it up velvet disease doesn't quite look like it but thank you! After calling my local pet shop and describing the symptoms they advised I use Melafix, and I've looked up similar scenarios and it looks promising! I guess I'l hope for the best

 

Just looked it up velvet disease doesn't quite look like it but thank you! After calling my local pet shop and describing the symptoms they advised I use Melafix, and I've looked up similar scenarios and it looks promising! I guess I'l hope for the best

Hopefully that clears up the problem! It gets stressful taking care of sick fish.

 

sadly he died last night, although honestly the medication seemed to be clearing up all external injuries! I'm going to empty my tank, cycle it and eventually start all over again! Thanks for all the help honestly

 

Sorry to hear that