Please help oranda goldfish red streak in tail

[orandalover123]

Hello everyone, I am a very new fish lover, and when I took this fish from someone, she already had the light red thing growing on the tail. I put her alone in a newly set up 29 gallon tank, fluval 307 canister filter, thinking about if I should get an air pump, and I did not get a light yet, need suggestions on those too. She has been in my tank for 4 to 5 days and the thing on the tail is growing bigger and turned more white. Could you please help me with this. The water test results are fine I guess, PH 7.6, high range PH 7.4, ammonia is 0.25 today, and nitrite and nitrate are all zeros still, added a lot of real plants, sand with one stone in it, someone gave me used filter sponge media and I put them in my tank. Tried 2 teaspoons of aquarium salt in one gallon water, put her in there for one minute last night, and didn't seem to work yet, but she is much more active after that salt bath. Don't know if this is the right treatment but I was told to do this for 4 more days, and if it does not work, I can move to bacteria treatment medicine.

Thank you for the advices.

 

[Og2treats]

What are the water parameters in your tank right now? Listless lethargic behavior is typically caused poor poor water conditions or parasites. Start with the water.

 

[orandalover123]

What are the water parameters in your tank right now? Listless lethargic behavior is typically caused poor poor water conditions or parasites. Start with the water.

Hi, thank you very much for the response. I just added the parameters and the descriptions.

 

[NotSoAggressiveAquatics]

Was your tank properly cycled using an ammonia source for around 4-6 weeks before the fish was added?

 

[Og2treats]

How long has your tank been up and running? Née tank syndrome is a possibility if it wasn’t cycled properly.

Hi, thank you very much for the response. I just added the parameters and the descriptions.

 

[mattgirl]

Welcome to Fishlore

Since your main concern is the spot on her tail fin, if the salt treatments don't take care of it instead of treating the water you may want to consider hydrogen peroxide dabbed directly on the spot.

It is great that you were able to get a seeded sponge. It should get this tank cycled quickly. Keep an eye on the ammonia level. If there was enough bacteria on the sponge you may never get an ammonia reading at all. If you start seeing nitrates within a week or so you will know there is enough bacteria on the sponge to take care of all the ammonia this little one is producing.

 

[orandalover123]

Was your tank properly cycled using an ammonia source for around 4-6 weeks before the fish was added?

No, it was not, I have to do fish in cycle maybe. I did use turbostarter 700 and conditioner, and changed water by 30 percent once already, and always the parameters are the same. I put very little food in and put some of the dirty water the fish came with in, and add plants and one stone, and the used sponge filter media someone gave me is in the tank too.

Welcome to Fishlore

Since your main concern is the spot on her tail fin, if the salt treatments don't take care of it instead of treating the water you may want to consider hydrogen peroxide dabbed directly on the spot.

It is great that you were able to get a seeded sponge. It should get this tank cycled quickly. Keep an eye on the ammonia level. If there was enough bacteria on the sponge you may never get an ammonia reading at all. If you start seeing nitrates within a week or so you will know there is enough bacteria on the sponge to take care of all the ammonia this little one is producing.

Do you know what is the right way to do salt bath? how much salt? Salt bath or salt in the whole tank?There are many ways people suggest to do. And I will try the hydrogen peroxide after 4 days, or should I start to do that now, together with salt bath.

How long has your tank been up and running? Née tank syndrome is a possibility if it wasn’t cycled properly.

The tank has been set up only for few days, unfortunately. I did not get time to do it before I pick her up for rehome.

 

[Nopsu]

Here is one nice guide for using salt to treat. Personally have only used this method on hospital and salt baths and never added any on my main tank

 

[NevermindIgnoreMe]

Along with the salt, I might try an apricot kernel feed in case of a tumor.

 

[orandalover123]

Aquarium Salt: When and How to Use It Properly
Here is one nice guide for using salt to treat. Personally have only used this method on hospital and salt baths and never added any on my main tank

this link is for fish to be in the salt water for 5 days, so it is a hospital tank?

Along with the salt, I might try an apricot kernel feed in case of a tumor.

I don't see where you can buy that

 

[NevermindIgnoreMe]

this link is for fish to be in the salt water for 5 days, so it is a hospital tank?

I don't see where you can buy that

You have to make it
Apricot kernel feed (for tumor treatment):
You'll need:
-A bowl of lukewarm (NOT hot) water
-Apricot kernal(s)
-Fish pellets
-Some thing to grind up the apricot kernel and pellets with i.e. mortar and pestle

Soak an apricot kernel in the water overnight. Grind into paste.Mix with equal parts ground pellet, and pack into a cube. Divide the cube into 3-4 parts, feed one cube per fish daily.
Tip: It is very bitter food, and fish don't like it very much. Make sure it's the only thing you feed him so he can't refuse. Also don't hear treat the apricot kernel in any way or it neutralizes the cancer killing properties.

 

[mattgirl]

No, it was not, I have to do fish in cycle maybe. I did use turbostarter 700 and conditioner, and changed water by 30 percent once already, and always the parameters are the same. I put very little food in and put some of the dirty water the fish came with in, and add plants and one stone, and the used sponge filter media someone gave me is in the tank too.

All of this should cycle this tank quickly so one less thing to be worrying about right now.

Do you know what is the right way to do salt bath? how much salt? Salt bath or salt in the whole tank?There are many ways people suggest to do. And I will try the hydrogen peroxide after 4 days, or should I start to do that now, together with salt bath.

I've never had to do it but if I was going to I would just add a low dose of salt to the main tank. I don't know it for a fact but I would think it would be a lot less stressful than removing her for salt baths. The stress may be more detrimental to her health than the spot on her fin. If after 3 or 4 days you are not seeing improvement then do the HP treatments.

Since this started out red and is now white I have to wonder if it was an infection but the infection is now gone and the white will soon either peal off or just fade away.

The tank has been set up only for few days, unfortunately. I did not get time to do it before I pick her up for rehome.

Please don't be overly concerned about this. since you added the bottled bacteria and also have a seeded sponge it should take care of the cycling process. Should you get an ammonia spike just water change the ammonia out.

 

[NevermindIgnoreMe]

For the salt, I'd do about one cup, dissolved in aquarium water before adding. To make it dissolve faster you can microwave the aquarium water. Make sure it's dissolved well.

 

[mattgirl]

For the salt, I'd do about one cup, dissolved in aquarium water before adding. To make it dissolve faster you can microwave the aquarium water. Make sure it's dissolved well.

A cup of salt? I have to think that would be way too much. Definitely want it dissolved first though.

 

[orandalover123]

Welcome to Fishlore

Since your main concern is the spot on her tail fin, if the salt treatments don't take care of it instead of treating the water you may want to consider hydrogen peroxide dabbed directly on the spot.

It is great that you were able to get a seeded sponge. It should get this tank cycled quickly. Keep an eye on the ammonia level. If there was enough bacteria on the sponge you may never get an ammonia reading at all. If you start seeing nitrates within a week or so you will know there is enough bacteria on the sponge to take care of all the ammonia this little one is producing.

I just checked and the ammonia is 0.25 now. What do I need to do?

 

[mattgirl]

I just checked and the ammonia is 0.25 now. What do I need to do?

.25 isn't critical. I wouldn't want to let it get any higher than that. If it goes up to .50 change out half the water to get it back down to .25. The seeded sponge should help keep the ammonia level down but keep a close eye on it to make sure it doesn't spike too high.

If you don't already have it I am going to recommend you get a bottle of Seachem Prime. It is first and foremost a water conditioner but also detoxes low levels of ammonia. I do want to ask. Did you add a water conditioner when you first set this tank up? Some folks aren't aware of it being necessary but if you have chlorine or chloramines in your tap water they have to be removed.

 

[orandalover123]

.25 isn't critical. I wouldn't want to let it get any higher than that. If it goes up to .50 change out half the water to get it back down to .25. The seeded sponge should help keep the ammonia level down but keep a close eye on it to make sure it doesn't spike too high.

If you don't already have it I am going to recommend you get a bottle of Seachem Prime. It is first and foremost a water conditioner but also detoxes low levels of ammonia. I do want to ask. Did you add a water conditioner when you first set this tank up? Some folks aren't aware of it being necessary but if you have chlorine or chloramines in your tap water they have to be removed.

Yes, I think if I keep trying to reduce ammonia to 0, then the cycling will never be done? I changed water on Saturday for 30 percent and can see both ammonia and nitrite at 0.25, so I put more conditioner and turbo starter in. I put conditioner and turbo starter in when I set up the tank too. But the one I am using is Fluvial Aqua Plus. Is that the same? Or do I have to use Seachem Prime? And someone said I should put in some Prime any time I see any ammonia. Should I put in some now? And in the future can I continue using my Fluvial aqua plus conditioner, or have to buy the Prime?

 

[mattgirl]

Yes, I think if I keep trying to reduce ammonia to 0, then the cycling will never be done?

I know that does seem to be true but you can never remove all of the ammonia simply because the fish are constantly producing more. There will be enough in there to grow the amount of bacteria needed to handle the bio-load of the tank.

I changed water on Saturday for 30 percent and can see both ammonia and nitrite at 0.25, so I put more conditioner and turbo starter in. I put conditioner and turbo starter in when I set up the tank too. But the one I am using is Fluvial Aqua Plus. Is that the same? Or do I have to use Seachem Prime? And someone said I should put in some Prime any time I see any ammonia. Should I put in some now? And in the future can I continue using my Fluvial aqua plus conditioner, or have to buy the Prime?

If your ammonia and nitrites go no higher than what you are seeing right now it isn't critical to use Prime. I use it simply because it takes so little of it to get the job done and always recommend it when there is a possibility of fish being harmed by high ammonia levels. If there is no ammonia, any of the many water conditioners including the one you are using will work just fine.

 

[Nopsu]

Yes, I think if I keep trying to reduce ammonia to 0, then the cycling will never be done? I changed water on Saturday for 30 percent and can see both ammonia and nitrite at 0.25, so I put more conditioner and turbo starter in. I put conditioner and turbo starter in when I set up the tank too. But the one I am using is Fluvial Aqua Plus. Is that the same? Or do I have to use Seachem Prime? And someone said I should put in some Prime any time I see any ammonia. Should I put in some now? And in the future can I continue using my Fluvial aqua plus conditioner, or have to buy the Prime?

Fluval Aqua Plus is fine, does the same just different brand. Water conditioners all do the basic action of bonding ammonia, chlorine, chloramine, heavy metals and other bad stuff into safe for fish form which will be broken up by your beneficial bacteria.

 

[mattgirl]

Fluval Aqua Plus is fine, does the same just different brand. Water conditioners all do the basic action of bonding ammonia, chlorine, chloramine, heavy metals and other bad stuff into safe for fish form which will be broken up by your beneficial bacteria.

Welcome to Fishlore

Not exactly the same thing. Granted they both remove chlorine, chloramines and some heavy metals but Prime goes one step farther and detoxes low levels of ammonia. It claims to also detox nitrites and nitrates but I'm not actually convinced that it does. I don't think most water conditioners bond/remove ammonia. I am more than willing to be proven wrong though

 

[Nopsu]

Welcome to Fishlore

Not exactly the same thing. Granted they both remove chlorine, chloramines and some heavy metals but Prime goes one step farther and detoxes low levels of ammonia. It claims to also detox nitrites and nitrates but I'm not actually convinced that it does. I don't think most water conditioners bond/remove ammonia. I am more than willing to be proven wrong though

Might be true actually, all conditioners I've used stated detoxing ammonia as well, currently I'm using Easy-Life Aquamaker . But after looking more closely into that Fluval one it does not seem to say so. My apologies on that ^^

 

[NevermindIgnoreMe]

Yes one cup of salt, if you're wanting to do a 0.3% concentration. 0.3% of ten gallons is 3.84 fluid ounces which is 7.68 tablespoons, so that amount per ten gallons, then times 3 because it's a 29 gallons tank is about 22-23 tablespoons. A little over a cup, and I rounded down! You could always do less, maybe 3/4-1/2. Goldfish can handle up to three times that amount, though I certainly wouldn't recommend it. This is the usual treatment dosage for goldfish.

 

[Kaity]

Along with the salt, I might try an apricot kernel feed in case of a tumor.

Amazing tidbit hidden here. Thank you I had never heard of this so I did some digging and I found the following article in case anyone is interested. Again thank you nevermindignoreme for teaching me something new.

(PDF) Effect of Apricot Kernel Oil on Serum Response of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

 

[orandalover123]

Aquarium Salt: When and How to Use It Properly
Here is one nice guide for using salt to treat. Personally have only used this method on hospital and salt baths and never added any on my main tank

After last night I put her in one gallon water of 1 teaspoon salt, for 23 minutes, the area turned back to red but the size didn’t become small. This is a good or bad sign, what else I should do? Continue salt bath or put bath in tank or something else?

Yes one cup of salt, if you're wanting to do a 0.3% concentration. 0.3% of ten gallons is 3.84 fluid ounces which is 7.68 tablespoons, so that amount per ten gallons, then times 3 because it's a 29 gallons tank is about 22-23 tablespoons. A little over a cup, and I rounded down! You could always do less, maybe 3/4-1/2. Goldfish can handle up to three times that amount, though I certainly wouldn't recommend it. This is the usual treatment dosage for goldfish.

After last night I put her in one gallon water of 1 teaspoon salt, for 23 minutes, the area turned back to red but the size didn’t become small. This is a good or bad sign, what else I should do? Continue salt bath or put bath in tank or something else?

Welcome to Fishlore

Not exactly the same thing. Granted they both remove chlorine, chloramines and some heavy metals but Prime goes one step farther and detoxes low levels of ammonia. It claims to also detox nitrites and nitrates but I'm not actually convinced that it does. I don't think most water conditioners bond/remove ammonia. I am more than willing to be proven wrong though

Thank you. I will use prime. After last night I put her in one gallon water of 1 teaspoon salt, for 23 minutes, the area turned back to red but the size didn’t become small. This is a good or bad sign, what else I should do? Continue salt bath or put bath in tank or something else?

What are the water parameters in your tank right now? Listless lethargic behavior is typically caused poor poor water conditions or parasites. Start with the water.

The tank is cycled now. I checked the numbers. After last night I put her in one gallon water of 1 teaspoon salt, for 23 minutes, the area turned back to red but the size didn’t become small. This is a good or bad sign, what else I should do? Continue salt bath or put bath in tank or something else?

Was your tank properly cycled using an ammonia source for around 4-6 weeks before the fish was added?

The tank is cycled now. I checked the numbers. But after last night I put her in one gallon water of 1 teaspoon salt, for 23 minutes, the area turned back to red but the size didn’t become small. This is a good or bad sign, what else I should do? Continue salt bath or put bath in tank or something else?

 

[NevermindIgnoreMe]

After last night I put her in one gallon water of 1 teaspoon salt, for 23 minutes, the area turned back to red but the size didn’t become small. This is a good or bad sign, what else I should do? Continue salt bath or put bath in tank or something else?

After last night I put her in one gallon water of 1 teaspoon salt, for 23 minutes, the area turned back to red but the size didn’t become small. This is a good or bad sign, what else I should do? Continue salt bath or put bath in tank or something else?

Thank you. I will use prime. After last night I put her in one gallon water of 1 teaspoon salt, for 23 minutes, the area turned back to red but the size didn’t become small. This is a good or bad sign, what else I should do? Continue salt bath or put bath in tank or something else?

The tank is cycled now. I checked the numbers. After last night I put her in one gallon water of 1 teaspoon salt, for 23 minutes, the area turned back to red but the size didn’t become small. This is a good or bad sign, what else I should do? Continue salt bath or put bath in tank or something else?

The tank is cycled now. I checked the numbers. But after last night I put her in one gallon water of 1 teaspoon salt, for 23 minutes, the area turned back to red but the size didn’t become small. This is a good or bad sign, what else I should do? Continue salt bath or put bath in tank or something else?

I would either
a) Use a quarantine tank type setup in a bucket/sterilite bin/container ect.
or
b) Take out the plants and use the tank she's in now as the quarantine tank, and follow the directions I've provided for salt dosage, she's a new fish and could use a quarantine salt treatment anyway. Never know what the stress could let get hold of her.

 

[orandalover123]

I would either
a) Use a quarantine tank type setup in a bucket/sterilite bin/container ect.
or
b) Take out the plants and use the tank she's in now as the quarantine tank, and follow the directions I've provided for salt dosage, she's a new fish and could use a quarantine salt treatment anyway. Never know what the stress could let get hold of her.

I don't have any other fish, so I guess b) is good. But I don't know if I should add salt into tank, or continue salt bath for 30 minutes daily. I guess we should not use the medicine yet? The fish can heal itself?

 

[NevermindIgnoreMe]

I don't have any other fish, so I guess b) is good. But I don't know if I should add salt into tank, or continue salt bath for 30 minutes daily. I guess we should not use the medicine yet? The fish can heal itself?

What do you mean medicine? Like over the counter fish antibiotics or somethings along those lines? No, I wouldn't use those. Apricot kernel feed should be relatively cheap and easy, and shouldn't cause a lot of immune system comprising stress like most medications do, so that would be something I would go for. If that feed doesn't work, there shouldn't be long term, damaging consequences, and you wouldn't have wasted a bunch of money on it.

Using salt in the tank is better than short baths IMHO because it is a lot less stress for the fish, and less stress=better immune system=better healing.

 

[orandalover123]

What do you mean medicine? Like over the counter fish antibiotics or somethings along those lines? No, I wouldn't use those. Apricot kernel feed should be relatively cheap and easy, and shouldn't cause a lot of immune system comprising stress like most medications do, so that would be something I would go for. If that feed doesn't work, there shouldn't be long term, damaging consequences, and you wouldn't have wasted a bunch of money on it.

Using salt in the tank is better than short baths IMHO because it is a lot less stress for the fish, and less stress=better immune system=better healing.

Hi, I am using prazipro now but it has been 3 days and still don't see any improvements. Should I put aquarium salt in, and should I start to use erythromycin or I should use maraycin 2?

 

[NevermindIgnoreMe]

Hi, I am using prazipro now but it has been 3 days and still don't see any improvements. Should I put aquarium salt in, and should I start to use erythromycin or I should use maraycin 2?

Prazipro is not made to treat tumors, and I highly doubt it would help. I would definitely recommend stopping prazipro as it's not going to help, and only using the salt and apricot feed over any other medication right now unless it's prescribed by a vet. No other meds I know will help either, including erythromycin or maraycin 2.

 

[orandalover123]

Prazipro is not made to treat tumors, and I highly doubt it would help. I would definitely recommend stopping prazipro as it's not going to help, and only using the salt and apricot feed over any other medication right now unless it's prescribed by a vet. No other meds I know will help either, including erythromycin or maraycin 2.

hi, that thing is very soft swelling and you can see purple/red blood in it and some white liquid thing in it, it’s not a hard tumor. And the status of it kept changing. I thought tumor never changed size and color and shape? So do you think this is tumor still?

 

[NevermindIgnoreMe]

hi, that thing is very soft swelling and you can see purple/red blood in it and some white liquid thing in it, it’s not a hard tumor. And the status of it kept changing. I thought tumor never changed size and color and shape? So do you think this is tumor still?

Hm. Maybe not, with the presence of pus. I've never heard of goldfish getting an infection (?) like this before. I personally still might do the apricot kernel treatment, but you may just want to stick to the salt. That's usually a pretty good general treatment that isn't too hard on the fish. I'd also lessen the treatment to 1/2 cup.

Also is it hard?

You don't want to dump any strong meds in there if you don't know what needs treated. It's usually better to use clean water and wait it out if the fish isn't dying of it and you don't really know what it is or what the cause is.

 

[orandalover123]

Hm. Maybe not, with the presence of pus. I've never heard of goldfish getting an infection (?) like this before. I personally still might do the apricot kernel treatment, but you may just want to stick to the salt. That's usually a pretty good general treatment that isn't too hard on the fish. I'd also lessen the treatment to 1/2 cup.

Also is it hard?

You don't want to dump any strong meds in there if you don't know what needs treated. It's usually better to use clean water and wait it out if the fish isn't dying of it and you don't really know what it is or what the cause is.

Thank you for apricot kernel treatment but this fish is not eating anything, might even starve to death, and she won't eat apricot kernel if it is not tasty. I don't know the cause and the fish looks active but the swelling thing is not getting better, more purple with more blood. So I might have to try salt first then strong medicine?

 

[NevermindIgnoreMe]

Thank you for apricot kernel treatment but this fish is not eating anything, might even starve to death, and she won't eat apricot kernel if it is not tasty. I don't know the cause and the fish looks active but the swelling thing is not getting better, more purple with more blood. So I might have to try salt first then strong medicine?

I would start the salt if you haven't already. It helps keep a good balance of body fluids, and may help with the swelling.
I agree with you there, if she's not eating, trying to introduce such a bitter food will be all the harder. She'll need her strength to fight of this infection, apricot food or no. To encourage the fish to eat, you can use garlic to flavor it. Fish like garlic as much as we do lol! I just soak the fish food in a little bottle cap or something with a bit of tank water and garlic.
I would NOT use strong medicine as a last resort until you know you need it. Often it's like chemo therapy to a fish and sometimes even does more harm than good by stressing them and lowering their immune system. We do not know the cause of this yet, so it's probably going to be better to wait on that.