Advice for fighting either ich or velvet?

[Goldiegupp]

Alrighty Everyone!

Finally figured out whats wrong with my goldfish. I think. It's narrowed down to either ich or velvet. The gills of my red cap oranda are slightly yellowed, not their original whiter color.

Does anyone have any suggestions for at-home treatments using salt, etc.? I'd rather not use any medications containing malechite green because my chemical detoxifier can mess it up.

Thanks everybody for any help.

 

[littletankbigworld]

Well, sorry to say, the first step to healing your fish is to place both of your goldfish together in a 40 gallon or larger tank. They cannot heal in such a small space, especially when they are kept with tropical fish like bettas. Goldfish are coldwater fish and do not require a heater like bettas do. The reason they need to be in a large tank is because goldfish grow to be 8 to 12 inches long. They produce a lot of waste and require a filter that is 3 times more powerful than what similar-sized fish require. Sadly, your fish will not likely recover in a 10 gallon tank. I would send both goldfish back to the store if you are unable to purchase and cycle at least a 40 gallon tank.

 

[littletankbigworld]

Oops. I misread your signature. I thought that the bettas were in the 10 gallon tank as well. Regardless, you still need a larger tank.

 

[Goldiegupp]

Yes, I know. I get alot of grief for that. However I think there must be something I can do in the mean time?? Sending the goldfish back however is not an option. I've had them in the tank for at least 8 months...

I added a larger concentration of salt to the tank because that was recommended for both diseases. She seems to be improving a bit, I just would like to know how to tell the difference between the two.

 

[littletankbigworld]

This explains the difference between ich and velvet.

Freshwater Fish Disease

I know you explained that you want to upgrade your tanks slowly, and I wish you luck with that, but your fish probably have ammonia poisoning and will be have their life spans shortened significantly. I would place all three fish on craigslist, and start over with a nice 10 gallon tropical fish tank. You can change the water often in the mean time. Sadly, there is not much you can do in a tank that small. If I were you, I would be changing the water daily or every other day. What are your readings for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate?

 

[Goldiegupp]

Thank you for the link.

My reading for ammonia is 0, nitrite 0, and nitrate is 0. In other words everything as far as water quality is perfect...as far as I can tell.

Fortunately my fish have all recovered from any sign of ich. The flashing and rubbing has stopped completely, and there is not even a trace of white spots.

I plan on upgrading to either a 30 or 40 gallon tank this coming September. That should be a sufficient ammount of space for them. Do you think they could hang on until then without any stunted growth?

 

[OrangeCones]

My reading for ammonia is 0, nitrite 0, and nitrate is 0. In other words everything as far as water quality is perfect...as far as I can tell.

What test kit are you using to get these zero readings?

Unless you are doing 100% water changes daily, I strongly suggest that your kit is out of date or the directions for taking the tests are not being accurately followed. Those readings indicate that the tank has just been set up with no fish in it yet.

Just my 2cents.
OC

 

[littletankbigworld]

Those readings show that your test kit is expired/inaccurate and your tank is not cycled. 60 gallons is the bare minimum for three goldfish. You can keep two goldfish in a 40 gallon tank, but three is pushing it, unless you plan on upgrading again. Personally, if you could get rid of one fish, and keep two in the 40 gallon with a very strong filter, you could have a really great tank and not have to constantly change the water or worry about stunted growth. You can't tell if fish experience stunted growth until it's too late.