Fin rot AND intestinal/internal parasites?

[vo1umeone]

So here it is. I know, I post quite a lot on here. But I've been having this slowly developing problem with my goldfish. First it started with the ryukin a few months ago. He was always getting constipated and had bubbles in his poo, so I fed them some peas and other vegetables like corn and celery and carrots.

Then, his poo started getting clear and stringy and long--up to twice as long as his body sometimes. One day when I fed him peas, his poo was bright green.

The other day he had thick white, long poo. The day after it was yellowish white and still long and nasty. Now the ryukin just has all kinds of poo- mostly long and clear/white...

All the while, all of my fish have begun to develop something like tail rot, just not as serious or fast as fin/tail rot is. They have more rugged tail/fin edges and some split in their tails. They're also all getting long poo now too (just not clear yet).

I tried fixing them up with a number of things. Melafix, Pimafix (for the fin rot), an orange gel medicine they're supposed to eat (for internal parasites), and Anti-Parasite medicated food...along with about 40% water changes every few days. My friend who works at a pet store recommended API Tetracyclin --will this work? I think my fish have some kind of intestinal or internal parasites and the stress from this is wearing down their fins (that or the water quality).

The tank has a 90 gal filter and a bubbler (carbon removed for Pimafix treatment) and 2 live plants.
Here are the results from my water test (I got the test it from a previous person so I don't know how old it is). The water doesn't smell different and it looks pretty clear. For the rest I'll have to get it tested at a store.

GH - 0
KH -240+
pH -7.0 ish
NO2 -0
NO3 - about 10

EDIT: Oh! Also, my black moor has a blood spot in his eye. This goes away and comes back all the time. Can I stop this? Thank you!

 

[Newman]

why is your GH 0? are you using only RO/distilled water to refill the tank? also sounds like overcrouding, and green excrement is normal...

 

[vo1umeone]

Hummm. No I am using softenedwater from my tub. I use API tap conditioner. I'm not sure why the GH is 0 or what it's supposed to be, but isn't it closely related to the KH? Also, the test strips might be inaccurate...I'm probably going to go to the pet store tomorrow.
Do you think that they have some kind of parasite or worm?

 

[Newman]

If the GH is indeed 0 then that would cause you fish to have respiratory problems and such... that would be even worse than parasites. for goldfish, i suggest you keep the GH around 15-20.

And is there a reason youre using the softer water if you have more alakline water available? goldfish would actually like water with a harder pH, KH and GH. I'd say 7-8.3 pH 7-20 KH and 15-35 GH would be good for em. Their organisms/bodies would work better that way and their immune systems will be at their best. So even if you have liquid rock tap water, just use that, they'll adapt.

In terms of parasits, i doubt it (but dont discount the possibility) I find that most new goldfish purchased from a LFS will have similar excrement because theyre often in overcrowded conditions, poor water, fed a bad diet, and have weak immune systems from stress at the store. I think they will get much better as time goes on if you treat them right. Feed peas and greens (romaine lettuce and spinach) often, in addition to their flake/pellet food. Always soak their food in water before feedin, dont just throw dry food into the tank, cuz it will expand in their stoumach and cause problems. You could also feed bloodworms, tubifex, brine shrimp, and shrimp pellets, but only for treats Remember theyll hug you if you give them variety. Dont overfeed obviously.

 

[vo1umeone]

So, if I add hard water instead of the softened water, the GH will be fixed? Also, I did add aquarium salt to help with the problems they are having but I added the right abount per gallon. Could this have just softened the water even more?

 

[Newman]

salt would raise the GH slightly, not lower it.
Be sure that the raise in Gh isnt instant. idk if the fish are as sensitive to rapid changes with GH a much as they are with pH but slow change would benefit.

How are the goldfish doing now?
come to think of it fin rot is a good indicator of overstocking. goldfish like their room: they take in a lot of oxygen, so if you pack a lot into one tank they will start having problems.