The gold is coming off my goldfish...

[nealio]

I have two goldfish my daughter brought home from the fair. They both look like they are doing fine, but on one of them color seems to be coming off. It started when we first got her and it seems to be getting worse. Its coming off around the side of her body and all over her face. She acting fine, but I'm worried there might be something wrong with her. I don’t know if the actual scales are coming off, but where it is bare now is just white, and it looks soft.

Does anyone know what this could be?

Thanks for your help.

p.s. I don’t have a pic right now but I will take one and post it tomorrow.

 

[James From Cali]

What tank size? Water Parameters(ammonia, nitrite, nitrate)?

 

[nealio]

10 gallon, I think the water is still cycling from the water change I did last week, so the amonia levels are going up and down, I do a 10% water change twice a week for the time being.

I know the tank is too small for the fish right now, I'm working on getting another tank, should arrive middle of next month some time.

 

[Dr.Gonzo]

Sounds like the paint is flaking off. Sometimes carnies simply spray-paint minnows because it is cheaper. Nothing to worry about. Tootles!

 

[James From Cali]

But where the color is going away its white and looks soft right?

 

[nealio]

But where the color is going away its white and looks soft right?

yup, its weird, I thought it was just the way she was colored, but it seems to be getting worse as time goes on.

 

[James From Cali]

Hmm I think it might be losing scales. Try to get a pic. Then we can tell for sure.

 

[nealio]

it actually looks like its loosing scales, what do you think could be causing it?

Ill get a pic tonight and post it around lunch time tomorrow.

Thanks for your help james!

 

[James From Cali]

Well if at anything it could be an illness that it had from the carnival. Let me take a look at my book and I will see what could have caused it.

 

[James From Cali]

Well I found in my little fish guide that says its caused by bullying and or stress. He might have been stressed out by the move from a small container to a bigger home.However, make sure other fish are not fighting with him or picking at him, because that is definitly a cause for loss of scales.

 

[nealio]

Thanks! Do you think if I put her in a bigger tank, will the scales grow back? Or are they gone forever?

 

[James From Cali]

Yes. As long as the water quality is good and the fish are eating a quality food, the scales will grow back. The new scale might be a little smaller or different color, however.

 

[Katie217]

well if his scales come back a diff colour, that would make him more special

 

[James From Cali]

LOL, yup. What kind of Goldfish? A common?

 

[nealio]

yeah a common, so I came home and the scales aren't falling off, its just turning white.

 

[Katie217]

well thats a good sign!!