Question:I have a 29 gallon tank with a 55 gallon external power filter, air bubbler, 2" natural colored gravel, rock hideouts, and plastic plants. It has 3 2" fantail goldfish currantly, from nose to tip of tail. I just tested the water and it was very acidic and alklanik. I added some buffers and did a 25 percent water change. It had zero nitrite, but a caution level nitrate. I found a water/cleaner soaked wash cloths on top of my filter box, and suddenly my one/ maybe two fish are sick. The first being my smallest fish Claire. She has not developed a pot belly shape yet and has been hovering at the surface of the tank for a few days now, but has had a normal appetite. They get fed twice a day with tetra goldfish flakes. Her fins are sometimes clamped and she has developed some red spots on her stomach. The bigger one is on the right size and is a about a circular cm wide/big. The scales in that spot are a light gold/white and are rimmed with red. When her fins are near her body they appear
Answers:
This really sounds like a blood borne bacterial infection to be honest. I would suggest you treat using two things:
First, use a medicated fish food for bacterial infections. It's available at all better pet stores and chain stores.
Second, you need to treat with a good antibiotic. Furanace or Furan 2 would be my first choices for this, but if you can't find either of those, treat with tetracycline (like Maracyn TC). Just treat as directed on the package.
And yes, treat them directly in the tank.
MM
Hey I can't tell you what is wrong but I belong to a great goldfish forum that have vast knowledge. Please visit
www.thegab.org
Good luck
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