Listless Goldfish

Bill Stock · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 217

The saga continues....

I treated some GF with Kanaplex for what I thought was Columnaris and the
Cottony patches subsided, but did not disappear. A few days later they
started to develop Septicemia and I thought I was going to lose the largest
fish. So I'm treating them with Marycyn II now and they are looking better,
but they are not eating well and the middle fish is very listless. The
smallest fish never developed any symptoms and still seems fine. He seems to
have an immunity to whatever is bothering them.

I really can't explain what's causing their problem as the water conditions
are fine, in fact the Nitrates are lower than I would have expected. I think
it must be a parasite of some kind, but I don't see any indications of it.
Any plant/filter friendly recommendations for a precautionary treatment that
won't stress the fish too much.

Archived from group: rec>aquaria>freshwater>goldfish

Cshenk · Joined: 16 Oct 2007 Posts: 15

Bill, I seriously suggest you take the bigger fish and move him to another
tank.

You are at the top end load of that tank now and it will not get better.
The newer bigger filter may help but any situation where you have too much
fish, means their immune system is taking hits and it seems that's what's
really going on here.

"Bill Stock" wrote in message @mid.individual.net...
> The saga continues....
>
> I treated some GF with Kanaplex for what I thought was Columnaris and the
> Cottony patches subsided, but did not disappear. A few days later they
> started to develop Septicemia and I thought I was going to lose the
> largest fish. So I'm treating them with Marycyn II now and they are
> looking better, but they are not eating well and the middle fish is very
> listless. The smallest fish never developed any symptoms and still seems
> fine. He seems to have an immunity to whatever is bothering them.
>
> I really can't explain what's causing their problem as the water
> conditions are fine, in fact the Nitrates are lower than I would have
> expected. I think it must be a parasite of some kind, but I don't see any
> indications of it. Any plant/filter friendly recommendations for a
> precautionary treatment that won't stress the fish too much.
>
>
>

Bill Stock · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 217

> "Bill Stock" wrote in message
> @mid.individual.net...
>> The saga continues....
>>
>> I treated some GF with Kanaplex for what I thought was Columnaris and the
>> Cottony patches subsided, but did not disappear. A few days later they
>> started to develop Septicemia and I thought I was going to lose the
>> largest fish. So I'm treating them with Marycyn II now and they are
>> looking better, but they are not eating well and the middle fish is very
>> listless. The smallest fish never developed any symptoms and still seems
>> fine. He seems to have an immunity to whatever is bothering them.
>>
>> I really can't explain what's causing their problem as the water
>> conditions are fine, in fact the Nitrates are lower than I would have
>> expected. I think it must be a parasite of some kind, but I don't see any
>> indications of it. Any plant/filter friendly recommendations for a
>> precautionary treatment that won't stress the fish too much.
>>

"Cshenk" wrote in message %i.266$bi1.174@newsfe15.lga...
> Bill, I seriously suggest you take the bigger fish and move him to another
> tank.
>
> You are at the top end load of that tank now and it will not get better.
> The newer bigger filter may help but any situation where you have too much
> fish, means their immune system is taking hits and it seems that's what's
> really going on here.
>
>

I'd agree, except that the Nitrates are OK at the moment and all other water
conditions test fine. I suspect parasites were the original problem due to
the timing with the new plant, although there are no visible signs or
flashing. I gave them some parasite food today, but they just spit it out
because they don't like the taste. They feel the same about their medicated
food. Smile

Maybe I'll try soaking some peas in some metronidazole, but I
expect the same response. I might try a single dose of Malachite Green to
rule out parasites.

Cshenk · Joined: 16 Oct 2007 Posts: 15

"Bill Stock" wrote
..
>> Bill, I seriously suggest you take the bigger fish and move him to
>> another tank.
>
> I'd agree, except that the Nitrates are OK at the moment and all other
> water conditions test fine. I suspect parasites were the original problem
> due to

Ok and good luck. Its not a cycling problem. *Might* be an O2 level
problem which I don't think you can test for?

> the timing with the new plant, although there are no visible signs or
> flashing. I gave them some parasite food today, but they just spit it out
> because they don't like the taste. They feel the same about their
> medicated food. Smile

Maybe I'll try soaking some peas in some
> metronidazole, but I expect the same response. I might try a single dose
> of Malachite Green to rule out parasites.

Ok, or the old penny trick.

Did you put that bigger filter in yet?

On my end, we delayed setting up our big 70G tank because we are using the
stand for the TV until our stuff arrives from Japan. Still debating what to
fill it with but the dimensions of the tank make it not quite right for
goldfish. Once they get to 10' or so, they have trouble turning around
. It's a relatively tall long tank for it's type. It would be fine
if I had a pond (move them outdoors when they get big) but I've no pond and
not really optimal weather zone for it (too cold, would freeze solid unless
I ran a heater and that would be very expensive).