Fancy Goldfish problem

Question

Goldfish with white fl   QUESTION: First, in answer to your list of Q's: Tank has been set up about 6 months; 36 US gallons; Fancy Goldfish (the type with the big blobby heads - I'm very much a novice and not up on the breeds!); 2 fish; Aqueon filter: ph 6.2, amonia zero,nitrite zero; 1/3 - 1/2 tank change every week (every two when life is crazy) The question: One of the two fish is acting lethargic and has developed white specks in the crevices of his head tissue (the flecks sometimes seem to trail a thread-like substance)and the head tissue is uneven with what seems like a large growth on one side although the tissue is all the same color. His tank mate has a much more pronounced "blob" than he does but it is all very uniform. I now see that our water is too acidic, but  don't know how to fix this - it seems to stay acidic even after a water change. Do you think the white flecks are worrisome or is it normal for this breed? Could the acidic water be the cause of his lethargy? I've attached a picture so you can see the flecks (hard to get it in focus so close up with my camera). He was eating fine yesterday, is not eating right now just after a water change. The flecks have been there for about a week, the lethargy is new today.

ANSWER: Hi Suzi;

Orandas develop new growth from the white "pimples" or white areas in their "Wen" as they mature. It's kind of like scar tissue. They can get a little slimy-looking sometimes too. It doesn't always grow uniformly either. It can be quite different in size in each area.

I don't think the wen growth is related to the lethargy and lack of appetite unless those sensitive spots have become infected or something. Your water chemistry and maintenance sounds good, even though the pH is a little on the low side. Is it possible he's having a digestive problem? Constipation can cause lethargy and lack of appetite. Your goldfish really should have some vegetables and greens in their diet, if they don't already. Goldfish are mostly vegetarian and the dried foods are too high in protein to be the only food they eat. They are quite prone to constipation as a result. Goldfish should have at least 40% of their diet as veggies such as romaine lettuce, cooked green beans, cooked peas (peeled), cooked and shredded carrots, spirulina algae, and cooked broccoli. Just rinse them and drop them in the tank. Veggies don't rot as fast as regular foods do so you can leave them in the tank for several hours at a time to be nibbled on.

Unless something else shows up or another symptom begins, It's really hard to say what else could be wrong. Hopefully he will feel better on his own soon.

The pH is actually fine where it is. Your fish need a stable pH, not a certain reading. It is dangerous to try to alter it with chemicals because it will cause fluctuations that are very stressful to your fish and to the biological balance of your system.

There are some things you can look into that will help correct pH naturally and slowly though. If you happen to have driftwood or bogwood in there, you might consider taking it out. Wood softens the water and can lower the pH considerably over time.

If your house is on a water softener, consider bypassing the softener for at least part of the water you add to the tank for water changes. Or, often the outside spigots aren't attached to the softener so you could use some water from the outside hose and adjust the temperature with some indoor water before you add it to the tank if you need to.   

Also, adding bubbles from an air stone hooked to an air pump can cause the pH to rise. It has to do with carbon dioxide and oxygen levels. I've often found that a tank with chronically low pH will raise a little bit after a few hours of aeration. Looks nice too.

I hope your fish feels better soon...

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------


Goldfish - left side d   QUESTION: Chris,
Thank you very much for all of the great info, especially concerning the diet. We will start adding more veggies right away. (My daughter immediately volunteered to share hers with the fish.) And I'm glad to know that we are seeing a normal growth pattern with his wen.
The day after I wrote, his appetite came back, but I then noticed that his abdomen seemed distended, especially on his left side and he was "floating" in the middle of the tank more than "swimming". Our other fish is very prone to swim bladder problems, so I broke out the peas right away. Well today he is not as lethargic as he was previously, and the distention is somewhat less, but now there seems to be a very definite "lump" protruding on the left side about even with his lateral line and just behind his gills. It is even to the point that it is pushing some of his scales out. The lump is on the same side as, but separate from the abdominal distention. You can see the protrusion in the picture I am sending, just behind his head on the left.  I know "diagnosis by Internet" is a bit difficult, but could this still be his swim bladder that is swollen or are we probably looking at a mass or tumor of some type? I guess I would have expected him to be much worse off than he is if it was a mass that was growing this aggressively.
Any thoughts would be appreciated - we are quite attached to the little guy (Lucky) as well as his tank mate (Clover). My daughter reads to them every night and they really seem to respond to her voice :-)
Thanks,
Suzi M.

Answer
Hi Suzi;

We really get attached to our little wet pets, don't we? Hopefully whatever the bump is will pass. It's very possible that an intestinal blockage from constipation has caused it. Keep feeding the peas, but no other foods for now. "Fasting" is helpful too. That means no food at all for at least 2 days, and then resume feeding peas for a few more days. It may help break up the blockage.

It is possible it is a tumor or something but it's so hard to know. Even seeing the fish "in person" we really can't tell. I hope he gets better very soon. The fact that he has a better appetite is very encouraging. Keep up the good work....and tell your daughter to keep on reading. I'm sure they love it! ;-)

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins