Is my fish infectious?

Question
Hi Andrew- I apologize got this lengthy email, but this is my
first fish, and I don't know who to ask...

4 days ago I purchased a gold moor fish. He is about 4 inches in
length.  (I thought I bought an orange Oranda, but on my second
visit to the store, the associates told me it was a moor.)  I
noticed on the second day, my fish had a raised white spot
between his eyes, that extends almost to his mouth.  Now it has
turned red and white.  Initially, I thought it was an injury.  

I bought a ten gallon tank for him today, and am letting it sit
and filter for 24hours, but here's the sad news: I bought a white
and orange oranda to accompany him today, and the new fish
became lethargic and basically kept his mouth in the air until I
returned him to the store, and they took him back and told me
he would be alright.  Then, I bought a replacement gold moor
fish and the same exact thing happened (vertical position,
lethargic, getting air at the top).  I kept them in a two gallon
tank, thinking they would be ok for the 24 hours, but my
original fish can't seem to have a companion.  He seems happy
enough, but he does spend an awful amount of time at the top
getting air, and I do 30% changes every day.  I also got him a
plant, for more oxygen.  I took his rock out, and put it in the ten
gallon tank for two hours, and then worried that it might
contaminate the presently filtering water, and could hurt any
other fish that might be placed into this new tank, if in fact my
fish has an infectious problem.  Have you ever heard of a spot
like this?  Is there a treatment I can give him to make him
healthy?  I did a water test at the pet store today, and they said
the only thing was that the nitrates were a little high, and didn;t
recommend anything.  

Many many thanks for any info you can give me!

Libby

Answer
Libby,

I'm going to skip around but try to answer all your questions. The first thing that caught my attention was your water changes. Change your water 1/4th the tank once a week. No more. If you're changing to much water to often, the tank will never settle, and you'll be constantly checking ph/nitrate/nitrite levels.

As far as his lump, the only thing i can think of that MIGHT be causing it is an internal infection. Usually it will go away if you keep his water clean, tap water thats been treated with conditioner, and as i said, 1/4th water changes every week. You can also pick up a drug called Kanacyn, it will absorb through the fish to fix any internal problems. Check your water temp, you want it to be around 70 - 76 Degrees. Hotter will be highly dangerous for your goldfish. Colder will make them a bit less active.

The other thing i'm thinking is there isnt enough air in the water. Make sure you have something constantly breaking the water surfice. Where it be a filter that spills into the water, or an air stone creating bubbles. If the water is not breaking at the top, then there will be no oxygen for them to breathe in the water, making them have to breathe from the top.

I Do not think you will have any problems adding fresh fish. I also do not think this is contagous. Wash your net with very hot water (no soaps) before you move your goldfish to the new tank, this will kill anything that may be on it.

If you have ANY new symptoms, let me know immediately and i'll be able to decide if its something more serious to worry about.

Good Luck,
Andy :)