weakening oranda...please help ASAP

Question
Hi Chris,

First thank you for doing such a helpful job. I have a concern that is increasingly troubling me. I have an oranda, she's abt 3 inches (body), she lives with a male oranda (3 inches) in a 30 gallon tank. I have had the female for about 3 years, and she has never been sick. However for the past week, one side of her body is swollen and the scales are protruding. She seems to be fine, but i can tell she's being weakened as time passes. She also spits out foods that are hard to chew ie dried krills. There is nothing wrong with her behaviour, she acts normal but weakened. I have checked the water parameters, all are within acceptable ranges. PH 7.4-7.6, temp. 24-28C, nitrite 0, ammonia 0. I have had this tank running without any problem or treatment for the last 2 years. My only concern is that for over the past 3 years, my fish has had intestinal parasites (observed by these white stringy feces) that occassionally show up. I checked the tank for these feces and found none.

I dont know what to do. Please help me ASAP. Any advice would be so much appreciately. Thanks. Happy Thanksgiving.

Huong

Answer
Hi Huong;

White stringy feces usually indicate a bacterial infection. Treat with medicated food from your local fish store. It usually contains tetracycline which is a broad spectrum antibiotic. It would be better if you can separate her from the other fish while she eats it. Her friend doesn't need to be treated so he should not get the medicated food. Maybe put a divider in the tank? Don't move her to a container or another tank while she feeds. It may stress her too much and she won't eat at all and get more sick from the stress and lack of food.

Since this has been going on for quite a while it may have caused organ damage. Toxins from bacterial infections can do that and also cause lethargy. Her recovery may be slow if she can still recover at all. I wish I had better news for you. It just doesn't look good.

Make frequent partial water changes too. If you haven't been doing at least 25% changes weekly, do one right away. Water changes that small and using a water conditioner will not usually stress fish too much. Just pour the fresh water in very slowly. Replace 25% of the water again in 2 days and in another 2 days after that to help her feel stronger. Then do the 25% water changes every week as part of a normal maintenance program. Vacuum the gravel every 2 to 4 weeks. Goldfish are messy guys and just need lots of cleaning to keep them healthy.

I hope she feels better soon........

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins