i think they are dying! help!

Question
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Followup To
Question -
HI, we have had our tank for about a year and a half... 3 goldfish. One week ago, we added a plecostamus, he seems to be doing well. It is a 20 gallon tank, has a filter, bubbler etc... we do partial water changes etc.. everythign has been going fine, no sickness etc... two days ago, the 3 goldfish started hovering near the bottom, not moving, just sitting there.... (they did this once before, but I discovered that no one had fed them for a few days... yikes!! after feeding, they came back to normal) They have been fed regularly... maybe a little more often than normal... but i woudlnt say too much. This morning, they are jst sitting there on the bottom, like they are conserving energy or something... they dont even come up to the top when they think we are going to feed them....
What is wrong? Are they dying?
Help!
Thanks!
Emily
Answer -
Hi Emily;

Look at the fish very closely. They may have tiny little salt specks on them that indicates ick. Plecostomus can carry ick and it is a very common parasite. Don't blame the fish store though. Your fish are probably not immune to it like the plecostomus is. He may never show signs of it, but the treatment should eliminate the parasites.

If it looks like they have it, get a remedy for it at the fish store. I like "Quick Cure" by Aquarium Products. Use it for a full 10 days. (The label says fewer days, but in my experience you really can't get rid of all of it unless it is used for 10). Make sure the water temperature stays at 72 or higher for the plecostomus. They are tropical, but goldfish are cool water. This may be what started the ick if that's what they have. Ick likes cool water to get attached to your fish.

Followups welcome.

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins
Thanks for the quick reply...
I thought of that, and ckd, I dont see any white specks/spots... I cannot see any thing out of the ordinary with them.... would they definitely be showing outward signs if they had ick....
they just act sick.... poor things...
thanks again!
emily

Answer
Check the pH, nitrites and ammonia to be sure there isn't something else going on. If any of these levels aren't right, make a 25% water change. You might just do the water change anyway until we can figure out what's going on. Also add salt at the rate of one teaspoon per gallon of tank water. This will help the fish feel better and slow down or kill parasites if they are what's causing the problem.

Followups welcome...
Chris Robbins