my black moor goldfish

Question
I noticed my 1 1/2 year old black moor about two weeks ago developed these little tiny white spots on his body but no problems. Then tonight i came home and he is sitting at the bottom of the tank. his scales where his tail connects to his body are discoloring and his eyes both look blood shot. He is in a tank with two other fish and a algae eater. also a live plant. Can you tell me what to do so he wont die and make him better?
Thanks

Answer
Hi there,
Definitely sounds like an 'ick' or white spot parasite infestation. These parasites are all too common in recently setup tanks due to unstable water conditions and also will occur in fish in established tanks if they have been stressed by poor water quality like high ammonia levels or temperatures fluctuating too fast.

Ick parasites appear on the fish in their 'protective' shells which are the little white spots you see. It will look as if the fish had been sprinkled  with salt.

When caught early, this parasite can be killed off quite easily with some careful treatment methods. But if its been a couple of weeks, the parasites have had time to take hold and multiply. The other symptoms your black moor is showing is obvious stress symptoms, listless behavior, pale coloration... you must take action as soon as possible.

My best ick treatment routine includes gradually raising the temperature to 85F, slowly adding aquarium salt, and using an ick medication like 'quick cure' ... I also change out 50% of the water everyday and redose the salt and meds.

So what you'll need:
*Quick cure or similar ick medication
*Aquarium salt (find at walmart or petstore- includes instructions)
*Heater (warm temps help ick to develop to its vulnerable stage faster)
------------------

Build up the salt level gradually, dissolving the recommended level in a cup of tank water and pouring in small portions over the course of several hours. Raise the temp a few degrees per hour as well until you are around 85F warmer temps can help a fish's immune system.
Now add the medication, it helps to premix it in a cup of tank water first as well.

*Now changing out half the tank water everyday will help remove old medication, excess parasites, and remove pollutants that are stressing the fish as much as the illness itself. Be sure to add water conditioner to new water and make sure the temp is equal to or close to the original water.
*you'll have to redose the medication and replace the salt according to however much water you took out.

This method goes against medication directions but there are vital factors playing when treating fish that directions on meds do not address.

Treatment should go on for 2 weeks at least to be sure all parasites are gone. Don't be fooled when the spots suddenly disappear mid-treament, the parasites have only dropped off the fish temporarily to multiply and soon attack again.

Best of luck with your fish!  I really hope this helps! :- )
Susan~