Question
Professor the fantail
Hi,
I was given three fancy goldfish and a 28(UK) litre tank as a gift at the end of January, and quickly realised that they would need a much larger home! I bought a 75 litre(UK) tank in May, and although the transfer went really well, I have had quite a bit of trouble keeping it healthy, which is disappointing as I hoped it would be easier to maintain than a tiny tank!
I have always done a gravel clean and 10% water change every other day, and have added a second filter to try and make it better, but Alan the black moor has started bottom sitting, (not all the time, only about once a day and perks up when I walk past) and Professor - the smallest fantail has developed fin rot (I think) and is being bullied by the bigger two. I moved Professor back today into the 28 litre tank as the others were nipping his sore tail, and he seems ok but a bit glum. I have added melafix to the water in the hospital tank and bought some live plants to increase oxygen. I have bought some aquarium salt but haven't used it yet as I don't want to kill him with kindness!
I feed them a small amount twice a day - sinking sticks in the morning and peas in the evening. They always eat everything within about 20 seconds and I make sure that they all get some.
The thing I don't understand is, if the water quality is bad in the main tank, how is it that the black moor and ryukin haven't got fin rot too? And is there anything I can do to improve the water quality other than by doing water changes and gravel vacuums? Do you think I should take out all the tank decoration to gravel vac underneath it every time? I would be so grateful if you could advise me, I'm really fond of my goldies, even though they have caused quite a lot of trouble, and just want them to have nice lives!
Many thanks, and sorry I've rambled on!
Kate
AnswerKate,
Unfortunately, 75 liters is also too small for the goldfish. The minimum tank size for 3 goldfish is 151 liters. That being said lets help the fin rot. Water changes are done weekly and only remove 25% of the water. Make sure they new clean water is conditioned before adding it to the tank. Having the second filter to the tank is ok to do. The reasons why some fish get fin rot and not other is unknown. Professor might have had an injury to the tail or was already sick and the fin rot just attacked him. Fin rot is a symptom of a number of different diseases, but it can also be the result of an injury. It can be a primary or secondary infection. If it is primary it is a definite symptom of a specific bacterial invasion such as that by the mycobacterium that causes columnaris disease. Sometimes fin rot is the direct result of a secondary bacterial infection such as that which occurs when a goldfish is already weakened from another disease or following an injury. Removing him from the main tank was good and yes you can add he aquarium salt to the new water only. This will help him out. I would not treat him with the Melafix. I would try Maracyn TC. This is one of the better medication for this and other illnesses. Just make sure you follow the directions on the package and to remove the carbon from your filter during treatment. I hope this has helped and if you have any more questions, please, don't hesitate to ask.
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