mouth rot on gold fish

Question
i won a goldfish few weeks ago. i noticed his mouth looked diformed so spoke to pet shop. he said it sounded like mouth rot. he gave me some anti fungus and finrot treatment. i have been using it weekly when i have changed the water. it soesnt seem to have helped. he now looks like he has no mouth on the top at all. he doesnt seem to get much food in his mouth. any idea what else i can do and is he likely to be suffering. he also spends most of his time with his head poking out of the water just bobbing aaound the tank. it is a 12" round tank and it is the only fish.

Answer
Hi Lisa
He has what's called columnaris.  It's a bacterial infection.  I would stop using the other meds, and pick up some Maracyn Two or tetracycline and use that instead.  Here's a link with more info on that disease:

http://www.flippersandfins.net/Flexibacter.htm

And, your goldie is most likely what's considered a "feeder" goldfish, usually those are commons or comets.  Nothing wrong with them, I have some and really enjoy them.  And for the price, usually under 20 cents, you can't go wrong :)  They have the potential to grow 12+ inches, so you will need a larger tank eventually if you want it to survive.  A rectangular tank would also be best for him.  Mine are in my pond, and I've had them for about 8 years now, with them having the potential to live 20+ years.  

Also, do you have a filter on the tank?  If not, you need one.  That would explain why his head is out of the water-most likely not enough oxygen in the water for him.  Another issue you need to be thinking about, is the water quality.  Here's another link to look over, it explains about the nitrogen cycle, which all new tanks go through:

http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/biologicalcycle/a/nitrogencycle.htm

I know it sounds like a lot of work for a "free" fish, but they are really cool fish.  I don't know your experience level, nor the rest of your set up, so I don't want to get too in depth, but let me know if you have more questions and hope that helps!



Christy