Member

Posts: 29
From:Fgura, Malta
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 08-21-2003 05:09 AM         

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I have a lionhead goldfish in a 5 gal tank, with good nfiltration, i change the percentage of water,these past 2 weeks she was always hiding,and didn't move at all, since she wasn't swimming she wasn't seeing the flakes of food, therefor she wan't eating.I live in Malta were the lowest temp at the moment is 35 celcius, so sometimes I put icecubes in the water, to get bit the temp down. Now IO just came home and she has a red circle(i think its blood) at the ege of one of her eyes.

I don't wanna loose her, she's been with me for 3 years.pls help, tell me what to do, and pls speak my language, not the language of expert aquarists.

thank u everyonw

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Member

Posts: 277
From: Indy
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 08-21-2003 09:16 AM         

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Hello,
It's hard to say without knowing more and seeing the fish. It sounds like a disease, try this link to see if something there sounds like what you have. It may be treatable. let us know.
http://www.fishyfarmacy.com/symptoms.html

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James (The Grateful One)

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Posts: 806
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Registered: Jan 2003

posted 08-21-2003 11:18 PM         

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Hi claudia, This one is a little tough without more to go on. If your tank is running 35 celcius (94 F) that is too warm for goldfish. They are a coldwater fish. Where tropicals become more active with warmer temperatures, goldfish slow down. Goldfish become more active at cooler temperatures. I would not rule out the possibility of an internal parasite, especially considering the the changes in temperature by adding icecubes. Also the possiblility of some really nasty bacterias developing with water temperatures above 90F. I would suggest taking the fish into your local pet/fish shop and let them take a look at it. If all else fails Mardel makes a line of parasite and bacterial medications that are safe to use together. For parasites Maracide. For bacterial Maracyn the main ingredient of which is erethromycin. If you chose to use these two I would suggest doing 10% to 20% water changes daily while dosing the tank (5 days), and use a PH buffer. I know this isn't much help but it's the best I can offer.

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Member

Posts: 29
From:Fgura, Malta
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 08-22-2003 05:02 AM         

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Hi everyone, thanks for your support.I whent to the pet store, and I told him what was happening, he told me that most probably I had my nitrite high, since it had been a while since i cheaked it i guessed it might b. so he told me what to do and i bought stuff. FIrst I did an no2 test which turned out ok,the lowest possibile, then he told me to do a 50% water change using well water, since on this islan our tap water had a lot of chlorine,and I did it. then he gave me Denitrol, the brand is JBL (biological breakdown of pollutants with bacteria) I didn't know if to use it or not since my nitrite and hp were ok, but i did. the 2nd thing he gave me is an anti internal bacterial tratment, The leaflet said to take out the coal from the filter which i did,The next dose is in 4 days time and I can place d coal back in 7 days time, the last thing is Acclimol also by JBL, which is for stress, now these they do state the dose but not how fequent, could you tell me which is best?

I know chemicals dont do miracles, however,the blood around her eye wasnt there, and sometimes she does a sprint and swims a bit, she is stilla cting a bit weird and lacks balance, but i'm seeing her better.

Tell me if i'm doing something wrong.

and thanks.

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Posts: 806
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posted 08-22-2003 11:06 PM         

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Going to your local pet shop was exactly the right thing to do. While you can get some generalized help from these boards, your local pet shop should be familiar with any special conditions in the local water. Also they can see what your fish is doing. for example you might describe your fish as having a jerking swimming motion. It is much easier to tell by looking at the fish to see if it is from PH shock, parasites or dropsey. You made a wise move. I hope your fish starts doing better.

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Member

Posts: 29
From:Fgura, Malta
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 08-23-2003 06:48 AM         

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As I told you the blood around her eye dissapeared after 24 from putting the antibiotic. However she is still acting very weird, and since this problem started I have read and purchased some books, and I am sure that what she has wrong is the gal bladder. She's always sinking, and the gal bladder is also there so that they keep their balance right? I find her a lot of the time belly up. All the books say that if I c no change after a week of introducing the medicine, I should think about euthanasia. What do you think?

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posted 08-23-2003 04:07 PM         

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First, since I have no first hand knowledge of your tank or fish, only your description of what you see, I would never tell you to kill your fish. The closest I would come to that would be to prepare you for what might be the eventual outcome from your description as to the extent of the ailment. Second, I believe you have gall bladder confused with swim bladder. Before you come up with a permanent solution you may want to check these two websites: http://boeing_dude.tripod.com/id41.htm http://www.fishyfarmacy.com/symptoms.html

After checking these two sites you should be more able to make a determination as to what course of action you want to take. I know the impracticality of spending $30 or $40 on medications for a $6 fish, but no-one else can make any determination on the attachment that you may have for your fish.

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Posts: 29
From:Fgura, Malta
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 08-24-2003 02:02 AM         

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In fact I spent that amount on medications, however I don't care, at least if she survives, I will check out those sites thanks.

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