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Post by goldiegirl on Jul 10, 2011 23:21:28 GMT -5
Also, it isn't so much his spine which is curved, but his dorsal fin. His spine seems normal but his fins are growing strangely curved Sorry for all the additional thoughts
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Post by Carl on Jul 11, 2011 8:55:49 GMT -5
Age is most definitely a major factor in his poor condition/health However one goldfish surviving in water parameters that are considerably lacking what a goldfish needs is far from proof this is best. As an example, many humans lived reasonably long lives under the worst possible conditions (such as the dark ages), but most did not and the average life span was much shorter than today This said, changing his water parameters needs to be very slow so as to allow him to adapt. I would not change more than .2 pH per day and 50 ppm KH per day This would require a pH, GH, and GH test kit, as there is no exact formula since your water conditions are going to be unique. I recommend starting slow and adding these to your RO water a few hours prier to adding to your tank (follow instructions on the container and cut these in half for now). I should note as per the Fish Osmoregulation article I earlier sent Replenish and RO Right are similar products, so only one or the other should be used, but Replenish is the better of the two. I also would suggest using Wonder Shells in the main tank for essential continuous mineral cations, that in his particular condition would be very helpful (as they aid in Redox Balance too) Carl
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Post by jonv on Jul 15, 2011 19:43:17 GMT -5
Wow this is one long thread I think I missed in one of those many weeks where I was on night shift, and forgot what day of the week it was lol. Night shifts do that to you.
Goldie, I actually didn't get ALL the information posted in here absorbed, there's a lot here. I just want to add in a few small tids, and try to keep it from being a book like post which I am famous for.
A. I would try to use your phone if it has a cam or a dig cam, and use some still shots. You can edit them for size and just post them right in a thread. This is very helpful when ongoing dialog ongoing. We can actually see what is being discussed and can improve feedback by 2 to 3 fold.
B. The thing I picked up about the RO water, while you do eliminate any chlorine and chloramine issues, I have found that usually isn't a big problem unless you started like a whole tank up, or did like a 100% change and added no treatments for the chlorine. Many times I will do water changes, get the tank refilled, have to step out to do something, then come back a few hours later and add Prime. Even that time of a few hours exposure to the water that would have chloramines in it, doesn't do any visable or noticable damage. Just keep that in mind that using RO mainly for that isn't what I think of a huge benefit.
C. I am sure the point that leads up next is just that even fish that are of softer acidic water types still need bases and calcium, magnesium etc.. and vice versa where harder water fish need the opposites. This is what RO will not provide. In essence if you wish to use RO water just use some sort of buffer balance. The only analogy I can give is like say you eat vegetables because they are good on vitamins, but you lose that when boiling or steaming...you take pills to suppliment what you boil off...it's kinda..you know...redundant shall we say? Unless you tap water source is polluted or high in nitrates from a ground source, I'd just use that honestly.
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Post by goldiegirl on Aug 15, 2011 16:12:06 GMT -5
Hi everyone!
Long time no chat. My goldie is still kicking! YAY!
His fins seem to be deteriorating though. I've heard this is a common side effect after something like ammonia poisoning. Unfortunately, he really has no room for his fins to deteriorate...they are SO short as it is. At first I couldn't tell if it was fin growth or just rot because little piece started to come from the top. I now this it is actually fin rot. I REALLY don't want to put any meds in his tank as his water chemistry is now very ideal. Last night I did a methylene blue bath with the methylene blue, salt, and double the dosage of Furan-2. I am planning on continuing this once a day for 4 days (the amount you would do if you were to put Furan-2 directly in the main tank). Do you think this is the best course of action? I want to help him but don't want to destroy beneficial bacteria in the process.
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Post by parker002 on Aug 16, 2011 12:17:24 GMT -5
Is he flashing red/blood in his fins? Are there signs of an actual pathogen on the fins (cottony growth, lesions, etc.)?
If you want to preserve water chemistry and he's not ultra "sick", you could try Melafix. It's a fairly mild treatment but does well in cases where tissue is damaged, especially fins.
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Post by goldiegirl on Aug 18, 2011 15:09:25 GMT -5
There is some red/blood at the end of his tail fin. The thing with Melafix is I've used it before with him and it didn't seem to do much quick enough. I could try this. I'm worried his fins will deteriorate quicker than the meds can do much.
Does anyone know anything about the furan 2/methylene blue bath combo in treating this?
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Post by parker002 on Aug 23, 2011 11:28:21 GMT -5
Furan 2/MB in a bath is a much stronger treatment but unless he's really showing signs of an infection, I'd still lean towards Melafix. It doesn't work fast because it isn't that strong. But it is an effective treatment for helping them regenerate damaged tissue...
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