Goldfish losing scales!

[Angel]

My water has been consistent with these readings since I moved my goldfish to texas but I notice my goldfish is losing scales the fish is about 5 years old. Happy appetite, swims fine no flashing. I use repashy solid gold for food and mix in blood worms into their diet as well. in a 55 gallon tank with a dojo loach who has been tankmates since the beggining.

[Carl]

Your pH appears on the low side (assuming low range test). What is your GH & KH, as these are important to know as well?
Poor osmoregulation can be a cause, another reason to know these parameters (& maybe even rH)

Further Reading:
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2016/09/how-to-treat-sick-fish.html
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Disease.html
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Redox_Potential.html

I would limit blood worms in feeding to goldfish, while they may enjoy them, they can lead to digestive stress (think of feeding steak to a horse).

As for Repashy, I am very suspicious of this company, as finding any real analysis and the fact their marketing plan is through discounters
I could locate an analysis for "Soilent Green" which had a slightly high energy level, but was much too low as per fiber

Further Reading:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Quality_Fish_Food.html

Carl

[Angel]

My gh and kh is 80 , 180.
I did the regular ph test not the high range however I can do that one as well. I ordered some dropper tests for the gh and kh so I will have a more accurate reading rather than strips but I like the strips for quick readings to see what's going on.

I also only feed them bloodworm st least once a month it's not an every week thing just used as a treat such as deshelled peas every blue moon to.
&& I was really unaware of that I have always heard crazy good feedback about repashy I use soilent green as well. My fish go bonkers for it. And majority of my goldfish seem to be flourishing from it in size. The ingredients seem better than flake food😅 I just want tondonwhats best front goldfish and they all basically have ther own tanks and I keep constant water even if its not perfect water it reads consistently he doesnt seem sick.

Do you think maybe a salt dip may help or maybe a bacterial issue? Theres nothing sharp in my tanks as I have sand and they are all simplistic. Couple fake plants here and there.

[Carl]

Is the GH the first or second number?
If the first, it is too low for Goldfish in particular. 180 would be OK, but still supplementing mineral Cations with AAP Wonder Shells would be advised or if already used, using a larger amount of the shell.

As for as Repashy, it definitely has better ingredients than many foods, however fish going "bonkers" for it is no better proof than kids going bonkers for candy over spinach (as per the Fish Nutrition article I provided in my earlier post).
Fiber is essential for many digestive issues and how well many nutrients are absorbed, so even with good ingredients, if these are not absorbed, then they are useless.
As well, oxidative stress from higher than optimum energy levels can also lead to later issues (although Repashy is only slightly above optimum here).

I would suggest Clay Neighbors Custom Herbivore along with Spirulina 20 and the supplement with Repashy or Hikari Gold

Yes, along with what I've already suggested, a Fish bath using sodium chloride, Epsom salts, & MethyBlu would be a good idea

Further Reading:
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2009/07/fish-baths.html

Carl

[devonjohnsgard]

Can we get a picture. Maybe damage from rubbing up against something. This isn't the fish that's been being picked on?

If that pH test is the high range test of 7.4, then the pH is good.

[Angel]

Gh 180 kh 80

&& I was feeding the AAP it was just really messy, so you have a gel good suggestion I can try?


&& I've never done a salt bath so I'm really scared/nervous to do one. Maybe I can get the courage up by next 2 days off and try it.

I'll get a good picture in the morning for sure. && no all my goldies have their own tanks because they're freaking spoiled. Accept hannibal lector hes with his loach friend and they have been together since tankbirth lmao I've never seen them pick at each other. And theres really nothing in his tank accept sand and some fake plants. It's very subtle. I ordered a water gh and kh test to be more accurate than the strips it should be in the mail soon

[Angel]

I order the methyblu I ordered aquarium salt gh and kh api test... I got a medicated shell and a regular wander shell. I will let you guys know when that stuff comes in

[devonjohnsgard]

I'd check this article for food recommendation.
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Goldfish.html

Ya, I'd need to see a picture, Seems weird. You're doing a lot right.

[Angel]

Best I could get but its noticable. I'm also going to test with api kits when I receive the gh and kh chemical kit to get a more accurate reading. Hes not acting funny but it is concerning that his coat is so blotchy. I got him in 2013 none of my other fish have this issue!

[Angel]

Any thoughts on this product ?

[Angel]

Also wanted to share some of this cuteness they love each other 😍 male oranda female red cap. They spawned but no fertile eggs😞 buuut maybe next time I'll have baby goldies. And these guys have some pretty good Gene's if you ask me 🤣😁

[Carl]

Actually your goldfish look quite good!!

The third picture you shared had just the right closeup where I could see that there do not appear to be missing scales, rather simply a change in scale colors which I've observed MANY times with goldfish over the years

As for the AAP Herbivore, I suggest soaking first (which I suggest with any dry fish food)

As for Artemiss, definitely do NOT use. A poor product that makes claims that conflict nor does it publish any ingredients (it is noteworthy that this is primarily marked & sold by mass merchandisers, not professionals) .

www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumMedication4.html#microbe

From the above article:
Microbe-Lift's Herbtana is a good example of such a product that has little or no controlled testing and no published ingredients, but has some positive anecdotal reviews.
Since this product claims improved immune function, I would have to ask how?
Since it actually lowers Redox Balance being an acid and oxidizer (thus adding to oxidative stress), it is impossible to improve immunity since it is a proven fact (including well funded human studies) that a healthy body is alkaline, not acid with a more reducing Redox.
From Microbe-Lifts own website:
"Will help boost the natural immune system of the fish with no risk of building up future resistance as can occur when antibiotics are used"
This is simply impossible based on what we already know about this product and Redox

Carl

[devonjohnsgard]

Serious cute fish.

[Angel]

Is the methyblu going to stain my tank ? It's a 40 breeder bar bottom bubble stick and one annubias plant? Should I remove my plant and I have a canister filter do I remove only the carbon or ?

Just going to see if any of the eggs my fish spawned will make it. They're in the breeder bu themselves. I lowered the water level and I have a sponge over the filter intake.

[Angel]

The directions say add 1 drop to each net gallon? For egg use it says use at half the strength ?
May seem silly but I honest dont know how much to dose my 40 breeder with the eggs in it.

I also got the wondershells one regular and one medicated the instructions are a tad bit vague. At least on the packaging they are I'm gonna check the website but I know for sure I want to use one in my 55 long aquarium I'm just not sure if the whole shell is required. I've never used these products before 😅😔 sorry for the silly questions but you guys have been such a great help with my fish since I joined taptalk. The shells are both the large size. Online it says to break pieces or use 1/4 ? But then it also says one large shell can be good for up to 60 gallons. 5 more gallons than what's in my tank ? So ehats the best was to add the shells to my aquarium (s)

[Carl]

I mostly use MethyBlu for baths/dips/swabs. When used in a hospital tank, use as per directions. Damage to plants varies by species, Anubias are tough.
Remove any carbon from the filter.

As for Wonder Shells, as per our "AAP Wonder Shells" page, these can used at 1/4, 1/2 or full dose for the Regular WS.
With goldfish, I recommend 1/2 to full dose. As well, based on your GH, I would start with 1/2 shell and then move on later to a full shell.
Breaking the shell with a flat head screwdriver and hammer should be easy and does not need to be a perfect break in half

With Medicated WS, these should always be used at full dose

Further Information:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/MedicatedWonderShell.html

Carl

[Angel]

Okay so... I did some water tests
Kh took me 3 drops to get that pale yellow. Gh took me 12 drops to get that green. (Yes I know my nitrates are high, today is also water change day I just wanted to test before I changed my water, after I do a water change I plan to add the wondershell) I'm ready for my constructive criticism🤣🤣🤣

[Angel]

Funky algea on my plants that keep coming back. Help 😫

[Carl]

Hi Angel;
One question I did not answer, that is will MethyBlu stain the tank. It will stain silicone but not the glass. It will BTW stain your clothing, but any stains on your skin will disappear and are harmless.

As for this algae (this appears to be Thread/Hair Algae), getting your nitrates to lower numbers by whatever means (including water changes is a start.
Cutting lighting time may help further.

Further Information:
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2008/04/aquarium-algae.html


More on Nitrate control:
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2007/07/aquarium-nitrates.html

Carl

[devonjohnsgard]

lol. You're funny.

What's your water change schedule like now?
Vacuum and clean filters at the same time?

I would bump up KH just a tad. 5 drops would be better.

That plant with algae. Is is new? Does the leaf look like it's dying?