Lethargic/Clamped Fins/No Appetite

[kj]

Hi all! I am simply at a loss of what to do about a ranchu goldfish I recently acquired a little more than a week ago. He's been in a quarantine tank upon arrival and, as expected, was stressed and bottom sat most of the first day. However, he would swim a bit then bottom sit with clamped fins and not eat anything. The other 2 he arrived with were very active and eating so I separated him from the others. He's a bit thin for a fancy goldfish and upon research I was led to believe he may have intestinal parasites but wasn't sure which kind so I decided to treat with API General Cure as per directions on the box. I added the medication directly to the water since he hasn't been eating (he tries but ends up spitting the food out). I also added some epsom salt as a laxitive. Unfortunately I noticed very little improvement so I began to wonder if maybe it was caused by nematodes, perhaps? He hasn't pooped very much at all and the tiny bit of poop he did make was short and light in color.

Anyway, after not getting any results from the meds, I gave him a 30 minute Methylene Blue bath with epsom salt. He seem to perk up the slightest bit after but quickly went back to being lethargic and bottom sitting with clamped fins. I did try to feed him some medicated food with MetroPlex but he just spit it back out. Any advice at all on what it could be? I've read through a bunch of articles and his behavior is common in a lot of things so I have no idea what it could be.

My parameters are:
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 20
PH: 7.4
Temperature: 72 degrees Fahrenheit

I'm also doing 100% daily water changes since my pH matches out the tap as well as temperature. I was thinking of purchasing the AAP Medicated Wondershell to help aid in treatment.

[Carl]

Welcome to Everything Aquatic!

Sorry about these difficulties!

From I am reading you appear to be doing most everything right, including using a quarantine tank.

When introducing the new fish, I make sure that the pH in the bag water is not too much different from the tank water. If it is much more than .5, I adjust and introduce very slowly

Consider increasing both sodium chloride and Epsom salt in the MB Baths

Adding a Medicated Wonder shell would also be my next step, but honestly based on this history, I doubt it too will help.
AAP/SeaChem StressGuard is something else to consider using

Resource:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Seachem.html#stressguard

Carl

[kj]

Thanks for responding so quickly, Carl! Perhaps this fish arrived just too far gone then. 😔 I'll definitely continue on with the baths. They were shipped in Kordon Breather Bags so I had to acclimate them by slowly adding my water to the bucket I put them in since these bags shouldn't be floated. I dosed the old water with Prime to detoxify it.

Well, thanks again. I know his behavior could mean a lot of things. I just wanted to get another opinion to see what else it could be.

[kj]

Oh, forgot to add that I did indeed add Seachem StressGuard after his water change yesterday. I think this guy is more than just stressed though. He's thin for a goldfish.

Thanks again!

[devonjohnsgard]

Hi Welcome! I agree with Carl, it does appear your doing all you can. The medicated shell might do the trick with the baths and treatment. Maybe try PraziPro as it's gentle and effect.

www.americanaquariumproducts.com/TetraJungleHikari.html#prazipro

[kj]

Apr 17, 2017 14:48:01 GMT -5 devonjohnsgard said:

Hi Welcome! I agree with Carl, it does appear your doing all you can. The medicated shell might do the trick with the baths and treatment. Maybe try PraziPro as it's gentle and effect.

www.americanaquariumproducts.com/TetraJungleHikari.html#prazipro

Thanks for your help. I added some Prazi to the water yesterday in fact since it's known to be gentle. I also put a cube of daphnia to try and get him to eat and since it's easier to digest. It looked like he ate some and I found some poop in the water. However, I do think he's near the end now. I do appreciate all the help.

[devonjohnsgard]

I would keep doing the baths and the prazipro. Keep us updated.