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We started a new tank 2 weeks ago with a 36 gallon tank, pearlscale, redcap, fantail and Randall, the moor. We have done all of the recommended things for goldfish, including salt, excellent filterand air stone and good food. Randall, began to show evidence of illness after the 3rd day. We had had to treat with FLAW for lice, but he had already had a small hole in one pelvic fin. My child picked it out herself. At the pet shop I had not seen the fish and the store employee missed that. The next day, we noticed a tiny hole above one eye as well. We removed him and at that point, a piece of his tail fell off! I began using Melafix in a 2 1/2 gallon tank with a bubbler with floss. After 5 days of Melafix, the hole had increased to an oval tube shape across the telescopic bulge of his eyes, the fins were more ragged. I started Furazone green two days ago. He is going between laying at the bottom and swimming frantically. He is still eating but does not seem very interested in the food. They are the sinking mini sticks. His scales seem to be fallen away on the under side and has revealed silver. Does he have flukes? The antibiotic seems to be useless. This is the handpicked fish of our child, who refuses to consider it might not get well. We are in the USA and would appreciate any help learning what this problem is and how to help Randall.

Few things.
One goldfish need much more space than most people understand. Even fancies need 10-20 gallons (minimum) per fish in a tank that is 75 gallons or larger.
Second I understand this may hurt your child, but it's best they learn what fish really need before they lose too many more pets.

I'm going to hazard a guess @this point based on what you've provided so far (I'm sure someone else will be along soon to fill in gaps) but I'm assuming that the tank the fish was in was rather full of other goldfish....goldfish other than getting large produce alot of waste. Waste =ammonia which is poisonous to fish. Once a tank has been properly [link=cycled]http://www.fishprofiles.net/faq/begin-cycling.asp" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link] the ammonia has converted from nitrIte then to nitrAte which is less harmelss but in signifigant ammounts can lead to complications such as fin rot.

Can we get test results on Ammonia, nitrIte and nitrAte from both the 36 and from the 2 gallon?
I'd suggest not feeding him as much as normal, if he's not eating it and it's sitting in the water thats contributing to the ammonia. Additionally fancy goldfish such as the ones you have have been known to commonly have issues with swim bladder problems. The swim bladder is what helps keep the fish balanced when swimming. If a fish becomes constipated the innards often press up agains the swim bladder causing loss of balance. Deshelled frozen peas can be of assistance in the early stages. Defrost one pea between your fingers (make sure ther's no lotion ect on your hands) gently pop from the outer skin then mush each half. Offer one half @a time. If he takes one, offer the other. Be sure to increase ammount of water changes when feeding peas as the purpose is to help move things along inside the fish .
Hopefully we can get a few more answers for you. While waiting please read and answer the questions posed in [link=this sticky note]http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forums/The%20Hospital/43725.html?200407200128" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link].

^_^[hr width='40%']"I'm alright, I'm alright
It only hurts when I breathe"

Our tank is a 36 gallon hex. The fish are 6"- pearlscale, 4 1/2" fantail , 3 1/2" redcap and then, there was 3" moor- the ill one. I am not sure about nitrates or other problems. We could take a sample to the pet shop this weekend, but I do not think Randall has this time.

I am not thinking that swim bladder was the problem. He has not been constipated and in fact, has very long trails of it- some with mucus which needs to be cleaned daily.

I think the original tank has very good ph. Hospital tank is being changed 50% daily with new meds every nite and new floss. I thankyou for suggestions and am hopeful someone else has seen this problem and treated it.

I want to thank those that responded to me about "Randall". I found him on the bottom of the tank laying sideways unless disturbed about 5 pm last night. I raced him to the pet shore (tropicals and a good one) in a bag with my child. I sniffled and weeped most of the way! I assumed that he would be euthenized. One of the employees was a chemist and thought it was the water and ammonia was keeping him from improving. We changed the tank, but it was nice to have someone offer to help. We have left our Moor for 3-10 days to allow them to keep him in their hospital tank. We did a partial change on the main tank and will put more bio spira in tomorrow. It seems that the FLAW we had to use may have knocked out the good bugs in the filter even though someone there had said it would be fine. New tank- no meds would be our recommendation. Anyway, Randall has a chance. Thanks for the suggestion of water testing. We are having this done. Thanks and happy fish watching!