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It's been three days... and our goldfish doesn't look like he's going to make it. I would like some help on what to do.

I have a 29 gal tank fully cycled, 0 ammo, 0 nitrite, 30-40 nitrate, ph 7.0-7.4 temp is (78 right now).

Originally got a new tank pal, last Friday.

On Wednesday night, just about 2-3 hrs after last checking on the goldfish he suddenly was COMPLETLEY covered with white spots. I immediately added ick medication. Thursday morning the goldfish was not looking well at all, he was very lathargic and laying on the bottom of the tank. Added another dose of ick med and started to raise the water temp. Today he has had just about all of his tail fins eaten away and cannot seem to unclamp his dorsal, side and lower fins. His one eye looks as if it has a hole over it, the other is just covered in the white stuff. His whole body is still completly covered with white spot. I know it takes 7-10 days, however, he doesn't look as if he will make it that long and looks very very much in pain

My question... do I give him some more time and hope he has a full recovery (very doubtful) or...

It's been my experience that weak Golds have a very difficult time fighting off the ich parasite...

A Gold that appears to be healthy can suddenly be attacked by a parasite that knows his stuff.

The parasite will quickly multiply by burrowing into the skin of the Gold causing multiple holes that fungus and spread all over the fish.

Since the Gold has absolutely no immune resistance because of poor condition, it doesn't have a chance to recover.

At the stage of infection that the Gold is in, the only med that may help is "Clout", a strong ich/fungus med that indeed has a clout.

--garyroland.

Thanks for the help Gary! FYI, just did another dose and noticed that the new tank pal is dead now. Whatever he had, did him in too! I am always leary of the new fish, so I haven't gotten any in months, now all my tanks have ick from the same kind of fish that was put into the goldie tank. The other tanks are fairing much better however. In the 55 gallon only 2 of the 4 neons contracted it, and 1 of the 5 pristellas. In the 10 gallon the three platies got it, but are recovering nicely. I do find it strange, none of the white clouds got it, and I have them in all 3 tanks. Only the goldie, which is my son's, is the worst. My son, as you might imagine, is not taking it well either. I have seen ick a few times, but in that goldie tank it was shocking to see it overtake that fish you quickly. Thanks again Gary for your knowledge!

I have had my run-ins with ICK usually comes from the temp lowering from water changes. I watch my fish continuous & recommend when u see the FIRST spot-TREAT-ASAP! Dont ever wait to see if more will appear because-They will! I have lost more fish like that.
I just got over an outbreak in my 72 gl of ONE boesmani rainbow fish. Fungus almost got him but with the help from Gary- got meds & saved him. THANKS>>>He's beautiful as ever!
I recommend treating until about 8 days after the last spot drops.This has worked for me because I treat my scaless fish at half doses. Good Luck w/ your other fish.


Last edited by tkchill02 at 15-Jan-2005 09:55