My Oranda is having Issues?

Question

Here is him two days ago

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b129/DethZyth/1.jpg

He was fine this morning, I watched him eat. He is in a 50 gallon with two ryukins, both are healthy and swimming. I tested the water, no ammonia, pH is normal, no nitrates.

Here he is now:

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b129/DethZyth/2.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b129/DethZyth/3.jpg

His dorsal is down, which is what got me concerned to begin with. He isn't really swimming, just kinda floating around. He will move a little, then stop. I can't see anything wrong with him besides the dorsal being down. What could be the problem?

Answer 1

If it seems like an emergency, you will probably not get good help here.  If you don't already have an account there, you might want to try Kokos Goldfish.  They have an emergency and 911 section.  Lots of experts there.  Good luck.  (:

Answer 2

I think your oranda is a newly bought goldfish you should quarantine it first in a different tank for weeks.  He is feeling something I see some white spots in the tail.  To be safe quarantine it add rocksalt and mythelene blue by the next day do partial water change.

Answer 3

If it's just a single fish acting lethargic, there is a possibility it's dealing with internal parasites.  I would watch it very closely to make sure it's f***s are not clear and stringy.  Does he appear to be thinning or swelling?  As long as he's still eating, you might try medicating ALL the fishes' food.  Either soaking dry food in dissolved metronidazole (Metronidazole, Flagyl, Hexamit, etc.), kanamycin (Kanaplex), or Clout would be a good choice, though there are pre-medicated foods available.

Try shining a flashlight on it-- if you see gold flecks all over the body, it could be velvet, which I'd treat with any of the malachite green + formalin or copper based medications (most Ich medications) in DARKNESS (the parasite is photosynthetic) until the parasites are no longer visible, and then another week afterwards.

I have no idea how long it will take to get it through her head, but salt is NOT detrimental in proper doses!  By reducing the fish's need to constantly pump freshwater out of its body (as the body has a lower concentration of water than the water around it), it can more effectively use its energy for other purposes, like fighting off disease.  Also, dissolved sodium chloride produces chloride ions which are essential to gill function, and sodium ions wich are essential for actively transporting molecules through the fish's skin.  I strongly suggest you read the portion of this article regarding salt:

"Salt is also commonly added to freshwater aquariums as a disease preventative, slime coat stimulant, or simply due to requirements by certain freshwater fish such as Livebearers or African Cichlids to have salt present the water. Generally 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons (35 liters) of water for a community tank is what works best. However this amount may be increased to double this for many livebearers such as mollies (please note that mollies need much more than salt such as calcium and other elements, I recommend reading this article for more information: “Mollies in Aquariums”).

It should also be noted that some catfish (such as Cory Cats) are very sensitive to salt and care should be given in use of salt when these fish are present.

Salts (and not just NaCl) do not evaporate and only small amounts are depleted by normal life processes of aquarium inhabitants, so slat should only be added back during water changes and ONLY for the amount of water removed (changed) to prevent accumulation."

http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/...

Answer 4

Is there a tropical or small independent fish store in your neighborhood?

Go there and show them the pictures of your fish. The fish guy would probably know better and have the treatments on hand to help you.

Answer 5

Just based on the outside photo does't seem to be anything on the outside.

Have you tested your water and what were the readings?  When fish keep fins clamped it is usually a sign of poor water quality.  Be sure your ammonia isn't spiking.  Fish are also affected differently.

Do not add salt to your goldfish tank.  Salt interfears with the fish's ability to process water especially goldfish and Koi.  They don't have stomachs and need excess water to process foods.

Check the water and keep an eye on him for other symptoms.