Should i give my white oranda goldfish a salt bath ?

Question

I think my white oranda golfish has got fin rot because i can see the veins in his tail quite clearly and his tail looks quite split at the ends. I have tried treating it but nothings changing and he just floats at the side of my filter doing nothing, should i give it a salt bath and if so how because i have another fish in the tank a (fantail). Answers would be very helpful a.s.a.p. thanks laura.

Fish tank =

17 litre

2 fishes

fantail

white oranda

the shop tells me i can have three fish in my tank so it is bi enough :).

Answer 1

A salt bath would be virtually useless-- the bacteria responsible for fin rot and septicemia (the reddening) tolerate marine conditions, so salt would do nothing.  A much better choice would be treating the entire tank (which should be nearly 115 liters!) with tetracycline, minocycline, nitrofurazone, kanamycin, oxytetracycline, or similar broad spectrum antibiotics.

Answer 2

I'm afraid the Oranda's fins may either have ammonia burns or finrot. Either problem is serious, and both are caused by poor water quality.

yes, giving it a salt bath is good because a salt bath can greatly reduce stress and encourages new slime coat growth. The bath can restore a goldfishes vitality by repairing damage done by lack of oxygen, chlorine, chloramines, ammonia, nitrite or nitrate poisoning. It also eliminates parasites and bacteria.

heres how:

How to give a goldfish salt bath

Using your fresh water source (tank or room temperature) fill an appropriately sized (free of contaminants) container for the goldfish or amount of goldfish you are going to bathe. If you are certain that the water parameters in your main tank are good, you can use your tank water which may reduce the stress on the goldfish. If you are uncertain, use your freshwater source matching temperature within 3 degrees. If you have, use water treatment that eliminates chlorine and chloramines; add proportionately following directions.

Sea Salt; 1 tablespoon per gallon: (use table salt variety for emergencies) Dilute salt into 1/4 cup warm water making certain that granules have dissolved; and mix thoroughly into the prepared tank. Recommended treatment time 30 minutes to 1 hour: