- Have you tested your water?
- No
- If I did not test my water...
- ...I recognize that I will likely be asked to do a test, and that water tests are critical for solving freshwater health problems.
- Do you do water changes?
- Yes
- If I do not change my water...
- ...I recognize that I will likely be recommended to do a water change, and water changes are critical for preventing future freshwater health problems.
Hello!
I noticed yesterday that one of my younger 3 goldfish in my 36 gallon biocube seems to have some swelling around his eyes. It was hardly noticeable but I decided to keep an eye on it. Today it is clear that there is a lot of swelling and he appears to be a bit bloated as well. His scales also appear to be starting to pinecone slightly. Now I have been fishkeeping for a long time and know that dropsy typically comes from a few things:
1. Bad water quality
2. Poor diet
3. Incorrect temperature
Now I can immediately rule out number 2, they get a pinch of goldfish formula bug bites every day or so, being fasted once or twice a week to try and prevent bloating.
Ordinarily I would be able to rule out number one as well as I am a firm believer in 50% weekly water changes, however, over the last month or so life has been pretty busy, and the past few days I have been battling a bit of a bug so admittedly my water changes have been lacking a bit. I am in the process of testing the water and will include parameters at the bottom of the post. (I do plan to try to get back to normal schedule for water changes. I have 11 tanks and trying to keep up with all of them can be difficult when life gets busy)
Now number 3 is my most likely culprit. The temperature in their tank is 74-75 degrees, a lot warmer than you should keep goldfish. The reason for this is that two of my goldfish are missing eyes (the goldfish with the issue is the only one who isn’t) and when they first lost their eyes (which is another story for another day) I raised the temperature to avoid infection and have just kept it there because of that concern.
Ammonia: WILL UPDATE SOON
Nitrite: WILL UPDATE SOON
Nitrate: WILL UPDATE SOON
My plan?
Step one will be to fast for today. I will do daily water changes and slowly bring the temp down to what it should be. Only one of the three is showing signs of illness, however, I’m going to treat the entire tank with these water changes and temp lower. What I do need advice on is what to do if it gets worse? I have never actually had to deal with dropsy, I have simply researched it extensively. I know that salt treatments are common but I need answers to things like how much salt? Should I remove the one fish?
My one other question is this: because I have the tank at warmer temps I have a few fish with the goldfish you would not typically see, this includes a BN Pleco, two clown plecos, a banjo catfish, and a mystery snail. Now if I lower the temp I need to move these guys out. I have places for them all, however I don’t know if I should QT them first before moving them to their new tanks. Opinions?
Any other suggestions will be appreciated!
I noticed yesterday that one of my younger 3 goldfish in my 36 gallon biocube seems to have some swelling around his eyes. It was hardly noticeable but I decided to keep an eye on it. Today it is clear that there is a lot of swelling and he appears to be a bit bloated as well. His scales also appear to be starting to pinecone slightly. Now I have been fishkeeping for a long time and know that dropsy typically comes from a few things:
1. Bad water quality
2. Poor diet
3. Incorrect temperature
Now I can immediately rule out number 2, they get a pinch of goldfish formula bug bites every day or so, being fasted once or twice a week to try and prevent bloating.
Ordinarily I would be able to rule out number one as well as I am a firm believer in 50% weekly water changes, however, over the last month or so life has been pretty busy, and the past few days I have been battling a bit of a bug so admittedly my water changes have been lacking a bit. I am in the process of testing the water and will include parameters at the bottom of the post. (I do plan to try to get back to normal schedule for water changes. I have 11 tanks and trying to keep up with all of them can be difficult when life gets busy)
Now number 3 is my most likely culprit. The temperature in their tank is 74-75 degrees, a lot warmer than you should keep goldfish. The reason for this is that two of my goldfish are missing eyes (the goldfish with the issue is the only one who isn’t) and when they first lost their eyes (which is another story for another day) I raised the temperature to avoid infection and have just kept it there because of that concern.
Ammonia: WILL UPDATE SOON
Nitrite: WILL UPDATE SOON
Nitrate: WILL UPDATE SOON
My plan?
Step one will be to fast for today. I will do daily water changes and slowly bring the temp down to what it should be. Only one of the three is showing signs of illness, however, I’m going to treat the entire tank with these water changes and temp lower. What I do need advice on is what to do if it gets worse? I have never actually had to deal with dropsy, I have simply researched it extensively. I know that salt treatments are common but I need answers to things like how much salt? Should I remove the one fish?
My one other question is this: because I have the tank at warmer temps I have a few fish with the goldfish you would not typically see, this includes a BN Pleco, two clown plecos, a banjo catfish, and a mystery snail. Now if I lower the temp I need to move these guys out. I have places for them all, however I don’t know if I should QT them first before moving them to their new tanks. Opinions?
Any other suggestions will be appreciated!
