I'm not a goldfish expert, but something to help before the real experts come along. There's a sticky up at the top of this forum that asks a bunch of questions about your tank set up heating, filtration ect. would you mind filling that out? It'll save time for when the real experts come by : )

Sorry about your fish, hope someone can help

(off hand..sounds like amonia burn)

 

Here you go if you have trouble finding it

Housing
What size is your tank?
What temperature is your tank?
Does your tank have a filter?
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration?
Is your tank heated?
What tank mates does your betta fish live with?

Food
What type of food do you feed your betta fish?
How often do you feed your betta fish?

Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change?
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change?
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change?

Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? If so, what are the following parameters?

Ammonia:
Nitrite:
Nitrate:
pH:
Hardness:
Alkalinity:

Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed?
How has your betta fish's behavior changed?
When did you start noticing the symptoms?
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how?
Does your fish have any history of being ill?
How old is your fish (approximately)?

 

Sounds like ammonia burn is starting to burn his body. This is VERY severe. If it is on his body, you need to improve living conditions. My Goldfish beau got burned once when I had him in a bowl (This was before I researched, so I didn't know.) He was burned on his fins. Some on dorsal and some on his tailfin. He has fully recovered, but this sounds more severe.

Can you provide us some information on his housing and living conditions?


Let me find that help sheet..


EDIT- Please use the one ShyDog has posted, and I will be able to assist you more.

 

ignore my double post, internet getting silly

 

My heart goes out to this little guy. Ammonia burn is painful.

 

do i answer all that here? in this same thread?

 

Yeah, you can copy and paste it and fill it out for us.

Thank you! 'll do anything I can to help. But be warned, I might come out a little strict and blunt. This sounds like a problem.

 

How often do you perform a water change?
Everyday
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change?
100 percent
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change?
chlorine remover

Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? If so, what are the following parameters?
No

Ammonia:
Nitrite:
Nitrate:
pH:
Hardness:
Alkalinity:

I have no idea how to test water i never done it

One gold Fish is placed in about 2 gallons of water (9.5 liters)
__________________

 

Okay, well we can already tell that ammonia is probably through the roof, and i'm sure so is Nitrite and Nitrate.

I think the problem is that he is in 2 gallons.

Could you please fill out the rest of it? That isn't enough information. But something definetly should be done about his tank size. If you got him a ten gallon with double filtration that would be much better.

 

More armchair information:

Goldfish are the kings of waste production, which is why it's rediculous their advertised as bowl fish, or even small aquarium fish. Their body size is determined by space, but their organ size is not. So that's why a lot of people say 10 gallon minimum.

 

what u mean by double filteration?

 

So say you have a 55 gallon tank (Bare minimum for an adult, but anything 10+ will do for now) you'll want to get a filter for a tank of 110 gallons.

Or to be even more simple, say you get him a ten gallon tank. You'll want a filter for a 20 gallon tank. You need this because Goldfish produce and extreme amount of waste.

 

Nouran, do you mind filling out the rest of the information for Myia? She needs to know what he eats, what the temperature is ect.

 

Yes.

Its Miah by the way.

 

Goldfish should NEVER be kept in a 2 gallon! Even as babies!

What kind of Goldfish do you have? Depending on the species, you may need 30 gallons once adult, or over 100 gallons. If it's still a baby, a 10 gallon will suffice. If you cannot provide this, please rehome your Goldie!

Goldfish have an extremely high bioload and do not ever fare well in bowls or under 5 gallons. It does sound like ammonia burns. You've never tested the water, EVER? This is very important. Pet stores will test your water, often for free. PetSmart, PetCo, etc.. bring in a plastic ziplock bag of the water in your Goldfish's tank just BEFORE you do a water change, and have it tested. It won't do you good to test right after a water change.

Also, constant 100% water changes are stressful on fish. You really need to upgrade!

I agree, your fish needs minimum 10 gallons with double filtration... I.e., 10 gallon with 20 gallon filter, 20 gallon with a 40 gallon filter, etc...

If you can post pictures and get that water tested to verify ammonia burns that'd be great. Because if it isn't, we need to still pursue this and figure out what is wrong.

 

sorry, Miah : )

 

I have a goldfish in a 2.5 gallon tank, I had these things called " Correct PH" which helped with ph levels and lowered the ammonia toxicity. In the mean time you can try and get a cheap filter witch might help with ammonia.

Sorry I'm not all that good of a goldfish expert.

 

Very good, laughing! That is very good information.

Its okay Shydog. Easy mistake.

What type of a Goldfish, Leyla? Something should be done about that. Possibly a rehoming? Or you could get a bigger tank. 2.5 gallons isn't even suitable for Goldie fry! Haha.

 

You actually got in a fight with me about this a month ago C8
I told you I rehomed him but I really didn't hurrhurr

 

At the least a 10 gallon would "do" but only for a short time to avoid stress (and stunting of growth) as ammonia build up is extremely common in goldies. Even in an 80 gallon with two goldies, they tend to have a double filtration, meaning two filters, usually each made for the equivalent or more than the amount of water you have to ensure maximum health. Red dots sort of sound like a parasite to me, but I have noticed it is awfully common in goldfish. Sometimes, if the red speckling is near the gills it is ammonia burn starting, more as small welts than a burn - similar to what you would have if you burned yourself. First it'd look red, then change to look like a burn.

 

The common comet (feeder) goldfish need a minimum of 20 gals, and that is for one of them. In fact, I believe they actually need more as they can grow 12", correct? They "can" live in smaller tanks, but only for a short while, as their bodies may stop growing, but their organs and such doesn't.. so by only giving them not even a fraction what is needed, you are slowly and eventually painfully killing them.

Goldfish can and do live for decades.. 20+ years easily.. and if given the proper room, temp and filtration, are very hardy fish. A goldfish that dies after a few months to a couple years, then you definitely will need to reevaluate your set up. And with ammonia burns being present, it just means that it won't be a long time until the poor thing passes..

 

20 gallons is temporary i'd say. No adult could be shoved into a 20 gallon and make it past a year.

 

I have met someone who had a goldie in 10 gallons for a good few years. my question: "did he always seem sick?"
them: "yeah"
me: "you know they are supposed to live for like.. at least 5 years minimum."
them: "..."

So it is possible... but highly unrecommended.

 

Mine is in one temporary.

A few years? They should be able to get at least 1 foot (2 isn't uncommon if its a Common or Comet) and live DECADES. Not 5 years. You could keep one in a bowl for years if you're lucky

My friend's sister had one with some tropicals (Like 3 others) in a 1 gallon, it lived 5 years.

 

Well, I am saying the minimum of all minimum is 5 years lol. not just... 2-3 years. I don't ever want goldfish anyways, so yeah.

 

Oh but Goldies are such cute and intelligent little creatures. They sure aren't like Bettas, they are unique and fun! I love mine and wouldn't trade him for the world. <3

 

That's true. Just, as pointed out, they need loads of room and lots of cleaning :lol: