AboutRon Coleman Expertise I am an expert on cichlid fishes, particularly New World cichlids. My broader expertise includes the behavior, ecology and reproduction of fishes in general. (I am NOT an expert on Goldfish. Please do not ask me questions about why your goldfish are sick -- they are almost always sick due to the way that they are sold). Also, please do not use abbreviations, such as "my GT has a swollen
eye" because I don't know what a "GT" is. The more clearly you can explain your question, the better chance I have of understanding what it is that you seek. Thanks.
Experience I teach at the California State University, Sacramento in the Department of Biological Sciences, and I run a website, called the Cichlid Research Home Page . I also write for many popular aquarist magazines, and I am editor of Cichlid News magazine. I am a scientist and I spend my time teaching fish biology, ecology, behavior and evolution and doing research on the reproductive biology of fishes, particularly cichlids. I do research in the laboratory and in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Mexico. My main interest is understanding the evolution of parental care in fishes. I am interested in encouraging greater public awareness, understanding and participation in science.
Organizations belong to American Cichlid Association, Pacific Coast Cichlid Association, American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, etc
Publications Cichlid News, Tropical Fish Hobbyist, Freshwater and Marine Aquarium, Science, Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology, Copeia, Canadian Journal of Zoology, Trends in Ecology and Evolution, AUK, Environmental Biology of Fishes
Expert: Ron Coleman Date: 6/26/2008 Subject: fungus on goldfish
Question My goldfish has been going through quite the ordeal for the last three weeks. He has had finrot off and on for about two months. Treated this with Jungle .... The latest bout of fin rot I treated with a new medication that called for an increase in temperature. The finrot went away but now it has a fungus growing out from under it's top fin. I treated it with a pet store fungicide for five days but it didn't seem to have any effect controlling it. Can't use the fungicide more then five days and this is the fifth. Not sure what else I can do to get rid of the fungus - Salt bath? He's a fighter, I'ld like to help him. Oh yes I've isolated him in his own aquarium right now.
Any suggestions
Answer Hi Neda,
Most cases of "fin rot" are actually the result of one fish chewing on the fins of another. The best solution is isolation of the fish to stop the attacks, as you have done.
The chemical I use for fungus is called Paragon II, but it is very hard to find. I would suggest continuing on with the fungicide you are using for a few more days.
-- Ron
rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>
