AboutDavid St Experience I have been in the hobby for over three years. I am currently setting up an online business to sell aquatic plants. I have raised and bred guppies, cichlids and goldfish. I currently keep over 200 differnt kinds of fish and over 100 different kinds of aquatic plants. I also have been part of a fish rescue group that take in fish people no longer want. I currently have 16 tanks at home plus two hosptital tanks, 1 snail tank, and a nursery for plants. I work in an aquarium so I have some experience in other areas that I do not feel I am an expert in. The most important piece of information that I would like to convey here is the fact that I love fish and have for many years been rewarded by keeping fish. I would like to be able to help people share the same kind of satisfaction that I have had from keeping fish.
Education/Credentials BS Business with emphasis in science.
Expert: David St Date: 7/3/2008 Subject: Goldfish Disease
Question Hi,
I recently purchased a black moor goldfish from petco and I'm not sure if something is wrong with it. His dorsal fin is down. I have had goldfish before that have put down their dorsal fin and then 2 days later, died. If this is a disease please let my know the name of it and the treatment.
Thank you.
Answer Hi Sarah: Usually goldfish and other fish will show signs of clamped fins is when the water quality is poor. Monitoring water quality in goldfish is very important because they tend to be rather messy fish. pH is another issue that you must check because it will also cause clamped fins especially if the pH has dropped significantly. Internal Parasites can also be a cause of clamped fins. I would first start with a water test to check your water chemistry. Most aquarium stores will do this for you for free. If your water chemistry levels are ok then I would look for signs of aggression from other fish. The last possibility would be a disease called Flukes and that can be treated with medication.
So Check your water chemistry and let me know the values of the ammonia, pH, and nitrites. Do a 30% water change regardless and make sure you are cleaning the gravel. Goldfish poop a lot and the poop will lay in the gravel and cause all kinds of issues. Keep me posted... dave
