About Christy Expertise I can answer some questions regarding freshwater fish ranging from their care to diagnosing common diseases or problems with the fish. I can also answer questions regarding the care and maintenance of an aquarium. I haven't had much luck with live plants, so can't help in that area very much. Not real good with explaining salt water or brackish set ups too well either. Also regarding goldfish, I have some comets, and have a little experience with them but mostly just general info on them. I AM NOT THAT FAMILIAR WITH ANY OF THE FANCY VARIETIES OF GOLDFISH. YOU MIGHT BE BETTER DIRECTING THOSE QUERIES TO AN EXPERT MORE FAMILIAR WITH THEM. If I can't answer or don't know something, I'll let you know, so don't be upset if I reject your question, I'll always explain why. I would just rather not answer then give an answer I'm not confident about.
Experience All personal, first hand, general fishkeeping experience. I've had fresh water aquariums now for about 7 years. I've had tropical/community fish tanks, African cichlids, South American cichlids, brackish water puffer fish, and a lot of other varieties in between.
Education/Credentials None, all personal experience
Question I have recently set up my tank again to house one calico fantail and one black moore. I've had them around a week and a half and a few days ago i noticed white spots on the black moore, I went to the store and noticed the fish in the same tank had this problem and they told me to treat with white spot. I've seen no improvement in the black moore, infact he has started to get tail rot and is now pretty much covered in spots, not swimming very much. I've treated him with the white spot and added some salt as i've seen this suggested else where. I'm starting to lose hope now. Any suggestions? at the minute the fantail is starting to show somes signs of white spot on its tail, plus it is spending alot of its time on the bottom hiding in the plants
Thanks and I look forward to any help
Dave
Answer Hi Dave
Saw your question in our question pool.
First, since your tank is newly set up, be sure you're checking the water quality-mainly the ammonia and nitrite levels. In a cycled tank, they should be at 0 ppm, but since yours is new, they may be elevated. If you're not familiar with the cycle process, here's a great link that explains it:
I mention that, because if the water quality is poor, that could be contributing to the fin/tail rot as well as the fish acting lethargic-but those are also symptoms from the ich. Just make sure the water quality is good, which will help the fish fight the infection. If the water quality is bad, they won't stand a chance at making it through this.
Now to the ich problem. The cure isn't instant. Ich goes through several life stages, and it's only killed off during it's "free swimming stage", and you can only see the ich when it's on the fish. So, it will appear to get worse on the fish before it gets better. When treating for ich, you should treat for about 3 weeks to be sure you kill off all the ich. Eventually you'll see less and less white spots on the fish, but it is upsetting to see them getting more-but that's common. Usually it's recommended to also increase the heat in the tank to about 82-84°F, and goldfish can tolerate that temp. But, some medicines you shouldn't raise the temp, because it makes the medicine toxic. The thought process behind the increased heat, is it speeds up the ich life cycle, thus allowing them to reach that free swimming stage to be killed off quicker. Any rate, you want to treat about 3 weeks, or keep treating for 3 days after the last spot is seen on the fish.
When you do water changes, be sure to vacuum the gravel and decorations really good, because that will also help to remove some of the ich. Here's a couple links with more info on ich and different ways to treat it:
So, just keep at it. Make sure to do water changes, and check those ammonia and nitrite levels as well. May need to do daily water changes if those are showing up in the tank.
Good luck and let me know if you have more questions.
