well without pics its going to be hard to tell if the colour isnt a natural pigment coming through. have you tested for the nitrite and nitrate also? nitrite may be the culprit if its high too. any chance of seperating the comet to another tank so you can get a good look at the gills? if not then catch him and try to look under his gill flap and see what colour they are. normal gills should be a healthy cherry red colour. if its a new filter then maybe its going through a cycle and may explain your test results, try doing a 50% water change and 30% each day for a week to see if that helps more.

using aquarium salt (im sure you can get large bags for pond use)as well helps them breathe easier through a spike in nitrite. you will need 1 level tablespoon per 5 gallons and dissolve first and add near the filter. the next day do the same again, as this will take you to a .2% solution. remember to add the salt when you do water changes. so for example if you take out 30 gallons put back 12 tablespoons once you have the solution at 2%.

hope this helps you, good luck.

please post back with what you get with the other results and looking at the gills.

also, as you will be handling the fish you can have a closer look and see if theres anything else wrong with him, such as any red streaks on the fins or body, red blotches that look like bruising under neath the skin. any sign of parasites in or around the gills.

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