Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a calico fantail that up to now has been healthy. Last Thursday He was laying on the bottom with his top fin clamped and definately not right. Three days before I had a brown algae outbreak that clouded the water (FYI). I do 10% water changes every week. The tank is 40 gal. and the only occupants are 2 other "common" goldfish about 1 1/2" long. The tank is established and the ammonia is 0, Nitrite is 0, nitrate is 10 and pH is 7.4. The water is the best it has ever been. It is now the following Wednesday and I noticed reddish "internal bleeding?" like discolorations under his front fins (arms) and same spotty reddish marks on his belly and sides. I went to the aquatic store and they told me to add 1 tablespoon of aquarium salt per 5 gallons and hope for the best. I don't think they really know anymore than the basics. I will try to send a photo so you can see if you can identify and offer any suggestions. Thanks. (Oranda.........WHERE ARE YOU!!!!)

From what i can see it looks like hemorrhagic septicemia. Are the fins red streaked as well? if so then it is bacterial. This is caused by stress and poor water quality. Even though the water is now perfect bacteria is ever present in the water and if a fish gets stressed then this lowers the immune system allowing the bacteria to invade and septicemia is where the fish looks bruised from under the skin.
All i can suggest is an anti bacterial remedy to kill any bacteria in the water and salting the water to .2% but it can progress to ulcers and dropsy.
Can you quarantine the fish so you can medicate it? More water changes may help.

I see. If I get a medication to treat his bacterial problems, will it also kill the bacterial filter (good bacteria) that I "patiently" waited to establish. I was told by a storekeeper to buy the Tetra product "Anti-bacteria medicated sticks". It is a food to feed to him for 10 days. Any thoughts on this stuff? Any products you can recommend if treating the water is the best way to help this fish? Thanks for all your kind and insightful advice.

Are you in the U.K or U.S or Canada? If in the U.K then there really isnt anything that will help (though anything is better than nothing) but in the States you can feed medigold.
The bacteria med shouldnt kill the filter bugs but testing the water regularly whilst treating would be a good idea. do a big water change before adding meds and hopefully he may pull through.

US. Thanks for your help! He's actually looking better today. He now prefers the top of the tank and is swimming around some. His reddish discoloration is alot less than yesterday. I started feeding him that anti-bacteria food but he's not really thrilled about it. At the store the merchant recommended a garlic-juice supplement that you soak the pellets in to make them more tasty. I will probably get that today. Again, thanks for your help. It is always greatly appreciated.