LoreleiSkye

I have a sick 2.5 year old Oranda goldfish.

It started out looking like he injured his tail; but now has veins in both its tail and pelvic fins that are streaking red in places; and what appears to be a blood blister at the end of one vein (where the injury was) that has been coming and going for about 45 days now.

I'm thinking its some kind of blood infection but not entirely sure at this point.

I've done two rounds of anti-bacterial Melafix and aquarium salt with some success, but the problem has come back again, I'm looking for other ideas/options.

Tonight- we're well into round three, and the fish seems to be 'resting' at the bottom of the tank far more then is typical for this fish; lethargic, and having some problems swimming (not flipping over... but hard to describe.) Still comes right up if I drop food in; so it’s eating, and wants to eat.

The fish is being kept in a 30 gallon 'hex' tank; 40 gallon rated in-tank filter; water changes are regular. No Algae issues. No other tank mates; no exposure to other fish.

The Oranda is about 4-5", before counting tail.

Gets fed flake 2 times a day and freeze-dried or frozen blood worms/brine shrimp/daphnia medley 2-4 times a week instead of flake. Occasionally fed shelled peas, spinach leaf, or allowed to nibble on an orange wedge to add variety.

Water stats: (1.5 weeks after a 25% water change following latest Melafix treatment): Temp: 73 degrees F.

Nitrate: 50-80 (I'm having IA tap water issues); Nitrite: 0; Ammonia: 0

PH: 7.0; KH: 20; GH: 160

Any thoughts or ideas would be helpful; I'm stumped.

I am doing research on future fish, but I know the books don't tell you everything experience can.

What fish have you had experience with- that WON'T eat neon tetras and other small fish?

I'm looking to round out my tank next year ideally with a 'top-dwelling' fish species if possible, (and possibly another bottom feeder if the loaches aren't efficient enough)-- but I want to choose carefully.

I've been looking at either upside-down catfish or marbled hatchet fish. I'm open to suggestions.

I have a 56 gallon tank (18Wx30Lx24T), planted with silk plants, 60-80 gallon rated power filter, 60 gallon air compressor on two air stones (one large ornament, 1 'bubble wall'), 73 degrees and holding, no water parameter problems to speak of, no algae issues, do regular water changes with the siphon- etc, etc, etc. I’ve been keeping freshwater fish for quite a few years now.

So far in the tank are 8 neon tetras, 6 black skirt tetras, and 5 zebra danios. In quarantine to go into the tank later this month are 3 black kuhli loaches and 6 “harlequin” rasboras.

Any info helpful- thanks!

I am in the process of moving from my house to an apartment in another state. I am unable to bring the school of pond goldfish and koi with me- and have donated them to the local koi society since I couldn't be sure of their care after I move.

But this leaves the 900-gallon pond empty and open for take over by mosquito larvae, worms, the little trilobite things under the rocks... etc.

My realtor isn't willing to do much more then top the pond off as needed- so chemicals or things that need fed are out.

Is there something I can put in the pond that I can leave behind safely that will eat the bugs, fend for itself, and do fine with the food supply provided by nature? (Esp. if the pond filter gets turned off or clogged up.) I am looking for ideas that don't involve more goldfish.

~Thank you

I just found out the wrong way- a friend staying here last night left a box of chocolate cake doughnuts out.

My cat seems to have eaten around 1/4 - 1/2 of one of the doughnuts. Yes- I know chocolate and cats should never mix. My friend feels very badly about this happening. My regular vet isn't open on Sundays.

Is this enough chocolate to cause her serious harm?

What can I do today to help her be okay?

What are signs I should take her to an emergency clinic?

~Thank you in advace~

Many fish (like goldfish) need/do better with varied diets including veggies. And I have found several recipes for making gel food- such as these:

http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/GelFood.html

http://www.dataguru.org/misc/aquarium/Food.html

I had a random thought- instead of gel food, has anyone ever tried giving organic baby/toddler vegetable food to fish to meet this dietary need? http://www.gerber.com/prodcat?catid=530

http://www.gerber.com/prodcat?catid=533

Anyone had successes or failures doing this?

Thoughts on pro's or con's?

Thanks!

I am moving to Cedar Rapids, IA at the end of this month- and will be moving two of my fish with me- a Ryukin and an Oranda. I am also looking at setting up a tropical community fish tank once I'm settled into the new place.

Information I am looking for:

- Is it okay to set-up aquariums? (I read about water-rationing in the area a week or two ago.)

- Is the tap water fish-safe yet after all the flooding? (My sister in Palo, IA is on a well and has been told not to drink the water yet)

- If not, what are aquarium keepers in the area doing to make the water safe for changes/set-ups?

- On a related note: Does anyone know what are good stores in the area for tropical fish and aquarium supplies?

Any advice/information much appreciated!

I am moving to Cedar Rapids, IA at the end of this month- and will be moving two of my fish with me- a Ryukin (7”) and an Oranda(4”).

Information I am looking for:

- Further advice on moving fish safely 7+ hours by car?

What I've got so far:

- I am planning on using a 10-gallon (solid blue) Rubbermaid tub with a lid to hold the fish for travel, and will keep it out of the back window and away from air-vents

- Clean the tank 1 week before the move

- Not feed them for 2 days before the trip

- Try to move at least 50% clean tank water with me

- Aerate the water (air-pump & stone run from a car-power adapter) since the trip is longer then 4 hours.

Have I missed anything? Is anything incorrect?

What else should I be doing?

Any advice/information much appreciated!

I've seen several answers recently pro/con the "general fish stocking rule".

Here is how I learned it for freshwater fish:

- Consider the full adult potential size of the fish

- 1" of adult fish per gallon of water.

- .5" of adult goldfish/koi per gallon of water up to 18". After 18" it’s more like .25" per gallon because the bio-load triples as the fish doubles in size.

But in some answers given by others, I've seen that this 'rule' is bad, and should be totally ignored?

I'm curious what are more thoughts (and maybe other websites/research/books- for/against )this "general rule of thumb"?

- Has anyone learned it differently?

- Has anyone had success or failure with using it?

- Is the rule same/different for saltwater fish?

Thanks in advance!