Help! My fantail goldfish is turning black?
I had two fantail goldfish about two weeks ago. I came domestic from work, and found the female bottoms-up. The male seemed fine. I took the body out and get rid of it. Suddenly, my male stopped eating completely. Then, I noticed he begin turning black. Now, his head is completely black, all the way to his gills, as in good health as the tips of each fin, except his dorsal fin.
I've tried nothing. I figure he'd die, since his mate died, and a goldfish book I bought with him said he probably has a parasite and that I need to travel to the vet. My fish is worth three dollars and I've had him for a month, I figured it isn't worth going to the vet.
He hasn't died yet. I'm amazed, because I don't reflect on he's eaten for a week, and then with this black problem...
What do I do? :/
How do you do your water cleaning? Goldfish are dirty fish. By that I have it in mind it takes a lot to keep an aquarium verbs. On the otherhand they are pretty hearty and can tolerate a lot of different water conditions. Do some marine changes and see if that helps.
They sell parasite treatments in the pet store. I've never seen one turn black though. Mine get the white "ick" infections which required a dose of store bought treatment. But for three dollars, it depends on whether it's better to pay for treatment, or wait and see what happens. There are some black goldfish, could be it's freshly maturing and changing color.
Answers: Not a parasite, it sounds resembling ammonia burns. How are you keeping this fish? Goldfish need large heavily filtered tank that have been through the nitrogen cycle. If you are keeping it in anything smaller number, this is the route of your problem.
You will have to test the water, I expect nearby is a high ammonia reading (the only safe ammonia reading is 0, same beside nitrites, and nitrates should be under 20ppm). You will have to do daily/every other day 30-50% river changes while your newly bought filter goes through the nitrogen cycle.
However, at this deferred stage it's likely the damage has already be done and the fish will die.
i have a gold fish for 5 years it was free and it was HUGE! we call him goldy! well goldy turned about every color ever! he turned red,black,brown,green,white, and back to his orangey color! he may not die goldy like another 2 years and changed colors but we never did find out what had happened!
Your goldfish is possibly molting because some goldfish start turning a little black. If you think it is a parasite, turn to your local pet store and get a sample of your water and buy some parasite treatment. Most promising your goldfish is molting and there is no need to worry.
Go to your pet store, and bring back parasite treatment. Goldfish are very dirty fish as you probably know, and if the water isn't verbs for them, they can get parasites, and ich, and other diseases.
