Very hard water and high alkilinity?

[Puppydoglover]

I do 50% water change every month. I have 125g with goldfish. How can you soften the water? I have tried aquarium salt.. how much and how long does it take to soften the water? How do you reduce the alkilinity?

[paranoid1123]

Re: Very hard water and high alkilinity?

If your fish are happy don't change the chemistry. It ismore harmful to change the water then to fe in the wrong kind of water

[Puppydoglover]

I had two die this week. I have one goldifsh, a comet, that looks like he has a huge zit on his tail? I saw that and tested the water. Figured the hardness might be stressing him.

[imagirlgeek]

Goldfish should be fine in the water hardness we have around here. They are pretty tolerant. And it's actually a good thing your water is hard because now you don't have to be concerned about pH swings when you do your water changes.

That's my opinion, but the answer to your question is...you can filter your water through peat moss, or use RO water. I'm sure there are other ways, but those are the first 2 that come to mind. I just hate recommending fixing something if it isn't necessarily broken, ya know? Once you start messing with the chemistry, it's an on-going battle.

[imagirlgeek]

I had two die this week. I have one goldifsh, a comet, that looks like he has a huge zit on his tail? I saw that and tested the water. Figured the hardness might be stressing him.

How's their breathing? Are they gasping? Also, did you test for ammonia and nitrites? If so, how did those look? If they are anything other than zero, it could be causing problems.

I'll look up the symptom you described...the zit on the tail thing....any other symptoms you've noticed?

[Puppydoglover]

not sure if you can see it very clearly as he is swimming around. these are the best i could do. THERE ARE TWO PICS ATTACHED.

[imagirlgeek]

Yep, I see it. Thanks! That definitely helps. I'll go through my books and report back what I find. :)

[Zulaab]

I would up the water changes to 50-60% every two weeks... They are messy fish and need the extra clean water you can give them.

[Puppydoglover]

thanks. any help is appreciated. very odd looking. he is a little less inactive than normal. he is just laying on the bottom of the tank unless i try to take pics.

[Mzungu]

Some skin parasites/worms cause "pimples" like that on the skin, a reaction to their being there. Kinda like ich - the white spots aren't the parasite, they're the reaction of the fish to the parasite.

Just tryin to help you find it, Traci. :) I don't have any of the great books you have, but sometimes leaf through one at work. :)

[imagirlgeek]

Some skin parasites/worms cause "pimples" like that on the skin, a reaction to their being there. Kinda like ich - the white spots aren't the parasite, they're the reaction of the fish to the parasite.

Just tryin to help you find it, Traci. :) I don't have any of the great books you have, but sometimes leaf through one at work. :)

Thanks MB! And don't be so modest...you know your stuff! :) I was thinking Anchor Worm, but Puppydoglover will have to tell us if there is a thready thing attached to the lump. If so, definitely anchor worm. Most of the info I'm finding says that lumps and bumps are usually nothing to worry about...UNLESS they have any redness around them. Then you're looking at an infection and will need to start treating with meds.

The sudden death could be anything from ammonia or nitrites, to a lack of aeration, or even something that the fish was born with...a genetic anomaly.

Laying on the bottom could be a response to aggression in the tank, too much current, parasites or internal bacterial infection, OR an improper diet. Apparently it's pretty common for goldies to have intestinal issues and constipation if the protein content of their food is over around 20%. If you think he might be constipated, a little Epson Salt works wonders!

Do any of these issues seem probable?

[Puppydoglover]

I was thinking Anchor Worm, but Puppydoglover will have to tell us if there is a thready thing attached to the lump. If so, definitely anchor worm.

I think it is. I looked closer and it does seem to have a tiny "thread" coming off the head of the bump. Very short but definitely present. Should I isolate him?

[Mzungu]

Anchor worms are pretty large and easily visible.

I'm thinking it's some sort of trematode infection, or similar. Traci, can you find anything in your stuff about that? I can't remember what kind it was, and can SEE the picture of this in the big disease book at work, but don't have it with me. Argh!

If that's it, then isolation is probably good, but not terribly necessary. It's not contagious (I don't think) unless you have the source in the aquarium.

How long have you had this particular fish?

[imagirlgeek]

That's a good question. My initial response would be YES! But you might need to treat the entire tank. I could spout off the stuff I've read, but I think it would be better if there is anyone who has personally dealt with Anchor worms to step in with personal experience. I mean, the stuff I'm reading says you can remove it with tweezers, but I'm not sure how comfortable you would be doing that. Plus, there could be other infections that just haven't presented yet, ya know? I think I'd probably use an anti-parasitic that states it kills anchor worms, and dose the whole tank. But that's just me. And make sure you keep the tank water clean clean clean to help stave off any bacterial infections that might pop up in response to the wound.

Anyone else have suggestions?

You could also google with keywords 'anchor worm lernaea'. You'll see how much info is out there.

[imagirlgeek]

I'm thinking it's some sort of trematode infection, or similar. Traci, can you find anything in your stuff about that? I can't remember what kind it was, and can SEE the picture of this in the big disease book at work, but don't have it with me. Argh!

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