Hello. I "rescued" a 20 gallon tank from my daughter's preschool about 6 weeks ago. When first brought home it contained 3 largish commons (7", and two 4"), 1 largish comet and two absolutely giant plecos. I didn't test the water intitially, I guess I didn't want to know. The water was BROWN!
So, over the intervening weeks, I have rehomed the plecos, moved two of the goldies into my established 40 gallon and worked on improving the life of the two in the 20 gallon. Many changes, added a bubbler, and a week ago upgraded to a penguin 330..using a biowheel from my 40 gallon tank and a piece of the filter from the origional filter..some ugly off-brand thing. So, I did have an ammonia spike 3 days ago...up to .25, but have done two 25% water changes and am back down to 0...nitrites 0, PH 7.0 and nitrates are 20.
The larger of the two commons is missing scales on one side, looks completely clean without any redness or inflammation. I have removed most of the cutesy little knickknacks that the came with the tank so unless he/she is crashing into the filter basket thingy from the penguin, cannot see anything he could hurt himself on.
Eating, doing his normal stuff...what should I do next.
Oh, and much to my horror with a four year old duaghter, their names are Cinderella, Belle, Ariel and you guessed it, Snow White!!! (Although I call Snow White, Smeagle since it is all white and has no eyes...came that way, Pleco incident?).
Sorry for the long post, I am known for my chattiness!!! Thanx for your help.
Full Version: Missing Scales
Hi and Welcome!! 
It may have been a pleco incident. Pleco's really aren't good with goldies because the pleco's like the slime coat on goldies. They tend to have more slime than other fish.
If you did have sharop objects in the tank then it may have been a decoration that took the scles off. It more than likely though was the water quality. Missing scales is usually a sign of poor quality. You did say that the ammonia spike but came back down. It still could have caused the scales to go missing.
It honestly sounds like you're doing everything right. Just remember the 10 gal. rule. Only 1 goldie to 10 gallons of water. Keep testing your ammonia etc.. and keep the tank super clean to prevent infection. I'd say just give it a few days and the scales should grow back. Keep us posted as to how things are going! Good luck!
It may have been a pleco incident. Pleco's really aren't good with goldies because the pleco's like the slime coat on goldies. They tend to have more slime than other fish.
If you did have sharop objects in the tank then it may have been a decoration that took the scles off. It more than likely though was the water quality. Missing scales is usually a sign of poor quality. You did say that the ammonia spike but came back down. It still could have caused the scales to go missing.
It honestly sounds like you're doing everything right. Just remember the 10 gal. rule. Only 1 goldie to 10 gallons of water. Keep testing your ammonia etc.. and keep the tank super clean to prevent infection. I'd say just give it a few days and the scales should grow back. Keep us posted as to how things are going! Good luck!
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