Hi all,

Lovely site! We have several Orandas in our office tank. We know basically nothing about fish, but are encountering a problem: 3 of our 4 fish, (all orandas), are picking on one fish -- and they are literally biting/chewing/destroying the oranda's head growth with their mouths.

It has deteriorated so much now that we can see the oranda's head, where the head growth would have been. I'm sorry if I'm not making sense, it's just that we know absolutely nothing about this and would like to stop the problem!

We have taken him out of the tank and put him on his own... but what else can we do? Is there anything?

Thank you for your attention!

-CC

I've heard that goldfish will pick on another one like what you've descibed if that one is sick. It would help us if you could list the water parameters of the office tank and any physical problems or weird behaviour of the picked on fish that way we can help you.

I got an divider from the lsf for the bully in my case (floating breeding net so it stays in the same tank)...but since it's just one weak fish and all others picking on it, perhaps you can isolate the weaker one until it heals? If the injuries are bad, you can isolate it in another tank to put medications for open sores. Good point Athena made about the weaker one being sick. Do keep an eye on it and let us know if this is the case okie.

Greetings and welcome to the board!


If you could help us out by answering the questions in the
red box at the top of the page, that'll help us determine
what might be going on in your tank. I'm guessing you
don't have a water test kit? If not, you can take a water
sample to your local fish store and have it tested. Most
places do it for free. Make sure to write down actuall
numbers, don't get OK or good. You'll want ammonia,
nitrIte, nitrAte, and ph level.

I've got some thoughts on what may of happened, but
will wait for the info to be posted. For the oranda with
the torn up head, make sure to keep the water as clean
as possible. If needed, do small daily water changes
using temp matched water and a dechlorinator.

I know it's gonna seem like alot of information, read it
once let it soak in and read it again. If you have any
questions just ask.

Hi all,

Thanks for your prompt replies.... unfortunately some bad news... I came back to the office, and the Oranda that was injured had died.

There was a second Oranda that we had thought was the bully, but we then realized that it was another fish, that had started on the second Oranda's head.

Now the second Oranda's head growth is half-missing, and we have isolated the bully fish. We are contemplating taking the bully fish back the store -- and perhaps we can test the water as well.

Unfortunately it seems that it was this nasty fish that caused the problems for our Orandas, but if we are able to get to the store and test the water, I will let you know! Will also let you know what happens to the sick Oranda.

Thank you again for all your help!

-CC