Ok, I got home from work today and notice that Blinky, my one eyed red cap has a mark on her cheek! It looks like she smacked into something hard, but there isn't anything hard in the tank other than the gravel. I also noticed a small tear in her wen, which has me a little worried. I really hope my black oranda isn't doing the damage... they are such a cute couple

I also noticed that on my black oranda, it LOOKS like ick, but then again it looks like his breeding spots too... I am not so worried about that, because I've seen pictures of breeding spots that look the same. But... I am keeping a close eye on that.

how would I regulate water temperatures? I doubt a heater would work because my room stays really warm anyway, and I'm afraid the water is getting too warm.

ANOTHER thing is both of my 1 inch comets are developing black patches on their body and their fins. It looks like normal coloring, not anything attached or growing.

The tank is as follows:

Ammonia Level - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 20-40
Ph Level - 7.2
Water additives/conditioners - Proquatics Water Conditioner & small doses of Stress Coat every now and then, basically they're the same thing. Also started using AmQuel+
What do you feed your fish? - wardley gf flakes 2x a day, along with 5 - 6 shrimp pellets
How many fish in the tank and there size? 2 orandas about 4-5 inches and 2 one inch comets

I do weekly to bi-weekly 25% water changes, and I just did a half water change last week. The tank has been running for a month, and levels have all been the same for weeks. The tank is a 20 gallon, and I know I'm overstocked right now, but those comets are so tiny right now. I will be moving them soon enough.

I just don't understand

Do you suppose that it is a bruise? Whitie had a red mark on her head one day where she crashed into something.

All I did, was add some salt. I added 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons. (of aquarium salt)

It was gone the next day. If it is a bruise, and your water is tip top, it will probably heal quickly!

If the "ich" looking spots on your Black Oranda are only on his gill plates/leading ray of pec fins, then I would not worry at all.

I would do a 25% water change twice a week (at least) and gravel vac once a week on one of the two water changes. Just to be safe. Sorry if I sound like the water police Your levels are good though! But if you want your fish to grow to their potential, you will need to do more water changes than bi-weekly (with 4 in the tank)

Good luck, and let us know how your fish with the mark is doing.

Jessica

thanks for the info, I've really been trying to keep up with my water changes and such, and every time I do a water change, I siphon the gravel as best as I can without removing too much water

I do think the mark on my red caps face is a bruise, it doesn't look like a cut or anything, it's just a red mark under the flesh. Although, the ich looking spots aren't just on the gill covers and the fins, but there are 2 or 3 spots on the wen as well.

I'll keep everyone updated, more than likely due to me asking MORE questions!

Also you said that your 1inch comets where developing black marks on them, That would probaly the colour change, comets will sometimes do that it's perfectly healthy When your comets get to be around 3-4 inches the colour they have at that time, they will stay that colour, hope this helps.

CalicoFantail

I did not know about the color change trait in comets. Do any of the fancy goldfish have this trait?

Well again, thanks for all the info! I bought some Melafix today but I'm going to hold out, I don't want to treat something non-existant. Today they seemed better, until I handled my red cap to look at her marks, I notice there is one under her chin too. I thought I saw some kind of lump on top of the skin, but when I looked closer there wasn't one. I did however, scare the begeezus out of Blinky. I think she released eggs when I was handling her. Now she is just sort of lazily floating around and her top fin isn't really perked up at all.

bump!