Hi guys!

At the pet store where I work we just received an order of 10 big, beautiful orandas. all 10 of them have black spots in and on their wens (as well as some smaller white spots that usually mean new wen growth, right?). Due to the shipping, the orandas also have some minor ammonia burns on the tips of their tail fins, but these are healing nicely.

All water conditions are optimal as water changes are done automatically and tested often. All of the fish are eating and not looking stressed.

My question is: Are the black spots on and in the wen the remnants of ammonia burn? Could they be some sort of bacterial infection? If so, what should I treat with?

Thanks!

Hmmm, I would think if they have ammonia burns on the tails then it is a good indication that it is on the wens as well.

If they are acting good and the water is pristine I would wait a few days before doing anything.

It is good that you are looking out for them. Poor babies. I hope they find wonderful homes.

Hi Laurie!

The only reason I don't think it's ammonia burns is because of the way the spots look. Some are raised, some are indented, and some look "deep", if you can picture what that might mean.

I've done some research... some sites say it could be caused by a parasite, some say it's "black spot disease", some call it "diplopstomiasis", some say it's an ailment usually found in silver dollars, etc. Nothing consistent.

Here are some links I found...
Link 1
Link 2

Tonight I put some melafix in with the fish. I figure that if it's a bacterial thing, that might help. I think I'm going to give it a few days, but in the meantime, if anyone has anything to add, please do so...

Does the wen look like it might of popped? Here's a pic of one of mine that had a bacterial wen infection. The back portion looks like it had a blow out.

Yes, it does look like that, but not as bad. So, bacterial... what did you do as treatment?

Metro-med was recommended from www.goldfishconnection.com

Squeeker you'll have to keep us updated. Poor baby I am glad that Paul was able to help you.

Well, they seem to be doing OK. A couple have really improved already!

Thanks for all the help.

That's good squeeker - I hope they continue to improve.

Paul - that looks like some nasty wen damage I hope your little guy is mended also

That was one of my first goldies and the reason why I came to the board. What you see in the picture is actually the second time it popped. Water quality was a big factor at the time. Oh what I've learned since coming here. The fish did recover and the wen grew back.

Phew - awesome

Hi all.

Good sleuthing on the diplopstomiasis affliction. Thats pretty much the only thing to worry about if the black spots are pretty small and uniform in size. Regardless, black grubs are pretty harmless as long as you don't have any snails. They need snails to complete their life cycles and in the absence of snails they eventually die off altogether.

Now, if these black spots are actually patches that aren't uniform in looks, then you can pretty safely assume that the black is where a recent toxin or agitant "burned" the skin. The black coloration is a sign that the healing process has begun and is the equivelent to a scab on humans. The ammonia burns elsewhere on the fish are indicative (as Laurie pointed out) that the black your seeing in the wen was also caused by ammonia toxicity.

As long as these spots (black OR white) don't progress into any angry, red areas, I wouldn't change a thing. Stability of the water chemistry and the parameters is perhaps the most important factors in disease treatment. So, just concentrate on keeping the water as near perfect as you can and they should continue to thrive for you.


Good luck!

Paul