OK, my little fish seems active and lively enough, but does have this white mark on the gill cover. Yesterday it looked almost as if a scale was peeling off and flapping back as he swam. Today, whatever was flapping has gone and there is just a small milky-white mark that looks like someone splattered a flick of paint on him. Also, now I think of it he did have a long trail off very thin poop which looked almost like piece of cotton yesterday. I checked later to see if it was completely white but I think there was some brown as well as white. Could the white mark be an ulcer and the poo indicate a bacterial infection? Should I do anything yet or observe him a little longer?
Although I fishless cycled my tank first, the water params are not quite stable yet since introducing the fish.

Water change Sat night: 50L out of 180L

Yesterday there was the palest trace of amonia and nitrite but ONLY a trace and 20 N'ate.

I'd been underfeeding last week so as not to overload the filter but yesterday took pity may have fed a little too much.

So, today
Am = trace - maybe 0.10
Nit = 0.50
Nate = 20 (could be 40 - can't tell ; Aq Pharm drops - those reds!)
PH =7.6
I've replaced my nitrazorb pillow to scavenge the excesses.
Should I do another small change or see if the nitrite will convert.

My filter is 1500L p/hr and I got Ziggy and Mango on Monday 2 weeks ago and Calypso on Monday last.


Any thoughts?

Hope he's OK, Pixie!

These fish are a constant worry aren't they?!

I'd use a little salt to help control the toxicity of your nitrItes. I think it's the nitrites that make CO2 bind to the hemoglobin in red blood cells. Basically, the fish suffocates. I couldbe wrong, and ammonia could be the culprit for that one.

Are there any decorations Ziggy could have injured himself on? Any flashing?

You can use iodine to clean wounds, and it's excellent for ulcers, but I'd be EXTREMELY careful if you go that route. Iodine can really burn their gills, and possibly kill them. Use a Q-tip [cotton-tipped applicator] and a small amount if you do decide to use iodine. It may help him heal faster.

Has anyone tried the liquid band-aid for people on their fish?

Rai

Thanks Raivynn.
Well, there is a pile of slates on the back RH corner of the tank so I guess it's possible he could have scratched himself.
Also, I was thinking that just a trace of amonia - maybe 0.10 and 0.50 nitrite (which has now dropped to below 0.25) was not high enough to suffocate or burn them - but did I get this wrong?
Now I'm worried.

Pixie I wouldn't do anything except add a little salt to soothe the fish. Perfect water will heal it if it is a scratch from something.
I personally don't like slate rocks, they are sharp. But that is just my opinion.

I would be weary of using iodine that close to the gills. Again just me. As long as the fish is acting ok, I would concentrate on the water.

Great Laurie He is acting fine so I'll go with the salt and keep the water as right as I can

Keep us posted.

Hey there.
Ziggy seems just fine - and since yesterday the water has been perfect. Finally!
The white mark seems a little paler today and all the fish went nuts when I fed them frozen daphnia this evening. So all seems well for now....
Thank you for your interest.

, Yay, Ziggy! Glad to hear hes doing better!

We get so attached to our goldfish (and snails) that when something odd comes up we are nervous wrecks!

So happy for the both of you!

Yes it is good to hear he is better.