Hi,
I have a 72 gallon tank with 7 (between 4 to 8 inches) goldifsh in them. My ammonia and nitrite levels have been 0 for months (it spiked a few months ago because my old tank leaked..) and my nitrates I keep under 10 with weekly 40% water changes. I have pretty good filteration on it, an emperor 400 and 280, rena xp3 canister filter and a UV sterilizer.

A fish died a week ago from dropsy. He had a sore about a month ago, and I put him into a hospital tank. His sore got huge, and there was literally a large hole in his side. He was getting better when he suddenly got fat and died within a day.

So as a preventative step, I have begun feeding the remaining goldfish with metromeds. I have noticed some small white dots on the face and just in front of their gills on 3 of my goldfish. In the past when I had fungus it was more fluffy. I did a salt dip daily for the last few days and all the fluffy parts goes away, but not the little white dots. I rubbed them with my finger and didn't come off. Anyone know what I should do? is this a different kind of fungus?

If your fish are orandas then these white spots sound like hormonal wen growth which are a natural occurance although quite worrying the first time you encounter it.

Otherwise, I'm at a loss to suggest anything else. Salt dips and a diet of metromed should be enough to contain any fungal/bacterial growth. Unless someone else has a better idea I'd just keep an eye on them and see what happens.

Just out of curiosity,how long has this tank been ruinning,and do you do regular gravel vacs when changing out water?
Sounds like the fish that died had a major bacteria infection.If you continue with the Med food,make sure that you do it for at least two weeks.
As for the white dots,I was thinking maybe Breeder's star's,but then I saw that they weren't on the gills itself.

How is the fish?

Thanks for the replies! I was really busy and haven't been able to log on to check out my thread.

I do a gravel vac every week (sometimes twice a week when I'm bored). The tank has been running for about 5 months (my old tank leaked around then, and I got a new one).

Its on a ryukin and a oranada. The pearlscale had just at touch of fungus and its all gone from him now. On the ryukin, its ONLY on the gill parts, and I rubbed and scratched gently and it really doesn't want come off. The oranda has some on the actual face face as well, on top of his wen it looks like. But its really stuck on, its like little white orbs.

How are they acting? Sick or normal?

Pretty normal, swims around like nothing is happening. But the dots are still there and won't go away...

I can't help but think that your ryukin has breeding stars and your oranda is going through wen growth.

Is there any way you can post a pic or 2?

That too is what I thought Jen right off the top of my head. Pics could definately confirm that.