Test Results for the Following:
Ammonia Level? 0
Nitrite Level? 0
Nitrate level? 60-80
Ph Level, (If possible,KH and GH and chloramines)? 6.8
Ph Level out of the Tap? don't know
Tank size (How many Gals) and How long has it been running? 55 gallons, over a year
What is the name and size of the filter/s? fluval 304
How often do you change the water and how much? about 25% once a week
How many fish in the tank and their size? 5 fish, between 2 and 5 inches
What kind of water additives or conditioners? aquasafe
Any medications added to the tank? nope
Add any new fish to the tank? niet
What do you feed your fish? wardley slow-sinking granules
Any unusual findings on the fish such as "grains of salt",
bloody streaks, frayed fins or fungus? opaque white substance resembling peeling sunburned skin, started on head and spread rapidly (im talking 2 hours) to rest of the body
Any unusual behavior like staying
at the bottom, not eating, ect..? none whatsoever

Hello everyone! I've been gone for a looooong time. I've just been so busy, but this is urgent! My goldie Phoenix developed the above symptoms ^ today. I don't know exactly when, but I know it spread quickly. I know it's not ick, and i'm pretty sure it's not lice. Body fungus, perhaps? Help much appreciated!!!!!

Actually, one more symptom I just noticed. She keeps making repeated chewing movements, even though I haven't fed the fish for hours and she isn't eating anything. It isn't the normal fish pucker that they all do, because it's much more frequent, continuous, in fact. She's not gasping either; it seems less frantic than that. I think it might tire her out after a while though.

Would you be able to double check you ph? It sounds like the slime coat is peeling off and ph could be one of the problems. Anything below 6.5 is a danger because it offers no buffers against a crash. So please double check and post back.

Also, have you introduced any new fish recently? Any new plants?

Is there any chance you can post a pic?

Also, I would increase the waterchanges to reduce your nitrates to a safer range

Thank you for the reply. No new fish or plants for months. OH my GOSH!!! Ph is off-the-charts low! I'll get some ph-plus today if I can and change the water ASAP. Oh, now she's sitting on the bottom too. I feel so ignorant, at the sake of my fishies' health! I'll go do a water change now. Thank you again!

Would you be able to test you tap's ph?

It's important to raise it slowly (but quickly) if that makes sense. PH crash will kill in a short period of time if not resolved. If you have some baking soda on hand, use that. Add 2 teaspoons (predissolved) to your 55 and then retest in an hour.... it will raise the ph slowly so won't show up on the test results immediately.

My fingers are crossed that you can fix it quickly

How's your fish doing?