Please help! I have a 3-4 inch lion cap with a large white sore on it's side. The edges are red. It is now spending most of it's time on the bottom hiding in the corner.
Nitrates are 40
Nitrites are 0
GH is 180
KH is 200
PH is 7.8

There are no other fish in Gaby's 5 gallon tank.
I clean the tank 1/4 change every other week. Past three days I have done a dail change
Main food is bio blend goldfish food.
Weekly I give either tubiflex worms or spirulina flakes & blood worms.


I had treated her for several days with metafix. The fish store recommended a fungus eliminator so i have used this for two days. Gaby is currently laying on her side.


thanks for any recomendations

Hi Ada and

I suggest doing your water changes more frequently minimum of twice a week as your tank is to small for a goldfish.Poor water quality is often the main cause of illness in fish.You require 10 gallons per fancy or 20 gallons per common/comet.Do you have a filter if not I would get one.
From sounds of it your fish needs stronger meds Maracyn 1 or 2.You may also want to consider feeding medicated fish food.

Hi Ada,

I would recommend that you continue with daily water changes, up to 50% of the water. I would also suggest that if your fish recovers that you upgrade to a larger tank, at least 10 gallons. It's difficult to maintain a healthy environment for a fish of that size in anything smaller.

Just a couple more questions;

Q. Do you have a filter?
Q. Any test for ammonia?
Q. Do you gravel vacuum when you do water changes?

It's difficult to tell from your description whether your fish has a fungal infection or a bacterial infection. I'm inclined to go with the bacterial infection now that your fish is lying on it's side.

Melafix is great stuff but I think you may need something stronger, your fish sounds very ill. I'd suggest a broadspectrum medication or an antibacterial medication. I'm not sure where you live but if in the US then Marcyn would be good. Also if your fish is eating you could try to get hold of some medicated food.

Your fish has a bacterial infection im afraid. All i can recommend is keeping the water really clean with regular water changes and feeding a medicated food such as medigold.
As for other meds, i will let others from the US help you more but for now do 50% water change.
Which filter are you using and how are you cleaning it out?

Arent we all quick today

The amonia levels are acceptable. The filter is aqua tec. It has carbon and a filter pad. I also have a bio sponge. I vaccumm the gravel. The gravel is just barley covering the bottom. I do not use gravel in most of my tanks.
I am heading to the store for medication now, but I think I'm going to be too late.

Thanks for all your suggestions.

I'll let you know if she makes it thru the day.

The only ammonia level that is acceptable is zero....

That said, I have recently tried a new medication - Maracyn Plus. It is a different antibiotic than Maracyn I or II. It is sulpha based. It will bump your cycle - and may damage a weak cycle (mine bumped on ammonia for a day), but I would heartily recommend it for any open wounds, ulcers or abrasions that need care. It contains "bio-spheres" of medication that supposedly fasten onto the fish, sticking where needed.

All I know is that I had a fish with a HORRIBLE unhealing wound. The wound was carefully cleaned and opened, so medication could reach it, and the Maracyn Plus clearing it beautifully in about 2 days. I am truly impressed with that new weapon in the battle against infected ulcers and wounds in goldies....

Thanks for the help. The only medicine I could find was Maracyn. When I got home she was on her side bent over, barely breathing. I treated her with the Maracyn. It's been long day but Gaby is now right side up. She's still not out of the woods, but I think she might make it. When I'm done treating I'll upgrade her tank.

Ada how is the fish doing?