One of my goldfish is sick and I haven't been able to figure out what is wrong. He has a large red patch on his head and some smaller red spots on his body. I've looked at all the different medicines in the shop but none list red spots/patches as a symptom. He is still eating but has been having some swimbladder problems lately also. He is a 3 year old veil tail goldfish and I am in the UK.

Hi LM
You need to answer the questions in the box above about your water parems...ammonia/nitrite pH and the other questions if poss. Red spots can be a few things, one is ammonia poisoning ..A Mod or helper will check back when you've answered the q's above. Good luck.

Hi there LMA06 and

As trinket mentioned, it would help enormously if you could give as much information as possible, especially your water quality.

Red spots are usually attributed to either bacterial infection or infectious parasites and you can find red streaking on the body if water quality is a bit toxic so it leaves the field wide open until we know a bit more.

Please post back soon

I can't answer all those questions as I am at work but I can tell you:

8 gallon tank (I think) that has been running for a few years
I do a 40% water change every other week
There are two fish in the tank and the other is showing no signs of illness
The ill fish has had some swimbladder trouble so I have added some medicine
I have also tried a general tonic that I bought
Its been coming on for a while but I can't seem to get rid of his spots
I also put tap water conditioner in the tank when I add new water
Not sure what make the filter is - its a sponge one

Hi does anyone have any advice about this?

well I am not expert in medication but from your information I will point out a few things.
1. 8 gals tank is very small for 2 fishes. Each fancy gf needs 10 g and common needs 20 g.
2. I would do 50% twice a week since it is an overcrowded tank.
3. High content of Nitrate will cause Swim Bladder Disease(SBD), so check your nitrate and keep it under 40 ppm.

Good luck!!!

Maybe I miscalculated the tank size - they certainly don't look overcrowded. The one on display in the shop had a lot more fish in it. I'll measure and recalculate tonight.

Also, the most important thing we need to know is readings for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and ph - This will help us understand if it's water related or indeed something else.

Just as a side note, Fred (small_ranchu) has given you excellent advice - and I too would increase the waterchanges. How often do you rinse out your filter sponge? Do you rinse it in old tank water?

Please post back soon

the fish at the store wont live in the tanks there very long. people will buy them. short term, the fish will be ok. but in the long run, too small of a tank can cause many health issues. Just because they dont look over crowded doesnt mean they aren't. fancys need a minimal of 10 gallons because they get 6-8 inches, and commons/comets need a minimal of 20 gallons because they get 12-14 inches. good luck

Also,

Hi LMAO6,any more ifo about your fish and the water params?