My Pearscale's scales appear to be fading around it's underbelly at the rear. It's pretty much identical on both sides. In a roundish shape but I think it's progressing. Just skin like really, as if it's going to grow back more scales soon. Is that what is happening?

Hi Shawry and welcome.

If I could ask you to provide the information asked in the box above would be much appreciated.

Is the fish acting sick, or is there a problem with it?

No, the fish is perfectly fine when it comes to temperment. He's housed with another 7 ornamentals and they're all fine too. I'll test my water tomorrow when I ge back from work but I seriously doubt it's got anything to do with it. He's the biggest fish in the tank and all the rest are doing fine.Tank size, not an issue (200Gallons). Filtration: wet/dry 3500L/hr and Fluval FX-5(3500L/hr). Change the water once a week(about 40%). 8 in the tank. Aqua master water ager with water changes. No meds as of yet. Hikari Lionhead sinking pellets, used to be Hikari Staple for Goldfish (always pre-soaked). Probably overfeed the little monsters a bit because their "poops" are always really long. Healthy behaviour. The scale problem has even progressed since I last posted on this site. Really moving quickly now. Doesn't seem to bother him though. I have a tiny oranda that was sick that I've removed and am treating him at the moment with praziquant-something. He seemed to have swim bladder syndrome at the same time as developing blisters on top of his head. He was a tiny little fella that really hasn't grown since I've had him. Same size as the Pearlscale when I got him but a third of the size now. I did get my missus to feed them while I was away for two weeks but she promises me she let the food soak before feeding them. I had a pleco in their with them that I'd feed Spirulina and Algae wafers that they'd sometimes get into. Like I said I'll test the water parameters tomorrow and get back to you. Cheers for the help

edited for language

Ok, is there any way you can post a picture of the pearlie? You would have to use photobucket and link us (not enough posts here to do it). That would be a big help. And hopefully the water is ok, but we do have to know the basics to help.

Also, please refrain from using swear words. It is against the rules here, we have alot of younger members and koko trys very hard to make the site kid friendly. Thanks.

You are welcome for the help. I will see if some others know what could be going on.

Oh, one more thing. Is the pleco a common? If so he could be part of the problem. Common's become very aggressive and are known to attack gf. Experts warn against having them together. Many members have found out the hard way, for it can take years for a tragedy to occur but it isn't pretty in the end.

It is a common pleco but I've never seen him try to attach himself to the gf. They're just too small for him at the moment. can't get a good pic at the moment because it's night time here. Just tried to though and while I was trying fatso got himself stuck between the filter intake and the glass. Got out of it (kinda funny really) but do you think he's doing this often and maybe causing himself damage? Another thing is that I'm keeping the tank at around 26 degrees Celsius so te pleco won't be too cold. Would too long at such a temperature cause problems?

No the temperature is fine unless we spot anything that may be wrong, as some bacteria respond quicker to warmer temperatures.
If the pearlie gets stuck often then he may be rubbing his scales on the gravel or an ornament.
As for the plec, how big is he? As plecs get bigger they need more protein int he diet and any goldies at night that rest on the gravel are in danger.
Hope youg et a pic up soon so we can see

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k30/shaw...kpearlscale.jpg

The pleco is about 10cm. He gets fed alot. I'll seperate him from them as soon as I can tommorrow on my day off.

It's hard to see from that pic but he looks like a normal pearlscale to me. As they grow the scales do separate like that. If he is rapidly ballooning up, though, it could be a more serious problem like constipation or dropsy.

For the record, when they lose scales, the new scales grow in flat, not spherical. Nothing harmful to the fish but they do look kind of odd.

You can't see the great big shiny area on the fishes side? The part where the little white dots stop. Seems strange that a fish would lose its scales first in order to grow more. What sort of protection does that leave it in the meantime. When a fish grows it's new scales doesn't it grow from beneath the old ones pushing the old ones away from the epidermus? I don't know, I'll keep an eye on him anyways. On a good note, my little Oranda is on the mend. I think I'll put all my Goldfish in my 4ft tank when I apply the repeat dose of praziquantel or whatever it's called. Better safe than sorry. Thanks for the help anyhow.