Ok, I really would like to know so I can help Eliza out!! She has a really painful looking sore on her side from floating (part of her sticks out of the water) She always floats on that side so it's CONSTANTLY exposed... I thought I read somewhere there was some kind of lotion or something that was safe for use directly on goldfish...? Yes? If no, is there ANYTHING I can put on the sore to keep it from getting worse???

Is it an open sore? Anyway you can get a photo?

I don't know... it's white-purple in the center, around the edges it's extremely dark red... Won't have pics until tomorrow though.

I've heard of people using a lotion that is similar to vaseline, but I'm not sure what it's called. Hopefully someone will post soon with an answer

I've used some stuff from Interpet before called something like "Aquarium Treatment Anti Fungus Infection." It recommended a continued series of treatments, but the problem (which was different to yours, although the box does say it can treat swellings) went away after just one dose.

It's pretty potent stuff, though, so it needs to be diluted before applying to the tank water.

There are various topical cremes that can be used - Pantalog is one that comes to mind. I usually have that available ....

The problem is that the fish's skin is being exposed to the air - something fish's skin is not designed to do. It dries and then develops a sore - this sore will eventually become infected and may eventually lead to death if it get bad enough.

You can protect that area of the fish with a topical cream that does not allow the air access to the fish's skin. (Zinc Oxide, perhaps????) The problem will be that whatever you use will have limited time on the fish - and will only do a limited job.

When I have had fish that are floating longer than they should I have taken a piece of plastic - the kind that is sold for needlework - plastic mesh that you can sew yarn through, etc. - and have cut it to fit 1/2 the tank. (Like one half of the lid of the tank) I then twisty tie suction cups to the edges and stick it just under the surface of the tank's water. I only do 1/2 the tank so I can feed and attend to the rest of the tank withou having to remove the plastic section.

Tuck the fish under this plastic "roof" - it will hold the fish under the water at all times and will prevent the ulcers caused by air exposure. The plastic is soft.

The floating issue has to addressed aggressively, though. An upsidedown fish has poor quality of life.

She isn't upside down, just a little bit sideways, but she's so big. What will help her? Peas? They get peas every day, I have noticed a little improvement with her ability to stay underwater for a longer period of time.

Someone mentioned greenwater but can I make that in a Minnesota winter? How long is a fish supposed to live in it once I have it???

I just popped in to say : great idea Daryl! being under clean water would be the best thing for fish skin.

While I was visiting in the States I picked up something called Bio Bandage in the fish department at Pet Smart. I've never used the product I was just putting together an emergency kit.

Another member on this site used Bio Bandage on one of her fish, unfortunately I can't remember who. Not sure if this is the stuff you are looking for but here goes.

The following information is from Hikariusa.com

POND SOLUTIONS™ Bio-Bandage®
The World's First Stay-In-Place, Medicated, Neonmycin-Based Topical Treatment For Fish!

Bio-Bandage® is the first in a line of revolutionary treatments to help your pond, freshwater or marine fishes recover from injuries or disease conditions without negatively impacting their health or environment. Utilizing a proprietary vitamin-based polymer we can offer longer contact time and more rapid repair than any other neomycin based treatment on the market today. Ask for the best, ask for Bio-Bandage®!

Key Benefits
Great For Pond Fish

Great For Freshwater Or Marine Fishes

Works On Scale-less Fish Too

More Effective, Convenient & Economical Than A Dip

Less Stressful Than A Dip

Treats Fin Rot

Treats Lesions & Cysts

Treats External, Neomycin-Susceptible, Bacterial Diseases

Up To 165 Treatments Per 1 Oz Bottle

Highly Effective

Reduces Chance Of Resistance Buildup

Pond Solution™ Sizes:

1 Oz Gel (71125 - up to 165 treatments for larger fish)

0.25 Oz Powder (71025 - up to 150 treatments for smaller fish)

Directions For Use:

Store between 50° and 100° F. Shake vigorously before use. Never handle fish with dry hands, always sanatize hands before and after handling.

For Wounds On The Body Of The Fish: Working quickly and carefully, first clean the wound* with a clean cotton-tip swab, cotton ball or paper toweling wrapped around a finger; partically dry the wound taking care to not damage adjacent healthy skin or scales on the fish; next apply enough gel to the cleaned and dried are to completely cover the wound and some surrounding tissue. Gently return the treated fish to the water; allow the fish to rest with little movement to assure that the mass of the gel stays in contact with the wound for as long as possible. Apply at least every 24 hours as necessary.

*Cleaning Of Large Wounds: May require the use of a blunt-tip tweezers or foceps to remove dead and damaged skin or scales or patches of fungal growth. Follow with swabbing with a cotton-tip swab, cotton ball or paper toweling. The fish may be returned to the water immediately after cleansing and before the necessary drying of the wound per the instructions above.

For Fin Rot: Carefully snip away the eroded tissue and apply the gel to the cut edges of the fin. Be sure to spread the gel down on both sides of the fin at least 1/4" (6mm) from the cut area.

For Lesions & Cysts: Proceed as for wounds; for raised lesions it may be necessary to re-apply gel more frequently.

Note: Fish should not be held out of the water more than 30 to 60 seconds. (non-air breathing fishes begin suffocating as soon as they are removed from the water) It is necessary to work quickly and efficiently, and it may be necessary for two or more people to assist. Large fish are quite powerful and must be restrained. The use of a water-soaked, soft towel can be used to hold and restrain larger fish. Be careful to never scrape the eyes. Do not allow excessive amounts of gel to penetrate the fill cavity. Bio-Bandage® will stain skin, clothing, furniture and flooring as a result of the methylene blue we use as an anticeptic.



Ingredients: neomycin sulfate, methylene blue, cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12), binder, adhesion agents in isotonic, aqueous solution.

Recommendations: Use Bio-Bandage® to quickly and effectively treat open wounds and cysts.

Compatibilities: Bio-Bandage® is compatible with all known drugs and medications used on aquarium and pond fishes. This is due to the treatment being restricted to use on the actual area(s) of application on the fins or body of the fish where there is little or no interaction with other substances dissolved or suspended in the water.

Toxicities: There are no known toxic reactions with Bio-Bandage®.

Because We Care: Bio-Bandage® has been developed to offer assistance to aquarium or pond keepers who are encountering problems with open wounds, cysts or other conditions causing infected external areas of their fish.

NOT FOR HUMAN MEDICAL, VETERINARY OR FOOD FISH USE

Halloween, is this the same fish/problem going on in the other thread?