im convinced that my goldfish has fin rot. ive just cleaned my tank because i heard it had something to do with bacteria,

its a black moor goldfish. the fins are jagged and torn. it has lost its fin on one side so its having trouble swimming(well actually it can swim AT all because it just stays at the top of the tank belly up!!

Well lets look at the water conditions.

Whats your ammonia, nitrities, and nitrate readings?

how long has this tank been up and running, how big is it and what kind of filter is on the tank?

Thanks, koko for the info

i will check and see if anything not right

Hi,
Like Koko said, start with the water quality. Just about all problems begin with poor water conditions. I am sure that your problems began with water quality issues. Testing is where to start but other factors need to be considered.

That is why it is so important to have enough space for your goldies--at least 10 gallons per fish. It helps dilute the wastes produced by the fish.

The proper size tank (as large as you can afford), a good filter or filters, testing the water weekly and doing partial water changes using a water conditioner, not overfeeding, having airstones and bubble walls --all of these things contribute to good water quality.

High nitrates can cause the floating--swim bladder disorder can sometimes be corrected by feeding peas--thaw, pop off skins, and cut up in pieces for the fish to eat. Goldies usually love peas. It helps clean them out and sometimes that is why they are floating (constipation).

thanks

i thought the reason why my goldie has trouble swimming because of its fins not working correctly.

i definetly know that there is enough space in the tank for the fish

but what i really wanted to know was that if its fins and tail were going to heal from fin rot if i did put everything back to normal again

Yes, in good water conditions (ammonia and nitrate need to be 0 ppm, nitrates under 40 ppm--preferably under 20), fins, etc. will heal.

Here is another question--when you say you cleaned the tank--did you take out all of the water? Also what size is the tank? (gallons?) And how long has it been set up? Do you have test kits or can you take a water sample to a pet store? Ask for exact figures.

If it is true fin rot (is there a white or red edge?), then it is bacterial also and a medication is needed. I am not sure what medication would be best. I do know that top water quality is essential for healing to begin. Some people use Melafix to heal fins but I personally had a problem with it--it burned one of my fish. Most people say it works miracles.