NewKiwi1

Stones. If that is what happened, not sure what could be done about it?

Yes he was eating. I couldn't resist giving him a couple of peas again last night to try and get things moving; he gobbled them up, but today is still sitting at the bottom and there is no visible poop.

One of my orandas has been bottom sitting a lot for the past few days. Today he is literally splayed at the bottom, only going up to the surface once in a while and then sinking back down. I think it may be swim bladder or constipation issues (I am sure it isn't water quality, the aquarium is maintained by a professional company and all the other fish are fine). I've already fed shelled peas in case it was constipation. Yesterday I placed him in a quarantine tank with 2tsp Epsom salt and gave a couple more shelled peas. I still see no sign of poop, which may confirm the constipation "diagnosis". Does anyone have other suggestions? I am hesitant to feed more peas as he clearly hasn't digested the previous ones. thank you.

About 10-12 gallons. I've never used it for a goldifsh this size (body about 12cm) so may try and get a bigger plastic tub tomorrow. Am also wondering if sponge filter (not carbon) needs to be removed during medicating. Thanks for your help.

Thanks. The fins on my fish haven't been damaged that badly, they're still long but torn. It is mainly the white mucus that has me concerned. I have photos, haven't quite figured out how to post them here though. I am also mindful that quarantining the injured fish may protect the rest of the fish in the pond, but at the expense of additional stress for the sick one so it is a bit of a conundrum.

Hello, I hope someone can help with this. My biggest female pond goldfish was being relentlessly pursued by up to three males at a time. I realized this only at the end of what had apparently been very long day of "courting"; she was looking so stressed and tired by the time I realized what was going on that I took her out into a quarantine tank for a rest. Only then did I see how banged up she was, with torn fins and abrasions on the body. I added some Melafix to the tank. Now, two days later, she has developed white mucus/cotton looking substance on parts of the body and tail fins. I am not sure whether I should jump right away to the strong stuff, such as Furan 2, or whether I should wait and see how I goes with Melafix (and Pimafix, which I could get tomorrow). I had a fish with a very similar looking but worse infection earlier this year (also after a period of high stress due to having been trapped in reeds without my knowledge), and it took three courses of Furan 2, daily water changes etc... to get her cured This fish is not yet in dire straits as she started eating again today (couldn't resist a couple of peas ). All other pond fish are healthy and fine, so clearly this infection must be due to the stress and injuries sustained during mating. But i would really welcome advice from more experienced fishkeepers, especially if I can avoid using really strong chemicals. Thank you.

Thanks for this. As long as he stays nice and plump I'm not too worried about feeding but I hate to see him swimming full-speed into the pond walls. I'm afraid he may not be the smartest in the bunch :love: Your oranda in the picture is gorgeous btw!

Hello. One of my oranda's wen and "cheeks" are starting to cover its eyes. He is having more trouble feeding than the rest of the orandas and is also bumping into things. I've read on different forums that some people trim the wens themselves or get it done by a vet. I can't imagine doing this procedure myself as I'd be afraid to harm the fish, its eyes and of the possibility of infection and pain. Does anyone know of a vet in the greater Wellington area who might be able to do this procedure? Thanks for any advice. Here is a link to the type of surgery in question: http://thegab.org/Veterinary-Procedures/panda-paws-wen-trim-surgery.html

Thanks. They do look like white pimples but now the fish has slimy milky mucus as well. I've done a 75% water change, added Stresscoat +, Melafix and Pimafix. The fish is swimming normally, the water quality is good (no detectable ammonia, nitrates or nitrite) so I'm not sure what else to do. I'd hate to have to put him in a quarantine tank as he very sociable and gets stressed if he's alone. I am also leaving NZ for a month next week and would really like him sorted out before I go. Any suggestions? Should I treat with antibiotics, e.g. Furan 2? Thanks to anyone who can help.

Thanks this is somewhat reassuring. I didn't find any similar queries when I searched the forum. Hopefully there is someone with oranda experience out there who will confirm.

Hello. One of my orandas had a single white spot on his wen but has now developed several, all on the wen including around the eyes. There are none elsewhere that I can see. I was worried about ich so I went to my local fish store and the fish specialist said this was quite common in orandas as their wen grows. All the other fish are fine, although they are in a large plastic pool while their pond is being re-lined. The first spot appeared when the oranda was still in the pond, the rest a couple of days afther the move to the pool; I thought stress might be a factor. The pool water was about 1/2 pond water+conditioned water and I have been treating with Melafix and Pimafix to ease the transition, as well as salted the water (720g/100 gallons). There is no filter in this temporary set-up, just a couple of aerators. Does anyone know if in fact these white spots on the wen are normal or should I be treating for some disease. Thanks for any advice.

Hello. One one my pond goldfish has a gash or shallow white hole centered on its head more or less where a person's nose would be. He's had it for almost two months now. It doesn't appear infected. Otherwise the fish appears healthy, eats well and is active in the water. All the other fish are fine. I treated the pond for several weeks with Melafix and Stresscoat+ solution, and there hasn't been any change, hole hasn't gotten bigger, but neither has it healed. Could this be the dreaded hole-in-the-head disease? It doesn't look like HITH photos I see online. Any ideas, including on how to treat it? Thank you very much.

Thank you Discguru. I will leave her in the pond then and hope for the best.

I have put the fish back in the pond and he seems to be doing quite well. Also contrary to what I thought (and cloudiness remaining in one eye) he is obviosuly not blind as he was diving for sinking food. Would you happen to have any advice re my other post on orandas in ponds in winter? (Also in Coldwater section). Thank you again.

Thanks and sorry. As I mentioned I am new to this forum (as well as to fish ponds - I've "inherited" this one at the property where I am currently living) and it is indeed difficult at first to know where exactly to post messages. But thanks again for the advice.