Can you please help me? Sick black moor :(

[rsousa]

Hi guys, I am new to the hobby, I am really excited to have gotten a couple of black moors goldfish on January 8th 2024. I used to own one when I was a kid, and now 25 years later, I decided to purchase a couple. Unfortunately, things haven't started good. I purchased a 55 gallon tank, educated myself on tank cycling, medications, etc, to the best I could, but ended up making mistakes. My set up includes a HOB filter, a sponge filter, and an extra airstone. I use Seachem prime, and I read that using Seachem Stability for the first 7 days, it is safe to add fish to the tank on the first day. I ran the tank for about a week before adding the 2 black moors, (got them from Petsmart and I think they are about 2 months old). I purchased an API test kit and tested everything before adding the fish on the first day. PH 7.8, ammonia 0, nitrate and nitrite 0. I made the mistake of having my HOB filter running at max flow and I had the LEDs on as well. Just 2 hours after placing the 2 black moors in the tank, they started to develop this white fuzzy material on their tail and fins. The next day  they had a white slime covering their body, and their fins were frayed and seemed to be rotting away. One of the fish was just lethargic on the bottom barely moving and just gasping every 10 seconds. I went to a pet store and showed them a picture, the person said it was a bacterial infection and suggested a treatment of Kanaplex. After 2 rounds of treatment there was a significant improvement, the fish started swimming and I could see the white fuzz becoming less aparent. I completed the 3 final dose and they seemed alot better, and even started to eat. After, they had a white string fecal matter, and sometimes they would just 'flash' swim very fast for a second and slow down and I thought they had a parasite. I was suggested to put Metroplex on their food. They were okay and improving for almost 2 weeks, fins appeared to be regenerating. About a week ago I did a 80% water change, the day after the water change I noticed his top fin clamped. It has been 4 days and he spends most of the time at the top barely moving. I seen him with erratic movements against the glass and rubbing against when I turn on the LED. I read that flukes cause this. But I haven't seen him doing that again, he doesn't move around much. The physical sign that I see, is this white substance on the side, it started off in one side, and now its on both. I can't tell if its fuzzy, it doesn't appear to be. His fin is always clamped. I started another round of Kanaplex 2 days ago, and today I started the 2nd dose. I don't seen anything wrong with the water  paremeters. The other fish appears normal so far... Sorry for the long text and for bad English (not first language). I created several accounts of websites and don't get much help. I have several medications at home, prazinquel, ich x, metroplex, kanaplex, aquarium salt, paraguard, polyguard. I really appreciate your assistance!! 

[rsousa]

When I turned on the lights, I saw him rub against the sand a couple times. 

[Colu]

On 1/26/2024 at 4:59 AM, rsousa said:

When I turned on the lights, I saw him rub against the sand a couple times. 

What exactly are your ammonia nitire nitrate pH and temperature any rapid breathing hanging out near the surface lethargy white stringy poop is he eating ok 

[rsousa]

@Colu Thank you taking the time to read my post! I keep the temperature at 68F, today I haven't see him at the surface or lethargic. He spent most of the day closer to the sand and mid level of the tank swimming around. Top fin is still clamped, I seen him trying to eat some pellets but he spits it out. No white stringy poop noted. I am not sure but I think one of the spots on the side is getting smaller, can't really tell. Tomorrow he is due for the 3rd dose of kanaplex and a 25% water change. I will reassess tomorrow after the last dose and daily. I was thinking doing a salt dip, I never done one before but I read it can be dangerous to young goldfish. I prefer not to stress him out by removing him out of the tank and putting him alone. Not sure yet, I read that salt can do wonders, but think i'll wait until the last dose of the kanaplex.

[rsousa]

@Colu He opens and closes his mouth about 28 times in 10 seconds.

[Colu]

On 1/27/2024 at 1:01 AM, rsousa said:

@Colu He opens and closes his mouth about 28 times in 10 seconds.

What I would do is add an extra air stone if you don't have live plants I would add aquarium salt 1 table spoon for 2 gallons for two weeks just remember to only put back in the amount of salt you take out so if you do a 2 gallon water change put 1 table spoon of aquarium salt back as salt can only be removed through water changes I wouldn't do another course of kanaplex after this one doing more than  two courses of kanaplex back to back can affect the kidneys of your fish you could also add some Indian almond leaves as they have antibacterial and antifungal properties you might need to add one leaf per gallon to get a beneficial effect 

Edited January 27 by Colu

[rsousa]

@Colu thank you for your help! I will give an update tomorrow, his appetite is improving.

[rsousa]

@Colu He is doing great! Thank you! All the white areas are gone. So far so good, no clamped fins and he swimming around and eating just fine 🙂 

[Colu]

On 2/2/2024 at 6:18 PM, rsousa said:

@Colu He is doing great! Thank you! All the white areas are gone. So far so good, no clamped fins and he swimming around and eating just fine 🙂 

Good to hear he's recovering