Bath Treatments for Sick Goldfish
A bath treatment is one the easiest delivery methods for treating a sick goldfish. Bath treatments have been used to treat sick goldfish for as long as goldfish have been kept as pets. On the market today there are dozens of formulas that are used to treat all kinds of goldfish diseases. Each formula varies in its effectiveness; some work very well while others may be pointless. It’s important to use the appropriate goldfish care treatment method for the current situation.
The main concern about using a bath treatment to cure a sick goldfish is that the antibacterial medications usually tend to be hazardous to the biological filters, aquatic plants and even other goldfish that are not sick. Most treatments will then require the biological filter to be bypassed and thus sparing the beneficial bacteria. In most cases the filter media can be removed and placed into a bowl of tank water while the bath treatment is in progress. This is easier said than done if an under gravel filter is being used. Attempt alternative treatment methods before destroying the beneficial bacteria; this can create poor water quality and make matters worse for the sick goldfish.
Types of Bath Treatments
Acriflavine
A powerful dye.
Treats: several types of ciliated protozoan, fungus, lymphocytes, Oödinium and Hexamatia.
Aquarium Salt
The most common and cost affective bath treatment for treating sick goldfish. Aquarium salt does not include any iodine or calcium silicate and it won’t change the pH or hardiness of the tank water. It can harm some aquatic plants or certain fish species (not goldfish).
Treats: Ich, Chilodonella, Costia, Epistylis, Trichodina and helps reduce osmotic pressure of sick goldfish with body sores, popeye or dropsy.
Chloramine T
Also known as N-chloro-para-toluene sulfonamide is a quaternary ammonium compound that’s available in powder form or a product called BGDX by Argent Labs. If overused, it can cause caustic burns on the skin of the goldfish.
Treats: Bacterial gill disease.
Copper
Only use a chelated ionic copper of free-form copper to treat sick goldfish. High levels of copper is toxic and an overdose can kill a sick goldfish.
Treats: Bacterial gill disease, Chilodonella, Trichodina, flukes and Oödinium.
Dimilin
An insecticide that is normally used against gypsy moths. It’s a powerful insecticide and the EPA restricts its use.
Treats: Argulas, Lernea and Ergasilus. (fish lice, anchor worm, gill maggots)
Droncit
The pill version of a tapeworm medication for dogs called praziquantel. It’s available through veterinary channels
Treats: Flukes and worms.
Epsom Salt
Magnesium sulfate.
Treats: Helps reduce osmotic pressure of sick goldfish with body sores or dropsy.
Flagyl
Also known as Methonidazole. Not as harmful to beneficial bacteria as other bath treatments.
Treats: Hexamaita and Spironucleus.
Fluke Tabs
By Product labs. If left in the water for more than 48hrs, sick goldfish can get inflammatory dermatitis, a redness of the skin.
Treats: Flukes.
Formalin
Essentially a formaldehyde gas in water and sometime mixed with methanol. If a white precipitate forms on the bottle, don’t use it. This is very toxic goldfish. Add extra aeration. Never use in water above 80*F (27*C). Can cause burns on long finned goldfish.
Treats: Fungi, some bacterial infections and most parasites (not ich or flukes).
Furazone Green
It’s made in capsule or powder form and readily available at pet stores. Contains furan antibiotics and methylene blue. Furans are carcinogenic and great care must be taken when handling.
Treats: Bacterial infections that respond to antibiotics.
Kanamycin
A broad spectrum antibiotic for treating gram positive and gram negative bacteria. Less harmful and more affective than Maracyn Plus.
Treats: Fish TB, Dropsy and popeye.
Malachite Green
Treats: ciliated parasites: Trichodina and Costia. Topical fungal treatment.
Pond Healthguard
By SeaChem Labs. Less harmful than formalin. Add extra aeration.
Treats: Flukes.
Potassium Permangantate
A caustic alkali made in powder, granular or liquid form. Can dye skin and other surfaces that are difficult to remove. Harmful to eyes; wear eye protection.
Treats: Flukes, fungus infections, bacterial gill disease, bacterial infections of fins/body and ciliated parasites (not ich).
Program
Brand name for lufenuron. Also named Larvadex. Inhibits chitin (skin) production, thus killing the crustaceans.
Treats: Argulas, Lernea and Ergasilus. (fish lice, anchor worm, gill maggots)
Tramisole
Levamisole phosphate that’s available through veterinary channels. It’s safe for sick goldfish and biological filters.
Treats: deworming medication.
clamped fins can be a sign of several things, bacterial infections, parasites or poor water quality. I would first test the water for ammonia and change the water if the it’s high. A loss of appetite is another sign of the start of ammonia poisoning. If the water change doesn’t help after a day or so, try using a bath treatment of a broad spectrum anti-bacterial medication and some aquarium salt.
My goldfish is acting kinda weird right now. He’s not moving much (new tank, I understand that), but now he’s shaking his head back and forth and spitting out his food. He also keeps pulling his top fin down closer to his body. Is something wrong or is it just the stress of a new environment?
I would observe the goldfish for a few days. if the fins get worse, you should treat it for fin rot or another infection it might have. When you change the water, if you use tap water, make sure you are using a dechlorinator. if the tail looks black or white, it could also be a sign of poor water quality. It might be ammonia burns. I suggest buying an inexpensive test kit to see if your water has the proper ammonia levels.
I had won a fish from a state fair three weeks ago. At first I had him in a glass fish bowl and have just moved him into a 10 gal. tank. I just notice that the tip of his tail looks a little strange. I am afraid that it could be a bacterial infection. I don’t have a water pump yet so I have been cleaning his water and putting in fresh new water every other day. He moves around a lot and I think he has adjusted to the tank. My question is how do I know for sure that he has a bacteria infection? I have never own a fish before. So I don’t want to jump to conclusions and try to treat him and end up killing him.
If it’s a new goldfish, it might take some time to adjust to its new aquarium. By giving it some places to hide, it might make it more comfortable and more active. You should also buy aquarium test kits to check for ammonia and aquarium pH levels. If those are off, your goldfish could become sick and die. You can also take a look at the section on goldfish diseases in goldfish aquarium care if the test come back normal.
My goldfish just stays at the bottom of the aquarium.I fear it has some kind of disease.
One of my goldfish is not moving.Well,a bit.But I am very worried.I have a how to take care of a pet goldfish book,I checked if it was healthy and it was.The air pump is on,my parents tried feeding it but it would not eat or move.