possible problem

[Tracy]

My goldfish tank is still cycling. I have noticed that my oranda's back fins/ tail is starting to have red streaks through them. They used to be pretty white. Does anyone know if this is because of the ammonia level? or is it a beginning sign of bacteria?
tracy

[oscarbartoni]

It sound like ammonia poisioning. I would start doing partial water changes to bring the ammonia levels down to a safer level. Perhaps even twice a day with about 10 to 15% water change with dechlornitated water.

[Tracy]

I don't know what I am doing wrong- I've had my tank since the 24th or so- and I know it is only a 10 gallon- but my oranda is still suffering. Every day since about early october i have been doing 10%- 25% water changes- rotating everyother day. I went to the beginning freshwater forum- they told me to get rocks from an established tank to start some bacteria and to get a 20g filter. I did, My two goldfish did better, and i'm only feeding once a day- just enough that they eat... but still my ammonia is through the roof. Everything else (pH, Nitrites, Nitrates- a just a smidge high- but still safe, alkilinity, and water hardness is great.) I was hoping not to get a bigger tank until our move to connecticut in late november. But am I going to just have to get the big tank now so my fish survive? HELP..
As for now- I moved the oranda to a separate bucket and will continue to do changes- he has red stripes in his tail still- and now he barely eats and just hovers on the bottom.. usually he is a pig when he eats :)

[oscarbartoni]

Have you checked your tap water for ammonia? Some water departments use chloramine which is amonia and chlorine combined to cut down on chlorine, the chlorine alone will evaporate quite readily but with ammonia it will stay in the water longer.

[Lucy]

If you're checking that, also check your dechlorinator to see if it says it also breaks down chloramine... most of them are starting to say that these days. Also, instead of getting the bigger tank, try first getting the filter you would get for the bigger tank. That will add lots more room for the bacteria to colonize.

Unfortunately, sometimes when we make mistakes we don't correct them in time to save all the fish. It could be that he was just more susceptible to the ill effects than the others. Hold in there!

[Tracy]

update:
my oranda's stripes went away after a water change of a little more than 25%... he is doing better but still the ammonia is high. My nitrates have gone up to about 20ppm but still no nitrite change (still at 0).. the gravel from my friends tank helped with the nitrates..
I checked my water - perfect- no ammonia- and I use AquaSafe- and stress coat- it does take out the chlorine .. I've gone to doing 5% water changes twice a day- no filter cartridge changes- there is definitely less guck on the cartridge. I feed everyother day.. just enough- I did a brief/ small gravel check- and there is little to no left over food. What now?

Should I add any salt to increase their gill function until this levels out?

Should I continue on the water changes, or give it a couple of days for the nitrites to kick in?

If the cartridge gets icky- do I rinse it out with the water I have set aside? or do I just let it go for the bacteria?

[Tracy]

good news... the tank is cycling- ammonia is now within the safe region and my nitrates and nitrites have started to go up :)

[AngelMom]

You'll need to watch the tank carefully during this phase as well as the nitrItes are toxic to fish also.

Keep up with the water changes and add some aquiarium salt (for freshwater - no more than 2 tablespoons for every 5 gallons) to the tank if the fish show signs of nitrIte poisoning (similar to the ammonia poisoning).

Good luck!