Violet - you must have been lucky with Plants Alive - I never have been!! I always buy from the Green Machine now - a bit pricey yes, but the plants are healthy and actually alive! And they've sent me some great plant specimens. Waiting on my next order from them actually!

Hi Angie, yes, a test kit is essential so we can see what's happenning with the filter bacteria and the water quality.

Ok, you should never clean the whole tank ever. Maintenance of a goldy tank means a partial water change once or twice a week, depending on stocking levels, water parameters etc, using a gravel vac to suck all the poo out of the gravel, filter maintenance, and using dechlorinator in replacement water.

Here's my maintenance regime on my 165L tank, which is overstocked - I do maintenance twice a week;

Use a magnet aquarium glass cleaner to clean the algea off the front of the glass
Remove 1/3 of the water using a gravel vac to clean into the gravel and under rocks, plants etc
Using a bucket of water that I've just removed from the tank, I rinse the filter sponges out in this and put back into the filter
Add fresh water that is temperature matched and dechlorinated

I never clean the whole tank - this woudl upset the good bacteria in the filter and the tank and cause water issues. It's never necessary to do this.

I think you said the tank was 60L? If so, this is too small really for the fish. Goldfish need company of other goldfish, but your tank is too small to get a friend once your fish is better again. Really to house your oranda when it's well, and give him a friend, you need tank of minimum 100L. But this isn't the concern right now - we need to get the fish back to full health before you can think about a friend and bigger tank. Removing the loaches is important - they are unsuitable tank mates and will be adding to the water quality issues in the small tank.

If it were me, I would do a partial water change again as soon as possible, remember dechlorinator, and move the loaches. Hope you can get a test kit tomorrow and post results.

I completely agree with Rachy, and would use aquarium salt over traditional meds anytime. Aquarium salt won't affect the fish or filter bacteria, and is highly effective. I have used it too to successfully treat ich and skin conditions, including fungus and finrot. I don't advocate over-use though obviously - it should still be viewed as a medicine for fish and should only be used when good water quality can't solve the problem.
I've used traditional meds from pet shops in the past before I knew about salt (waaaaay back in the day!) and it made the fish much much sicker. I would be unlikely to use anything from a pet shop again unless it was a desperate situation.

Chief Brody - from what you've said it doesn't sound like your fish have ich. White spots on the gills only, and/or front fins/head, are breeding stars. All of my male fish have these. The white spots on the tail could be a virus, but a picture would help us to establish this. My fantail has some white spots/small patches on his tail, and always has had. They come and go, but are always on his tail, in various places, 2 or 3 at a time. I believe these to be a virus from what I've read. Kinda like us having a cold sore. Some fish carry the virus and never react to it, others get sores to some degree or another. He isn't affected by these in the slightest, and the fish fight off the virus. None of my other fish have this.

But, if your fish does have whitespot I would recommend Aquarium salt. If you post some pics though we can figure out what, if anything, is wrong. But I bet the fish are fine! Don't add anything to the tank meds wise for the time being - the worst thing you can do is over react!

Ah, thanks Jay. Was just asking cos I think my fantail has always carried this virus and has always shown mild symptoms. He has small white spots, just one or two at a time, and always on his tail, that appear and then disapear over time. Gradually they get smaller and it can take months for them to go. Read up on it, and found it to be likely a viral thing - like coldsores for humans!

Gulp, the thought of your baby fish spawning now Frances has got me nervous - hope mine don't start!! Still convinced Zorro is female, but no chasing. She still keeps out of the way of the boys and hides in the plants if they get too near! Sensible lass!!

Rachy - take one of the babies!

Frances - sorry slightly off topic now! Might take your mind off things though? x

Right, just stop!! This thread is making me heard hurt!!
Ouch!

Glad we got that sorted!!

I thought Lymphocystis was small white lumps that are caused by a virus? I didn't realise they could get so large. Can they be either? Small and white, or large and coloured like the one on this fish?

I completely agree that the loaches shouldn't be in the tank, and since they are are nibbling at the Oranda's injury, I don't really see that you have a choice but to move them. The injury will only get worse if it's being picked at constantly.

I also agree that water issues are likely the cause here - more info is needed though.

Sorry to hear of all your problems with Ziggi Frances. I think you should give the antibiotics time to work and then see where things are at. You are such a fantastic fish keeper, you mustn't give up. I know you won't. Thinking of you x

Jay - just to clarify, 1g per litre is 1000ppm. This is equal to a 0.1% salt solution.

Little - AL, sorry, but you are causing problems for your fish, whether you like to admit it or not. Listen to what people are telling you on here - it's good advise.