I don’t know what else to do-please help?
#1
I don’t have the energy to write too much but I really don’t have a choice as I desperately need help.
I purchased two 3cm small baby goldfish from a well known pet store.
Like many newbies I had no idea about fish. One fish is a lemon colour and the other a (was) a vibrant orange. I bought a 64 litre tank to start out with the intention to upgrade within a few weeks when they had grown.
I have become really attached to these fish ;(
I’ve read a lot about fish since buying them and believed it was my tank that hadn’t cycled properly at first as my fish have been extremely stressed since the day I bought them.
I tried all sorts of filter cycle additives etc and tested my water daily and performed small water changes then large water changes nothing changed. My water test results remain the same making me think the tests are faulty. I used API 5 in 1 test strips and API ammonia Test strips. GH 180+ (very hard water) KH 80 PH 7.0 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 20. Ammonia 0.
I rang the store asking for help before realising they don’t know anything about fish and asked me what my water tests were. They advised me to have it tested in store. It was a waste of a taxi fare they use the same test strips as myself and readings came out exactly same. I told them my fish are very stressed out and stay by the water surface most of the time, or are glass surfing and darting, scratching against the gravel.
I saw white under the fishes body and believed it to be fungal infection, I treated and no change , I then thought columnaris, I treated no change. They swelled up and quick 30 second salt dips helped for about two hours. I treated for swim bladder, gave peas for constipation, treated with anti bacterial the list goes on. I have had the fish since mid September.
One thing I noticed from day 1 and what I couldn’t for the life of me find any explanation for was when ate something their stomachs would contract and they would dart wildly about the tank hitting their heads and body against the glass and everything. 2 weeks later after feeding more peas and during a daily gravel vacuum I found a long reddish brown poo that resembled a worm.
I examined it under a magnifying glass and because it wasn’t moving I told myself it was just poop but was baffled why it was reddish brown after eating only peas.
I got desperate and purchased kanaplex from USA.
I thought it helped because for a few hours the fish were calm.
Then the darting started again. One of the little fishes swam so erratically about the tank it was shaking and looked shocked. I have NEVER in my life felt so helpless and rang around vets to be told they don’t treat fish. I offered to pay any amount of money if the vet would help me.
They just replied sorry we don’t treat fish before replacing receiver.
I treated for external parasite as well as anti fluke medications.
I hadn’t slept properly since buying these fish I’m constantly checking up on them throughout the night.
Two days ago I laid down one night completely exhausted only to see one fish darting about the tank worse than ever. I switched on the light to find a 8cm worm still alive and moving hanging out of one of the fishes vent. It was longer than the fish I started crying helplessly before using the net to try and help the fish by putting it into a large plastic storage box filled with water. As i released it into the water the worm fell to bottom and coiled curled up before dying.
I never knew fish got worms until that moment.
I can see the brown bulge which frequently contracts inside both fishes.
I know I am dealing with a massive internal worm infestation and this has obviously been the reason for erratic darting.
I went to an aquatic shop 10 miles away in a taxi first thing yesterday morning after speaking on the phone to the shop manager and he told me to come and get this dewormer.
NT LABS anti fluke and wormer. Flubendazole 1000mg.
I removed everything from the tank other than filter with carbon etc removed added additional air stones.
My fish have passed more than a dozen worms since yesterday morning.
I also suspect they have eaten one or two during the one hours sleep I had last night.
The worms are still alive and I can see them moving and bulging from both fishes stomach.
They haven’t grown a mm since I bought them and I realise now that they have never had a ordinary poop as I now know I was vacuuming worms up from the tank substrate.
I have covered the tank glass with a dark coloured bed sheet and closed the blinds as I’ve read the medication doesn’t work when exposed to light.
I bought the fish as my therapist recommended an aquarium might help with my complex post traumatic stress disorder she is treating me for.
I live alone, I drive but don’t have a car as the DVLA told me I couldn’t drive until I’ve undergone therapy.
I have ran out of money buying, replacing tank decor, medications, and using taxis to get around.
I feel worse now than I have ever been during the years ive had PTSD.
I am making myself ill.
I don’t know what I’ll do if the two little fish die after everything I’ve tried to do.
Sorry for the long post.
Please help me, advise what to do as I can’t go on like this.
My local vet offered to euthanise both fish for £35 each if needed.
They are both eating still but I’m reluctant to continue feeding the worms and not my fish.
The attached photo shows one of the fish with the huge worm hanging down.
He is looking shocked 😢
Thank you.
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