Topic: Samson And Delilah Losing Scales

[Dianna]

We cleaned the pond filter yesterday and I noticed that Delilah had white spots on her. Today I went back out to check them out while I could see better and noticed that they both look like they are missing some scales in patches.

I googled "goldfish losing scales" and found out that it could be caused from dirty water, breeding, pond ph, and/or parasites. The filter was really dirty yesterday and almost clogged completely up. Cleaning the filter really helped. I, also, netted some leaves and such out of the bottom of it.

The sites I looked at suggested a total pond clean, which I plan on doing on Sunday, and to get rid of parasites which is probably causing the scale loss. I have been reading and have seen suggestions to add salt to the water to kill the parasites. My pond is 85 gallons and it suggested to use three pounds of salt per 100 gallons. That sure sounds like a lot...

On one site, it says that just about any type of salt can be used, even Epsom, and that I could, also, just make a dip to dip them in. I thought I would ask here if anyone else had had this problem before, before I tried to do this. Which is the preferred method and best for the fish?

I removed all the old pond plants out of the water yesterday. The water looks clear, but I am still planning on getting the other stuff out of there. There is gravel that fell in off the waterfall and such, and I think I need to clean it, too. What should I do with Samson and Delilah while I am busy Spring cleaning their house? Should I remove all the water or just some? Could they be trying to breed? I did notice Samson chasing Delilah around after they finished eating. The pond is the same depth all the way around, though, and no shallow ends...

I am about ready to pull my hair out! I don't want to lose my Goldie babies...

Help!

[barleychown]

Good news Dianna. Spring is breeding time for the fish. It is very possible that is the cause.

More good news...since these fish have been in this pond for quite a while, I highly doubt it could be parasites. Now, to be fair, parasites have been known to travel on birds and such, as well as plants, but it's pretty rare.

Now, if I were in your shoes, I would go ahead and clean up the pond, but nothing MAJOR, as the fish don't need too much stress. Cleaning the filter was a great start. Next, maybe change half the water, and add a bottle of "cycle", which you can find at pet stores and walmart. That will add back a good dose of the helpful bacteria.

For now, the best thing you can do is give them good, clean water and let them heal themselves, while you keep a close eye on them.

[Dianna]

Should I throw in a couple of clay pots to give them some privacy? Oh, my! I might be a Grandma to a pile of fish!

The water is really clear, Sarah. I can see the bottom and all the fallen gravel in it. I do have some grassy stuff floating around, but I have been netting it. The sides have the green algae stuff all over it, but I won't scrub it right now if you think it will cause them more stress. I don't want naked fish swimming around...

I have been adding an inch or two of water a week, if it didn't rain. I haven't added any algae stuff or conditioner (well water), so seems like the "Cycle" stuff is exactly what is needed. Do I need to change half the water out with all the water I have been adding lately?

Thank you for your help. I am so relieved now....

[barleychown]

Well, baby fish sure are cute, but if you don't want the work of more fish in the pond, I wouldn't encourage them.

The bad news about water chemistry is, it can be clear as glass, and have a toxic buildup of ammonia, nitrates, or nitrites. All of them are REALLY bad for fish.

Maybe you could pick up a test kit? I bet that would be easier on you than guessing what is wrong.

[Dianna]

I won't encourage them. I will try to tell Delilah that she has got to wait until they get married...

Oh, my. So they may have been in "dirty" clear water all this time? That is scary! Here I am thinking clear water is good and they may have been suffocating in their waste products. Poor babies!

I will pick up a test kit, too, Sarah. I didn't even know that they made them for ponds. I think you are educating me a lot tonight. Samson, Delilah, and I thank you very much!

Is there a birth control pill for fish? My pond couldn't support a lot of babies and I really don't have time right now to enlarge the area....

[barleychown]

They do make test kits for ponds. I'm pretty sure I've seen them at walmart, too. Basically, you would need at the minimum one that can test for ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, and Ph wouldn't hurt.

One like this would be great : http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=5163+5167+5367&pcatid=5367

Sadly, no birth control for the fishies, but if you don't have a bunch of thick cover growing IN the pond, not many babies will survive to adult-hood. The big fish will eat them first.

My fish bred all last year, and I only have 3 babies so far...

[Dianna]

That really looks complicated, Sarah. Do they not have test strips like pools? How often do you test the water?

  Poor babies will be eaten, I am sure. I don't have any plants that they can hide in right now and I still only have the fake plants on top. I will be ordering some soon. Maybe I need to wait until I see babies, though. Let Mother Nature handle the overpopulation of the pond...

I appreciate all your help, Sarah!

[barleychown]

Dianna, they do make the test strips, but they are not as accurate as the liquids.

I test my tanks and pond about once a week, more if I'm having trouble with one of them.

There are lots of plants I really like for my pond...I'm sure you will find some that you will love.

And, I'm happy to help. I have gotten attached to my fish, too.

[Bonnie]

As for birth control-just give Delilah an asprin and tell her to keep it between her fins.

[Dianna]

As for birth control-just give Delilah an asprin and tell her to keep it between her fins.

Funny!

Sarah, we picked up the Cycle stuff today and some test strips. The didn't have the other kit thing you were talking about. Maybe they only carry the test strips because they are more expensive? We went ahead and got them, though, because we figured something was better than nothing. Maybe we need to check the Walmart closer to home...

That link you gave me had lots of beautiful pond plants. When I decide what I am ordering, I will send you some cuttings/babies of each. Thank you for helping me keep Samson and Delilah safe...

[barleychown]

Those will work, too. Let me know how the tests turn out.  Then we will have a better idea what could be wrong with the scales.

[Jim]

Dianna had me test her pond water again today.  Here is the result:

Nitrate          0
Nitrite           0
Hardness       0
TAlkalinity       40
Ph                7.8 - 8.2

With the Ph this high it seems to me the TA could be wrong.  Lowering the PH will change the TA.  In a pool I would use borax or ph decreaser.  What do you use for a pond with fish?

[barleychown]

I've not had to mess with my hardness, but this site does a pretty good job of explaining water parameters...

http://www.ponddoc.com/WhatsUpDoc/WaterQuality/wparameters.html

I'm very happy to see no detectable nitrates or nitrites. Good job!

[Jim]

Great, that link is really good.  Looks like all we need is some crushed oyster shell to get the total alkalinity up a bit and that should stabilize the pH.

[Dianna]

Thank you, Sarah! I just knew you would have a link that would help us get everything figured out with the water...

I am sure Samson and Delilah are grateful to you, too...

[barleychown]

I'm happy I could help. I like to see happy fish!

Dianna, have you tried any of the treats we talked about for them? I gave mine the pea insides today...they thought they were great!

[Dianna]

I don't have any peas to give them right now, Sarah, but I did give them a couple of honey-nut Cheerios a couple of days ago. I laughed while they were trying to fit the whole things in their mouths. The little o's finally softened up and they were able to do it then. Provided me with a little bit of very enjoyable entertainment...

I hope I wasn't supposed to break them up first?

[barleychown]

Nope, just toss them in.  I'm glad they liked them.

[Jim]

I guess I need to video "Dianna petting the fish" and "Feeding Cheerios".    

[Dianna]

Sarah, how often can I "treat" Samson and Delilah. It is tempting just to sit out there with a whole box of Cheerios and see how much they can eat.  Which brings me to ask how much should I give them at any given time?

[barleychown]

You could give them each a cheerio a day, or a few every few days...you don't want them filling up on junk food, right? Just remember that they are treats, not food, and you should do fine. And, don't buy in to their begging! Goldies are very good at begging.

The peas add fiber to their diet, which is good, if you don't have plants for them to munch on. The orange slices provide vitamin c, just like they do for us. I'm not sure what watermelon does for them, but they sure seem to have fun with it.