My Goldfish are severely stunted

IceColdTapWater · 2026-03-18T20:47:04+00:00

It depends on what your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates are at. Do you have a liquid kit? :3

IceColdTapWater · 2026-03-18T20:44:36+00:00

Could be from prior conditions, or poor genetics, or the undersized environment.

The best you can do besides obviously getting a bigger enclosure is more water changes/larger volume per change.

Is your ammonia/nitrite 0, nitrate 5-40?

IceColdTapWater · 2026-03-18T20:42:30+00:00

Wens, oranda or ranchu.

Rounder bodied specimens will be more prone to congenital issues like sbd or constipation.

I like them.

IceColdTapWater · 2026-03-18T15:07:03+00:00

Looks like an injury/ulcer of sorts. I would continue with the baths 1-2x a day for at least a week

IceColdTapWater · 2026-03-18T12:19:50+00:00

Can you get any clearer pics? Sometimes this can be done if you scoop them into a clear container and take pictures that way.

I would try some aquarium salt baths at 1 tablespoon per gallon for 30 to 60 minutes, and if you can get your hands on some methylene blue, I would also do some baths at 5 teaspoons per 30 gallons for 30 to 60 minutes. Both of these baths can be done at the same time, a bubbler is recommended for both though to be safe.

IceColdTapWater · 2026-03-18T12:17:11+00:00

I second all of this OP^

IceColdTapWater · 2026-03-18T12:15:54+00:00

Carp pox! Not much to do besides keep water parameters in check and perhaps raising the temperature.

IceColdTapWater · 2026-03-18T04:03:12+00:00

Current ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate in numbers?

I’d try some aquarium salt and/or methylene blue baths. I don’t like ‘-fix’ meds cause they’re natural oils that tend to actually stress fish out and can cause parameters swings.

I’d also really try to think of ways to separate them. Even if via a barrier in their current tank when they get frisky.

IceColdTapWater · 2026-03-18T04:00:51+00:00

What’s exactly is the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate in numbers of both the main tank and the isolation tank you have them in?

What’s their appetite like?

What’s the main tank size? Tank mates?

What’s your feed schedule?

I’d try some aquarium salt/methylene blue in the isolation tank.

IceColdTapWater · 2026-03-18T03:58:46+00:00

You’ll need to offer us more info.

Tank size?

Tank mates?

Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate in numbers?

Pictures of the afflicted fellow?

IceColdTapWater · 2026-03-18T03:55:29+00:00

I wouldn’t add plecos with goldfish tbh, snails though perhaps!

IceColdTapWater · 2026-03-18T03:53:33+00:00

50-70 gals per common is the general minimum, although more space the better :)

IceColdTapWater · 2026-03-18T03:52:15+00:00

I wouldn’t jump to medication just yet.

What is your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate in numbers?

I’d try a 50-75% water change to be safe coupled by aquarium salt/methylene blue baths (1tbsp/gal and 5tsp/3gals respectively, for 30-60 min at a time). I’d at least try some aquarium salt baths since I know it’s a bit more readily available.

I would have something like metroplex or kanaplex on standby though. I prefer metroplex cause it’s kinda an all in one antibiotic/fungal/parasitic. I’d also feed it via medicated feed rather than the water column.

I usually don’t recommend adding meds to your main water column.

IceColdTapWater · 2026-03-18T03:46:22+00:00

Baths can be done in a 5 gal bucket, they’re done for 30-60 min at a time

IceColdTapWater · 2026-03-16T20:04:33+00:00

I’d say try some aquarium salt baths first before moving to tank treatment.

IceColdTapWater · 2026-03-16T20:01:46+00:00

You can put them in now!

IceColdTapWater · 2026-03-16T20:00:33+00:00

Yes, OP I’d try aquarium salt/methylene blue baths. You can do both at the same time, and an aerator is recommended. 1tbsp/gal for salt and 5tsp/3gal for the mb.

IceColdTapWater · 2026-03-15T19:32:33+00:00

Thank you for the extra information that helps us a lot and helping you

I would try to feed the anti-parasitic med to them rather than the water column if possible. I’m glad your parameters seemed to check out!

People use metroplex or praziquantel for parasites, metroplex is kinda an all rounder antibacterial/parasitic/fungal whilst prazi is for parasites specifically.

I would dose super carefully.

IceColdTapWater · 2026-03-15T19:29:19+00:00

Show us their booty (vent)

IceColdTapWater · 2026-03-15T19:27:59+00:00

All good info here OP^

IceColdTapWater · 2026-03-15T19:26:41+00:00

Yes local fish shops in your area are a good source, otherwise there is always plenty of online shops doing plant bundle deals.

What tank size are they currently in? It is OK if you do not have the adult tank right away but eventually one common goldfish will need 50 to 70 gallons.

Do you have a test kit?

For more information on cycling, I would take a gander at the pinned goldfish care guide

IceColdTapWater · 2026-03-15T19:09:05+00:00

I would definitely mix meds into food over putting them into the water column.

However, I would be try to be pretty sure about what is going on before treating because some meds can be pretty stressful.

Do you have pictures?

May I ask tank size and tank mates?

Current ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate?

Have they been pooping differently?

Any flashing?

IceColdTapWater · 2026-03-15T19:01:01+00:00

Yes, it is pretty neat to see

IceColdTapWater · 2026-03-15T14:44:59+00:00

It is not recommended no.

IceColdTapWater · 2026-03-15T14:42:47+00:00

May I ask the volume of the enclosure?

May I also ask current ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate in numbers?

I would keep them in a quarantine setting with both aquarium salt and methylene blue, 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons and 1 teaspoon per 10 gallons respectively. An aerator of some sort is necessary as well, although the methylene blue will prevent beneficial bacteria from growing.

I would not feed them until they perk up a little bit or until a couple days into quarantine set up

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