Identity Red Spot on Head

[Spurs_UK]

I have a 13 year old, 8" goldfish who has suddenly developed a red spot on top of her head and one tiny bit on her tail (which might not be related). She is still eating and swimming around quite happily and her fins are not close to her side. They are getting ready to spawn, as there's lots of chasing and some very fat girls, so it could be an injury, but I don't know, as I've only had the pond for a few months ! The water parameters are perfect. Please can someone identify whether this is a disease, or just abrasions ? Also, she has beautifully flowing fins and tail. Is she just a common goldfish ? With sincere thanks in advance.

 

[WaterGardener]

Looks like an ulcer. Maybe from an injury or less than perfect water conditions.

Could you please post your actual water test results for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH and KH? That would give us a better idea if your pond.

If the water parameters are not the problem, the ulcer can be treated with triple antibiotic ointment. Just dry the area as much as possible with paper towels and apply the ointment. A powdered form is available but usually has to be ordered. It's Tricide Neo.

 

[Spurs_UK]

Thank you for your reply. Nitrate, Nitrate and Ammonia were zero. PH was 7.5, KH was 5 and GH was 10. These were tested yesterday, using a Pond Lab Multi-Test Kit. We are in S.E. Kent, which is a VERY hard water area. If I use the ointment, do I have to keep her out of the water for a short period of time, so it gets absorbed ? Thank you

 

[WaterGardener]

Not necessarily. But if you could keep that wound above the water for a bit, it might help. Obviously it will wash off in the pond, but the medication still helps.

You can also use betadine, an iodine that doesn't sting. Or plain iodine if there is nothing else available.

The only thing I would change with the water is the KH. I like to see it a little higher so there is more of a cushion. It will naturally fall over time and that can allow the pH to become unstable, stressing the fish. So I like to keep the KH high, around 200 ppm, 11 or more drops.

Baking soda works very well for raising it. If you want to increase the KH, Be aware that the pH will rise, too, to a level of 8.2 or so. That's no problem as long as it is a very gradual increase, over days. The fish easily adjust to that if it is done slowly.

Good luck with your fish.

 

[Spurs_UK]

Thank you for your help - it's very much appreciated

 

[WaterGardener]

I hope it helps the fish. There is lots of good help here for us all and we all need it from time to time. Please let us know how it turns out.

 

[Spurs_UK]

I hope it helps the fish. There is lots of good help here for us all and we all need it from time to time. Please let us know how it turns out.

I will

 

[j.w]

@Spurs_UK

 

[Spurs_UK]

View attachment 168731 @Spurs_UK

Thank you

 

[Lisak1]

There's a thing in fish called "hole in the head disease" - treatable, but can be hard to cure completely. We had a fish that lived for about two years with it. We treated with salt baths and medicated food and some kind of ointment... nothing ever resolved it completely. But the fish died when a skunk ate it - so who knows what the actual outcome might have been!

 

[Spurs_UK]

There's a thing in fish called "hole in the head disease" - treatable, but can be hard to cure completely. We had a fish that lived for about two years with it. We treated with salt baths and medicated food and some kind of ointment... nothing ever resolved it completely. But the fish died when a skunk ate it - so who knows what the actual outcome might have been!

Hiya Hopefully, it's not that as it sounds miserable. I don't have any skunks around here, so at least Pearl can be reassured that she's not going to be eaten by one

 

[Spurs_UK]

Hiya Hopefully, it's not that as it sounds miserable. I don't have any skunks around here, so at least Pearl can be reassured that she's not going to be eaten by one

OK, this is Pearl today The injury has fully healed, except for a couple of very light spots, that are almost invisible Thank you to you all for your invaluable help and support - it means a lot to both me and Pearl

 

[WaterGardener]

That's fantastic! Amazingly fast recovery! Good job on your part for doing such a good job treating her.

Thanks for the update. That helps us all to know how to deal with these things.