Older goldfish losing scales

[Fishkeeper]

What kind of goldfish is this? A comet goldfish (shaped like a fish but with a long tail) or a fancy (shaped like a fist)? It's possible she's dying of old age.

Pictures of the scale loss would help.

I would photograph your algae eater and post it here so we can figure out what it is.
Also, fish aren't good solutions for algae control. There are very, very few species that eat only algae as adults, most of them want more protein, and it's not good for them to expect them to live on scraps. If you have algae on the walls, just wipe it off. Algae on any other surfaces, just ignore it. It's harmless, and in fact has some minor positive effects because it helps keep your water slightly cleaner. Like plants.

 

[chicknmania]

She lost a couple of scales when our other big goldfish was with her and I was sure he was responsible but this is more pronounced. I'll send a pic when I can.

 

[chicknmania]

Update: She has perked up a lot and seems quite cheerful! We are getting her new companions this weekend. I did a big ( 60%) water change and changed the filters also and gave her some more peas. My phone is acting wacky so I can't get a pic,but I will when possible. Thanks for the advice, all.

 

[chicknmania]

Goldfish don't seem to mind new fish, so it will do no harm to add more if you want more.

I personally do really big water changes every 1-2 weeks with my goldfish. They seem to handle it well, and it keeps their water fresh.

It doesn't sound like there's anything that can rub off the scales. I put some of mine out in a raised pond during the summer. Sometimes mine will rub off scales on the cinder blocks I use for hiding spots. Otherwise an occasional lost scale isn't anything to worry about. I don't know of any diseases that cause scale lose. I might suspect the algae eater. It might be chewing on your goldfish at night. You may want to separate it.

I was curious to see myself how long goldfish would live. Fancy seem to top out at 8-10 years for me and the single tailed seem to be 12 plus. My oldest are now 16. I also have one remaining yoyo loach that is 15 this year.

I have always handled any health problems with my goldfish by doing water changes. Goldfish are easy keepers if kept clean and not crowded. I personally do about 80-90% water changes when I do mine. My goldfish are in a 125 gallon for the single tail, and a 75 for the fancy varieties.

On my tropicals I have to limit it to 30-50%. They generally don't tolerate large changes like my goldfish do.

Could you post pictures of your outdoor tank when you get a chance, if you have any pictures? I've always wanted to do that for our fish, but just have never actually started it. Seriously considered it this past year.

 

[chicknmania]

What did you use for the basin?

 

[perchie.girl]

Gold fish are prone to hook worm...

Twelve years is not an old Gold fish... not even mid life.... FWIW.

I would NOT put more fish in that tank till her issue is diagnosed... because what ever it is may have killed the other fish.

Hope there is an Ichthiologist here on BYC....

I only worked for one back Aeons ago.... at a fish store.

deb

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

One does not need a college degree to keep goldfish correctly or understand diseases. I once worked in a pet shop as well. It did nothing for me.

Experience keeping goldfish and learning about their needs through experience, as well as doing lots of reading is how I come by my knowledge. In my experiences 12 years isn't old but an average age. How long have you kept them?

Gold fish are prone to hook worm...

Twelve years is not an old Gold fish... not even mid life.... FWIW.

I would NOT put more fish in that tank till her issue is diagnosed... because what ever it is may have killed the other fish.

Hope there is an Ichthiologist here on BYC....

I only worked for one back Aeons ago.... at a fish store.

deb

To @chicknmania , sorry I deleted my post. The disrespect, or my perceived disrespect of members lately has gotten to me, and I shouldn't have let it. Perhaps I'm being over sensitive, and seeing stuff.

 

[perchie.girl]

One does not need a college degree to keep goldfish correctly or understand diseases. I once worked in a pet shop as well. It did nothing for me.

Experience keeping goldfish and learning about their needs through experience, as well as doing lots of reading is how I come by my knowledge. In my experiences 12 years isn't old but an average age. How long have you kept them?


To @chicknmania , sorry I deleted my post. The disrespect, or my perceived disrespect of members lately has gotten to me, and I shouldn't have let it. Perhaps I'm being over sensitive, and seeing stuff.

My apologies if I seemed presumptuous.... I have kept Aquarium fish for more than fifty years now.... Just not gold fish... I do know the common gold fish live a good forty years with good care... I worked in An an aquarium store with more than two hundred tanks half of which were Salt water fish.... Some were exotics.... I paid attention so I could give my clients good advice.

deb

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The goldfish life span is said to be 10 years to 60 plus. That being said I believe 12 years is a decent age for a goldfish. It's similar to how it's said chickens live to 10-15 years, but very few people see that. Goldfish will live longer in a large clean pond, but most people can't do that. Considering most goldfish are destined for a very short life, 12 years is impressive to me.

I have never seen worms in my fish nor know of any diseases that make individual scales fall off without some sort of physical trauma. I think the OP feels bad enough they lost fish, they don't need to be told everything they are doing is wrong, without helpful advice on how to proceed.

I too would not add more fish directly to the tank. They will need a proper quarantine period, and even with that, new fish can add diseases they are immune to, but current fish aren't. Goldfish are happiest with company of their own kind, so for the mental well being I would definitely consider adding more if the OP plans to stay in the hobby, and wants to commit another decade or more of caring for more fish.

Goldfish can be simple to care for if you keep them clean, with good size water changes, and you give them plenty of room, at least 5-10 gallons per fish minimum, and more if possible.

 

[CarpCharacin]

I'm glad that the fish is doing better. As was mentioned previously, scales are typically knocked off due to trauma, but diseases (such as parasites) can lead to "flashing", where a fish will try to scratch itself, and it can also be caused by poor water quality. Have you noticed any flashing?