Brown spots on goldfish are a common occurrence in goldfish. This disease usually occurs when aquarists keep too many fish in a tank at once.
It also happens when the filter fails due to electrical or mechanical failure; colonies of bacteria die from the use of drugs or a sudden change in water conditions.
However, what is the leading cause of brown spots on goldfish? How to treat and prevent it? Let’s find out through the following article.
What Are Brown Spots On Goldfish?
The most common cause of brown spots on goldfish is trauma and irritation caused by high ammonia levels in the water.
The appearance of brown or black spots is a sign of wound healing, but if the ammonia levels are too high and the goldfish lives in it for a long time, it can kill them.
High ammonia level burns the scales, resulting in white patches. And when the brown spots appear as the scabs begin to heal.
Excess ammonia occurs when undigested food begins to break down in the aquarium.
High ammonia levels are also expected in overcrowded aquariums due to excessive fish waste. Proper water changes and tank cleaning can help balance ammonia levels.
In addition, brown spots on goldfish have a rare case of snails coming into contact with infected bird droppings in the aquarium.
If infected snails are accidentally released into the tank, they can transmit the disease to the goldfish.
The parasite burrows into the scab and forms a hard brown cyst.
How Dangerous Are Brown Spots On Goldfish?
Brown spots on goldfish are relatively harmless in goldfish; in many cases, the cysts and brown spots will go away on their own.
However, if the tank is not cleaned in time and the situation of keeping too many fish in a tank continues for a long time, the goldfish will change from Ammonia burns to Ammonia poisoning.
Ammonia poison corn is extremely serious. Even the amount of ammonia can cause damage to the smallest gills of fish, and extremely high concentrations can be fatal.
Tips To Treat Brown Spots On Goldfish
Ammonia burns can be easily treated by removing excess ammonia from the aquarium.
Once your tank has an ammonia level above 1 ppm on the standard test kit, you’d better treat it immediately.
Lowering the pH of the water will help reduce ammonia immediately.
You should change 50% of the water in the tank but ensure that the water added is the same temperature as the old water in the aquarium.
Several water changes may be required quickly to reduce ammonia to less than 1 ppm.
If the fish is in severe pain, use a chemical pH control product to neutralize the ammonia.
At this point, limit feeding to reduce additional waste. In the case of very high ammonia levels, it is necessary to stop feeding for a few days.
No new fish should be added to the tank until both the ammonia and nitrite levels have dropped.
How To Prevent Brown Spots On Goldfish
Step 1: Sprinkle Gravel on The Bottom Of The Tank
When you use a new aquarium, spread some gravel on the bottom of the tank.
Gravel contains many anaerobic bacteria responsible for removing waste, fish leftovers, and plant debris in the aquarium.
Thanks to the gravel, the cleaner water environment, and the effective removal of toxins.
Spread a small cup of gravel in the bottom of your new aquarium, spread gravel at least 2.5 cm high on the bottom of the tank, and fill the water.
The beneficial bacteria in the gravel will help complete the nitrogen cycle in the new tank in less than three weeks.
Step 2: Raise Only A Few Fish During The New Tank Use Period
When starting a new tank, you should only add a few fish, not add more until the tank is fully operational.
Even in a well-equipped tank, you should only add a few new fish at a time.
This helps the water in the tank stay dirty longer, and the fish also have time to acclimate to the new environment.
Step 3: Disinfect The Tank With Potassium Permanganate
Use potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate) to disinfect the tank.
Rinse all decorations and equipment in the tank with medicine. Then use boiling water to rinse the tank once (if you use a plastic pot, it is not necessary).
New water must be maintained at 25-30°C, adequately oxygenated.
Mix a little salt into the water, rate 4%, then release the fish back into the tank.
Regularly observe the condition of the fish. If you have time, change the water daily and clean the tank regularly.
FAQs
1. What Time Do Brown Spots On Goldfish Usually Appear?
The disease usually appears in the summer when the weather is hot. High temperature plus tank water is kept the same for a time.
Fish droppings and leftovers are not cleaned periodically. Leads to the proliferation of bacteria and parasites.
Water quality has a significant impact on the health of goldfish. They are very sensitive to even minor changes.
Under such conditions, goldfish can suffer from many more dangerous diseases, and brown spots on goldfish are no exception.
2. Should Goldfish With Brown Spots Be Kept In The Same Tank As Healthy Fish?
No. Because fish with brown spots have a treatment, unlike other healthy fish.
Even if not treated well, fish with brown spots will die in the tank and spread disease to other fish.
Conclusion
Brown spots on goldfish are common, but you shouldn’t ignore them.
This disease in goldfish is a manifestation of the water in your aquarium that is not clean.
To prolong the life of your goldfish, you should apply the tips we provide above.
If you are not very knowledgeable about aquarium fish, seek the advice of experts when intending to use any chemicals to clean the aquarium.
