Clamped Fins on Goldfish

**crmpicco** · 12-15-2011, 11:10 AM

I am looking for some advice regarding clamped fins on my comet goldfish. He has been hiding with clamped fins for the past fortnight and he shows now signs of picking up.

I performed a 30% water change last night as I feared there could be water quality issues. When I changed the water I added AquaSafe to every bottle of water I added and when I finished I added a wee touch (inner capful) of Ammonia Remover.

Unfortunately, I don't have an API tester kit although I will be buying one of these soon. Due to the cold weather recently (and the fact that my house is generally cold) the water temperature has dropped a few degrees. I was normally around 17-20 degrees celsius, however it is now a few degrees lower - down at 13-15.

I have read that clamped fins and general "stressed-out" behaviour can be caused by water quality and/or water temperature, so i'm not sure what the best course of action is here. Should I raise the temperature as high as I can, maybe back up to the 20-mark? Also, should I do every-other-day 30% water changes? As I say, I changed 30% yesterday (Wednesday) so should I be doing another 30% on Friday?

Any help is appreciated as my fish has been looking sad for a fortnight or so now and I don't want him to fall ill or, worse die.

Cheers,
Picco

**Brhino** · 12-15-2011, 01:46 PM

You need to get that water tested. You suspect water quality is a problem, so it's time to find out. I understand you don't have a test kit yet... is there a fish/pet store nearby that could test your water for you?

**crmpicco** · 12-15-2011, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by Brhino

You need to get that water tested. You suspect water quality is a problem, so it's time to find out. I understand you don't have a test kit yet... is there a fish/pet store nearby that could test your water for you?

The coldwater kit is £33 in Pets@Home - can you buy them cheaper online?

Do you think water quality is my issue?

**rmiller** · 12-15-2011, 01:58 PM

Most likely.you can find one cheaper online. For now you could take a sample of your water to your fish shop and have them test it. Most will do so free of charge. Make sure you write down the numbers of your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. Ph as well if available. Then report back here for further assistance.

**Brhino** · 12-15-2011, 02:01 PM

I don't know. Clamped fins is a general sign of stress. Without anything else to go on, it's time to start eliminating possibilities, and water quality is always the first place to start. How big is the tank, what's in it, and how often/what amount of water changes have you been doing?

**crmpicco** · 12-15-2011, 07:09 PM

Do you think this API tester kit would suffice for what I want to test?

It doesn't say anything about coldwater - only freshwater? Does this matter?

**Brhino** · 12-15-2011, 07:12 PM

"cold" freshwater is no different than "tropical" freshwater. That kit is the most popular... it's what I use.

**crmpicco** · 12-15-2011, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by Brhino

"cold" freshwater is no different than "tropical" freshwater. That kit is the most popular... it's what I use.

Excellent - i'll buy one! Many thanks.

**Fishguy2727** · 12-15-2011, 07:26 PM

Whether the kits come up with anything or not you need to do water changes, daily. And add salt, goldfish respond very well to salt treatments.

**crmpicco** · 12-16-2011, 09:11 AM

Originally Posted by Fishguy2727

Whether the kits come up with anything or not you need to do water changes, daily. And add salt, goldfish respond very well to salt treatments.

OK, thanks. I have just bought one of these from MrPets.co.uk and should be here at the start of next week:

I have raised the temperature a few degrees to try and make them a bit more comfortable. They were sitting at between 13-15, however I have been advised to bring them up to around 20-22 degrees Celsius which I have done gradually. All water entering the tank is chlorinated (i'm going through an absolute ton of AquaSafe, think i'm going to have to buy the big bottle from now on

).

When you say add salt I take it you don't mean "Table Salt"? I've got plenty of that, but i'm sure I read somewhere that you can't add table salt to a fish tank.