My goldfish scales are sticking out. What's wrong and how to help?

This could be bacterial or parasitic infection. It is difficult to determine definitively since the image provided is not clear. Fish can be difficult to photograph. Basic care includes checking water quality and chemistry. This can be done using a home test kit or by submitting a water sample for testing. The local Petco may do this for free or for a small fee. There should be an absence of ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 20-60 ppm. pH should be as close to 7 as possible, avoiding large swings. Koi can tolerate a wide range in temperature, but generally do best between 65 F and 75 F. Again, avoid large swings in temperature to prevent stress or shock. If necessary, a partial water change can be done to stabilize chemistry and/or improve water quality. If you have other koi, consider placing this one in a hospital tank to make treatment easier and to prevent spread if the condition is infectious. Plain aquarium salt (NOT table or Epsom salt) can be used to reduce stress, improve gill function, treat minor infection and aid in recovery. Dissolve 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of water in a cup or two of tank water and gently pour it into the tank. Treat for 14 days then reassess the condition. If there is no change, consider a broad spectrum antibiotic or "all in one" treatment. Either can be found in the Aquarium section at Petco. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated. All that said, if the spots multiply and appear like tiny grains of salt, it could be an ich infection. In this case the entire tank will require treatment. There are several commercial ich medications that can be used. You will also need to thoroughly vacuum the substrate/gravel in the tank and wipe down all tank furniture.

Unfortunately, if it is dropsy by the time a fish is "pineconing", chances of recovery are quite slim. You can try a course of a broad spectrum antibiotic. Look for one with activity against gram negative bacteria. You can find them in the aquarium section of the local Petco. Maracyn Two is an example of an appropriate antibiotic. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment. Maintain pristine water quality via filtration and regular partial water changes as well. Epsom salt can be added to the tank as well to help draw out excess fluid. Dissolve about 1/4 teaspoon per 10 gallons of water in a cup or two of tank water and gently pour it into the tank.

Unfortunately, by the time you see "pineconing ", the chances of recovery are very very small. Broad spectrum antibiotic products, such as Kanaplex or Maracyn II, may treat infection. Maintain pristine water quality via filtration and regular partial water changes. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Bettas do best in water between 78 F and 80 F. You can dissolve 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt in a gallon of water and allow a 10-15 minute swim before returning him to the regular tank. This may help with fluid buildup. Do this once or twice daily. Even with aggressive treatment, the mortality rate is very high.

Thanks for reaching out about Darwin and including photos. Unfortunately, medications added to the water rarely get absorbed systemically. This is likely a swim bladder infection, and systemic medications needed. A veterinary visit can assist with diagnostics and/or treatments. Injections of antibiotics are recommended. If dropsy is present, an aquatic veterinarian should be able to aspirate the fluid off, giving some temporary assistance while medications take effect. Check and correct water parameters and diet. Good luck.

This could be a bacterial or fungal infection. If there are other fish in the tank, trauma cannot be ruled out. if there are other fish, ideally Tiny should be removed to a quarantine or hospital tank for treatment. If not, you can treat Tiny in the main tank. First, confirm adequate water quality. You can use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing. The local Petco may offer water testing for free or for a small fee. Aim for an absence (0ppm) of ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 20ppm or less. perform partial water changes, no more than 30% total volume at a time, using conditioned and temperature matched water. Goldfish are cold water fish that do best between 68 and 74 F. The filter should be rated for at least twice the volume of the tank. Plain aquarium salt (NOT table salt) can be used to reduce stress, treat minor infection and aid in recovery. Dissolve 1 tablespoon of salt per 5 gallons in a cup or two of two of tank water and gently pour it in. Treat for 10-14 days then perform water changes to reduce salinity. Only treat the amount of water being replaced. More often than not, pristine water quality will allow recovery of minor infections or trauma. If necessary, you can use a broad spectrum antibiotic or all in one product, such as LifeGuard (Tetra) or All In One Remedy (Marineland), to treat the tank. You can find these products in the Aquarium section of the local Petco or online. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment.

Thanks for reaching out about your goldfish. Espom salts treat the symptom but not the disease. A veterinary visit is recommended as usually this is a sign of fluid accumulation, caused by heart, kidney, liver or gonadal problems. Good luck.

It doesn't look like Ich in the images provided. Ich will appear as multiple white dots the size of salt grains on the fish. The fish will "flash" or dart about the tank and rub on objects due to itching. The fish may have an infection or the loss of scales may be due to trauma from other fish. Consider separating the affected fish into a separate tank to recover. If this is not possible, maintain pristine water quality in the main tank and consider a broad spectrum antibiotic. You can find one in the aquarium section of the local Petco. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated. You are likely at the maximum number of fish in the tank. As they grow, they shouldn't get bigger than 2 - 2.5 inches, and reach adulthood you may need a larger tank or you may need to separate them.