Goldflake Angel...

I am also interested in the "bulge" as I have experienced it with the my second attempt at the GF. I got one from Les at Wet Pets HI that had the dreaded bulge and never made it out of QT. It never ate and became emaciated, except for the mysterious bulge. The GF I recently lost was my third and last attempt to keep this fish. I want someone who has kept this fish long term (5+ years) to give soe insight into their secrets of success with this fish. I have yet to see anyone post pics of a large adult GF that they have either had for years or has raised it from a juvi or sub adult specimen.
 
I have to confess, I really think "the bulge" needs to be investigated before we start arbitrarily start throwing meds at it. Perhaps it is a fatty liver syndrome, which can cause immediate death, especially after a robust fish goes through a period of stravation, sometimes a short period. Perhaps it is something totally benign. Assuming it is a malignant form, and starting medication for such seems a bit archaic and premature.

Tim, I wasnt trying to belittle. I just find that, too often, people overlook this issue. Some people have INSISTED to me that there is no way that a water treatment can treat internal issues. Ideally, is in the link you provide, you want the fish to actually consume the meds in order to treat a GI tract. However, this is much easier said than done. First and foremost, you need to know the weight of the fish. How many of us can say we know how much our fish weighs?! Secondly, you'll need to find a way for the medication to adhere, and not dissolute, in water. And thirdly, youll need to ensure the fish intended eats the medicated food. Again, easier said than done.

In my profession, I regularly used a wide gamut of medications, and cringe at their misuse, and prophylactic administration for causes unknown, so I am a bit sensitive to it.
 
You can weigh the fish or use the the medicated food that is already made by Jungle if the fish are eating, its worth a shot. There are ways to make your own though I didn't find the link I was looking for but I'll post it if I do.
 
You can weigh the fish or use the the medicated food that is already made by Jungle if the fish are eating, its worth a shot. There are ways to make your own though I didn't find the link I was looking for but I'll post it if I do.

If using the medictaed pellet, how do ensure the fish gets an adequate dose? All such drugs are dose dependant. So, how much drug is per pellet? There is no way to know. Thats kinda my point.

As a comparison, if your dog became sick, and needed penicillin, they wouldnt just give him an arbitraty "feed" with penicillin mixed in, and say "feed him some". He would get a specific doseage for his condition and weight. If you want to apply the medication in the same manner for a fish, the same principles must be followed.
 
That is a valid point.

By comparison, prazipro in the water is really no different. You add X amount to volume Y. Whether its a 1", 10 gram fish, or a 10" 1 pound fish. Thats not very accurate. I was merely trying to express that the prazipro is easier to use for hoem aquarists, and will be useful against internal parasites.

FWIW, praziquentel, is available in powdered form for addition to food in proper doseages, but from what Ive heard, its solubility to food is horrible.
 
Now I think my GF got the slight 'bulge'.

Recap: I got one since 10/9 and it never seemed right from that day. It took a long time to get it to eat and it went through 2 rounds of Prazi. After 5 weeks of QT and eating then it was introduced into the DT.

This week--all of a sudden on Sunday or Monday it stopped eating and by Tuesday night I noticed it had a slight bulge near the stomach area . the bulge is not growing but it's been swimming almost vertical and looking at the surface the last two days and I fear for the worst.


Did anyone's GF that had this bulge problem started to swim funny toward the end? It's look a swim imbalance I'd this fish fish for over 2.5 months so I thought I should the fish would be home free with swim bladder problem, right?

This is definitely my last GF for a long time! :(
 
Man! Im really sorry to hear that. I Keep hearing these stories about GoldFlakes not making it. I was talking to my wife the other day about when we got the Goldflake and she said its beenover a year! Well Scratch that. I just searched for it and I got it 1/09 so pretty much a year and it has been great! But this really has me worried.

I wish you the best of luck, but please keep us updated on his progress...
 
Ryan,

I will post updates here. I posted a question on your other post where you'd 2 pictures up but I deleted as I felt inappropriate to post there as your GF seem so healthy.

My question was: is your GF always that fat?

My GF's slight bulge appears to look like your first picture there but I know my GF hasn't been eating that much to be fat so it's either internal parasite or gas causing the bulge.

Thanks,

Kevin
 
Kevin,

My GF eats like a pig. Anything I put in the tank. It also attacks the Nori Daily! Based on what I see him eat, He should be that fat.

I suppose you never really know! But I havn't seen or noticed any change.

Does yours have smoth dorsal and tail fins? Mine has somewhat jaged fins...

this picture kinda shows his belly...

tankshot9.jpg
 
Ryan,

Mine have smooth soft dorsal and caudal fins. Mine stopped eating and the stomach appears to be bigger than your eating GF.

This was the picture you posted in which I referenced to the slight bulge on mine:
tankshot8.jpg


Kevin
 
whew!

Well that is good news! However, I am a little concerned on why my GF's fins are a big jaged. They are not ton or tattered, but just a little, well kinda like a serated edge of a kitched knife...
 
Kevin, Did you treat your GF w/ Prazipro?

Have the little awkward colored spots on the side of your GF always been there? I just noticed some on mine the other day and they concerned me a little cuz i didn't know what they were???
 
KEv- Sorry to hear about your GF. When my GF stopped eating and got the dreaded bulge, it did start to swim erratically much like you described. This is very disheartening as GF are beautiful, docile, and tend to have great personalities. Hope your GF pulls through....
 
Unfortunately, once the GF starts to swim erradically and stops eating as it used to it is just a matter of time for the fish to pass. Mine was the fattest pig in the tank and was quite aggressive and paced the tank all day long. Then after almost 12 months in the tank he stopped swimming around and stayed in a 24" area and never came to the sand bed for feeding time where he used to be the first one there.

Within 4 weeks he just got so weak and just laid on the sand. I took him out and froze him to put him down.

I have had 2 GF and do not think I will get another (even though I have access to 1-2" on a monthly basis and am TEMPTED every time :)

I place GF angels on the same level with Bandits as far as the hardest angels to keep.

Ryan - I hope yours turns out different.
 
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