My Tiny Oranda... Options

[Hamad]

This little guy was 1.5inch when I first got him in January. One month later he was 2inch and now 3inch (size including tail).

He went through white spots and gill disease that lasted for awhile but this month he was extremely active and healthy even when lights are off he's running non-stop.

Took his pics and noticed not just his size got a bit bigger but also overall he gained bulk and looks far better! I think if he wasn't sick he'd be even bigger.

Anyhow, he still gasps for air at the top after meals for several mins, is that natural or means he still has problems? Thanks

This post has been edited by Hamad: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 1:23 am

[desireless]

Hi Hamad,

Cute one you have there...

Fish constantly coming up to surface for air is an indication that it is not getting enough oxygen. Either the DO is insufficent or its gills is not functioning well due to infection or damaged. If you check its gills and it turns out to be OK then up the aeration in your tank.

[Sabine]

A very pretty little oranda! Good colour, too. Does he have a blue ring around the eyes?

[Hamad]

Sabine, I think that's just a reflection cause there's a lot of blue around him. It'd be cool though to have a goldfish with blue eyes!

Thanks Desireless, I'll add extra aeration and hopefully this helps, I have added 0.5% salinity into the water for about a week or so now and it didn't help, he still goes to the top after each meal for several minutes.

If things stay the same I'll check out the gills and treat with Tetra GoldMed.

[goldrush]

Dear Hamad

Thxs for sharing with your cutie

As for for your question on an ocassional gulp-of-air behaviour,it is fairly normal if it is not too frequent as it will tend to equalise its buoyancy through this mean


So don't be too fast to reach for that medicine bottle!

[Hamad]

Thanks a lot for your kind comments Goldrush, and for reassuring me that it could be normal behaviour! I will check the gills soon and add an extra airstone just to be sure!

[chochiss]

Nice active little fishie you have.

[gohks]

Anyhow, he still gasps for air at the top after meals for several mins, is that natural or means he still has problems? Thanks 

Hamad,
The metabolism rate increase after food intake...and the fish needs more oxygen...floating on the surface gasping for air is sign of insufficient oxygen. These are the possible scenerio that will cause your fish to gasp for air after food:-

i) Insufficient DO due to aeration and water perturbation - from your picture, seems you have enough air-stone and moreover your fish still small w.r.t your tank, quite unlikely.

ii) Overcrowding - seems there is no other fish in your tank, unlikely.

iii) Gill deceases causing insufficent intake of oxygen, seems very likely as you mentioned that he just recover from gill problem.. I think you still need continue treatment till he fully recover.

[CP]

Donno how to comment orandas........but the photography and presentation is good.

[Hamad]

Thanks everyone and also thank you Gohks for the info. I didn't stop the salt treatment but I wondered cause there was no further improvement this whole week.

I added another airstone earlier and it caused too much current in the water so I removed it and instead I adjusted the canister filter into maximum in/out - so I think there should be enough oxygen.

BTW my favorite type of Oranda is this:

(http://www.ap-goldfish.com)

They have such a strong presense and majestic look....for me anyway LOL Is it correct these are called Lion Head Oranda? Or is this Tiger Head?

[gohks]

Thanks everyone and also thank you Gohks for the info. I didn't stop the salt treatment but I wondered cause there was no further improvement this whole week.

I added another airstone earlier and it caused too much current in the water so I removed it and instead I adjusted the canister filter into maximum in/out - so I think there should be enough oxygen.

BTW my favorite type of Oranda is this:

(http://www.ap-goldfish.com)

They have such a strong presense and majestic look....for me anyway LOL  Is it correct these are called Lion Head Oranda? Or is this Tiger Head?

Hamad,
If you follow the abstrate of description of Oranda I got from this web:-
http://www.goldfishnet.com/oranda.asp?P=oranda0.jpg

"Oranda
The prominent characteristics of the oranda is its head growth. The head growth has to be tightly packed. There are 3 different types of head growth in Oranda.
(1) Goose-head- the head growth only develops in the top of the head
(2) Tiger-head- the head growth covers all over its head. It covers the face as well but not as excessive as a lion-head.
(3) Lion-head- the head growth covers all over its head especially around its lower cheeks to give it a chubby look on its face."

The one you have is a Tiger-head and the one you like is a Lion-head

[Ranchu Lover]

Thanks everyone and also thank you Gohks for the info. I didn't stop the salt treatment but I wondered cause there was no further improvement this whole week.

I added another airstone earlier and it caused too much current in the water so I removed it and instead I adjusted the canister filter into maximum in/out - so I think there should be enough oxygen.

BTW my favorite type of Oranda is this:

(http://www.ap-goldfish.com)

They have such a strong presense and majestic look....for me anyway LOL  Is it correct these are called Lion Head Oranda? Or is this Tiger Head?

Patience my friend. If you keep this little fella long enough, it will look just like that.