How to Restore Goldfish with Rot on Fins

Fin rot is a type of bacterial or fungal disease that can affect many different types of fish, including goldfish. Fin rot is usually caused by poor water quality, but can also be brought on after the goldfish has sustained an injury, such as a nip to the fin. Both bacterial and fungal fin rot infections cause the fins of the fish to slowly degrade. Sometimes, a bacterial and fungal fin rot infection will occur at the same time. Fraying of the fins and whitish patches are among the first symptoms. Further health problems can then arise if the rot is not treated.

Things You'll Need

  • Quarantine aquarium
  • Aquarium salt
  • Anti-bacterial or antibiotic fish medication
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the affected fish from the aquarium and place it in a quarantine aquarium, by itself, if it is living in a community aquarium. This will allow you to better monitor the sick fish, giving it specific care, without treating the other fish that may not be ill. It will also keep the sick fish away from bully fish that may damage it further.

    • 2

      Add about 1 tsp. of aquarium salt per gallon of water to the quarantine aquarium. This treatment can slow or halt fin rot infections.

    • 3

      Perform partial water changes every other day, changing between 10 and 15 percent of the old water in the quarantine aquarium with fresh water. This keeps the water very clean, which will help to slow fin rot.

    • 4

      Use an anti-bacterial or antibiotic treatment on the sick fish. Several different medications are available for the treatment of fin rot. Some of these treatments you add directly to the quarantine aquarium, while others call for dipping the sick fish in a solution bath. Follow the instructions for whatever medication you've chosen.

    • 5

      Keep treating the goldfish with fin rot until you notice that the fins are growing back. This indicates that the fin rot has disappeared, and the fins are restoring themselves. You can now return your fish to the main aquarium.

    • 6

      Fix the problems in the water quality of the main aquarium. Do a large water change, replacing about 50 percent of the dirty water with clean water. Clean any waste in the aquarium. Rinse gravel, filters and any aquarium decorations.

    • 7

      Perform weekly partial water changes, replacing about 10 percent of the old water in the aquarium with fresh water. This will help maintain a high water quality and prevent future fin rot.