Tag: goldfish diseases and information

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Garden Ponds Goldfish Ponds How To Pond Volume Calculator

How To Calculate Water Volume In Goldfish Pond? Pond Volume Calculator

You should know how to calculate your pond water volume for your water garden. You should know how much water is in your pond not just for the purpose of knowing how big of a pond pump you should buy but you should know in case your goldfish in your pond ever get sick. Sooner or later it’s inevitable that you will come across goldfish diseases and parasites that you will need to treat with fish medication.
Here’s how you figure out your pond volume simply by taking three measurements:

Always Know How To Calculate Pond Water Volume For Water Treatments or For Treating Goldfish Diseases

Length x Width x Average Depth x 7.49 US Gallons

1 foot x 1 foot x 1 foot = 1 cubic foot

1 cubic foot of water is equal to 7.49 US Gallons

To give you an example of calculating the pond water volume of my pond I’ll show you.

65 feet (length) x 22 feet (width) x 4 feet (average depth) = 5720 cubic feet
5720 cubic feet x 7.49 US Gallons = 42,842.8 gallons

The pond in the photo below is one of my parents, I’ll calculate their pond water volume as I forget now how much water their water garden holds.

10 feet (length) x 15 feet (width) x 3 feet (average depth) x 7.49 US Gallons =
3370.5 Gallons

Koi Fish & Goldfish Pond - My Parents Water Garden
You should always know how to calculate your pond water volume for your goldfish or koi pond. Sometimes you will need to treat your pond for diseases or to do water treatments. I hope that your goldfish stay healthy and live free of fish diseases but in case they get sick now you have your own pond water volume calculator formula here for you.

Sincerely,

Jamie Boyle
The Goldfish Guy
“Helping Goldfish Owners With Advice, Fish Care and Fish Medication Treatments for Goldfish Diseases, Illnesses and Parasites”

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Goldfish Goldfish Care Goldfish Diseases Goldfish Medications How To Ich Fish Treatment Ich White Spot Disease

Prevent Ich Fish Disease – How To Prevent Ich ( White Spot Disease)

By Jamie Boyle

Many people often wonder ” How Do I Prevent Ich ” from reaching my aquarium and infecting my fish. There are ways in which you can prevent ich from reaching your tank. Here are some simple ich preventative measures you can do to keep ich away and how to prevent white spot disease from reaching your fish:

1. Never buy fish from an aquarium that contain sick fish at a pet store. Look for signs of ich, other external parasites or fish diseases before you make a fish purchase. You may be bringing home more then fish, some hitch hikers as well.

Sarassa Comets2. Before adding new fish to your aquarium or pond you need to quarantine new arrivals for minimum 2-4 weeks to make sure fish are okay and healthy. If not, you may be introducing ich, other external parasites or fish diseases to already healthy fish.

3. When buying aquarium plants or pond plants be sure to disinfect them before placing them in your tank or pond. To do so you can use Potassium Permanganate solution and dip the water plants in it. By doing so you can reduce the chance of introducing ich and other parasites to your aquarium.

4. Never add water to your aquarium or pond from the pet store where you may have bought fish or water plants. Fish should be netted out and water discarded. Water may contain parasites like ich (white spot disease) or other external parasites.

5. Never use the same netting and equipment from other tanks if you have more then one. By using the same net from one tank to another you risk introducing ich and other parasites from a tank that may have been sick. Have a seperate net for each tank.

6. Use an ultraviolet steriliser to help kill ich parasites. As the free swimming ich parasites known as tomites gets killed as they pass through. This may be away to help prevent ich or white spot disease in a way but there is no sure way that all tomites have been killed or destroyed. May help prevent ich but not a 100% sure way to do so.

7. Use CopperSafe From Mardel Labs fish medication to help prevent ich from occuring. One treatment last over a month. It not only helps prevent against ich but velvet and other external parasites as well.

These are just some simple ways you can help reduce the risk, and prevent ich disease from infecting your fish. Preventative measures are the best way to prevent against ich or white spot disease. In case your fish have developed ich or white spots seek ich medication and begin treatment right away.

Sincerely,

Jamie Boyle
The Goldfish Guy
“Helping Goldfish Owners With Advice, Fish Care and Fish Medication Treatments for Goldfish Diseases, Illnesses and Parasites”

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Goldfish Goldfish Care Goldfish Medications Ich Fish Treatment

CopperSafe From Mardel Labs- Fish Medication For Ich, Velvet and Other External Parasites

By Jamie Boyle

Mardel CopperSafe safely medicates fish suffering from ich (small white spots), velvet (yellow-white spots, loss of color), and other external parasites (visible spots, worms, rapid breathing, extra mucous). For salt and freshwater. Unique non-staining liquid. One treatment is effective for over a month. Very effective ich medication treatment. Ingredients: Chelated Copper Sulfate. Instructions: Use 5mL for 4 gallons of water. Treats water for 1 month.

Shop at PetSmart.com for CopperSafe From Mardel Labs, fish medications, fish supplies and other pet products including dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and more.

CopperSafe from Mardel Labs

CopperSafe From Mardel Labs- Fish Medication For Ich, Velvet and Other External Parasites

Sincerely,

Jamie Boyle
The Goldfish Guy
“Helping Goldfish Owners With Advice, Fish Care and Fish Medication Treatments for Goldfish Diseases, Illnesses and Parasites”

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Goldfish Medication Treatments For Illnesses, Diseases and Parasites

By Jamie Boyle

In todays market there are literally tons of goldfish medications available for the consumer to choose from to treat their fish for illnesses and disease. The question is where do we look, on the internet, at a pet store and overall which type of fish treatment medication do we buy.

As we all know, you can find cheaper prices on a variety of different products that you are looking for right on the Internet. The Internet would be your best spot to go when shopping for fish medications which will save you money at the same time.

Fantail Goldfish Sick With UlcerHere’s a list of fish medications on the market to treat your goldfish for illnesses, diseases and parasites:

Kordon Aquarium Rid Ich Preventative Fish MedicationKordon Aquarium Rid Ich Preventative

Kordon Aquarium Rid Ich Disease Treatment helps treat fish for many external parasites including ich and fungus on fish. A very effective fish medication for treatment of diseases.

Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Mela FixAquarium Pharmaceuticals Mela Fix

Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Melafix is an antibacterial remedy that promotes healing and regrowth for damaged fins and tissue. Melafix treats fin and tail rot, ulcers and cloudy eye.

Aquarium Pharmaceuticals PimaFix Treats Fungal Infection and Both Internal and External Bacterial InfectionsAquarium Pharmaceuticals PimaFix

Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Pimafix used in combination with Melafix is very effective against fish diseases and known to enhance treatment and results. Pimafix is effective against internal and external bacterial infections.

CopperSafe From Mardel Labs - Fish MedicationCopperSafe from Mardel Labs

Copper safe is used for treatment of ich (white spot disease), velvet ( yellow-white spots, loss of color) and other external parasites. When treating with Cooper Safe use 5ml (1 teaspoon) for every 4 gallons of water. Treatment lasts for one month.

Lifeguard Freshwater Fish MedicationLifeguard Freshwater

Lifeguard Freshwater All-In-One Treatment treats a variety of fish diseases including bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic. Liguard is also an effective treatment against fungus and ick. Each 1/4 tablet treats 2.5 US gallons. Manufactured by Jungle Laboratories Corporation.

Maroxy From Mardel Labs - Fish MedicationMarOxy from Mardel Labs

MarOxy from Mardel Labs is an effective treatment against fungal and bacterial infections. Also helps in controlling fungus from attacking fish eggs.

Maracide From Mardel Labs - Fish MedicationMaracide from Mardel Labs

Liquid fish medication used effectively to get rid of ick, trichodina, chilodinella and related parasites. When treating fish with Maracide From Mardel Labs make sure to shake bottle well before use. Can be used without taking plants out of your aquarium. Use 2 capfuls per 10 gallons of water.

Mardel Maracyn - Fish MedicationMardel Maracyn

Used to treat against fungal diseases on fish. Maracyn also treats body fungus (Columnaris), fin and tail rot, popeye, gill disease and secondary infections. This fish medication does not discolour the water and does not disturb the biological filter. Use 1 tablet per every 10 gallons of water.

Maracyn Plus Biospheres Antibacteria Therapy From Mardel - Fish MedicationMardel Maracyn Two - Fish MedicationMardel Maracyn-Two is an antibiotic used effectively against internal and external bacterial infections. This fish medication treats the following: Popeye, gill disease, fin and tail rot, dropsy, septicemia, secondary and internal infections. Maracyn-Two comes in both tablet and powder form. Very effective treatment against fish diseases as well as Maracyn Plus&reg Biospheres AntiBacteria Therapy from Mardel.

Methylene Blue Fungal Infection Fish MedicationMethylene Blue is manufactured by Kordon which which helps control and prevent goldfish diseases from occuring. Methylene Blue treats fungal infections found on fish as well as prevents fungus from forming on fish eggs after breeding.

These above fish medications are sure to help get your fish health back to normal. The only other suggestion is to make sure you properly diagnose your fish illness or disease correctly. If you don’t and you begin treating your fish for the wrong sickness, disease or parasites your treatment will be ineffective. So first diagnose then begin treatment and your fish will recover soon with proper medication.

Here are a variety of places that you can go to purchase fish medications, fish supplies and other pet supplies at discount prices:

PetSmart

Petsmart is an online pet store that carry a wide variety of fish medications for all your fish health care needs. They carry medications for treatment of ich, parasites, bacterial infections, fungus and much more.

1-800-PetMeds

1-800 Pet Meds is another great source for all kinds of pet supplies. They offer a wide variety of prescription and non-prescription pet medications

Lets just hope that you don’t need to come to these measures and your fish stay healthy and disease free. We can hope, but sooner or later your fish will become sick or ill and you will need to know how to treat your fish and what goldfish medications should you use to treat various diseases and parasites. Maintenance and proper care is the best way to prevent your fish from becoming sick. Make sure you keep up with it or your fish may suffer because of it.

Sincerely,

Jamie Boyle
The Goldfish Guy

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Goldfish Dropsy – Deadly Bacterial Infection

By Jamie Boyle

Just yesterday I recieved an email from one of my readers whose goldfish is suffering from dropsy (also known as pine cone disease) that I thought I should share with everyone. Brian sent me this email along with pictures looking for some advice on how to treat his goldfish which is really sick:

Hi Jamie

I’m looking for some advice, I have a really sick goldfish, I have tried everything over the last few weeks & nothing seems to be working (Inc salt, medicine, peas etc..) he is very bloated & stays at the bottom of the tank mostly, when he does swim it is very slowly and lethargic & over the past 2-3 days he has become very black in color all over his body & fins. Goldfish Suffering From DropsyI have been changing the water approx 1-2 times a week in the hope this will help? But I am afraid I am no expert. I have attached a few photos for you to have a look, I hope you can help, I have had him for years & would hate to lose him.

Many Thanks

Brian

Photos courtesy of Brian

Goldfish With Dropsy and Cloudy EyeDropsy

I would like to thank Brian for sending me these photos of his goldfish. The only thing is I wish I would be able to help him in this situation more. You see dropsy is a bacterial infection affecting the fish organs causing the body to swell and also the eyes to bulge. There is no real way to treat dropsy. The best thing one can do is make sure you maintain excellent water quality and try treating your fish with aquarium salt. Aquarium salt is known to help treat a wide variety of diseases and can help kill parasites as well. Maintaining water quality with proper maintenance is the best way to try and prevent dropsy from occuring.

Another suggestion that Brian should do is stop performing 1-2 water changes a week. You see by doing too many water changes can mess up your nitrogen cycle causing further stress on your goldfish. Dropsy is usually caused by poor water quality in which I suspect that has caused dropsy to occur on his goldfish. After doing the water changes Brian should add beneficial bacteria after every water change and keep testing his water quality to make sure there are no ammonia spikes. Water quality is something people need to always make sure is kept up and tested to prevent goldfish diseases and parasites from occuring.

Treating goldfish for dropsy using salt and feeding them Internal Medicated Food for bacterial infections is about the only thing you can do. The prognosis for dropsy isn’t good at all. Dropsy is usually fatal and one can only try and treat their fish in hopes that he recovers. Hoping and praying is the last thing we can do just waiting to see if our attempts to treat dropsy works. Dropsy is a deadly bacterial infection and people should plan for the worse when they see symptoms on their fish.

I wish Brian best of luck and hope that his goldfish is able to recover from this deadly bacterial infection called dropsy.

Sincerely,

Jamie Boyle
The Goldfish Guy

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Goldfish Medication Treatments For Illnesses, Diseases and Parasites

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How To Kill A Sick Goldfish Humanely?

By Jamie Boyle

Lets just put it this way, there is no humane way to kill a goldfish. I have read on the Internet some pretty wild ideas on to supposedly to relieve the goldfish from pain and suffering. I know there are sometimes that you feel like you want to intervene and save your goldfish from more pain, but to kill your goldfish yourself, hmmmmm I don’t know about that. I will talk here about different ways on how to kill a goldfish humanely but call it humane I don’t know.

First off if you are looking at getting rid of your goldfish or other types of fish do not kill them because you don’t want to be in the aquarium hobby anymore or looking to get rid of your goldfish pond. I repeat don’t try and kill your goldfish humanely. The most humane thing one can do is find another home for your goldfish. There are tons of people out there who are eager to take your goldfish off your hands. Think of friends, neighbours and best yet people who have a goldfish pond. I’m sure they would like to add to their goldfish collection. If you can’t find someone you can always contact your local pet store, they will take them off your hands for sure. You could always try calling a local landscaper who specializes in installing ponds, I’m sure he will know people who would. Try and find someone to take care of your goldfish. Never kill goldfish because you don’t want them anymore! That’s just cruel.

Now if you have sick goldfish and have tried treating them but nothing seems to work, then people may consider this alternative. I myself, cannot do it, I would much rather have life take its course and if it’s the goldfish’s time, then it’s his time to go. There is no humane way to kill a goldfish, if it’s gonna die then let it die of natural causes. I know if it was me I would want to fight right to the end, right to my last breath. Give your goldfish a chance.

You’ve all heard and seen on the Internet that the best way on how to kill a sick goldfish humanely is to flush them down the toilet. I repeat no it’s not. This is the worse way that a goldfish can die. It ends up being a long, pain full death. The ammonia will cause irritation to gills and cause the goldfish to suffocate. Never kill a goldfish by flushing them down the toilet, there is no humane way in that.

Now on to the next one, putting your goldfish in the freezer to die. Think about it, you know how much that would hurt. That would be a long pain full death yet again. When I hear people talk about freezing goldfish in a freezer is the best way to humanely kill a goldfish I think of the Deadliest Catch, the show on TV about Alaska crab fishing. There was a man who talked about how he and his friend survived after his boat went down in the extremely cold water. They had a suit on and the water was so cold that one of the guys tried to drown himself cause the cold hurt so much. His friend said hold on someone will come and luckily he did as they were saved moments later as a nearby crab fishing boat spotted them. It was luck or a miracle as the auto pilot steered to the left for some reason and that’s when the captain spotted the men in the water after coming up from getting a bite to eat. You see freezing your goldfish to death would yet be another long pain full death. Putting your goldfish in the freezer to die, there is no humane way in that. Think of the man, he couldn’t stand it anymore that he even tried drowning himself it was that cold.

Now on to the last and final way. It is reported that on how to kill a goldfish humanely is to place your goldfish in a large bag and bang the head of the goldfish sharply against a edge of a table, rock or anything hard and sharp that can cause instant death. Now again, do not kill your goldfish because you don’t want them anymore, this is only to be considered if you cannot stand to watch your goldfish suffer anymore. If there is nothing wrong with your goldfish try and find new parents for them that will take care of your goldfish. So to sum it up the best way to kill a goldfish humanely is to strike the head of the goldfish on a sharp or hard surface causing instant death. Now I know that sounds cruel but that is what many believe is the most humane way to kill a goldfish. You won’t catch me doing it. I have to much of a heart for the little goldfish.

What do you think? What’s the most humane way to kill a sick goldfish? Are there any other methods you’ve heard about on the Internet that may be considered a humane way to kill goldfish? Do you think you could do it? I know I couldn’t. Share your thoughts and stories on this one as it’s a much debated issue about humane ways to kill a goldfish.

Sincerely,

Jamie Boyle
The Goldfish Guy

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Fin and Tail Rot Goldfish Goldfish Care Goldfish Diseases

Treating Fin and Tail Rot On Goldfish

By Jamie Boyle

Before you learn how to treat fin and tail rot on goldfish you first need to make sure you have properly diagnosed your goldfish illness. So what is fin and tail rot you may ask? Fin and tail rot is a goldfish disease that you can see that affects the fins and tail that appears to be rotting away. If left untreated the fin and tail will rot right to the body itself. You will know its fin and tail rot as you will see ragged, ripped,frayed and torn fins whith a white-pinkish layer at the edges and often red streaks as well. The good news about fin and tail rot on goldfish is that it’s easily treatable.

What Causes Fin and Tail Rot On Goldfish?

The cause of fin and tail rot beginning on goldfish is a bacterial infection has set in. Bacterial infections are mainly caused by poor water quality. As I’ve said it many times and I will say it again, the #1 reason fish get sich is because of water quality. They become stressed, there immune system lowers and goldfish parasites attack or bacterial infections arise. Another cause for fin and tail rot developing on goldfish is sometimes a result of an injury your goldfish have suffered. The most common cause of fin and tail rot is usually poor water quality.

How Do I Treat Fin And Tail Rot On Goldfish?

You can treat fin and tail rot on goldfish with several medications. The ones I like to use are Melachite Green and Melafix. Melachite Green works very well but it’s more harsh then Melafix but it works. With Melafix it’s an all natural medication that won’t disturb your biological filter. Melafix also work well at healing goldfish and rejuvenating tissue. The PondCare melafix I beleive is one cap full for every 50 gallons. Please read manufacturers label for recommended dosage. You can also buy Melafix for aquariums as well.

Just the other day I was reading an interesting article about treating fin and tail rot with peroxide. I myself have never tried that myself but I have used iodine to treat fin and tail rot. Sometimes there are household products that can work but medication specifically for fin and tail rot for goldfish is much better.

Is there anything I can do to prevent fin and tail rot from happening in the first place?

The best way to prevent fin and tail rot from happening on your goldfish would be to make sure you maintain your water quality. Do water tests on a regular basis to make sure fish don’t become stressed and living in poor water quality. A proper maintenance shedule that you stick to will help prevent many goldfish diseases from happening in the first place. Don’t want fin and tail rot to happen to your goldfish? Then proper goldfish care is essential to have healthy goldfish.

Sincerely,

Jamie Boyle
The Goldfish Guy
“Helping Goldfish Owners With Advice, Fish Care and Fish Medication Treatments for Goldfish Diseases, Illnesses and Parasites”

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Cloudy Eye Goldfish Goldfish Care Goldfish Diseases

Goldfish Help – Cloudy Eye

Jamie:

I stumbled upon your goldfish blog while looking for assistance to determine what, if anything, is wrong with one of our goldfish, which live in an outdoor pond. After going outside to feed them this afternoon, I noticed the right eye on the smaller fish was a blue-ish-cream color, almost a cloud-like color. I did not see any noticeable sign of swelling or
evidence the eye was protruding outward, both of which I have seen mentioned elsewhere concerning infection/disease. Though by no means am I a goldfish expert, I knew this condition was a new development and likely an abnormal one indicating an infection or disease or what have you.

I have done some research into it, but having limited knowledge about goldfish, and therefore am a bit reluctant to read a description of an ailment and decide, “That must be it.”

Goldfish With Cloudy Eye

Goldfish
Cloudy Eye

That said, I came across your goldfish blog and decided to snap a few photos of said eye with the hopes that you could ascertain what, if anything, is causing this and how to treat it. Attached are three photos of the aforementioned eye. Photos are not as clear as they could be owing to having the auto focus on, which can be thrown off by the water…so if need be, I can snap additional photos (I have a Canon EOS 20D, so taking clearer photos is not a problem if need be.).

Thank you for your help,

Joseph

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Sick Goldfish Video Clip

Sick goldfish and sick goldfish video from one of my readers:

Hi,

I am not sure you can help us but we were looking for information as to what is wrong with our goldfish and came across your Blog and noticed you have a lot of information there and know a great deal more about goldfish than we do :). Please take a look at the small video clip we made of our fish attached.

2 weeks ago we went to the pet store and read some of the many products there to help and have been treating the water with Disease safe which apparently treats against, cloudy eye, white spot, ragged or bloody streaked fins cotton wool like growths, slimy white skin or fins and unusual swimming.
We have had both of our goldfish for 8 years and have never seen any of them get as sick as this. before treatment he was sitting down the bottom of the tank hardly moving not eating etc and after the first week of treatment he seemed to perk up and was swimming up mid to top tank again. Although the redness did not leave his back. we are now on the second week of treatment going by the instructions which are 7day treatment. He seems to be back down the bottom of the tank again and the redness looks worse than it did before.

As I said we have had them for 8 years now and would hate to lose either of them and would like to know if you can help us if you know what is wrong with him from the small clip? Perhaps we are treating him for the wrong disease. Any info you may be able to give would be greatly appreciated

Regards,

Helen & Brian

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How To Treat Anchor Worms On Goldfish?

By Jamie Boyle

As you seen on my other post What Is Anchor Worm? you will need to learn how to treat anchor worms found on your goldfish. Anchor worms are quite common and the good news is that anchor worms are very easy to treat with the right medication treatment.

The first thing you will need to do is buy some anchor worm treatment medication. Some good ones that I’ve used and work effectively to eliminate these external parasites are Anchors Away, Dimilin, ProForm LA, and Potassium Permanganate. Sarassa CometsAll of these parasite medication will kill anchor worms on your fish. The only suggestion I would do is use Potassium Permanganate as the last resort as it’s a very strong chemical and if improper measurements are made for the amount of medication to add to your pond or aquarium can possibly kill all your fish.

I would stick with Anchors Away, Dimilin, or Proform La. These ones will work effectively at getting rid of anchor worms for sure. Just follow proper dosage as recommended and never add more then what is suggested. More is not always better. Follow the instructions and your pond or aquarium will be anchor worm free in no time.

Anchor Worm On GoldfishAs far as using Potassium Permanganate to treat anchor worms you can do this with a 10-30 minute bath of a solution concentration of 10 millgrams per litre. You will need to observe your fish during treatment for any kinds of stress. You can also remove anchor worms by using tweezers. I’ve done this many time it is best to put your fish to sleep using an anesthetic to eliminate any pain or discomfort to your goldfish or other type of fish. Once your fish is asleep gently remove the anchor worm with your tweezers. Make sure you get the whole parasite including the anchor that is embedded deep into the fish tissue. It is also known as well if you apply some potassium permanganate to the anchor worms itself it can cause the external parasite to release it’s grip or hold of your fish. To do this take a cotton swab and dip it into a solution of potassium permanganate. Then apply the cotton swab to the goldfish parasite and it should release it’s hold and make it easier for removal. If you have no cotton swabs on hand just use your pair of tweezers and dip this into the solution of potassium permanganate once the solution touches the anchor worm it will release its hold allowing the whole parasite to be removed.

As mentioned earlier, using potassium permanganate to treat anchor worms is much more work but it’s effective. For a much easier alternative you should use the other anchor worm medication treatments as mentioned. Less work and just as effective. I hope this helps people learn how to treat anchor worms on goldfish, koi and other types of fish.

anchor

You can tell by the above photo and see how anchor worms actually got its name. It is very similar to the anchor found on the boat as seen above. It’s a splitting image!

Have your fish ever had anchor worms before? Till next time Anchors Away!

Sincerely,

Jamie Boyle
The Goldfish Guy

Other Related Posts
What is anchor worms?
How To Treat Anchor Worms On Goldfish