I have an injured goldfish, what happened, and how do I care for him?

I have a single goldfish, around 4 1/2 inches long and two high ( including fins). He is in a five-gallon tank with a short, long fake rock and roman ruins, as well as a pipe leading up to the filter. These do make it a little cramped, but it doesn't seem too bad. I just noticed that he has scales sticking out of his side, which look like they're being pushed out by a translucent-ish shpere, which was large and round a little while ago, but now looks a little deflated, and almost clear in one spot. I just changed his filter, put in the proper amount of stress coat, and am planning to clean the tank shortly. What's going on, and how do I remedy it? It's pretty urgent, and any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Comments

[KentsOkay]

Sunds like an abcess or infection. Treat with antibiotic medicines. One type is called Maracyin

[mad magoo]

Thanks for your helping, everybody! my fish is better now. It's been a week or two and he's fine. Thanks for all of your help!

[mad magoo]

Thanks for answering, everybody. I took pictures of his injury to Petco and they said that it's probably some kind of puss filled injury/infection, and recommended this stuff called Melafix, active ingredient; Melaleuca (some natural tea tree extract stuff). I give him one half teaspoon a day. If that doesn't clear it up, then I'll try other stuff. I thought I saw that his eyes were a little bulgy, but I don't think it's popeye, although that or dropsy would be my second guess if it's not what Petco said. Thanks for all your help, and I'll refer back if the meds don't clear it up.

[KedaDibandion]

Melafix is good, but is better for external stuff like scrapes. I would try an antibiotic powder like maracyn to make sure that the infection is addressed directly.

[mad magoo]

Kedadibandion: I don't hink it's dropsy because he seems active, and maybe a little fat, but no protruding scales, not like there was a big sphere inside of him. Thanks for telling me about it, though.

[mad magoo]

Also, the injury was localized. I probably should have mentioned that before.

[KedaDibandion]

Potentially dropsy. See if these links help:

http://fins.actwin.com/articles/disease/chart2.php
http://www.fishvet.com/diagnosis_charts.htm

If it is dropsy, get meds fast, I've had lots of casualties from it. The "sphere" pushing out his scales could be fluid collecting inside the fish, causing pressure that will at some point cause irreversible damage to his internal organs and even lead to a rupture in bad cases.

[PyroMaster007]

One of two things could be wrong. It could be an infection like rocket scientist said, or ic could have just rubbed up against something, maybe itching, and misplaced it's scales. if all goes well and it looks better in 24hrs, he's fine. otherwise, treat with medication. i would say to call a vet, but it's a fish so.,...