winter water temp

[orandablue]

My filter clogged with ricca. I got a nitrate spike and some of my orandas got spots on their wen. I treated with peroxide but they are taking more than a minute to heal, which is odd. They are very spoiled healthy fish. My temp has gone down to 65F ,...maybe lower at night, I was wondering if this is too low? What does everyone keep orandas, and ryukins at in the winter? I guess I will need a heater if they go below 65 F. Also what should be the main diet at lower temps? Right now they are eating bloodworms, pellets and a little kale.

[johnatoranchu]

Not sure about the "spots" on their hoods; it's possibly just mucus which is normal and doesn't require treatment. Nitrate levels in a controlled environment (aquarium or ornamental pond) are unlikely to reach a level which has any effect whatsoever on goldfish. They are very nitrate tolerent, regardless of variety. My Orandas, both calico and metallic, young and adult, are presently at 54F and temperatures are falling. I will stop feeding at 52F and let the temperature of their water drop to 45F. I intend to start the warming process in mid February and will start feeding them again as soon as the rising water temperature reaches 50F. Hope this helps.
John

[orandablue]

the white spots are little bacteria infections. They are only on my blue orandas though. Big chunk heads..So you stop feeding at 52. I'm not really going to be able to drop them down to 40sF because they are in my house. I just want them to be cool and stabilized for the winter. In ohio we get below freezing weather but not terribly cold. Hmmmm? Maybe the question is turning into what to feed over a winter.

[orandablue]

my nitrites are high!! WC time. Dont even know whats happened.

[johnatoranchu]

Nitrite is a problem. Stop feeding and, assuming you run a filter, undertake substantial (certainly over 50%) water changes until nitrite level returns to acceptable levels - most tests will record this as zero. Only when you are happy that nitrite is "zero" should feeding recommence then only feed as much as will be consumed in 10 minutes. If the fish are to remain indoors for the winter in a heated part of the house then I would add a heater but turn it down to 65F purely to stop them becoming chilled over night if the central heating switches off. At these temperatures the fish are not being rested so normal "Summer" feeding can continue.
John

[bekko]

Adding salt will make the nitrite much less toxic while you figure out what's wrong.

-steve

[fish don't sweat]

I keep mine at 80 degrees all the time, they are always hungry at that temperature.