I have a large goldfish that seems to have a very swollen stomach or even a possible growth. In the last couple of days it keeps swimming upside down because its stomach is so large. At closer inspection it sometimes looks like it hasn't passed any faeces for a while. Then when it does pass some it swims upright. Its stomach has been getting larger for months now. Is there anything I can do? Like change its food? It still eats and seems quite happy.
2007-02-01 00:05:55 · 4 answers · asked by Another Planet 5 in Pets ➔ Fish
Are its scales out like a pinecone? That is a disease called dropsy, and it is tied to poor water quality.
If your fish is bloated, it may well be from constipation / impaction. Do not feed your fish for two days, then for two days straight offer him a few shelled peas (he should be eating a few peas a week, anyway), then do not feed him again for two days. Hopefully that will help him pass the blockage.
In the event that it IS dropsy, know that dropsy is usually incurable because by the time you see the symptoms, the fish is too far gone.
In either case, by sure to keep his water clean by doing 30% weekly water changes, having an effective filter, and making sure that his tank is big enough. One fancy goldfish will need 15-20 gallons. One regular / common / comet goldfish will need at least 60 gallons, or preferably, a pond.
2007-02-01 01:14:46 · answer #1 · answered by Zoe 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes change food the food has gone bad. Don't use flakes use a quality pellet food with no corn porduct in it. It could be a female fish with a lot of eggs. Or you could have a fish with a tumor or growth on the inside. This time of year GF are getting ready to spawn, look closely at the fish's face and pectoral fins, males will have little bumps on their cheeks and the front edge of their pec's at this time, females will not. Look at behavior for clues to fish health. She shouldn't be swimming upside down, but that is the old food. GF when the light is on should be busy booking around the tank all day, with fins out and up. They should beg for food everytime you get near the tank. If the fish is staying still other than when it eats, bottom sitting, or hanging out constantly in the bubbles or outflow of the filter, the fish may be sick. Also if the fish has darkened up or lightened up (washed out looking) may indicate the fish is sick. Fin clamping is a good indicator of status of poor health. My opinion if the fish is eating and active and fins are held open then it is a female gravid with eggs and simply gorged on spoiled food. So don't feed her for a few days like 3. Then try her on some peas popped out of the shell and frozen brine shrimp for a week. Serch for a high quality food with ingredients like salmon meal, krill, spiralina (no corn gluten meal they can't digest it). If you can't find a good GF food look at the tropical fish foods for it. Omega one, or HBH Super Soft are good food.
People will tell you that you are over feeding, and that could be so, but let me say this... I have 4 GF and I feed them 2 times a day all they can eat in 5 minutes, and then they pick at and eat green algea in the tank all day too. So what I'm saying to you is a GF eats all day, constantly. My fish do not float after eating and I keep ryukins and orandas, which are notorius floaters. In my experience the floating is not caused by feeding too much, its rotten food. You wouldn't eat seafood left out on the counter for 6 months would you? Replace food once a month, frozen is ok to use until its done, usually. Hope this helps.
2007-02-04 01:05:39 · answer #2 · answered by Sunday P 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may be a Ranchu (type of fish that naturally has a big round body), or your fish is pregnant. If she is swimming around alright, eating fine, and doesn't seem to be in any distress, then you don't need to worry. My guess is though that you bought her when she was already pregnant although you wouldn't know then, and she is about to give birth. They will be tiny and lots of them. Not all of them will survive, but you may end up with a tank full of little fish!
2016-05-24 01:28:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i was reading somewhere a while back that goldfish can get a swollen stomach when they are constipated.i remember it said to feed them some peas.
2007-02-01 00:16:03 · answer #4 · answered by trueblue 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋