My goldfish is really fat and sits on the bottom of the tank. So fat it's scales are poking out. What's wrong?

Question

The goldfish's scales used to lay flat on it's body, but now it's so fat the scales are poking straight out like a hedgehogs spikes. The fish doesn't swim around much and likes to sit on the bottom of the tank. I can't imagine that it got so fat because of eating. It's coloring is good and it doesn't look like it is ready to die. Could it be pregnant? Sick? Plugged up? How do I tell if it's pregnant?

Thanks,

Answer 1

First of all your fishy is showing "dropsy" it is a symptom not a disease. It can be caused by numerous factors, many of which are either untreatable, or very hard to treat.

When a fish shows dropsy, the bloating and raised scales making it look much like a pine cone, they rarely make it back to healthy status. Sometimes it is caused by bacterial infections, or internal parasites. Of course, there are some fish that are more prone to dropsy conditions than others. Some betta breeders have found that certain strains are more resistant to getting the things that cause dropsy while others seem to contract it all the time.

Dropsy tends to be a sign that the fish is suffering something fatal, and it is too far gone to save. There have been cases where fish have gotten better, but they have only made it another 6 months afterward and that short time was a very poor quality of life.

I'm sorry to say but your fish is most likely dying. You can try treating but once again, there is no one cause to actually treat, and whatever it is, it's quite in the advanced stages of the disease.

Good luck to you and your fish. I hope you are able to figure out something.

Answer 2

Your fish has an internal bacterial infection. It could be one of many and most often involves the liver first, but they are all commonly referred to as dropsy. This is treatable, but difficult to treat with great success.

You will need to treat the fish with a strong antibiotic, so if you have a quarentine tank it would be best to move the fish there for treatment. If not, then treat where it is, but you will kill your bacteria bed and will need to cycle the tank again after treatment.

The best antiboitic for dropsy is Furanace. It have superior qualities for absorption than most other readily available antibiotics. Get this if at all possible. Warning: uranace is a carcinogen so handle with care and always wash well after exposure to the medication or water that it is in. Also get medicated food. The fish may not eat at first, but offer the food ntil it does take it. This will also help by getting right into the fish's bloodstream. Continue the treatment for 14 days as directed on the package.

Best of luck!

MM

Answer 3

If his scales are sticking out and he looks "bloated" he likely has a disease called "Bloat" or "Dropsey" and should be removed from the tank, a full 1/3 tank change should be done and at least MetaFix added to the tank. If you want to try to save him he needs to be put in existing water from the tank and given treatment tablets that you can get at PetSmart or an aquarium shop. The outlook for him is not good at all, but I have been successful on several occasions when told it was not to be. The important thing is to isolate him from the rest of the aquarium population and treat the water with the proper amount of MetaFix. READ INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY ... the treatment can be worse than the cure if you don't pay attention. I believe you need to remove the charcoal filters if I remember correctly. Consult with a good aquarium book and call some of the chemical vendors on the back of the "Dropsey" treament pills ... but you will need to call between like 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. Best of luck to you.

Answer 4

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My goldfish is really fat and sits on the bottom of the tank. So fat it's scales are poking out. What's wrong?
The goldfish's scales used to lay flat on it's body, but now it's so fat the scales are poking straight out like a hedgehogs spikes. The fish doesn't swim around much and likes to sit on the bottom of the tank. I can't imagine that it got so fat because of eating. It's...

Answer 5

So many answers... dude you're very young. Don't say that "I am a student so I don't get time for anything". You have all the time. Eat whatever you want to. Just go outside in evening and play some outdoor games. Specially Football, Badminton, Cricket etc etc. Play as much as you can. Play football daily for an hour or two and you'll see the changes.

Answer 6

That's a disease called dropsy. The fish can recover. You need to put the fish in a hospital tank with strong antibiotics. Make sure your water parameters (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate) are at good levels. Perfect water conditions are key to recovery from dropsy.

Answer 7

I'm sorry to tell you but he is very sick. I would contact a tropical fish store immmediately and ask what medication you need to administer to the tank to possibly save the little guy.

Answer 8

it is ready to die, that is kinda the death roll of the goldfish, when thier plural cavity swells up so much from liquifying organs that the scales stand on end, ,

its not something fish can really come back from. you can try antibiotics and salt, but i have never seen a fish come back from that

Answer 9

I hope i'm wrong but i think your fish may be on his last days

Answer 10

It sounds like it has kidney failure, or dropsy. There isn't a lot you can do when that happens.