problem with goldfish?

Question

we have an orange goldfish with white all over him, we were told he's a comet but now he's really big and in a 125 gallon fish tank. We just noticed tonight that on one of his sides his scales are kind of sticking up a little and on that same side hes bigger, it looks swollen on one side and not the other. He's around 3 years old and we have 2 other other large goldfish and their fine. Any one have this problem. Please help, these goldfish are a huge part of our family and it would hurt to loose one.

ok to make this easier...my goldfish is swollen on one side and his scales are sticking up on that side only.

Answer 1

Your problem is NOT drospy. people hear or read scales sticking out and immediately say that, but that's only true if they are sticking out all over or on both sides of the fish. Depending on the size of the area affected it could be a parasitic infestation or a tumor. If it's a parasite it will spread very rapidly to other parts of the fish. If this is the case you will need to treat with a strong parasitic medication like Clout or Maracide. If the area doesn't spread rapidly but only gets larger it is most likely a tumor of some type. Unfortunately there is not treatment for a tumor. If you need any help with figuring this one out, feel free to email me.

MM

Answer 2

Hi!

Genuinely sorry to hear that your fish is sick... This is definitely Dropsy, and it's incredibly hard to turn a fish around once they show visible symptoms. Here's the only recipe that's worked for my goldfish. Add two teaspoons of Epsom salt for every gallon of water in your tank, and zero out the Ph for a few weeks. Don't do more than a 60% water change when you clean the tank, and don't use tap water. Leave your filter alone for awhile. Cook up and shell some fresh green peas and give your fish the resulting paste. This pea paste eases a number of digestion-related disorders, and is probably all your fish can eat at this time. Once a goldfish begins refusing food, I'd not bet on it's odds of survival. Do you have a full spectrum aquarium lamp? Incorrect lighting can be the source of a number of serious, and avoidable, health issues too. I really hope he makes it. I've lost some longtime fish friends too, and most people don't realize that one can get just as attached to a non-mammal pet as anyone can feel toward a furry one. Good luck!

Answer 3

I have a shubunkin that is basically in the same shape as yours. She has been in my garden pond for three years but,I have now placed her inside in an aquarium and have been treating her for over two weeks now. Her stomach is swollen and her scales are sticking out on both side like a pine cone. The guy at the pet store said it looked like Dropsy/Pine cone disease.He also said,she probably would not make it. But,I am trying hard to save her. I have been giving me medicated food for internal/external infections,medafix in water and I have also added salt. Today,she want eat or can't she spits out the food. It appears it is going to be hopeless.

Answer 4

Sounds like Dropsy or a parasitic infection.

Answer 5

These people helped me when I had a goldfish problem.

http://www.kokosgoldfish.invisionzone.com/forum/

Answer 6

my friend that works at an aquarium said to me that fish also get constipated honey. Slow down with the food. Instead of flakes get frozen bloodworms. Its healthier for your fish.

Answer 7

I'd say that he may have hurt himself on that side (if your fish are agressive it may have got bitten) or it could have this one fish disease i don't remember the name of.

Answer 8

your fish has dropsy, go to pet store and get medication like sera baktopur or other. if you treat it now you may be able to save him.

Answer 9

It doesn't sound like a common sickness...

Answer 10

This does not make sense