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Latest Animal Stories on Goldfish (1290)

Allison - 2012-02-04
I just got a black moor goldfish, its belly is BIG and it sinks to the bottom as if it can't hold itself up... does anybody know whats wrong if its prego or what? its an unknown gender.. someone please help?!?!?!?

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Anonymous - 2012-02-04
Hi Alison, your fish may have something called swim bladder illness. This is caused by a blockage (maybe due to over eating) which inturn places pressure on the fishes swim bladder, which is responsible for providing floatational balance. I tried all sorts of things to help our fish but just when I thought nothing would work, a friend suggested a homeopathic remedy. Unfortunately I can't remember the name of the remedy but an animal homeopath should be able to help. All the best...and don't give up.
Charlie Roche - 2012-02-05
Scroll in article in Animal World to Swim Bladder Disease Fish Disease and I have also been told to take the fish off its regular diet for 1 - 2 days and feed him peas.
Jeremy Roche - 2012-02-17
The first thing I would check is your water Quality for your Nitrate levels. If you do not have a water testing kit I would advice getting one, in the meantime take a water sample to your local pet shop to test. Sometimes over feeding can creat this issue as well throwing the little guys buoyancy off. Anothor issue with some fancy goldfish is the they are breed to be short and round which some times deforms their swim bladder making it difficult to exchange gases to stay afloat properly.
So I would start with water test, if that is normal maybe put the little guy on a diet.:)
Anonymous - 2012-02-17
I'm finding out that they get constipated real bad. I had the same problem before. Stop feeding flakes and I put zucchini and brocolli and romaine lettuce and peas in a blender or chop up real small and feed to them. Frozen bloodworms are good too. They eat green plants in the wild and my fish love this stuff and start pooping soon. I hope this helps you. They get swim bladder problems alot

Bergedorfer - 2011-06-24
I started with 14 Gold Fishes since 2005. Till now they have grown huge. I have also bred of course in my aquarium. Tips always use the best canister Filter,Water conditioners,Chlorine,Nitrate, Broad spectrum medicines, Ph/Kh Neutralizer. Use ultra violet bypass in the water outlet and give them plenty of oxygen via pumps. Change water after every 15 days. Feed the baby frys after the eggs have hatched with crusts of dried up small shrimps and add them back to the aquarium after they are year old till then keep them separated in another tank running on medium speed outside filter and of course oxygen with water treatment drops. Always add the collected eggs in the right Temperature Tank 25c will do till they begin to hatch. I feed my adult Gold Fishes with small shrimps soaked in water before feeding about half a small cup 2 Times a day. And when I add broad Spectrum Medication right after water change I then turn off the Ultra Violet bypass for a day or so. Filter cleaning is also necessary during the change of water in the aquarium. Make no Compromise with Maintenance and I bet you will be rewarded. LOVE THY NATURE and BE BLESSED!

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Charlie Roche - 2011-06-25
Wow, you are doing great but sure have your hands full. You must love it. Congratulations.
Bergedorfer - 2011-06-26
Thanks :-)

Elizabeth - 2010-01-26
I must say I have learned a lot with "Lucky" my goldfish. He was my starter fish. Well him and two others. But two died. They got sucked up into the filter. Yap...learned my lesson on that one. And truth be told that is how Lucky got his name. He was the only one left. So he was.... lucky. We started him out in a 20 gallon tank. He has had filters, heat and bubbles from day one. Now he is in a 120 gallon tank all by himself. He is about 8 to 9 inches long. Lucky is almost 13 years old now and on January 10th 2010 we noticed he was not his normal self. It is now January 26th 2010 and we have done and are still doing EVERYTHING we can possible think of to help make him better. His symptoms are: laying at the bottom of the tank, pop-eye, trying to swim but he ends up on his side. He was bloated, his scales where protruding and had not went poop in sometime. So we have went from Constipation, to Swim Bladder Disorder, to Dropsy, to Septicemia. And NOW I am at a loss. We have done so much, water changes of 20% or more, at one point we did a complete water change removing all the old rock with new. (He really loves new water)It has been a roller coaster ride with him doing good and then he goes back down-hill again. We added Aquarium Salt to his tank as suggested by a pet store to help pull out the fluid that was causing the bloating. That worked cause now he is skinning. Scales are much better he looks normal again rather than a pine cone. He is starting to now show black spots on his scales. I forget what it was called, but they stated that it is a sign of the fish's body healing itself. He still is very weak. Not swimming around and not beinging able to stay up straight. We have been hand-feeding him for about a week now. It was to the point to where he was laying on his side and we where having to pick him up by hand and lean him againest something, because he couldn't get up by himself. And today was the first day that he has actually trying to chase my hand. (it's cute) it acts as if he is starving. Tonight he has been able to sit up by him self for short periods of time and is becoming more active. He has also got on his side and got his own self up quite a few times tonight without our help. But he is still no Normal Lucky. He swims slowly, and only a inch or so at a time, then he stops and takes a break. He is always at the bottom of the tank. He hasn't tried to swim up in a week. Also I seen about 2 days ago a clear like string about an inch or so long with almost hair like things on it floating in the tank. The tank was just cleaned 100%. And then tonight he was resting against his ship and I went down to feed him and there was this long string like thing that almost looked like feces, but it was red and brown. We have treated him and his tank with Maracyn-Two and also a Gel-Tek Medication Food with Tetracycline. That treatment was completed almost 36 hours ago. At that time it called for a 20 % water change, but with the tank water beinging a yellow color and Lucky doing VERY bad, I decided to do a 70% water change. It has been a little over 24 hours since his water change out. He is showing an inprovement tonight, but I hate to get my hopes up because his health is always changing. Tonights testing showed the Nitate levels at 20ppm. and the Ammonia leavel now is 0.25 ppm. We are trying to get them back down to 0.0 ppm. We have been checking for PH levels as well. Ph Looks good. But does ANYONE have any sugguestions??? Is there something I am missing? Lucky is our pride and joy! With his very own personality! This fish has been through a lot over the years, putting up with us as newbie fish parents. I have to do all that I can to help him. So please if you know of anything, Please help.

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angie - 2010-02-26
I just read your post. I hope your goldfish is doing ok. I think it is awesome that there are people like you who care so greatly about animals. You have done alot more than most...including the person that posted right after you. Good luck to you and your little pride and joy.
Alexi - 2010-03-01
I am an owner of two common goldfish. I want to help you. Even though I am 12. Are you putting water conditioner in your tank regularly? If not, you should start soon. 13 years? Dang he's old.
Anonymous - 2010-06-17
Too much water, lonely?
Laura - 2010-08-01
Check out anchor worm... if he has it it's easy to treat :) Good luck
david - 2010-09-15
Go to www.tropicalfishkeeping.com and see if anyone can help there.
Robert - 2010-09-29
Try buying another goldfish. That might help. Maybe he's lonely.
Erika - 2010-10-02
I looked at the part where you talked about him swimming on his sides! This mostly happens because when fish eat pellets, they expand in their body, this blocks their bladder, making them unable to swim correctly. If I were you, I would soak the pellets in water for about 5 minutes before feeding them to Lucky, that way they don't expand in his bladder. Also, constipation are signs of the pellets expanding in his body. Do not pick him up by hand, if you don't have to! Picking them up by hand can cause infection! Since he is pretty sick right now, his body wont be able to fight off infection as easily. The hair like things could have been caused by mating season. Males get hair like things over their fin and head. Long feces can be caused by over feeding. Good luck with Lucky! :) Please, reply back and tell me how things are going with Lucky! I hope my reply hasn't been too late. :( Try taking him off pellets, or soaking the pellets in water for about 5 minutes before feeding him, and don't feed him too much! Goldfish are the type of fish that, if you put food in the tank, they will eat it whether hungry or not! Too much food causes long feces, and make them more prone to sickness or infection. Try these things for a few months, and if they aren't working, tell me and I could give you a few websites to look around on. I hope things turn out okay with Lucky!
Lucky - 2010-10-03
I wish I knew a way to help your goldfish. It might be dying, or it may have some kind of disease. Have you checked with a veterinarian to see what the problem is?
\"Violet\" - 2010-10-10
What food are you feeding Lucky? Grains or Flakes. We had a fish for 17 years, and we didn't even have a filter, or an oxygen thing. We fed him the little grains. I recently got another fish, after our old one died, and I fed the new one flakes. He died 2 weeks later. I don't have a scientific reason, but since then, I have had 10 fish, fed on Grains, and they are all still alive.
Good Luck.
Nick - 2010-10-12
I hope Lucky is doing well, I have had this problem a few times, overeating I think was the cause..
Mary - 2010-10-26
Keep trying Elizabeth .......I wish you best of luck. Mary.
John - 2011-12-25
You say you changed all the rocks and water you probably got new tank syndrome which won't help an ill and weak fish

louis simpson - 2008-03-01
My fish is lying on its belly and has breathing problems. He's a little fighter though, but I dont know how to cure it and I need to know.

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Anonymous - 2012-03-06
Is your fish still eating? He might be constipated and need a couple of cooked peas (shell off to help him out hope this helps a bit :)
Jeremy Roche - 2012-03-06
Have you checked your water levels? How is the ammonia level? Is there enough air movement in the tank? Could be a simple fix if you jump right on it.

Jose - 2012-03-05
I was wondering if its bad having 4 shubukins in a 5 gallon tank? Also if I wanted to add a snail what type does it need to be?

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Jeremy Roche - 2012-03-05
Once you upgrade to a bigger tank and the tank becomes established and can provide the snails with the needed food supply go ahead and add a couple snails. There are a ton of snails to pick from they would fit well. First step get a bigger tank up and running. You will find it makes tank maintenance much easier too.
Charlie Roche - 2012-03-05
Shubukins will grow to 4 inches as adults and even 6 inches if the tank is not over crowded. You need a gallon of usable water for each inch your fish is going to be as an adult. Four Shubunkins at peak size (6 inches apiece) would be 24 gallons plus you have to add gallons for decorations, plants and gravel. So for an optimum enviornment you need a 30 gallon tank for your 4 Shubunkins. A 20 gallon would work until they are larger. 5 gallon, that is too small and could stunt your fish.
Jeremy Roche - 2012-03-05
Way to small of a tank. These fish produce a lot of waste and the system will never keep up with them. 5 gallons will work for 1 maybe 2 for a very short time.
Jose - 2012-03-05
Ok so upgrade the asap. Another question sorry for the bother, but do you people think I can add a trapdoor snail with them?

gwen - 2009-11-06
PLEASE HELP: my comet gold fish i bought it today and it dosent move i i think its got something wrong with it. it has a big enough tank and it has a real plant in there for oxygen and it has a snail to clean its waste i dont know what it wrong with it but i had two previous fish in there aswell and i only had one for not even a week and the other for 2 weeks and the fish i just bought i dont want it to die i am really sad i need help :( :( :) :)

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ivy - 2011-12-21
I saw something to not put a plant it gives them a kind of sickness. I am so sorry in my town 600 of mine died. I loved them but the birds had a party.
kathy - 2012-02-07
Give it time as he might been spawning. I got mine from the fair he did that to. I called pet store ask them about that --- they said was normel.
Alex Burleson - 2012-02-08
A Comet Goldfish will require a minimum of 10 gallons, if not 20 when fully grown.

To ensure proper advice, I would need more details on your aquarium, such as the size, temperature, and how long it has been running.

Feel free to email me, if you wish: alex.burleson@live.com
Anonymous - 2012-02-29
YOU DIDN'T MENTION AN AIR STONE FOR OXYGEN? THE PLANT DOESN'T GIVE OFF THAT MUCH OXYGEN AND SOMETIMES CAN ACTUALLY CAUSE LESS OXYGEN TO BE PRESENT. SO YOU NEED TO HAVE AN AIR PUMP AND AND AIR STONE TO PUT PLENTY OF OXYGEN IN THE TANK.

Brittany - 2012-02-29
I have a male black moor and a female black moor. The female is swimming all over the place but the male will casually swim and spends most of his time at the surface...does that mean he's sick or suffocating because he's not moving like his female counterpart?

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Jeremy Roche - 2012-02-29
If that is the only thing you are seeing; I would say it is normal. Because of the body shapes of the moors they do not all have the same mobilty. Some may tip over if they try to accelerate to fast. Is he a bit more round? Or, he may just enjoy watching his lady frantically working around the tank as he putts around..

happy_bbe - 2012-02-24
Hi , my little sister bought a fantail and I was just wondering how can you tell if it's a male or female and is it safe to be in a tank with a couple tetris and a small blackmoor?? Also, the tank has a food area and it has been putting the pebbles up under the food bit and has aslo been spending its time in that area does that mean it needs a partner??

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Clarice Brough - 2012-02-26
It's hard to tell the sex of a goldfish unless it is in breeding mode, where the female is generally fatter while the male is slender, also the male may have more pointed fins. Your goldfish should be fine with tetras and the other black moor goldfish. As far as its habit of playing with the pebbles and spending time in the food area, those things don't indicate it needs a partner. It should be fine by itself, but adding another is okay too as long as your tank is large enough and has enough decor to provide places of refuge for each of the fish.
happy_bbe - 2012-02-26
OK thank you
Jeremy Roche - 2012-02-27
One thing to keep in mind is that Goldfish produce a lot of amonia into the tank that could harm the tetras. Depending on type of filter and tank, I would get some amonia removing bags or pellets.

zoey - 2012-02-16
Hi, my name Zoey. I have 3 fish - a black moor, red oranda and a tranquil. They all get on well but as I only had all my fish like only 10/weeks now. Me and my family have seen that my red oranda fish has a little bigger belly then a few weeks ago if she has eggs? When will I know? Do I put her in a new tank till the eggs are born or do I ask the owner please help

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Jeremy Roche - 2012-02-17
Normally if the Goldfish was pregnant to others would be chasing it aroung the tank waiting for the eggs to release to be fertilized and some eaten. Try cutting the feeding down may be just gaining weight.

Joselyne - 2012-02-14
Hi guys!! i just got a redcap oranda goldfish today for valentines day. It's really cute but I have other gold fishes that are bigger than him. I also got the eye black moor or goldfish ((dont remmeber the name)) but they are small too. Should I take the 'babies' out till they are big or leave them with the other bigger goldfishes??

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Jeremy Roche - 2012-02-15
Hello Joselyne. Goldfish are usually not aggressive towards each other if there is enough room for them. May be a little fin nipping but that is usually it. Should be fine; just keep an eye on them and remember to properly get the new fish use to the water in the tank.

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