sick goldfish

Normally, the goldfish live outside in a 300 gal Rubbermaid. I have two common goldies from about eight years ago, and four more fancies. The fancies are definitely more delicate. Drained the tank for a winter overhaul this afternoon, and found my prettiest on her side on the bottom. Her color is good, no pineconeing, no sores or fin-rot. She is a bit thin, and weak. She is now inside in warmer water in a half-full 64qt Sterlite with a bubbler. I'll have to do daily water changes. She is a big fish, and the recommended min. is 20 gal per goldfish, but that is the best I can do for her for now. Not sure she'll make it. I have a box of misc. fish meds, but I don't know what is wrong. The last goldie I had to over-winter two years ago came through fine, but he just had a bit of fin rot - easy to treat. Once they are in the house, they are in until Spring. I'm not putting a warm fish back outside in 40F water.

Anyway, what really struck me, was how much I didn't realize I missed having a fish in the house. It's like they live in a different dimension, and there is NOTHING more beautiful than a goldfish. She is such a beautiful creature, I hope she gets better.

I wish I could help you but I know zip about keeping fish...I agree though, they're beautiful & special. I hope she gets healthy now. :please:

It’s been over 20 years since I kept tanks of fish, so I don’t recall much about diseases or health issues. I hope she recovers fully and enjoys the warm winter holiday.

Thanks to you both.
I appreciate it the good wishes.
So far she looks better.
Fingers crossed.

Slowly raise the temp up and was he upside down at all?

I’m a fish guy been doing aquariums for 15 years definitely not anything parasitic temp raising most likely will not help sounds like a stress shock or potential bacterial infection if anything keep in cooler 65-70 degree water highly oxygenated and treat with salt and some metronidazole available from seachem as “metroplex” can add to food (recommended) or just treat the water.



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While I agree with u it’s not safe to go from 40* to 65-70* suddenly. I normally do a drip line and the salt is definitely a great suggestion.

Did this happen after the water change or has this fish been progressively acting weird. Have you introduced any new fish recently? Thinking more I guess it could be internal parasites which the metro will help with but if it has just happened with no changes in environment such as new fish. It could be internal parasites bun unlikely if the fish has been kept for a time with nothing new introduced.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Danger noodles

While I agree with u it’s not safe to go from 40* to 65-70* suddenly. I normally do a drip line and the salt is definitely a great suggestion.

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40 is a bit cool also was the fish kept outside? I would keep goldfish at an average of 65 If kept indoors.
Edit . I apologize for overlooking the fact they were outdoors.


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The fish live outside. We are zone 7a with mild winters, so any ice that forms can always be broken. She swims normally, but with some effort. When she stops actively swimming she keels to one side. I did not warm her quickly. She spent most of the day in a bucket of tank water, and warmed slowly in that in the house.

No new fish have been added in more than two years. Well established tank with plenty of filter sponge for good bacteria. Present plan is to get her acclimated inside, set her up up the bigger 35gal tub, do a salt treatment, and API's General Cure if she is still around with no specific obvious pointers for illness. Agree, probably a parasitic or bacterial load. If she gets past that week or two from now, I'll probably give her a heater, and focus on fattening her up a bit.

My go-to book is Fancy Goldfish A Complete Guide to Care and Collecting, by Erik Johnson, DVM, et al.