7 Year Old Golfish Has Problems

[frazerd]

We have inherited a 7 year old goldfish with many problems. It doesn't float so lives on the floor of the tank (has done for about 2 years) and we feed it blood worms every 2 days. It has a bulbous forehead, bloated body, big eyes, laboured breathing and white spot.

It's had white spot for about a month and yesterday we gave it the first dose of 'Anti-White Spot' as directed by Pets at Home. Today the white spots are exuding a thin white discharge. is this to be expected or do you think the fish is too old to fight this?

Do you think we should be kind and end it's life, and if so, what's the kindest method?

We are will be giving it a second dose on Wed but if that fails we would appreciate some advice.

[wolf63]

Phone your vet - they may be able to have a look to see if it is suffering from something that can be cured. If not they should be able to end its suffering.

It doesn't sound too healthy to me though.

[Peaspeculiars]

Frazerd, be patient :-) - it may look awful, but white spot treatment does take a few days to work (normally about 6-7 days) and the results can be brilliant. Your fish has had a 'good innings' so far and he may just pull through. Some goldfish are of the variety in which characteristics are big eyes and bulbous forehead, so this could be normal (google it in images and you'll see what i mean).
Don't be tempted to exceed the white spot treatment dosage (as this can do more harm than good). Try feeding him a bit of normal goldfish flakes as part of his diet too (it will keep your water from going red so often).
I wish him well, all the best

[anneasquith]

how would you euthanize a goldfish ?

[pixie373]

I agree with peas. Also, it's not old, goldfish can live for 20 years plus, easily.

[B00]

White spot is easily treatable, give the meds time to work first.

I'd be more concerned about it not being able to swim around the tank to be honest.

Anne, the kindest and quickest way to euthanise a fish is to put in a bag, and bash it with a hammer or something heavy.

And lastly, 7 years old is no age for a goldie, my own is 15+ and still going strong.

[divegirl]

Stop feeding it the blood work too, it need a more varied dirt. I would suggest not feeding for 48 hours [don't worry a gold fish can easily do that.] and then feed it a defrosted, de-shelled pea of the frozen variety.

You would be better off feeding it a good branded pellet food.

How big is the fish, how big is the tank and do you have as filter running in it?

Lisa x

[wildwood]

How did you conclude that the fish has white spot? "the white spots are exuding a thin white discharge" sounds a bit puzzling to me.

[frazerd]

I didn't realise you could feed a fish a pea? I'm glad to be able offer it an alternative. Will the pea / pellets sink to the floor as the fish cannot float (hasn't for 2 years)?

I appreciate all your welcome comments. This morning the white spot treatment seems to be working. The discharge has stopped and the white spots reducing in size.

[RATTER15]

This fish needs dispensing with if you ask me, it sounds like it has many problems, dont prolong its suffering!

[divegirl]

The pea will serve as a sort of de-tox for the fish, as I said, get a good quality pellet and feed that instead afterwards.

Gold fish are so greedy they will eat anything but they are also massive waste producers, hence the need for a decent filter in their [as large as you can fit in the house] tank.

Please feel free to keep asking questions, I've subscribed to the thread so will keep an eye out.

Lisa x

[divegirl]

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[divegirl]

Oppps posted by accident there...

Have a good Google to see if you can find a picture that looks similar to the 'worms' will be a massive help :)

[viv38]

I agree with RATTER, especially as it's breathing is laboured, poor thing.