About Tom Lee Expertise Experience of keeping everything from common Goldfish through to Tatia Reticulata all the to Tetradoan Suvatti. I'm good with Catfish, Goldfish, Puffers and small shoaling fish. Plus I'm based in the UK so any British questioners stop here.
Experience I've kept lots of different species. Livebearers, Bettas, Puffers, Catfish, Axolotals etc
I've lost fish to TB, ich etc. I've thought sod this for a laugh, this is a stupid hobby but I've ploughed on and I've gained loads of experience along the way.
Expert: Tom Lee Date: 5/8/2008 Subject: Please help my goldfish
Question I bought 2 goldfish, 1 died about a month later, I waited a couple of weeks and then bought another. He seemed fine until I noticed a white lump on his head, this disappeared in a few days, then he had an even larger lopsided lump, he started to lie on gravel, I isolated him for a week and he seemed to get better and the lump disappeared. He went back in with the other fish and seemed ok, but after a few days he started rolling in the water, floating upside down and lying on his side on bottom of tank, I thought the lump had caused brain damage but my friend said swimbladder, I got the necessary treatment but it hasn't work, he seems to be worse, I feel so sorry for the little guy, he just lies at the bottom looking around and I have to swirl food down to him. I do everything correct as far as I know, weekly water change of about a 3rd of water, always leave the water overnight and use the water cleanser, have a filter which I clean in the old tank water. I just feel so sorry for him, I can't kill him, but I don't want him to suffer either, do you think this is brain damage or swimbladder? Is there anything I can do for him, he seems like a fighter, he has been hanging on in for weeks.
Thanks
Answer Hi Janice,
The lump on your Goldfish's head was Lymphocystis - sometimes fish die from it, others make quick, mysterious recoveries.
It is currently suffering from Swim-bladder trouble. This condition is usually restricted to deep-bodied fish (like Goldfish) although scaleless fish also seem to be susceptible.
Unfortunately there is no known cure for this condition. It is accelerated by coldwater so a gentle temperature increase will relieve the symptoms along with a mild salt bath. Try feeding Daphnia or worms to aid digestion and thus relieve the symptoms further.
