The rather alarmingly named condition “hole in the head” is a disease that can affect both goldfish and tropical fish, and is often the result of keeping your goldfish in poor-quality water over a prolonged period of time, either due to an overcrowded tank, insufficient cleaning, or water changes that are too infrequent.
Read on to learn more about hole in the head, plus what you can do to help your goldfish if they are afflicted with this condition.
Have you got a goldfish with big eyes? Have you suddenly noticed your fish’s eyes look bigger than normal? You may be seeing a condition called “Pop Eye”.
Pop eye, also sometimes known as “exophthalmia” isn’t strictly a disease in and of itself, but rather, it is the result of another underlying issue or infection. It causes one or both of the eyes of the goldfish to protrude from the socket to some degree, ranging from a slight bulge to quite pronounced, depending on the severity of the condition.
The eye may also appear cloudy, but this is not always the case. If you notice your goldfish has big eyes, you should address the issue sooner rather than later, as it can lead to blindness.
Don’t forget though – some types of fancy goldfish are supposed to have big eyes. Goldfish like the Black Moor have telescope-style eyes, which is perfectly normal and not a sign that something is wrong.
Lice and worms are common goldfish tank parasites, both of which can potentially lead to health problems in your fish and so, should be dealt with as soon as a potential issue arises.
Fish tank lice and worms are parasites that rely upon goldfish to thrive and reproduce, and will often be most prevalent in overcrowded tanks and on fish that have recently been bought from a pet store.
It is of course important to ensure that you do not let your tank become overcrowded, and that you quarantine any new fish for 14 days to a month before you introduce them to your main tank.
Tapeworms, anchor worms and body lice are three of the most common parasitic problems that can affect goldfish, and these three invaders are sometimes found together.
Swim bladder disease is one of the most common problems affecting goldfish. If you’ve seen your fish swimming upside down or on its side, then you’ve seen a swim bladder problem. Although often called a “disease”, it is actually a symptom that can have a number of different causes. There is not one specific “disease” that … Read more
Dropsy is an extremely serious and often fatal condition affecting goldfish. If you notice your goldfish looking fat, swollen or “about to explode” then the problem is probably dropsy. Read on to find out more about the symptoms of dropsy, what causes dropsy and how to treat it. Identifying and treating dropsy How do you … Read more
Fin rot isn’t a disease in itself, but rather a symptom of disease or infection. If your goldfish has fin rot then you will notice their fins start to appear frayed or ragged, as if they’ve been torn. You may also notice a white or red edge where the fin appears broken. Act immediately before … Read more
Have you noticed white spots on your goldfish? Does it look like grains of salt or sugar have been sprinkled on to your goldfish’s body, fins or gills? If the answer is yes then your fish may be infected with “white spot disease”, also known as “Ich” or “Ick”. Read on to find out more … Read more