Diseases

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. [Read more…] about Goldfish and hole in the head

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 varieties 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. [Read more…] about Pop eye in goldfish: Do you have a goldfish with big eyes?

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.

What are goldfish lice and worms?

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. [Read more…] about Lice and worms in goldfish

“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 is the cause of all swim bladder problems in goldfish.

As it is not actually a disease, swim bladder problems are not contagious. If one fish has a problem, your other fish won’t “catch it”. However, they may still be at risk of developing similar problems.

Fortunately, swim bladder problems can usually be cured fairly easily, as long as you spot them early enough. If you see your fish swimming upside or on its side, act quickly!

There are several good swim bladder treatments available. But, before you try to cure your fish, read on to find out more about treating swim bladder problems. [Read more…] about Swim bladder disease: Is your fish swimming upside down?

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. [Read more…] about Dropsy: Does your goldfish look swollen?