Pop eye in goldfish: Do you have a goldfish with big eyes?

Cartoon of a goldfish with a swollen eye

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.

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Lice and worms in goldfish

Cartoon of a goldfish being attacked by a worm

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.

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How to protect your goldfish pond from invasive plants

Cartoon of a plant chasing a goldfish

This is a guest post from Ricky at swallowaquatics.co.uk

Remember how Seymour thought Audrey II was the most amazing plant he’d ever found in Little Shop of Horrors?

If you haven’t seen the film, spoiler alert – the plant starts eating everyone.

Of course, it’s unlikely that invasive plants in your goldfish pond are likely to commit murder! But they could be harmful to your other plants, taking over the living space and restricting their ability to grow and feed.

So, how do you keep these nasties out of your pond?

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Hornwort: The Ultimate Guide

Hornwort live aquarium plant

Hornwort (ceratophyllum) is a popular aquarium plant. It is also known as Coon’s Tail – for the obvious reason that it looks a bit like the tail of a racoon. Hornwort is a floating plant that does not put down roots, though it can be anchored down into the substrate of the tank with weights. … Read more

Anubias barteri plants

Anubias Barteri plants

Anubias barteri is a flowering plant that hails from the west of Africa. In the wild, it can be found growing in streams, rivers and marshes.

Anubias barteri has a lush green coloration and large, flat individual arrow-shaped leaves located at the end of sturdy stems. The plant can grow to as much as a foot across and a foot tall.

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How to Add Goldfish to a Pond

Fish knocking on door with briefcase in hand

When you have finally reached the stage where you are ready to add goldfish to your pond, it can be very tempting to rush out and buy a large selection of fish immediately! However, it’s important to handle the introduction of your goldfish slowly to avoid placing too much of a strain on the natural … Read more