Goldfish swelled up like a ball

[ellebea]

Hi All

I have a 200 gallon pond with 5 small ordinary goldfish. One of them has been swollen up like a ball for a year now. I've tried various treatments but to no avail and I was too squeamish to try and euthanise the fish. Anyway the fish is still eating and lively and acting normal but it doesn't get better. I feel sorry for it and I don't know what to do. The other 4 seem very healthy and the water quality is good and checked regularly. Has anyone any ideas what might be wrong?

 

[JRS]

Sorry to hear about your fish. Swelling could be dropsy which can have different possible causes which are often hard to treat. Another possibility is swim bladder disease although usually happens in fancy short bodied goldfish.

Clove oil, which acts as an anesthetic, can be used to euthanize a fish if needed.

What is the most humane way to euthanase aquarium fish? – RSPCA Knowledgebase

 

[Lisak1]

Could be dropsy, but that usually has the characteristic pine cone look to the scales. Maybe just chubby? Who can't related to that? Haha!

If I have a fish that seems to be living life, I just let nature take it's course. We have a shubunkin right now that is more tumor than fish, but it swims and eats and acts like every other fish in the pond. Eventually things will come to a head, but for now I just leave it be.

 

[j.w]

I just let nature take it's course and let it eat, swim, live and enjoy the life it has left.

 

[ellebea]

Could be dropsy, but that usually has the characteristic pine cone look to the scales. Maybe just chubby? Who can't related to that? Haha!

If I have a fish that seems to be living life, I just let nature take it's course. We have a shubunkin right now that is more tumor than fish, but it swims and eats and acts like every other fish in the pond. Eventually things will come to a head, but for now I just leave it be.

I think the same, just let it be, but worried in case it was suffering, although it seems to be ok, although I don't think it's just chubby as it is a bit pine coney. Also just recently noticed one of its eyes is very red/orange. Thank you for your help.

 

[ellebea]

I just let nature take it's course and let it eat, swim, live and enjoy the life it has left.

I just hope it's not in pain but otherwise quite happy to let it be.

 

[ellebea]

Not a good picture, water is good although you can't tell from the pic, but at least you can get an idea of the bloating.

 

[ellebea]

A better pic ??

 

[Lisak1]

Oh that's dropsy. No question. When you say "treatments" what are you trying? I've seen recommendations for salt bath, but not sure how effective that would be. How sure are you about your water quality? Remember clear water does not mean healthy water. Dropsy is a symptom, not a disease in and of itself and one cause could be poor water quality.