| The common reasons goldfish get sick are if the | | | | effectiveness of the treatment. |
| fish tank is dirty, due to poor filtration, poor water | | | | Bacterial infection |
| quality and low oxygen levels. This article provide | | | | Bacterial infection covers a range of goldfish |
| the information of the common goldfish diseases | | | | illnesses, with varying causes. Dirty water and/or |
| and how to treatment. | | | | cold water, overcrowding and corn-based diets |
| Ulcers | | | | can lead to bacterial infection. |
| Caused by poor water quality or an excessively | | | | Symptoms: Red and inflamed areas on the body |
| high pH level and bacterial infection. Also | | | | and fins, raised scales, skin ulcers, exophthalmos |
| commonly affects newly imported goldfish. | | | | (pop-eye), dropsy or swollen abdomen, fin rot. |
| Symptoms: Pinky-white open wounds, often with | | | | Additionally, affected fish may be lethargic and |
| a white edge and sometimes secondarily infected | | | | anorexic. |
| by fungi and other bacteria. | | | | Treatment: Use Short-term baths for a few |
| Treatment: Fish lose salts quickly through open | | | | hours each day using anti-bacterial products such |
| wounds, so add aquarium salt at a dose of 1-3g | | | | as potassium permanganate or antibiotics. For |
| litre. Use an antibiotic treatment both short-term | | | | open sores it is recommended to wash them in |
| antibiotic baths and topical antibiotic. If treatment | | | | iodine or hydrogen peroxide solution and apply |
| fails you will consult a vet for advance treatment. | | | | antibiotic ointment. Topical treatments can use in |
| Dropsy | | | | minor to moderate cases. Medicated food these |
| Dropsy is a symptom that the fish is in kidney | | | | are specially prepared foods containing antibiotics. |
| failure and is not able to excrete enough fluid. | | | | You can prepare your own medicated food by |
| Usually caused by bacterial infection. Viral infection, | | | | top-dressing ordinary food with an appropriate |
| nutritional, metabolic and osmoregulatory problems | | | | antibiotic. Antibiotics (injectable) this usually course |
| can also be responsible. | | | | of five injections over a ten-day period in |
| Symptoms: Swelling of the body cavity due to a | | | | combination with topical treatments. |
| build-up of fluid. Scales become raised that make | | | | Swim bladder disorder |
| the fish look like a pine cone. One or both of the | | | | Caused by bacterial infection, incorrect diet, |
| eyes may be protruded. | | | | trapped gas, physical deformities, poor water |
| Treatment: Add aquarium salt at a dose of 1- 3g | | | | quality. Genetic problems in selectively-bred |
| litre can help to prevent salt loss. Use a broad | | | | goldfish. Commonly affects egg-shaped fancy |
| spectrum antibiotic treatment is the best option in | | | | goldfish. |
| most cases. A good antibiotic is chloramphenicol | | | | Symptoms: Fish have difficulty swimming to the |
| and tetracycline. | | | | surface, or to the lower levels of the tank. |
| White spot | | | | Treatment: Change diet and improve water |
| Caused by Ichthyophthirius multifiliis parasite | | | | conditions by soaking flake food before feeding so |
| infection due to poor or incorrect water | | | | that it will sink lower in the water so the goldfish |
| conditions, fluctuating temperature and general | | | | will not intake as much air and the food will be |
| poor husbandry. | | | | moister and easily digestible. An increase of |
| Symptoms: Small white spots on the skin, fins | | | | vegetable content in the goldfish's diet may also |
| and gills. | | | | help their digestive system. Increasing the tank |
| Treatment: Treat promptly with an anti-parasite | | | | water temperature to 78-80°F and add |
| medication such as Metronidazole, malachite green | | | | aquarium salts dose of 1- 3g/litre to the water. If |
| and formalin. It may be necessary to raise the | | | | the goldfish condition is not improve a medicated |
| water temperature to 80° F to improve the | | | | food, or broad spectrum antibiotic can be given. |