Help my dying goldfish!!

[shelbert]

I have a pink goldfish in an outdoor pond who is 20 years old. I noticed a couple of days ago that when he stopped swimming his tail end floats upwards and now hes got what looks like a missive red briuse on his left hand side. He's not eating and just hides in the weeds. I caught him today and have put him in a big tub, so he doesnt infect other fish. Incase he is diseased and I've tried hand feeding him but he spits the food out.

I dont know whether to put him out of his pain or whether anything could be done to fix him.

Any ideas would be welcome as I'm at my wits end, I've had him since I was ten and it's horrible to see him this poorly.

[michael lai]

Hi Shelbert,
Welcome to Aquatic Quotient, that's a horrible way to go for a 20 year old goldfish. Add a pinch of aquarium salt and observe for the next few days, the fella is under alot of stress now, maybe can add some floating plants for him to hide. Observe for parasite which is likely the culprit for the wound. Maybe you could describe the red patch more in detail. Till then, we are with you and the old 'geezer'. God speed.

[XnSdVd]

Red bruise = secondary internal infection... Methinks since you're in brittain you can get antibiotics for him. I remember hearing from a friend fish get exceptional care over there.

[shelbert]

Thank you both for your responses. I've got some treatment for open wounds, parasites etc it seems to do everything, which I put in 29/08. I checked him this morning and he was hiding in the plants, I think it helps support his body weight. I will get a photo of the wound tonight and see whether the chemicals I brought have antibiotics. Once again thank you, you are both

[XnSdVd]

A 20 year old Goldfish is a rare thing. Especially since fishes rarely get over 5 years. Oh and i feel i should caution you if anyone tries to sell you a heater. Goldfish are cold water fish, since they originate from Japan and are actually short fat carp. Much like the poodle is related to the wolf.

[shelbert]

Thank you for your warning about the heater. This is not the first 20 year old fish we have had, we must be doing something right!! have posted some phots of the red briuse on Gorby. It does seem to be getting better. I put Melafix in the water along with a swimbladder medicine and some peas!! I did notice that on his other side he has a slight mark, and I'm wondering whether the heron has pecked him. Not sure any ideas? The photos arent that clear as they were taken on my mobile but it gives you an idea.

[michael lai]

Hi Shelbert,
Good to hear that he is recovering. From the pictures, it looks like a wound with secondary infection. The Melafix will take care of that. As long as he is 'alert', don't think there is any problem.

[shelbert]

Hi Michael, the redness seemed to be going but I noticed that his eyes are bulging out so have given him a different medicine for an internal bacterial infection, and some aquatic salt, have got to wait 4 days til next dose but not sure he will make it as he hasnt eaten for for the last 5 days, maybe longer, he just sits in the same spot. he moves his eyes and that is about it. Am seeking Vet's advice today to see if there is something they can do that acts quicker than what I'm doing. Fingers crossed

[michael lai]

ok, keep us posted and good luck.

[shelbert]

Red sore has paled slightly but now he has a darkening of the skin the other side, eyes still bulging and he hasnt eaten for over a week. Not looking too promising. Tried him on accrifix (an anticeptic medicine) which made the water illuminous yellow! but it has been a week and no change. All I can do is make sure he's comfortable and hope for the best as I'm not sure how much medicine the poor fella can take he's had a little bit of everything over the past 10 days swimbladder then i swapped to medifix then anti bacterial then anticeptic) have left it days between new medicines and have been changing water before putting it in so they dont mix. running out of ideas

[michael lai]

I'm sorry to hear that Shelbert, the bulging eye might be a combination of various disease or even copper poisoning which is the reason why it's so hard to cure and the fact that the fish is old is not helping here. The yellow powder is very effective over here in singapore against alot of infections, hope it helps. Maybe you can raise temp and observe, I have had limited sucess with some fragile fishes but not with goldfish but who knows, it might work. I hope Gorby recovers, God speed.

[OzSue1]

Hi all, I am gma to 3 fish and my daughter is on holidays so I am babysitting the two largest are Premuim ( gold fantail) and Black Russian (Blackmore) both are 7 years old and then there is the young one Barcardi ( white fantail) and he is 5 . He is the one I am asking questions about . Now I have been though dropsy before and can get them back swimming OK but have never treated them with antibotics just epsom salts . This one blew up like a pinecone and pet shop guy suggested some broad spectum stuff and cross your fingers. Well like most fish stuff the is little or no instructions so here is what I am doing. first I have a airstone and a filter( only foam) in a hosptial tank ...mainly to move water around. I have been changing the water everyday and putting in a new tablet checking PH etc so that new water is same quaility as old but new dose of antibotics every day ( pet shop guy laughed at me ) but it seems to have worked scales are down and fish is eating and swimming beautifully he has some blood viens appeared in his tail and this has happened before ???? but anyone have ideas why ????? and how long should they stay in hospital tank and in antibotics .....Remember gma's just look after things as they know best and to me good water and a daily tablet is like chicken soup and a jumper .
look forward to a reply