Is your goldfish dying?

Goldfish are sturdy but they make their tanks dirty creating susceptibility to a host of infections. The first signs of a sick goldfish are clamped fins, shaking bodies, constant scratching against objects in the tank, hiding in the corners, gasping at the surface, swimming abnormally. Any of these symptoms should alert you to the sickness and you must take immediate action.

Some of the common goldfish diseases are:

Worm parasites: Flatworms or flukes are common in new goldfish. These parasites cause torn fins, colorless and split gill filaments, general malaise and a difficulty in breathing in the fish. Before introducing the fish in your tank, you should run the goldfish through a preventive bath for a few minutes. These baths could be of formalin or formalin and malachite both. There are other options also available and you can check them with your local vet. The bath has to be given every four days for two weeks to eliminate the risk of infection from all stages of the parasite.

Crustacean parasites: Pond raised goldfish will sometimes carry with it crustacean parasites like anchorworm and fish lice. Organo phosphate insecticides have been found to be affective against these parasites. The adult forms can be removed with forceps. The wound sites should then be treated with iodine.

Protozoan parasites: Like most fresh water fishes, goldfish are susceptible to white spot and velvet disease. White spot, also known as Ich, is visible as white spots on the fish. Other symptoms include drooping fins and labored breathing. Treatment is through raising the temperature and adding coarse salt. Consult a vet for medicating the water.

Infectious Disease: A parasitic attack on goldfish will usually lead to a secondary or tertiary bacterial and fungal infection. You can quarantine the new stock and the sick fish and observe for infections. Coarse salt and raising the water temperature helps. A vet may prescribe antibiotics.

Environmental deaths: Most goldfish deaths are due to the challenges posed by their environment. Sudden changes in the water temperature, insufficient oxygen and pollution can easily kill this fish.

Nutritional deaths: Healthy goldfish are known to die for no apparent reason. Most often these deaths can be traced to lack of proper nutrition. Though you must gauge the goldfish food portions, you must also make sure that you are making good food choices for your fish.

Prevention is however better than cure. All goldfish diseases are basically rooted in its habitat. A clean water tank can almost always ensure that your fish remains healthy. A good filter and water pump will maintain the oxygen level in the tank and ensure circulation to remove copious waste from the tank. Good aquarium management is the only key to keep your goldfish healthy. Do not overfeed goldfish since they never stop eating on their own. Make frequent water changes and supply ample oxygen. Be very observant and on first signs of illness take action.