Very Poorly Goldfish! - Advice needed!

Posted by: naim_nymph on 08 December 2012

I got home from work this morning, and after feeding my cats i found a goldfish on the carpet.

Thought it was dead at first, and was going to give him a burial in the garden but when I picked him up he started twitching [like fish do out of water].

 

So I ran up-stairs to the bathroom and put him in the sink basin full of cold water.

He’s alive, but doesn’t swim very well. All his fins are waggling around, one side better than other, and he has quite a few scales missing. I think their may be some little drama under one gill.

 

After three hours of observation he is more stable and upright [in the water] and seems more alert to his surroundings. Since the photo [below] I’ve transferred him to a clean plastic bowl with cleaner cold top water.

He probably came from my neighbours fish pond [haven’t told my neighbour yet] and going by his beaten up state of health I don’t think it would do him any favours being put back in just yet.

 

 

Will the missing scales lead to infection?

 

Any sensible advise for the management of this goldfish is very welcome!

 

Thanks

 

Debs

Posted on: 08 December 2012 by fatcat

Debs

 

One thing goldfish don't like is clean tap water. It contains chemicals and doesn't contain bacteria that are beneficial to the fish. When adding tap water, something like tap safe should be added and only about 60% of water should be replaced. The remaining water contains beneficial bacteria.

 

I'd put it back in the pond, it will be far less stressed in an environment it knows. It will be able hide under a rock or plant until it hopefully recovers.

 

If you put it in the pond, you'll need to place the bowl outside and let the temperature of the bowl reach that of the pond. It won't like a sudden change in temperature.

Posted on: 08 December 2012 by naim_nymph

He may need vetinary treatment.

He really isn't very well.

Posted on: 08 December 2012 by mista h
How well do you get on with your neighbours Debs? If it was me i would just come clean and tell them what has happened. I am one for not letting any living thing suffer be it a dog,cat or goldfish. I would ring  the vets you use for advice,if nothing can be done sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind and i dont mean that in a nasty way. If the vets cannot advise you i would not want to see it suffer  in pain for ages and give it one good bash with a hammer. That may sound hard but it is quick and its out of its suffering.
 
Mista H
 
PS..Sorry still no pics but aint forgotten
 

He may need vetinary treatment.

He really isn't very well.

Posted on: 08 December 2012 by naim_nymph

Just been around to my neighbour who was okay about it.

The goldfish is back home in his pond again now,

 

...telling all his mates how he fought off 3 cats and lived to tell the tale : )

 

Debs

Posted on: 08 December 2012 by fatcat
Originally Posted by naim_nymph:

Just been around to my neighbour who was okay about it.

The goldfish is back home in his pond again now,

 

...telling all his mates how he fought off 3 cats and lived to tell the tale : )

 

Debs

A very lucky fish.

 

VERY LUCKY NOT TO LIVE NEAR MISTA H.

Posted on: 08 December 2012 by Kevin-W

Goldfish are surprisingly hardy creatures.

 

My Japanese veiltail, Bonzo (pictured), died in April aged six. He "came back from the dead" no less than three times over the years.

 

Bonzo

Posted on: 08 December 2012 by Donuk

Perhaps a Tiger Paw has been at his sKales.

don, sunny downtown York.

Posted on: 08 December 2012 by tonym

Groan.....

Posted on: 08 December 2012 by naim_nymph

 

"What fish? 

...no it wasn't me, i didn't do it!"

Posted on: 08 December 2012 by mista h
ooh u looking at ?  Very posh baskets. Looks like the other cat is saying i dont do photo shoots.
 
Mista H

 

"What fish? 

...no it wasn't me, i didn't do it!"

Posted on: 08 December 2012 by Steve J
I would ring  the vets you use for advice,if nothing can be done sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind and i dont mean that in a nasty way. If the vets cannot advise you i would not want to see it suffer  in pain for ages and give it one good bash with a hammer. That may sound hard but it is quick and its out of its suffering.
 
Mista H

Is this the same Mista H that has a cat with cancer and can't let go? What's the difference? Your view on the poor goldfish seems to be a little hypocritical when compared to your cat. The goldfish will probably live longer than your moggy now unless another bloody cat comes along.
Posted on: 08 December 2012 by Cbr600

Beautiful cats Debs, and they look very cosy in those baskets

Posted on: 09 December 2012 by mista h
I think you need to READ and digest my posts before hitting the keyboard. Yes our cat is old and has cancer,but she is responding well to treatment,purrs away and still bounds around the house. Only thing thats in a bad way is my c/c which is being hit from all sides. The point i was trying to make is that i dont think its as easy to tell if a fish is in pain as it is with a dog or a cat.
 
On a lighter note i am also being treated for cancer,a close friend of mine keeps saying to me do i get your Hi-fi if you pop your cloggs and is it still under warranty?
 
Mista H
I would ring  the vets you use for advice,if nothing can be done sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind and i dont mean that in a nasty way. If the vets cannot advise you i would not want to see it suffer  in pain for ages and give it one good bash with a hammer. That may sound hard but it is quick and its out of its suffering.
 
Mista H

Is this the same Mista H that has a cat with cancer and can't let go? What's the difference? Your view on the poor goldfish seems to be a little hypocritical when compared to your cat. The goldfish will probably live longer than your moggy now unless another bloody cat comes along.