Unhealthy Fish...

Question
Hi, This fish in my Fiance's aquarium is not exactly a goldfish...He's small, orange and black. Today I noticed that the fish was very bloated compared to the other ones, has white puffy stuff all under his scales and his scales are sticking up in some places. Also his eyes are pretty clouded over..but he seems to be swimming, and breathing fine. He also isnt trying to scratch on the bottom of the tank or on anything really. All the rest of the fish in the tank seem to be fine.


Please respond soon, so that I can get it cleared up as soon as possible so that the rest of the fish don't get sick.

Thank you.

Answer

Dropsy in Goldfish Hi Meagan,

It's ultra important that I know what kind of fish it is before I would be able to advise you properly.  Can you take a picture and attach it?  Or you can go to www.liveaquaria.com in the freshwater section and try and identify it by picture.

I would also need to know, who are the tankmates, how many, how many gallons is the tank, how long has it been running.  Have you tested it for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates?  This would be key since 99% of fish problems stem from the results of these water tests.

Does the fish look like the one I have attached?  With the pinecone effect?  This is dropsy, and is extremely serious.  I just need to know much more before I can help you save them.

Thanks: )  April M.