fat goldfish

Question
We have a 25 gallon tank with a goldfish and catfish in it.The goldfish is about 4 inches long and has been fine until a week ago.This fish has gotten huge like it is ballooning up.Checked no symptoms of dropsy or bloat only thing that fits is constipation.Put mela fix in the tank did not work.{still huge}Petsmart said to put romaine lettuce in or peas that are split to help.Fish will not eat either.Help Please.

Answer
Hi Larry;

You may need to give her a dose of Cod Liver Oil. It works as a laxative. Just wet a clean paper towel with tank water and put 2 drops of the oil directly in her mouth.

Or, give her epsom salt baths. Not regular salt, just epsom salt such as what you buy at the drug store to soak your feet in with warm water. It is used as a laxative too. Add a gallon of her tank water to a container she can swim in. Dissolve 2 teaspoons of epsom salt in the gallon of tank water. Net the fish from her tank and let her soak in the gallon of epsom water for ten minutes. Net her back into the tank afterwards and throw away the treatment water. You can do this daily for as long as needed to relieve her trouble.

I hope she feels better soon...

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins