Post: Aging Goldfish
Posted by Carolyn on 8/11/08
Can you tell me typical signs of advanced aging in goldfish
prior to death? I have two that are very old (maybe 16-17
years.) I understand they can live to be 23-24 - I'm
hoping! They both were gold colored until about four years
ago (when I moved their location - about a 4 hour car drive
with air bubbler). That was stressful I know and the tank
had red algae after moving to its new setting. I found a
better location, treated them, and learned how to care for
them better but they were always more of a silver color
after that.
One is very active. The other looks like he is a little
smaller than last month (loosing weight?!). They both have
had signs of fin rot and maybe ich from time to time. I
think the one with more problems has pop eye but that is
probably a permanent problem since the former owners didn't
treat them; that fish is basically blind.
Two or three weeks ago I started useing "Quick Cure" (QC)
for about 9-10 days (removed carbon filter). The directions
said 2-3 days usually takes care of problems but to
continue until they looked well. I was afraid to continue
longer than 10 days so I stopped the medicine, did a 25-30%
water change (10 gal acquarium) with tap water, vaccuumed
the bottom of the tank, cleaned the filter, used tap water
conditioner, and about 2 tbsp sea salt.
I stopped the QC for a about a week but forgot to put the
carbon filter back. The one still looked sick so did I 25-
30% water change again, cleaned the filter, about 1 tbsp
sea salt, etc., and have used the Quick Cure again the last
two nights. I think the pH is fine because it is almost
always the same when I test it but I will try to get a pH
and nitrite test done on 8/12. They both seem to have a
little more color for the first time in four years and are
more active with the medicine but the one is still slower
than usual and sometimes lays close to the bottom of the
tank. He used to look like he almost had a "helmet" over
his head - it was like a thicker skin and the only thing
yellowish about him. It looked better after the QC. I used
Melafix in the tank last year which seems to help them perk
up but the QC is the only thing that has taken that helmet
look away. They are eating but I've noticed that I haven't
seen the normal firmly formed string feces (pardon the
specifics). Last night I noticed that both their feces was
a small (about 1/4 inch) soft excrement right after they
ate. Does that indicate a problem?
Sorry this is so long but I know it's hard to diagnose fish
so I'm trying to give a lot of information. Thank you.
Posts on this thread, including this one
- Aging Goldfish, 8/11/08, by Carolyn.
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