Aging Goldfish

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Classroom Pets Chatboard

Aging Goldfish

by Carolyn

Aug 11, 2008

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 s...See MoreCan 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.

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