If you keep a goldfish long enough, he's probably going to get sick at some point.
There are a variety of goldfish illnesses that can affect your pet.
They can usually be prevented by maintaining proper water conditions, but this is not always the case.
This article will discuss some of the most common diseases in goldfish.
Swim Bladder Disorder Your fish's swim bladder is an air-filled organ that helps him maintain his balance in the water.
If it is damaged, he will be unable to swim up or down.
He'll likely stay at the top or bottom of the tank.
This condition can be caused by parasitic or bacterial infections, improper diet, or various other diseases.
The underlying cause will have to be treated to deal with this problem.
Fin Rot One of the next common goldfish illnesses is fin rot.
This is very easy to notice as you'll literally see your fish's fins rotting away.
They may be blackened or bloody around the edges also.
Fin rot is caused by bacteria that invade the fins thanks to an injury or a weakened immune system.
It has to be treated with antibiotics.
Constipation Constipation is also one of the most common diseases in goldfish.
In fact, almost all fish experience this condition sooner or later.
Constipation usually occurs when you feed him too much at one time.
So, the easiest way to prevent it is to make sure you don't overfeed.
If it does happen, it's easily treated by giving him a piece of a de-skinned green pea.
Dropsy Dropsy is by far the most serious condition.
It is the result of your fish going into the later stages of organ failure.
It is caused by an infection that travels throughout your fish's body causing damage.
An affected fish will swell up dramatically and also have raised scales that make him look like a pine cone.
It is usually fatal.