Goldfish with bloated belly.....

[Paultergeist]

I have a small goldfish with some sort of issue....

The belly area is highly bloated -- mainly on one side, such that the fish (when viewed from above) seems to always be turned a bit towards one side (as if the spine of the fish is in a slight crescent shape). Logically, the fish has some difficulties swimming, but still swims around and feeds.

This fish is only a Hibuna, and cost very little money, but I am wondering if there is anything I can do for this fish?

Alternatively, is there anything I can learn from this?

Any ideas? Tumor? Swim bladder? Egg impaction? Obstructed bowel?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[Luck]

I would think #1 or #4

if #4 I have heard peas with some epsom salt inside can help get them regular again

If #1 :shrugs:

[Paultergeist]

So....the fish needs to ingest the Epsom salt?

[Lari]

If the fish has always looked like this it could be a congenital deformity too.
Hibuna are commonly raised as "feeder fish". Therefore they aren't culled for deformity and if purchased as a pet when small, instead of lunch for a carnivore the deformity can become more obvious as it grows. It's your call to decide if the fish is ok living like it is, or suffering.
Without pictures it is really impossible to even try to guess at what your fish's condition is. Even with pictures it is often difficult if not impossible to tell too.

[Luck]

So....the fish needs to ingest the Epsom salt?

this is done with fancies quite often I believe...someone tell me if I am wrong.


I believe we are talking about 1-2 salt crystals per pea, 1-2 peas at a feeding.

This is only if the problem is gastrointestinal in nature.

Like Lari stated, it is darn near impossible to tell with or without pics when talking about something of this nature.

I don't think eggs because it is one side only.

I don't think swim bladder because they usually sink when having swim bladder problems.

[Paultergeist]

Thanks for the replies.

This fish -- along with quite a few others -- was purchased from a "feeder" tank, so I knew that virtually nothing was culled. The fish did, however, look fine when I got it, and I would estimate that I have had the fish for about two months. This bulge problem has developed recently.

If there was something I could try which was reasonable in terms of cost and effort, I would give it a shot. Otherwise, I realize that the prognosis is not good.

Thanks again, very much, for the replies.

[afertuna]

there are soooo many possibilities from bacterial infections ,diet, constipation, water quality ect......