Goldfish pregnant?

[trish5000]

I have had a look at goldfish pregnant pictures, and my goldfish could be. I feel a bit silly asking this really. But my goldfish only appears to have a bulge one side of her, whereas the pictures looked like they might have a bulge on both sides?
The goldfish is about 4 years old.
I have kept goldfish before to about 5 years old and a few others before, and none ever got pregnant before. re they neutered before they leave a shop or is that another silly question?!

Or could it be a tumour as someone who came to my house suggested?
But the fish seems perfectly happy except maybe a bit slower and occaionally wobblier.

Thanks

Goldfish technically don't get pregnant because they are egg layers, not livebearers. They can get a bit rotund when they're gravid (ready to spawn) but usually it's only slightly bigger, you don't see a massive lump.

There's a chance it could be a tumour, especially since it's only on one side. What breed of goldfish is it? Any chance of a photo?

No, they're not neutered before they leave the shop although I bet there are plenty of goldfish owners that wish they were! They breed like crazy, not sure why yours never did- maybe you've only ever had single sex tanks. 5 years isn't very long for a goldfish though :( what size tank are you keeping them in?

The tank is a whopper. 4 or 5 feet. I only have 4 fish in it.
Cant do a photo, but I will have a look at the goldfish photos and tell you which one it is nearest.
The second one on page 1 is pretty near.

If it was a tumour, wouldnt the fish be unwell?
When fish have had disease beforem they go down hill rapidly. And either die or live with some stuff from the pet shop.

Can you link to it?

Yes, a tumour would make it ill- you say its swimming is a bit wobbly? That's not normal behaviour so it could be an early sign of illness.

Any idea what the water quality is like? When's the last time you did a water change and cleaned the filter?

Water change regularly, did it yesterday. Filter. Hmm. It would be best for that to have a clean.
It is eating normally and swimmimg well today.
I had a google. I am wondering if it is dropsy. One of the fish last week I thought did have a bulging eye. It could have been that one. It isnt bulging now.
I may be able to link later, if someone does it for me. Not sure.
I will go to the fish place tomorrow and buy something for dropsy.
I have put in what I do have, pimafix, which has wroked well for everything in the past. And I have added aquarium salt, which I do from time to time anyway.

I think it may be dropsy. I will get the stuff tomorrow. Thanks for your help.