My goldfish is poorly :(

[juniperdropofbrandy]

It's at the bottom of the tank and looks bloated I looked on a goldfish website and it said it could be constipation but I'm at a loss really. I fed it some cooked peas as it said to do that but he isn't interested. The other one looks ok. The site says to quarantine the poorly goldfish, does this mean buying a new tank?
I wonder if it is constipation though as it has some of that white fluffy stuff on it and its scales are sticking out a bit. DS1 will be gutted when he gets in, think I'd better ring petshop and see what they suggest?

If it is any consolation my best mate, cleaned hers out whilst on the phone to me yesterday, and accidently put the fish into a tank of HOT water. Still alive though!! Just minus a few scales !!

I found it impossible to keep goldfish alive. I thought they were supposed to be easy pets!

Mouth Fungus (aka Body Fungus, Columnaris)
Symptoms: Tufts of white, grey, or grey-white material around the mouth region, white or grey patches on the fish's skin
When you suspect a fungus, there are several possible causes. All are somewhat similar in appearance, and include common Fungus, Mouth Fungus, and Body Fungus.

In fact, Mouth Fungus isn't a fungus at all, but a kind of bacterial infection. The slime bacteria string together as very fine 'threads' to form the white, tufty appearance.

remedy:
The first thing to do is to contact your vet or petstore for further instruction. Several good medications are available. If the problem persists, your vet or petshop may suggest antibiotics. It is wise to treat your main tank in order to ensure that you have successfully removed all traces of the bacteria from it (although it may be beneficial to also move a badly afflicted fish to a quarantine tank). Avoid using a net to catch an afflicted fish... use a plastic bag or other suitable container. Leave the filter running, but remove any activated carbon because this may take medicine out of the water. Remember, the key to effective treatment is prompt action.

You can save it if its not too bad, dh will be home later will ask him what the best medicine is.

Forgot to mention about setting up the Quarantine Tank:

A quarantine tank is often smaller than a regular tank, and because it is to serve only as a temporary home, this is acceptable. You must first obtain a small tank. A ten gallon tank will be acceptable for one or two fish. You will also need an airpump and airstone, plus airline tubing. Aeration is especially important in a quarantine tank because the size of the tank is often smaller than usual, and medicines sometimes take oxygen out of the water.
Lastly, find something to cover your tank with so that the fish don't jump out. Nothing else is needed. The quarantine tank should be relatively bare. This will make cleaning much easier. Your fish may be reassured by the presence of some plastic plants or hiding places, however. You may wish to include some of these. Lead anchors are sold that can be used to hold a plastic plant in place. Also, since the fish is reassured by a dark bottom, you can place the tank on top of a dark mat or piece of cardboard if you wish. This will show through the bottom of the tank.

If you do decide to use a filter in the tank, make sure there is no activated carbon in it.

Place the quarantine on some steady, flat surface which will be able to hold the weight of a full tank. It is a good idea to put some water from the main tank into the quarantine tank to avoid stressing your fish. If your main tank is very big, this will be no problem. If your main tank is somewhat small, adding just a little of the water will also help. Take water from the top of the main aquarium. This water is always the cleanest.

When your quarantine tank is full, attach the airstone to the airpump with the plastic tubing. Then place it in the tank and weigh it down if necessary so that the stone is at the bottom of the tank. Next, add any decorations like plants or hiding places. Make sure all of these are soap-free and aquarium-safe.

If you decide to install a small filter, do so now. It will help to keep the water clean. If your purpose is to treat sick fish, don't add any filter carbon. If you are using the quarantine tank to observe new arrivals, carbon may be added.

Note - any equipment used for the quarantine tank should not be shared with the main tank. This aviods the possibility of passing infection to the main tank.

thanks tumbleflump, I think that was the site I looked at? Looks like I need to go and buy a new tank.

Do you know what? My mate has her goldfish in a tiny bowl and rarely cleans it out (I do it usually) and it's lived for years!!! I swear the thing knows me as it gets all excited when I go in lol.

Could be fin-rot or swim bladder, but it's hard to tell without seeing the fish properly. Several of our fish have had fin rot before. If you catch it early enough, then it'll be okay.... Unfortunately we didn't with ours ....
I'd do what tumbleflump says though, and as at your vets, or petstore. A lot of the fish medication has a pic on the front, so you may be able to tell from them what it is.
Hope it gets better soon!
xx

juniperdropofbrandy just spoken to dh on phone he say's change all the water NOW this will help until you can go to pet shop for a fungus product...