Red Goldfish seems to be dying, he shares his home with another, do I remove him......

[Fizzylemonade]

We have 2 red goldfish, one is clearly older than the other, we have had them both 9 months.

The older one seems to be dying, he is lying on his side at the bottom of the tank and didn't eat his breakfast he moves around a bit, uprighting himself but then back on his side.

He is gasping too, his gills are opening wider than I have ever seen them. His companion seems to keep swimming to him and nudging him. I don't know if this is a comfort thing (can fish comfort??? ) or whether he is tormenting him.

Should I remove him to a separate container?? Would this push him over the edge???

They live in a proper large tank with filter.

Help, 5 yr old son has gone to school traumatised so I have until 3pm to sort this out.

remove. clean water in tank. put other fish back - give it 24hrs and if other fish is ok then go and buy another one.

Thank you, it has been a very stressful morning with the whole topic of death looming in the air.

hope it goes well and your ds isnt too upset x

hertsnessex - other fish seems ok but very agitated like when we first got him and appeared stressed.

He is darting around the tank. I want to get another fish but can't until Thursday and we go away on holiday on Sunday.

Should I leave getting a new fish until after we come back? Do fish naturally get on with each other or can they fight??? (you can tell I was raised with cats and never fish)

Haven't told DS1 that fish has died. He will probably see tomorrow when I feed the remaining one. Wanted to get a new fish so that I could say in very matter of fact voice that fish A died, fish B was lonely so we got him a friend. Then give him the opportunity to name fish C.