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We've had two Goldfish for about 5 years now who have been very healthy up until recently..

One of them has developed a huge belly that does not pine cone, is not discoloured and does not affect their swimming or apetite! My worry is that its been like this for several months now!! I want to start putting epsom salts, green peas, even swim bladder meds in and try getting a bigger tank for them but I'm worried that this will just stress them out as they've managed 5 yrs just the way they are. I'm worried that any changes will particularly affect the healthy goldfish!

Any advice or information on whats wrong will be greatly appreciated!

Hi. I would like to first say that there are no true swim bladder meds because the problem that causes swim bladder disorder is constipation. All that can treat that is peas or starving them for a few days.
Your problem sounds like one of two things... swim bladder disorder or an internal parasite. Are there feces trailing? I would recommend feeding peas first... perhaps your fish has a minor plumbing back up, but not enough to affect the swim bladder. Try the peas for a few days, and if the swelling doesn't go down let me know and I will let you know what the next step is.
I would hold off on the upgrade to the bigger tank until results show on your sick one. I would say for right now your fish can stay in the main tank, but you may want to set up a hospital tank with 1/3-1/2 of your main tank water and the rest spring water for if you need to treat for parasites.
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Phishie

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

DOH!! The fish are not actually mine, although I look after them a bit... I bought a big new tank and left instructions to just clean it out but found when I came home from work the fish were inside it!!!!!!! So a bit late for the no new tank thing...

thanks for the advice, I will try the peas for a few days the next time I am over, I guess its not lookin too good though.. he/she is pretty big!

Ang x

Oh. Well if you are concerned about the fish, you should tell the owner my advice. Hopefully it's not a parasite because if it is, the fish can die. Usually fish won't die from a swim bladder disorder. Peas can't hurt though. That will at least rule out the swim bladder disorder as an option. No sense in treating for parasites if it's not a parasite.
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Phishie

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Hi there,

Just started to feed them a few peas and both of them ate an equal amount in about 5 mins. There are no trailing faeces but now they are in a bigger tank, it does seem as though the bloated one is a little off balance when he gets near the filter or attempts some acrobatic maneuvure! ( if that makes any sense!) Generally swimming about isn't really a problem though and he doesn't float to the top or sink to the bottom. I'll keep you posted on the developments in the next few days! thanks again.

Sounds like the peas will work, but keep me posted with the details and I'll let you know if you need to do anything else.
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Phishie

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Hey there,

My fish is still alive but not showing any signs of getting any smaller. Disturbingly he seems to have feint grey spots on his top fin now :s

The new information (the grey spots) sound like a fungus. Here's link for you on common diseases, and treatments. Please look through them, and see if he's exhibiting any other symptoms. Otherwise, my diagnosis (without seeing the fish), is a fungus. Treatments can be the ones listed or PimaFix. Please keep me posted on how things are going and what you're using.

Best of luck.
Diagnostic chart

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Phishie

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."