Goldfish sick?

[DKiM128]

As you might know, I got a goldfish a while ago aropund 6-8 inches. I've been trying to take care of it but he's not looking so well still. Today I look into the tank, and there are a lot of white stuff on the ground of the tank. What is this white stuff, should I be worried. They look like fluffy long white things. um...looks like maggot size fluffy white things. I have no clue what it is.

[matty150]

sounds to me like rotting food, how often are you feeding and how much. uneaten food that falls to the bottom begins to rot after a day or two. when excess food rots it looks white and fluffy almost like cotton. i would do an immediate water change and cut down of the feeding.

[Cearbhaill]

Agree with the above- if it is rotten food it has to be siphoned out. If it is stringy poops they have to be siphoned out. Goldfish require really clean water- I'd recommend water changes twice a week until your fish perks up.
Here is a great Diagnosis by Poop (http://users.megapathdsl.net/~solo/puregold/disease/technique/technique.html#JoAnns_diagnosis_by_poop) page- maybe something there will ring a bell for you?
Lots of other great goldfish info as well.