Question about my golfish

R

ramblinroseis

AC Members
Sep 8, 2006
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Vancouver Island BC
I have this fantail goldfish with what I call a bubble head. Tony is about 1 1/2 years old. In the last 3 or 4 months, his bubble head has gotten huge. The head membrane is now covering most of his eyes...I am figuring he is almost blind now.

Is this normal? I feel sorry for him, and do make sure he gets food when he comes up to top... Do all these lion head fish get like this?

By the way, I have 2 blue snails, 2 black ones, 2 tiny red ones and 1 that came in with plants...looks like there is an egg membrane on the wall of the tank...

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When wen is allowed to grow it does go over the eyes. Can he still feed alright? Fish can manage really well without eyesight as they have a very strong sense of smell and as long as you dont change the decor he should manage ok. You could see if you can find a breeder of these fish in your area to see if anyone can cut it back for you. Please dont do this yourself as the fish needs to be anaesthetised first. The problem with cutting it back is that the eye may now be entangled with the growth, so depending on how long its been like this then maybe leave him as he is.
 
Thanks for reply

I never even heard of such a thing...thanks for your prompt reply. I have taken to feeding him by hand... I turn on the light, and sometimes make a noise with my finger.... At least I know what it is...Even if I knew of somewhere to take him...who does such a thing? (cutting the wen back)

I wish people wouldn;'t breed goldfish like that...andf to sell them to amauteurs like me who don['t know anything about them. Of course, I have never had a goldfish live as long..

Is there is nothing I can do myself to add to the water etc that would make it stop growing? I am afraid if it doesn't stop, tony will not be able to swim. Are all fantails like that? Or is there a certain type? I want to steer clear...

thanks for your time
 
What you have is an oranda and all orandas have this headgrowth. Its really genetic how it grows as some will stay small and compact but some will grow like your fish. If you dont want another oranda then fantails are probably a better option.

You cant stop it growing im afraid and unless you can find a breeder, or someone in your pet store who might know then a vet who has dealt with this would be your only option.

He looks quite big, how old is he?
 
tony

Tony is about 1 1/2 years old. I just feel sorry for him...He still feeds good, and is getting good at putting his little mouth up when I touch his tail...he seems to pick up the floating stuff okay...

At first he looked quite pretty, and he had nice eyeliner looking eyes...Now I just hate the fact that he is blind...I just hope he can continue swimming..his head keeps getting bigger...

Do the fantail white ones with the orange top get this growth also?

Thanks for all your information...
 
Those are called red caps and the growth isnt as bad as orandas can be and generally stay on top the head.
Im sure your oranda will manage just fine :)
 
thanks

Thanks for the information. I feel somewhat reassured...I have kind of gotten attached to Tony. He also goes around the edges of the top of the aquarium where the floating feed goes. I feed the fish a bit of floating and some slow sinking. :dive2:
 
Hikari makes goldfish food that they say stimulates head growth so I would stay away from that
 
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