Goldfish or old fish?

[Katie]

As of this week, my comet goldfish has been with us for 10 years. I inherited him (or her?) and two other goldfish (who have since died) from my grandad after he passed away.

My grandad really loved animals. Looking after his fish has made me feel like I can still help him in a small way. This fish is already about 12 years old now, but I hope we have many more years together.

www.dropbox.com/s/scz9xdowg0zxtvc/IMG_1999.JPG

www.dropbox.com/s/is5be38xbp19xae/IMG_2050.JPG

Happy 10 years, Fish!

(Sorry about the quality of the pictures. He's a fast swimmer, so it's hard to get a clear photo of him)

[Learner]

I'm sure your grandad would have been delighted to know you have looked after his comet goldfish so well and for so long. They can live to quite an age. Well done you for taking such care of him.

[Hezz]

Nice one, Katie. Everything Learner said. I can't put it any better.

[Katie]

Thanks guys. =) Yeah, I think grandad would've been happy that no one flushed his fish lol.

[stace]

This is so sweet, Katie. I'm sure your grandad knew you wouldn't flush them.

I didn't know goldfish were so longlived. I've never kept fish, apart from a few tadpoles when I was a child. Not fish really, either.

[Katie]

Yeah, I think I definitely take after grandad when it comes to animals. =)

Same here. If I had known he would live this long, I would have named him better lol. I didn't realise they could outlive dogs. It kind of makes me feel bad for the little fantail goldfish I had when I was small. =S

I used to think goldfish didn't have any personality either, but they make much better pets than I had originally thought.

[Deleted]

Jun 2, 2013 6:51:58 GMT stace said:

I didn't know goldfish were so longlived. I've never kept fish, apart from a few tadpoles when I was a child. Not fish really, either.

My granddad has kept and bred various goldfish in a pond since before I was born. We had one large one, somewhere around 20cm, that must have been at least 25. Sadly (s)he obtained a wound that wouldn't heal Currently our 3 fish aren't very old as 30 of the 31 fish we had before died Parasites and such spread like fury in a pond. All because we made the mistake of not quarantining a new fish when my granddad always used to. That is a prime example of why everyone should quarantine all new animals.

Also, speaking of long lived organisms... the half-life of a primrose is an average of 50 years, ergo those flowers can live to be more than 100.



Also, that's awesome! Keep up the good work looking after him/her and I hope (s)he lives to a ripe old age!

[Katie]

Jun 3, 2013 19:55:57 GMT Ira said:

Jun 2, 2013 6:51:58 GMT stace said:

I didn't know goldfish were so longlived. I've never kept fish, apart from a few tadpoles when I was a child. Not fish really, either.

My granddad has kept and bred various goldfish in a pond since before I was born. We had one large one, somewhere around 20cm, that must have been at least 25. Sadly (s)he obtained a wound that wouldn't heal Currently our 3 fish aren't very old as 30 of the 31 fish we had before died Parasites and such spread like fury in a pond. All because we made the mistake of not quarantining a new fish when my granddad always used to. That is a prime example of why everyone should quarantine all new animals.

Also, speaking of long lived organisms... the half-life of a primrose is an average of 50 years, ergo those flowers can live to be more than 100.



Also, that's awesome! Keep up the good work looking after him/her and I hope (s)he lives to a ripe old age!

Yeah parasites seem to do in a lot of fish that live in ponds. My friend lost one of his koi fish to parasites a couple of weeks ago. =C

My mom had a plant (not sure what kind it was) that she claims had been in the family for over 40 years. It died a few months ago though, and she was really sad. =c I've never heard of a flower living for 100 years though. That's really cool.

Several months ago my fish had a problem with his swim bladder. I walked in on him floating upside down, late one night. It nearly gave me a heart attack. xD I felt so bad for him. I started feeding him differently and it hasn't happened again, but it made me realise that he's getting old and I need to pay special attention to him.

[Deleted]

That swim bladder problem sounds hilarious when described but obviously isn't at the time. I'm sure he feels very well loved

[Moogie]

love your fissy grandad xx

[Katie]

Jun 4, 2013 19:56:53 GMT Ira said:

That swim bladder problem sounds hilarious when described but obviously isn't at the time. I'm sure he feels very well loved

Haha yeah I can laugh about it now, but at the time I was really upset.

I think he knows we love him and I think he likes us in his own way too. Whenever I enter the room, he excitedly swims up and down in the corner of his tank that faces the door. And when I come closer to say hello he does little laps along the side of the tank nearest to me. xD

[ponky42]

Whenever our fish have floated upside down they've been dead. Your bloke must have supernatural powers.
You should clone him.

[Katie]

Haha yeah I thought he was dead. I went to get the net, but then I saw his little gills moving and he rolled back over.

I don't think he'd like it if I cloned him. xD


Apparently swim bladder problems are common in goldfish. It happens to them if they suck in too much air/eat too much/eat too fast. =S

[Hezz]

And what is the solution, Katie? I have heard this being a problem, but not sure anyone I knew ever knew there was a solution. They might have thrown away a fish still alive!

[Learner]

Hi Katie...

How is your fish now? Is he/she continuing to turn on its side or upside down or is everything back to normal?

It can be worrying when they aren't able to maintain a proper posistion in the water. As you say it is usually caused by problems with the swim bladder. This may be caused by a bacterial infection.

Sometimes a careful and part water change can help but be sure to keep the water temperature the same. Also reduce the quantity of dry food offered as left over / stale food in the water doesn't help.

Here's hoping all is well - they can be tricky things to treat when anything goes wrong.
Good luck.