Goldfish can only open mouth a small way

[Geoff]

We've got a sick goldfish. He appears to have some fin rot and also a
white spot next to his gills on one side. At the moment we are
treating him with some fin rot/fungus solution from the pet store.
However, we have now noticed that he is unable to open his mouth wide
enough to eat the fish flakes. Is there anything we can do - I'm
completely out of ideas? Perhaps adding sugar or something like that
to the water to give him energy? Or would that kill him?

[Geezer From The Freezer]

Geoff wrote:
>
> We've got a sick goldfish. He appears to have some fin rot and also a
> white spot next to his gills on one side. At the moment we are
> treating him with some fin rot/fungus solution from the pet store.
> However, we have now noticed that he is unable to open his mouth wide
> enough to eat the fish flakes. Is there anything we can do - I'm
> completely out of ideas? Perhaps adding sugar or something like that
> to the water to give him energy? Or would that kill him?

have you tried pulling his head out of the water - they typically will open
their
mouths. If so - get some medicated food - soak it and gently pop
it into its mouth. Remember to keep your water conditions tip-top!!!

What size tank is he in, what are your water parameters?

[Geezer From The Freezer]

Geoff wrote:
>
> We've got a sick goldfish. He appears to have some fin rot and also a
> white spot next to his gills on one side. At the moment we are
> treating him with some fin rot/fungus solution from the pet store.
> However, we have now noticed that he is unable to open his mouth wide
> enough to eat the fish flakes. Is there anything we can do - I'm
> completely out of ideas? Perhaps adding sugar or something like that
> to the water to give him energy? Or would that kill him?


Dont add sugar to the water - that is a very bad idea - it will foul your
water up.

[Geoff]

>
> have you tried pulling his head out of the water - they typically will open
> their mouths. If so - get some medicated food - soak it and gently pop
> it into its mouth. Remember to keep your water conditions tip-top!!!
>
> What size tank is he in, what are your water parameters?

It's around 19 litres, gravel filter, air pump. PH, nitrate, etc.
levels are fine according to the test. I will try your idea of 'force'
feeding him, could you tell me a little more about medicated food?
Also, do you think this is temporary and related to the fungus/tail
rot (which is starting to look better now btw).

Thanks

[[email protected]]

It sounds like columnaris. http://www.mu.edu/~buxtoni/puregold/disease/disease.htm
do a salt dip for a couple minutes. treat with PP (see treatment table above)
the fish does not have a fungus. treat for parasites and bacteria.
Ingrid

(Geoff) wrote:

>We've got a sick goldfish. He appears to have some fin rot and also a
>white spot next to his gills on one side. At the moment we are
>treating him with some fin rot/fungus solution from the pet store.
>However, we have now noticed that he is unable to open his mouth wide
>enough to eat the fish flakes. Is there anything we can do - I'm
>completely out of ideas? Perhaps adding sugar or something like that
>to the water to give him energy? Or would that kill him?



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