Is this it now for my goldfish?
#1
My approx 22 year old common goldfish has suddenly changed his behaviour. I think it might be the end. But how do you know for sure?
He is in a fully cycled 170lt 4ft tank that he’s been in for a number of years. Only him in the tank for many years. I have an external fluval 205 filter and internal fluval aswell. Nothing changed recently. Usual water changes. Water API test shows all levels to be fine.
After a decade of me not realising I was torturing him in a small tank, he’s been in a much larger tank for ages. He’s never shown any signs of problems other than his slightly stunted growth. About two years ago he started (very) occasionally doing sporadic flips or turns that he never used to. But other than that, zero issues I could see.
Apart from.... a few weeks back he had black spots suddenly appear on his tail. Possible ammonia spike? Tested and water changed but the levels were fine! I topped up with seachem prime to help. And the black has since disappeared.
The past 24 hours he hasn’t eaten for the first time in his life. And he is now head down and tail up slightly not moving, not wonky at all, just not moving. He normally spends all day every day picking up and dropping stones.
If he is dying now this could take ages and ages of suffering. He’s been so strong for so many years and not exhibiting any signs of distress or problems. Dispute his bad start in life. If I can help him I would. What should I do? Don’t want a king drawn out death but don’t want to give up if I can help him 😢
I say him. And his name is goldy. But might be a girl. I never could tell.