Every summer we stick our fancy goldfish in the pond, because they like it and they grow a bit. They're 4 years old now. Anyway, we brought them back inside today -- and I'm really quite worried about one of them, affectionately known as Fatfish, as he appears to be growing an extra head This was Fatfish last year (or maybe the year before): And this is him now: (ignore the black marks that seem to be on his body; they're on the tank) If you look at the original picture, you can see the beginnings of his new 'eyes', which I didn't notice until looking back. Unfortuantely, the new head hasn't photographed well, but it really is quite freaky. I'm pretty sure it isn't a disease, as he seems perky enough, his normal eyes are bright and the other fish are all well. Has anyone seen anything like it before?
It could easily be either a genetic thing, or a disease. The disease doesnt necessarily have to be bacteriological or viral.... but its definitely got something wrong....
I agree, there's definitely somthing wrong, but I'm inclined to think it's genetic. I'm surprised it's only manifested now though, as he's at least 4 years old. I suspect he might be a result of a cross bred normal goldfish with an oranda: But it's his new eyes that give me the shudders! Poor Fatfish!
I did have a betta several years back that, after about two years, developed something that looked like a blister. He survived probably a month with it and finally died. That was before the internet so I never did figure out what it was. There's no telling what you'll be able to find out now, though.
Huh-huh! Really interesting ones too! I feel really silly now, as they've just advised me that Fatfish is an oranda, and the new head is, in fact, something called a 'wen' and perfectly normal. It's just that he's reached maturity so it's starting to show. And... on closer inspection (flashlight and magnifying glass) the new eyes are, in fact, bits of pond dirt stuck in his new little hat.
My first thought was that it may be a genetic thing, but I think that would have been apparent long before now if it were. Can't hurt to get the little guy checked out.
^Good idea, but I once took a goldfish to a professional. Vets find it difficult to diagnose when they're trying not to laugh.
^ Apparently, Oranda fish have to get hair (or headgrowth) trimmed by vets! Words & Pictures I hope mine doesn't get that bobbly
I demand nationalized healthcare for fish everywhere! It's their unalienable right as piscine-Americans.
Ah, Fatfish is doing fine -- he's showing no signs of ill health which is good! We found some baby fishies in the pond, so we're nurturing them at the moment. I'll try and get some pix! They're minute -- about 1.5cm long with two black blobs for eyes. I thought one of them had go faster stripes. I was rather taken with it's funky pattern... but alas, the OH laughed at me and pointed out the stripes was it's poo in it's innards, and it's body is semi transparent So no go-faster striped baby fishie after all.
Wow. I didn't know anyone could (or would) do surgery on a fish. Wordforge sure can be educational at times . . . *edit* Here's a little more I found on the subject: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3214/04.html Fascinating.
Daughter was cleaning out her tank. 'I'm a bit worried about the fish, there's this mark on their heads...' To Wordforge! sez I. Search for this thread. Beatrice and Benedick are all grown up... And daughter is mightily relieved.
See? sez I to all the people who think I'm goofing off. There's all kinds of things you can learn on the interwebz. And Alpha, I don't know what you're planning to do with that woman in your av but I'm almost sure you can't do it with her tied up that way.
