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The Goldfish Gazette, Issue #149 Goldfish Visual Health Examination May 30, 2026 |
Goldfish Care TipsA Free Monthly Resource For Goldfish Enthusiasts In This Issue An expert can determine, within seconds, whether a Goldfish is healthy through a visual examination, using a mental checklist they have developed over the years. Goldfish Visual Health Examination
Clamped fins, a sign of illnessI cover a lot of this subject on the website page How to Choose Goldfish, but I want to go a little deeper, and list in order of importance how I check a fancy, deep-bodied variety’s health.I try to avoid examining fish immediately before or after feeding. This is because even a sick fish will become active before an expected feed, or, if a fish has ingested a heavy meal, it may be inclined to sit on the bottom. Examination StepsStep 1: Fin condition and position give immediate indications of health. The dorsal (if present) should be erect, and all other fins held away from the body. A sick Goldfish clamps its fins. Ragged or torn fins could indicate an attack, but can also be caused by bacterial infection. Redness or prominent veins indicate the fish is being kept in poor water conditions. Step 2: Body shape should be plump, and the fish should appear well fed. This can be tricky to determine, as a very deep-bodied fish that is starving is still plumper than a well fed, slim-bodied variety. A way to check is to examine the fish from above. If the body profile is thinner than the head width, the fish is either underfed, or it has lost its appetite because of disease. 
This fish is emaciated for some reasonThe worst cases I see are usually of slim-bodied varieties, as their owners think it is normal, because that is how the fish came from the pet store feeder tank. The same test applies; examine the fish from above.Emaciation in smaller fish, such as those with a body length under 50mm (2 inches), can be caused by chronic parasite infestation. Step 3: How is the fish behaving when it is not swimming? This is particularly important with deep-bodied varieties, as we know they are susceptible to swim bladder issues. The fish shouldn’t assume a head-down stance unless it has a particularly heavy wen (head) growth, but even then, I would be suspicious of a swim bladder or balance issue. Many Pearl Scales exhibit this head-down behavior, even when swimming. The fish shouldn’t sink to the bottom, float to the surface, or lean to one side. Fish often disguise a problem by exhibiting excessive pectoral fin movements to maintain equilibrium. Swimming generally should not be labored. Step 4: Skin and scales are the next area to examine. Scales should not be raised, especially behind the head, as this indicates dropsy. The skin should be free of blood-red patches and open sores, which indicate parasitic or bacterial problems. The eyes should be clear, not distended (normal-eyed varieties), cloudy, or sunken. Step 5: The respiration rate should not be excessive in a well aerated aquarium. If it is, either the water temperature is very high, or the fish has damaged gills due to parasitic or bacterial infestation. Healthy gills should be deep red; pale gills indicate serious health issues that require immediate attention. Internet PurchasesThe main reason you would be doing a visual examination would be before deciding to purchase a fish from a retail outlet or other supplier. The growing trend of online purchasing makes visual examination even more important. Ideally, the supplier should provide a video of the fish, not just an image, especially if the fish is large and expensive. Comments? Ideas? Feedback? I'd love to hear from you. Just reply to this e-zine and tell me what you think, or what topics you want to be covered. www.facebook.com/aboutgoldfish |
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