Sometimes it can be challenging to figure out why your goldfish isn’t eating, and this could cause concern. Fortunately, there are numerous possible causes and some of them are easy to diagnose!
Before anything else, it’s important to test the water quality in your aquarium. Use an aquarium test kit to check ammonia and nitrate levels are within healthy limits.
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Overfeeding
Goldfish tend to overeat if not fed regularly enough, leading to various health problems such as constipation, lack of appetite, and stomach troubles.
Overfeeding also puts your fish at greater risk for developing liver disease, since their limited digestive capabilities and capacity only allow for a small amount of food at once.
Overfeeding can lead to ammonia buildup in your tank, which is highly toxic and can be lethal if present in small amounts.
Overfeeding can also cause your water to appear cloudy as uneaten food, fish waste and dissolved organic material sink to the bottom of the tank. This could result in low oxygen levels which is detrimental for goldfish.
Illness
There are a few illnesses that may make it difficult for your goldfish to eat. These include dropsy, swim bladder disease and constipation.
If your fish appear to be lying at the bottom of the tank, this could be indicative of illness or even indicate their demise.
Regularly changing the water can help clean it and encourage your fish to eat again. However, if they still aren’t eating, it could be indicative of something else causing the issue.
Before treating an illness in your goldfish, it’s essential to identify its cause. You can do this by observing their behaviors and testing the water quality for signs of illness.
Temperature Shock
One common reason your goldfish may not be eating is due to temperature shock. Temperature shock refers to a fish’s response to sudden and large changes in temperature, much like hypothermia or hyperthermia in humans.
Goldfish thrive best when their aquarium water temperature is between 67-72 degrees Fahrenheit. If your goldfish aren’t eating, the first step you should take is checking its aquarium temperature.
You can do this by using a reliable thermometer to gauge the temperature of your tank.
When the water temperature is too cold for the betta, they may exhibit signs of lethargy, loss of coloration, and abnormal swimming patterns. Furthermore, they may gulp air or spend a great deal of time near the surface.
Sometimes, the only solution to a fish tank temperature issue is to increase or decrease its temperature. Unfortunately, this can be stressful for your aquatic friends so it’s best to make gradual adjustments as soon as possible.
Stimulation
When your goldfish isn’t eating, it could be due to a lack of stimulation from its environment. Providing them with plenty of space, different food types, and other fish to swim with can help keep them contented and stimulated.
Goldfish require a large tank to allow them to freely explore. You can encourage this by adding plants and other natural objects that they can investigate.
Goldfish tend to be highly active creatures that like to get moving. If your goldfish is swimming incorrectly, rolling sideways or floating upside down, it could be due to a condition known as swim bladder disease.
Another common reason goldfish don’t eat is due to parasites. This may be caused by ich or other parasites that cause white, cottony patches on their scales and fins.
Certain infections in goldfish can be extremely serious and require medical treatment from a veterinarian. Unfortunately, if these symptoms don’t improve after several attempts at treatment, your goldfish may need to be put down for good.
