Shubumkin unable to eat

[George&Ade]

Hi.
Our goldfish (mixture of ordinary and shubumkins) are about 4 months old now and doing pretty good.
Just after we bought them,we noticed that one of them had a sort of "growth" around its mouth,but it didnt seem to bother him none.
However,as times gone on,ive noticed that the "growth" seems to be getting bigger.
So big now in fact,that hes unable to eat the little wheatgerm pellets im ocasionally feeding them.
I break some of them in half and put them right under his nose but alas,as hard as he tries,he still cant get anything past his lips.
He was one of the bigger fish in the beginning,but now all the other fish have put on weight and are bigger than him.
What can i do to help this poor little fella?
I think it may just be an "abnormality" that he was born with,but i cant let him carry on like this.
Even if it means taking him to a vet to cure him......ill do it.
I just cant stand back and watch him slowly wither away.

 

[The-Wolf]

If you are willing to go to the expense of a vet then, imo,
you should do it asap.
When you say growth, what does it look like?
a bump, a cyst, a pimple?

 

[George&Ade]

I can only describe it as being a sort of swelling around the mouth area.
You know when someone gets punched in the mouth,and the lip swells up?
Well thats something like it.
It doesnt look as though its infected,just badly swollen.

 

[The-Wolf]

It could be many things and for me to speculate would not be right
If you are willing then do take it to a vet.
You might want to try www.fishdoc.co.uk that may help you.
Good luck.

 

[ryan]

Does the area look red or sore, is it just a growth? Would it be possible to see a pic, would be very helpful.

 

[George&Ade]

Hi Ryan.No it doesnt seem to be unduly red or sore .His mouth just seems to be closing up with the "build up" of extra skin,which is stopping anything passing through his lips.
I even grounded some pellets down really fine for him and no matter how hard he tried,he still couldnt get anything into his mouth.
I hope these pictures come out ok....i just took them

 

[George&Ade]

Picture 2

Dont know if you can see the tiny little hole at the top of his lip,but this is the total size of the opening of his mouth.

 

[ryan]

Hi George&Ade,

Sorry for the late reply. It could possibly be a bacterial infection that has lead to a swelling in the mouth, however, I think this is unlikely. Seeing as it is an under scale growth I think it is likely to be a tumour. Tumors in fish can be benign and/or cancerous. Most tumors found in fish are normally untreatable sadly. Because of this it may be worth considering euthanasia, especailly if it is preventing the fish from feeding, swimming etc and in general distressing it.

 

[Paul_MTS]

how about feeding some live food like bloodworm or something smaller to it. That should fit through the mouth. it may be a good idea to try and separate the fish so it gets a chance with the live food, overwise all the others are going to grab it first.

maybe putting it inside in a tank for the winter, if it hasn't been feeding it wouldn't of gained enough weight to make it through the winter???

No disrespect but paying vet bills on a shubunkin will be well out proprosion to the cost of the fish.

 

[ryan]

.... No disrespect but paying vet bills on a shubunkin will be well out proprosion to the cost of the fish.

Agreed, theres also not alot a vet can do for fish except perscribe certain medicines, not available to the general public.

 

[George&Ade]

Hi Ryan and Paul....thanks for the replies.

Hes even tried to eat VERY tiny pieces of brown bread (so small you could hardly see them),but to no avail.

As far as i can see,he has NO opening in his mouth whatsoever.

Good idea about putiing him our indoor tank,but i couldnt just sit there and watch him gradually deteriorate through lack of food.

I also understand that a vets bill may be very costly,although when youve spent a few months coaxing your fish to the surface and watching them take the food from your hands,and generally enjoying them as individuals,it was an option i was considering.

Ive got to be perfectly honest here i think and agree that euthanasia may be the only answer

Ive read of a few ways to "end the little fellas life"e.g a sharp blow to the back of the head...(dont think i could do that)

Freezing....(a little more info would help on this)

"Alka seltzer" (a strong mixture in a bowl to render the fish unconcious,then death occurs)

Pure alcohol in a bowl.

Any ideas on the above or different ones would be very much appreciated please.

Thanks

 

[ryan]

Very sorry to hear that George&Ade. Heres a thread with some info on the subject that may help - http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...1&hl=euthanasia, if you search the forums I know there are also a few more that can help.

 

[George&Ade]

Thank you Ryan

 

[Cat]

Think I'd use alchol get it read drunk.

 

[George&Ade]

I think your right cat.

Whichever way........im not looking forward to it

Its almost as if im sat here,talking about his death sentence already