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Constipation:
Long strands of clear feces
Lethargy, hanging at the bottom of the tank
Swollen, hard abdomen
Treatment:
note--before doing any treatment for severe cases please rule out that your goldfish is not eggbound as the symptoms are similar
Do not feed your goldfish for two days
Feed your goldfish deskinned peas for two to three days
In severe cases where the abdomen is swollen and hard don't feed your goldfish for two days. Then feed your goldfish one pea that has one epsom salt crystal in it. Continue to feed your goldfish peas for two to three days.
Also, in severe cases if your goldfish isn't eating do the following. Hold your goldfish with a wet face cloth and, using an eyedropper, put two drops of cod liver oil directly into the goldfish's mouth. Do not feed your goldfish for two days after giving this type of treatment. Then feed your goldfish peas for two to three days.
Prevention:
Do not overfeed your goldfish. The general rule is feed your goldfish as much as they can consume in under two minutes. Of course some goldfish are greedy and quick such as commons so usually people only feed them what they can consume under a minute.
Always presoak dried foods in tank water.
Always vary your goldfish's diet. On top of dried foods try the following: Give them veggies such as lettuce, spinach, peas, and cucumbers. Give them fruit once a week such as oranges, kiwis, and grapes. Make some gel food for them which also helps prevent swim bladder disorder. Try some live food such as earthworms, tubifex worms, bloodworms, mosquito larvae, and daphnia.
Other things to consider...
Constipation should be dealt with immediately as it can lead to swim bladder disease, internal bacterial infections, and dropsy.
Also, constipation and/or floating issues occur in goldfish at a higher rate when the tank has high nitrates for a prolonged period of time.
Submitted by Athena
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