My goldfish had explosive poop. Should I be worried? What to do?

Constipation is possible. You can try fasting him for 3 days then feeding bits of cooked and shelled green peas. This may help get things moving again. Feed peas until he or she is defecating normally. You should also confirm stable water chemistry and temperature. Goldfish are cold water fish and do best between 68 F and 72 F.

He may have internal parasites. maintain pristine water quality and confirm stable water chemistry. This can be done by using a home test kit or by submitting a water sample for testing. The local Petco may do this for free or for a small fee. Perform a partial water change, no more than 30% total volume at a time, if indicated. use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent further stress or shock. Check the water temperature as well, since low temps can affect activity, appetite and digestion in fish. Anywhere between 72 F and 80 F is acceptable. Keeping it at the higher end may aid in digestion and defecation. Consider a broad spectrum parasite medication. You can find one in the Aquarium section at the local Petco. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated.

Perform a partial water changes, 30-50%, using conditioned water. Dissolve 1 teaspoon up to 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt per gallon of water in a cup or two of tank water and gently pour it into the tank. This will work as laxative. Fast the fish for 3 days, then start feeding bits of cooked and shelled green peas until defecation and appearance are normal. You can also add metronidazole at 200mg/20 gal to the tank. Repeat the water change, salt and metronidazole every 3 days for 3 cycles. Be sure to treat only the amount of water being replaced with salt and not the entire tank volume. Remove the carbon filter insert during treatment as well.

Thanks for reaching out about your fish. Most of the water additives don't get absorbed systemically since fresh water fish do not drink water. A veterinary visit with a fecal sample is recommended to identify possible parasites and then prescribe a treatment. Most likely the medications needs to be top-coated on food and then eaten. Dosage depends on number of fish and estimated biomass (cumulative weight of fish). Good luck.

Parasites, constipation, stress or bacterial infection are all possibilities. Maintain adequate water quality. Continue with the salt treatment, it can decrease stress, aid healing and may treat minor infection. Consider a product such as PraziPro or General Cure by API to treat for parasites. Constipation can be managed with a 3 day fast followed by feeding bits of cooked, shelled green peas until defecation is normal and regular.

Hello, and thanks for your question. You are right that it’s important not to over feed goldfish, but a single feeding of an extra pinch of flakes shouldn’t be too concerning. If there are still flakes floating around in the tank, see if you can scoop them out with a fish net. Otherwise, I would skip their next feeding and restart with their smaller meal the next time they’re due to be fed. Hope this helps!

Check the water temperature. Low temps can affect appetite and digestion in fish. Angels do best between 78 F and 80 F. You can soak food in garlic juice to stimulate his appetite. Next, check the water chemistry. This can be done using a home test kit or by submitting a water sample for testing. Most pet stores will do this for free or for a small fee. Confirm 0 ppm ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 40ppm or less in a tank with live plants or 20 ppm or less in an unplanted tank. Partial water changes can be done, if indicated, to stabilize chemistry and/or maintain water quality. use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Although they do best in slightly acidic and soft water, they are quite adaptable. Fast him for 2-3 days then feed bits of cooked and shelled green peas. if he is constipated then this should him him get regular again. A broad spectrum parasite medication, such as PraziPro, should be considered. You can find it in the aquarium section of the local Petco. Follow label directions carefully.