You have probably reached this page because you have a pet goldfish that is acting erratically. I hope I can solve your issues here, but if you don't find what you are looking for, this site should definitely solve your problem- The Ultimate Guide to Goldfish. So what are some of the symptoms of a sick goldfish?

First of all, you should look for any unusual patterns in your Goldfish, such as swimming erratically or upside down.

• If your Goldfish is having trouble breathing, then it is likely a case of the flukes or a disease known as velvet disease.
• If your Goldfish is swimming with its fins closed, then it is likely a parasitic disease known as ick that is common in many freshwater fish.
• If your fish looks distressed or is slightly "off-colored", then it could be a case of chilodonella or cloudy eye.
• If your goldfish is trying to rub itself on the tank's floor (or gravel) or it is "flashing" its fins, then it is likely that there is a problem with the pH balance in the water or the "flukes".
• If you notice your goldfish **gasping** for air at the top of the tank, then the problem could be a pH level problem or ammonia problem (which is toxic) which all result from not enough oxygen in the water supply.
• If there is an appetite loss in your fish (unlikely), then it could be the result of constipation or tuberculosis.
• If your goldfish's fins are "clamped", you may want to change the water as dirty water is normally the cause of this.
• If you notice that your fish is "standing on its head", then the problem is likely intestinal worms, kidney damage or toxic water (check pH and ammonia levels).
• If your goldfish is swimming wildly, then you may want to check the ammonia levels in the fish tank.
• If you notice your fish swimming upside down, then the likely culprit is something called "swim bladder disease."

Have you noticed a reoccurring theme here? When in doubt, the quick fix could be as simple as changing out the water. However, there is a trick to this to prevent your goldfish from going into shock. You are going to want to use "aged water" or water that has been standing out for more than 24 hours.

Like I said before, if you really want to know how to treat any of these symptoms, you should check out the Ultimate Guide to Goldfish. It not only covers what I just listed but also gives you ways to treat your goldfish as well.