Our old-man fantail has a tumor on top of his right eye as well, it looks typically like lymphocystis, meaning that it'd be viral, so we can't really do anything about it. I thought about a small surgery on him, but I'd like to have some proper supplies first
He's not in pain because of it anyway.

Weird about the tumor Nossie! If it is bothering him I would recommend a surgery, however he seems alright so I guess it's not nessesary??? And for some reason Onyx's "tumor" went away completely over a time frame of 3 days.

ilovemygoldfish: Terribly sorry for your loss! Don't feel too bad about it though because it may have been a genetic disorder...I lost Topaz from it. No matter how many times he fasted, no matter how many peas he gorged himself on, his problem never improved. My deepest condolances for your loss.  Your friend swims amung many of ours in the great sky-pond.

Today whilst meandering through the fish isle of Petsmart (they know me there by now) I spotted a lovely chocolate and white miniature of Amber in the oranda tank - likely a brother of his. Unfortunately, a persistant case of swim bladder had infected the beautiful thing, and he was unable to get away from the other fish who were determined to consume him. I resolved to return to the store in fifteen minutes and rescue him, but when I arrived again he was found dead on the bottom and being eaten up by the other fish.

I felt rather sick, seeing that gorgeous animal being devoured. Those fish were acting like a group of buzzards, feeding off of one of their own kind. If I had only acted sooner...but then reason reminded me that he may have been in the same state by the time I brought him home 

That's where Onyx's was! However it disappeared so I guess it took care of itself...hopefully yours will as well. <3

It was rather sad, but I guess that's how nature works...destroying those which are weaker than the rest of the bunch that they may not reproduce. I DO wish the people who worked there had taken him out though, instead of leaving him in to be torn to shreds (literally).

I really have no idea what one should do about such a thing...it seems as though it isn't bothering him, so I suppose just leave it be. At least it isn't on the eye itself, just on the "lid". How old is he, by the bye?

What a huge fish! I can't even imagine how big he'd look...all mine are under a year old, and quite miniature.

i LOVE THAT FISH! hE'S GORGEOUS!

Lovely collection of priceless beauties you have there! Perhaps I shall introduce you to all my goldies as well...

Opal has not gasped or had swim bladder for a long time now, though a few blood vessels in the tail are dialated. That's usually signs of an ammonia problem, so I test the water but no issue. *scratches head*

Citrine however has been doing very poorly   every morning before I feed I look in the tank and see her floating at the top of the tank unable to control her ability to rise and sink. She is not on her side or back fortunately, but it saddens me to see her acting so for such a long period of time. I feed peas to her all the time and try fasting, but it doesn't work. My best guess is that Amber has perminantly damaged her swim bladder. 'O.O'

Yep I did. It didn't help though! Very unusual...reminds me of poor Topaz  And yes, I pray it's nothing that lasts for the rest of her life. I just don't know why! Bubbles of gas just seem to get easily lodged in her swim bladder/intestinal tract. If it's Amber's fault, shouldn't it go away over time?

I went to the store recently where I dropped Amber off. He was still there! He was swimming around happy and healthy in a tank with 2 other black moors. They also had a GIANT Ryukin there with lovely finnage I admired for a while. 

Also...do fish have dreams when they sleep? Out of the blue, but when I saw my blue oranda asleep early in the morning I observed he/she (I don't know the gender yet..best guess is a female) was moving it's eyes around like humans do when they are dreaming. It was so cute!!! 

I wonder what they dream about  If they dream that is. When my cat sleeps he sticks his tongue out... 

Well at least Opal isn't having any more trouble, save bloody streaks in his tail. I assumed I hadn't added enough Amquel + to remove the ammonia, so I gave another dose (which the bottle says is ok to do so long as it's after 24 hrs) and he seemed to improve. Combating bad water can be such a pain...I'm about ready to move to the north pole or something.

Yeah really! Ugh! After the Amquel was kicked into action there were signs of improvement. However, Citrine is getting worse and worse every day *groans.* Fortunately she seems to be able to stay in the main tank without being picked on; she is a close friend of everybody and everyone seems willing to protect her. Going to try a salt bath, perhaps that will help to relax the tension in her swim bladder. I tried fasting her but it didn't help.

Amber! I will never forgive that fish...

Oh no I hope not! Hoping that this summer I can set up my outdoor tank...its quite large and perhaps being in a larger tank will help. SHe's still my baby though 

Heehee I know right! When Topzie had his problem it helped him to be in a larger tank, but then again he had a sinking problem - not a floating problem like Citrine. When I looked in my main tank this morning I was startled as I saw her floating on her side by the filter...I even exclaimed aloud, "Oh my gosh! Citrine!" because I thought she was dead DX But I called her name and she sprang to life lol! But I was worried. She's never looked that bad before, yet she seemed fine otherwise...

Oh no
I see it's been a while since you posted this, how is it going now?

Thanks fantailer.

It has been a while, hasn't it!

Well much has happened. Now that the weather's warm I re-set up my 95 liter outdoor tank and put her out there in it so she can have some recovery time. Ever since she's had some time to recouperate she doesn't show as many signs of swim bladder issues. I don't understand the relationship between more room and better health.

Maybe so. That's a good point! But my outdoor tank is higher in nitrates than my indoor one, so no idea what that's about.  Right now the weather is still very cold, so she is kind of in a sleepy state; almost a hibernation! She doesn't eat much, but at least she doesn't seem to be struggling so much. Wisp is out there to keep her company too