I have several goldfish and I just noticed this last night and even today he will chew on the flakes for maybe 5-10 seconds and then spit them out. He's never done this before so I don't know if something is wrong. It seems like he is eating other foods fine, but just the flakes. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this before?

Thanks,

GF

I don't think this is normal GF.... especially if he's eaten them in the past.

Have you introduced any new fish/plants recently?

No, I have not introduced any new fish or plants. This fish (and the other two) just recently recovered from ick so maybe he is still stick and has an infection? But why is he eating other foods and spitting out the flakes? I just gave him wardley goldfish slow sinking crumbles and he ate that without any problem.

EDIT -- One more thing I forgot. He spits the flakes out and then will go chase them and eat them again. He will spit them out several times and then finally will eat some.

GF

If they had ich - then this could be why. Did you salt or medicate? Ich can cause some gill damage, especially if they get in there so he may still have some residual discomfort and can only eat certain foods.

I'd really just keep a close eye and see if this gets any worse... hopefully it's nothing

I used salt and the ick has been gone for maybe 5 days now. Thanks for your input and help. I too hope it's nothing serious.

GF

How long,and what percent did you use salt to treat them for the Ick? Salt has to be used at 0.3% salinity,raised 0.1 percent every 12 hours until 0.3% is reached. The tank's temps must be raised to 80-82 degrees over the same period of time.You really don't want any more than a 2 or 3 degree change over a 24 hr. time frame.You need to maintain the 0.3% salt,and temps for 7-10 days After the last time that you had any sight of the Ick. If it wasn't done this way,you may still be having the same problems.

I used .03% for 11-12 days I believe.

I really think this one fish might have a bacteria infection? I don't like the way he is spitting out the food and he seems a little less active. What should I do if it is a bacteria infection? Should I seperate him? Is there any treatement for this?

Thanks,

GF

Spitting out food is usually a tell tale sign of Parasites. It could also be something lodged in it's gills,or even an ulcer in it's mouth.Have you checked the gills and looked into his mouth?It's also very possible that your fish may have more than one Parasite. Is he showing any other symptoms,flashing/scratching/swelled/pale gills/split fins/clamped fins,etc.

Hi,Any updates on your fish?

Great news. He seems fine now. I Just added some salt and did a water change the other night and this morning all seems well. Thanks for your time and concern.

GF