a Goldfish problem

[Groupie]

Hello I have one goldfish in my pond which has turned white ,not unusual i suppose but it has a large body but its head has not grown proportionaty and it looks deformed
Is it in any discomfort?

[rowanwitch]

Are the scales still lying flush to the body and is it swimming/feeding normally if so just keep an eye on it.

[Groupie]

Body is a bit fatter than other fish but the scales look flush and he/she is lethargic dont know about eating Thx for reply

[shoota]

If you suspect disease and you have other fish I'd isolate it immediately just in case but I don't think that fish are sensate and therefore are not capable of feeling discomfort.
If it is still feeding and moving I'd leave it be - unless you suspect disease.

[Groupie]

Thx I dont suspect disease but it looks strange but as you say i will keep an eye on it Fish dont feel discomfort cant get my head around tat one

[woofgang]

Neither can I, neither do I believe it.

[shoota]

I'm not a fish expert but have always thought from 'o' level biology days that they don't have a central nervous system connected to the brain so dont feel pain etc as mammals do.
Somebody will know for sure......

[woofgang]

well the research indicates that trout, at least do feel pain or something analogous to pain.
http://news.bbc.co.uk.../sci/tech/2983045.stm

[sir.prize]

This may answer your question - scroll down to Pearlscale

http://www.angelfire..../typesofgoldfish.html

[wildwood]

or scroll even further and see the lionhead. It is beyond me how people can purposely breed those grotesque varieties of goldfish. Surely the poor fish can't be comfortable.

As for pain in fish... for every scientific study that says they don't feel pain I can list 5 that says they do. Fish lice are certainly felt as the fish tries to rub them off by scaping their body over gravel.
The marine cleaning fish is visited by huge fish so that parasites can be picked off. A similar false cleaner fish has learned to take advantage of this and take a small bite out of the 'customer' who reacts violently, this has to be in response to pain.

[chaptazbru]

I too believe fish feel pain.

[Groupie]

Thx for all answers But dont tell me that a fish caught with a hook feels no pain Difficult to believe.