Getting out of goldfish

I recently had to euthanize my oranda goldfish for some sort of health issue that resulted in dropsy. We did our best to treat with epsom salts/metroplex/kanaplex and so on, but it just wasn't helping the poor guy. The whole situation has really made me feel disillusioned with goldfish keeping. I'm not interested in discussing the ethics of keeping them, but even goldfish lovers like myself tend to understand they are more prone to some disorders as a result of their breeding. This guy was in a planted 40 gallon with great water quality (weekly 50% water changes, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, never over 20 ppm nitrate) and beefed up filtration. He was fed the highest quality gel food with shelled peas, blanched spinach, and occasional frozen foods like bloodworms. All that to say, I'm sure I made mistakes here and there, but overall his husbandry was really good. These are my first goldfish (I generally keep tropical and have never struggled to keep those species healthy), and I felt prepared for their potential health issues, but going through all this effort only to still see my fish meet an untimely and painful end has been devastating and disheartening.

The thing is, I still have his sweet tank mate. Keeping her means getting another one for companionship and I just... I don't know now if this area of fishkeeping is for me. I've really lost my heart for it and now I feel there's other fish I'd rather keep. Not to mention I'd only look at high end breeders, and those fish are-- rightfully so-- expensive. I love this fish very much as an individual, but I don't think this area of the hobby is right for me at this time anymore. I'm lucky to live near several wonderful fish stores, including Aquarium Coop, so I know I could rehome her through one of them. Still, I'm also caught up on the guilt of giving a fish away when I truly take my commitment to them seriously and don't view them as disposable.

I guess I just wanted to hear from people who have currently or in the past kept goldfish, and what their advice would be for me in this situation? How do you sort out the guilt of keeping a fish when you're disillusioned with the species and lost your heart for them, versus the guilt of rehoming them even if they may not go to someone who will be able to offer them what you can? I'd appreciate everyone's experiences.

Thank you!

 

I kind of feel that way when i have had bettas die. I think a big part of it is that bettas are quite the little personalities, like i hear goldfish can be, so it makes some things harder. I have already decided that i will probably always have 1 betta tank, but that when my 2 older boys pass, their tanks will be used for some other species so i can branch out more, as there are plenty of fish out there i would love to keep, as i often go to fish stores just to WATCH those species!

 

Find someone who would love to have the goldfish. There are definitely people out there who would take great care of him. No reason to make yourself so upset. Then go with something that causes you less stress. It sounds like you are a wonderful fishkeeper.

 

I have rehomed some fish myself. I felt guilty every time. But just try to find them a good home and it will be ok.

 

If you don't want to rehome her, you can get some other fish to keep her company.

I totally get what it feels like to get attached to a certain fish, but because they don't get attached to us like cats or dogs do, they don't miss us.