About Bubble Eye Goldfish
The Bubble Eye Goldfish is one of the most unusual and delicate fancy goldfish varieties, characterized by large fluid-filled sacs under each eye that give it a truly unique appearance. These bubbles are extremely delicate and can be easily damaged, making the Bubble Eye one of the most challenging goldfish to keep successfully. They are essentially handicapped fish with poor vision and limited swimming ability, requiring specialized care and appropriate tank mates. Due to their fragility, they are recommended only for experienced goldfish keepers.
Care Guide
Care Requirements
Tank Setup
Bubble Eye Goldfish require the most specialized care of any goldfish variety due to their extremely delicate eye sacs.
Critical Setup Requirements:
- 20 gallons minimum
- NO sharp decorations anywhere
- Smooth, rounded gravel or bare bottom
- No strong currents (bubbles catch flow)
- Protective environment
- No aggressive or fast tank mates
Water Quality
- Temperature: 65-75°F (18-24°C)
- pH: 7.0-8.4
- Water Hardness: Moderate (8-20 dGH)
- Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
- Nitrate: <40 ppm
Pristine water is essential. Any infection can quickly affect the delicate eye sacs.
The Bubble Eye Sacs
- Composition: Fluid-filled skin sacs
- Vulnerability: Extremely delicate, easily punctured
- Healing: Can heal if minor damage, but serious damage permanent
- Vision: Impaired due to bubble size
- Regrowth: Will regrow if completely lost, but takes time
Protecting the Bubbles:
- No sharp decorations
- No rough handling
- No sharp gravel
- No aggressive tank mates
- Gentle water changes
Feeding
Due to poor vision and slow movement:
- Hand feeding: Train to eat from fingers
- Sinking pellets: Easier to find
- Target feeding: Place food directly in front
- Soft vegetables: Blanched peas, spinach
- Frequent small meals: 3-4 times daily
Feeding Challenges:
- Poor vision makes finding food difficult
- Slow swimming means fast fish steal food
- May need separate feeding area
- Target feeding ensures nutrition
Behavior & Compatibility
Extremely limited compatibility due to fragility:
- Only with: Other handicapped goldfish
- Celestial Eyes: Similar care requirements
- Ranchu: Slow, gentle
- Other Bubble Eyes: Best kept together
Absolutely Never With:
- Standard goldfish (too fast, rough)
- Any fish with sharp fins
- Bottom feeders that might bump them
- Any sharp decorations
- Strong currents
Health Concerns
Numerous health vulnerabilities:
- Bubble damage: Most common issue
- Infections: Can enter through damaged bubbles
- Poor nutrition: May not find enough food
- Swim bladder: Common in fancy goldfish
- Bacterial infections: Due to stress
Emergency: Damaged Bubble
If a bubble is damaged:
- Check severity: Small tear may heal
- Water quality: Pristine to prevent infection
- Meldafix: Can help healing (use cautiously)
- Salt baths: May help (short term)
- Isolation: If severe damage or infection
- Veterinarian: For serious injuries
Common Health Issues
- Popped bubbles: From trauma or sharp objects
- Infections: Often secondary to injuries
- Swim bladder: Constipation-related
- Malnutrition: From not finding food
- Stress: From inappropriate tank mates
Tank Maintenance
- Weekly 30-50% water changes
- Gentle cleaning: Avoid disturbing fish
- Check for hazards: Regularly inspect for sharp edges
- Smooth gravel only: Or bare bottom
- Never use nets: Can damage bubbles; use cup/bowl
Special Equipment
- Sponge filters: Gentle, no strong current
- Smooth decorations: All items rounded
- Feeding ring: Helps contain food
- Tweezers: For target feeding
- Soft nets: If netting absolutely necessary
Tips for Success
- Keep only with other delicate goldfish
- Inspect all decorations for sharp edges
- Hand feed to ensure adequate nutrition
- Never use standard nets
- Maintain pristine water quality
- Be extremely gentle during maintenance
- Consider bare bottom tank
- Keep backup fish in case of losses
- Accept that bubbles may get damaged
- Enjoy their unique beauty despite challenges