I'm going to give up the hobby

[RobVG]

I've had 4 goldfish over the last 3 1/2 years. We watched one die last year and one a few months ago with a perpetual case of the floaties.
Now the new fish we got three weeks ago seems to have brought something with it and gave it to my 2-year-old Oranda. Water parameters have always been good. With the other sick fish we used antibiotics, but they didn't help. It's just too heartbreaking to watch.

 

[gwand]

I’m sorry you feel that way but understand your frustration. If you reconsider prepare a quarantine tank, especially if you purchase fish only from Petsmart, Petco or another big box store. Fish from these stores are frequently sick. We can recommend excellent mail order stores where you are almost guaranteed to obtain healthy fish. The shipping makes it more expensive than the big box stores. But several reputable mail order companies ship overnight for $39 for a small box of fish. If you go this route I still recommend a quarantine period.

 

[GaryE]

Fancy goldfish have wrecked many an aquarists pastime. We're told they're easy, but really, easy means disposable for a lot of people. You don't see many reaching full size, living 30 years or enjoying 25-30 gallons per fish.

I used to overwinter pond goldies at my job, and they are not easy fish. Endless water changes, poop galore, tons of fry and steady tank busting growth... or, with the ones kids would bring in hoping I could save them - deformities that simply gave the fish no chance.

If I felt like giving up, I might explore other types of fish first.