Total Pneumocystectomy in a Telescope Goldfish (Carassius auratus) With Fungal Pneumocystitis

A black telescope goldfish (Carassius auratus), approximately 2 years old, was presented for positive buoyancy disorder of 2 months duration. Physical examination revealed positive buoyancy with a left-sided coelomic distension emerging out of water with cutaneous ulceration. Radiographic and ultrasonographic imaging revealed gaseous distension and malposition of the swim bladder with no other abnormalities noted. A treatment based on antibiotic therapy, increased salinity, and repeated pneumocystocentesis was unsuccessful and the fish eventually became negatively buoyant. Computed tomography revealed that the 2 chambers of the swim bladder were filled with fluid. Cytologic evaluation associated with bacterial and fungal cultures of the fluid revealed the presence of Aeromonas hydrophila and Geotrichum capitatum. A total pneumocystectomy was performed without complication. The goldfish lived for 6 months following the surgical procedure.