What is this weird stuff in my tank?

[Jckc721]

Hi, I’m new here. I have a 5 gallon tank with one big, fat goldfish who is about 6 years old - his name is Jaws. We just moved him into this tank from a 3 gallon a month or so ago. I noticed what I thought was waste getting caught in the filter tube, and when I went to clean it out, I noticed that the problem was a lot worse than I thought. This stuff was all over the plants (I ended up throwing them away). I have never seen this before, either from Jaws or my other tank, which is a 36 gallon freshwater. Any idea what this might be? Thanks!

 

[libertybelle]

Wow that’s a big fish in that tiny tank. Gotta state what is hopefully the obvious. and point out that that is waaaaay too much fish for that tank. Hope you’re planning on moving him again soon.

The growth just looks like fungus to me, though it’s extremely difficult to tell from the picture. Rotting food left in the tank perhaps. Goldfish are messy and messy eaters and this tank is carrying a huge load.

 

[Lokilow]

The fact that he is that old and has been in a 3gal is the saddest thing ive read in a long time. But it is a decent sign that you at least stay on top of water changes. Please upgrade that tank as soon as possible and research how to properly care for your fish. That fish needs a min of 20gal and ideally at least a 40gal. Its as sad as placing your dog in a kennel their whole life.

The stuff you see on your plants is one of the reasons not to use fake plants, you never know what they have on them. I agree with liberty, it looks like a fungus of some sort. This could be growing on the plastic plants OR leftover food.