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Re: unusual????
This is one of those things that you're going to see over, and over, and over again. The pet store folks tell clients to feed their garters goldfish. Several months later, their snakes stop eating, become lethargic, won't reproduce, suffer convulsions, and die. I don't think it's a conspiracy, but you end up in the market for another snake because you became really attached to your last one. Eventually you hear about thiamin deficiencies.
You'll hear this next part a lot, too... it's because goldfish contain an enzyme called thiaminase, which breaks down a water soluble vitamin called thiamin (AKA Vitamin B1). Thiamin is necessary for all living organisms, including humans, to make proteins, support neural function, and convert food into energy. The more thiaminase an organism has in their system, the less thiamin that is available. Eventually, the snake starts to suffer ill effects. The bottom line: if you're going to feed fish, switch to another type, like trout, salmon, pike, bass, crapie, or bluegill. Just freeze them for a few days and cut suitable-sized strips for your snake to eat. They're easy to cut into small strips when they're frozen, but be sure to thaw them thoroughly before feeding them to the snake. Leave the bones in the strips. DOUBLE CHECK the thicker areas of the fish because the outside may seem warm (if you use warm water to thaw them), while the inside remains frozen.
I guarantee you'll see the goldfish issue come up again, probably before the end of November. It's super common.
P.S. Your snake will be fine, but chronic exposure causes problems.
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