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I have a fantail goldfish that for the past month is swimming upside down. I have done recommened treatments for swim bladder problem but since it is not working it must not have bladder probs. The fish is now upside down but floating on its left side. Its back is starting to go into a "C" shape because of this. Does anybody have a diagnosis or treatment suggestion? He is only getting worse

2007-01-21 10:46:40 · 9 answers · asked by jen19801976 3 in Pets Fish

9 answers

Dropsy is when a fish becomes very swollen and the scales stick out like a pinecone so this is definitely not that. A fish could have an arm growing out of it and people would say its ich but I guess they just heard of dropsy and want to sound like they know something so now everything is that. Seriously people try doing some basic research before you try and "help" people. And lildi_32 is totally wrong about fish not getting deformed in tanks that are too small, check out the link that bleedseahawkblue gave on that subject.

Anyway, I have never heard of someone treating a fish that is so far along that its body is bending in half the best thing you can do for the fish is to euthanize it and make sure before you get another fish that you can properly care for it. Here is a site that explains the most humane method if you do decide to euthanize, http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-most-humane-way-to-euthanize-a-fish.htm

2007-01-22 02:50:29 · answer #1 · answered by Nunya Biznis 6 · 1 1

The shape deformity is what I think is the key here. Two possibilities:

fish TB:
http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/management/Keefer_FishTB.html If this is what your fish has, I'm sorry to say that this is not treatable.

cammalanus (an intestinal worm parasite): www.guppylog.com/story/2004/4/6/211859/5332 (I am having major problems trying to open this site, maybe you'll have better luck).

You can sometimes see one or more small reddish "thread(s)" hanging out the anus of small fish (guppies) if they are not actively swimming, but I don't know if this is possible for a goldfish. This can be treated using levamisole, but not be something that you can get in a pet store (it's a deworming medication for livestock and I got it in a farm store).

You need to isolate that fish (if you haven't already) and find out quickly which of these (if either) you are dealing with. Check the links I provided and Google the possible diagnoses yourself to find more info.

2007-01-21 11:58:48 · answer #2 · answered by copperhead 7 · 0 0

the component she suggested about the organs persevering with to strengthen is authentic. that's why goldfish die so youthful. they ought to stay 20-40 years. The stated length is 20 gallons on your first goldfish one extra ten for each goldie you upload. Technically he should be o.ok. a minimum of the length of the tank shouldn't result his well being. i recognize how you experience although. We had a Black Moor in a 20 lengthy he were given to be about that length and regarded cramped. We offered him a seventy 5 gallon and a pair of acquaintances. easily he's plenty extra reachable to look after now. the better tank facilitates mantain a extra strong surroundings= a lot less water adjustments. There aren't any strategies of battling your fish from turning out to be. in case you may't keep him contained in the 20 and also you received't purchase him a larger tank then you surely ought to commerce him in to a petstore. do no longer launch him. surprisingly if he's a posh goldfish- does he really appear like he might want to live on??? we've executed some extreme genetic manipulation on them. Their wild brothers and sisters are Carp. Carp are made for the wild. Goldies are made for guy-made ponds and aquariums. strong success!

2016-12-02 20:54:06 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

It is fairly common for goldfish to get bladder problems and eventually end up swimming upside down. This is called Dropsy, and no, this is not curable. So no matter how much medication you give them they will not come back to normal. Your fish use their bladdrer to keep their balance and to go up or down the tank, once their bladder is damaged then their ability to swim straight is gone.

Now, lots of fish are able to live for years with Dropsy (bladder disease) but eventually they all die because they are not able to feed themselves.

So I would recommend to keep him/her there as long as possible although that sounds like torture since the are not able to properly feed themselves, or rather euthanize him/her. Whatever method you use, this disease is not contagious, so do not worry about your other fish. Good luck!

2007-01-21 21:46:18 · answer #4 · answered by Maria F 3 · 0 2

What size tank it it in? The C-shaped back is a sign of sculliosis, whice is mostly caused when a fish gets stunted from being in too small of a tank. Sounds like the damage is already done. I hope you get a smaller kind of fish next time so you don't kill another goldfish.

2007-01-21 10:50:42 · answer #5 · answered by fish guy 5 · 2 0

is he always upside down? goldfish have no problems rolling over and back and swim in just about any direction. if hes still alive after a month it could be water problems like ammonia poisoning. I don't know what size tank is so its hard to gage a soulution other than more frequent water changes or a bigger bowl or tank.

2007-01-21 12:28:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

A gold fish in a small tank doesn't grow at all, or not much, and will not get deformed because of it. But, the upside down is the cause, because young fish are still forming their bones. Try feeding shelled peas, that is said to help swim bladder issues. Also, soak all food before feeding it.

2007-01-21 10:56:16 · answer #7 · answered by lildi_32 3 · 0 4

It does sound like dropsy, but it could be a parasite that is causing spinal deformation. You could try some thing like parasite clear. You can also just call your local pet store.

2007-01-21 10:55:24 · answer #8 · answered by drwebster93 2 · 1 3

That is weird. When did it start? Ask a vet or animal professinal for more help.

2007-01-21 10:51:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anna 2 · 0 2

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