swim bladder problem in fantail goldfish?

Question

i have a fantail, and i think it has swim bladder problem as it keeps floating to the surface.
I've tried lots of things starting when i first noticed it (it rose slowly) i've tried not feeding it for three days and then feeding it only peas for three days.
I change 20% of the water weekly.
And i feed it flake food (usually) and i always soak it for atleast 1 mintue. But the swim bladder problem just got worse. i'm sure i don't over feed it because i have another fantail (same size) which eats more than this one but hasn't got swim bladder problem.
i think its because my fantail is swalling air. Occasionally i see it suck in air and then spit some out.. please help

Answer 1

Swim bladder problems can and often are from an infection. Peas can't help it if that is the cause. It sound like to me you have ruled out any cause other than an infection. You will need medicated food to cure the internal infection as well as a gram positive antibiotic such as Erythromycin to treat the tank. You can get both of those items from a well stocked aquarium store. Do a serious (50-60%) water change and remove the carbon from the filter before you begin the treatment. Treat for at least 10 days, 14 is even better...even if you see no symptoms!! Very important to continue the treatment!

BTW, it's not caused by the fish sucking in air.

MM

Answer 2

Goldfish Swim Bladder Problem

Answer 3

It may not be swim bladder disorder. Two main reasons for this behavior are old poor quality food and or high nitrates. Change the food if its over a month old, especially flakes, they go bad very quickly. Nitrates over 20 ppm are also suspect. Do not medicate until you know for sure you have fed high quality fresh food and gotten nitrates below 20ppm. High quality foods consist of fish meal, krill, spirolina and lots of vitamins. If you see corn meal, corn gluten meal, or gluten meal in the list of ingredients then you know that the food is the lowest quality. Corn is a very cheap filler, and goldfish cannot digest it. It only adds waste to the system. You want a food that is at least 30% protien and around 10% fat, for optimal growth. Peas thawed and squished out of the shell is a good start. Get some Hiriki frozen brine shrimp, thaw a chunk in some tank water and slowly pour in the tank to feed. I would fast the little guy for about 3 or 4 days before you begin. Change the water every other day until the nitrates are acceptable. When tanks reach about 10 months old, nitrates have built to a very high level. You could do many successive water changes or you can do a 100% which I recommend at least 2 times a year in a goldfish tank. Don't wash out the filter on the day of a 100% water change, wait a week and clean out the bio-media in tank water. You have to remember the good bacteria, you are taking care of them too. Taking care of bacteria means controlling thier numbers. Not overloaded but not squeaky clean either. You always want to leave a little, hence cleaning the bio-media in tank water. You can retain enough bacteria to keep the cycle running without over loading the system. Hope this helps. I've kept goldfish for many years, I change the food monthy, change the water weekly and I have no fancy goldfish that float. And I never put meds into the tank.

Answer 4

Swinbladder problem are very common in fantail goldfish. The fish are unable to maintain an upright position when still and may float head-down, on their side, or upside down. The fish may sit on the bottom of the aquarium and struggle to swim to the surface, or may hang at the surface and be unable to swim down. Weakness and lethargy and a resulting loss of balance can also be caused if the fish is ill with another disease, so check for other symptoms.

Swim Bladder Problems Symptoms:
Fish can control their position in the water with the swim bladder, an organ that fills with or expels air to affect flotation. Swim bladder related problems can lead to malfunction of the swim bladder so that the fish can no longer control its flotation and orientation, or can do so only with considerable effort. Swim bladder problems are most common in short-bodied goldfish, eg fantails, orandas and so forth. In these fish the swim bladder is often slightly deformed, putting the fish at a much greater risk of developing swim bladder problems.

A swim bladder problem may develop as the fish grows, with the defect only becoming apparent later in life. Diet can also exacerbate swim bladder problems. Goldfish are prone to constipation, and swim bladder problems will become much worse when the fish is constipated. Water temperature can also affect the operation of the swim bladder. Swim bladder problems can also be caused by internal growths and tumours or by bacterial infections.

Prevention:
Most swim bladder problems are not preventable, however, feeding fancy goldfish a good diet will prevent constipation and associated swim bladder problems. A mix of prepared and frozen foods, particularly with frozen brine shrimp as a supplement, is best.

Treatment:
There is no direct treatment possible for swim bladder problems caused by genetic defects or internal growths, however, a fish can often live with the swim bladder problem for many months. Feed the fish brine shrimp to ensure that it is not a simple case of constipation or correct any other dietary problems.

Blocked intestines can and will interfere with the function of the swim bladder. If this is the case, a cure is easy to effect.

First check your water. If you are not using marine salt, gradually add it to the tank over a twelve hour period (addition of one tablespoon per five gallons does wonders).

Fast the fish for 4 days. Don't worry a hungry fish is better than a dead one! This will enable the fish to clear itself out, and normal function of the swim bladder should return. After the fourth day, resume feeding with live or frozen brine shrimp.

Answer 5

try sinking pellets, still soak them first. this way when the fish eats it won't be sucking the food from the top where it's easy to suck in air.

continue to feed peas, I feed mine peas once a week. I also feed them orange slices, there ar emany food that are good for goldfish, here's a small list:
Apple - chopped into small slices
Banana - lumps
Blackberries
Carrot - shredded
Chedder Cheese - finely shredded
Clam - cooked, chopped
Grapefruit - sections
Grapes - peeled
Green Peas - Boiled and Skinned
Hamburger - cooked well, chopped
Lime - sections
Lobster - cooked, chopped
Oat Flakes
Orange - sections
Rasberries
Romaine Letteuce - Washed ( No Peticides)
Shrimp - chopped
Spinach - boiled, small leaves
Strawberry - pieces (if possible, remove seeds)
Tangerine - sections
Watermelon - un-seeded
Wheat Germ

this list was taken from here:
http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/Goldfishs%20Diet.html

Answer 6

Sometimes SBD is congenital and in that case, there is nothing you can do about it. The fish either learns to live with it and lives, or it doesn't. You are doing everything correct, but there are a few more advanced options for treatment. Read the first link. Also, even though you feed soaked food, you may wish feed food that sinks so they aren't even given the option to "suck air." This gel food recipe is good. It's made with baby food peas and sinks and the fish love it.

Answer 7

I answered this question for someone else yesterday too. Sometimes it's good to put your question in the search first instead of waiting for answers. ..........Sounds like swim bladder to me. This is not deadly so don't worry but you will want to do what you can to fix it because it will cause annoyance to the fish leading to stress that may cause other issues and sickness. I would suggest changing the fishes diet and switch between frozen and flake goods. Check your local fish store for blood worms and daphnia. Daphnia has a few benefits to it's use. Not only are they a natural laxative to fish but they will also eat any bits of algae blooms. If he/she is in the tank by themselves or if you have the means to move him into seclusion you can try to fast him for 3 days and then try to feed him a cooked and peeled green pea or two. Hope he gets better. Feel free to email or instant message me any questions you might have.

Answer 8

i just recently had this problem about 3 days ago, i had 6 fancy goldfish with this problem, it is a disease similar to ich and swimbladder but it is not quiet those diseases, cahnces are that 90 percent your going to lose your fish, it is mean to have it just float their, if you want to do the right thing, flush it now, would you want to hang up floating on top of the water? didn't think so, do whats best for your fish!!

Answer 9

get it to the vet quick