hi, I have a goldfish that isn't really that old and he his lying on his side at the bottom of the tank. He looks like he is having trouble breathing and I was wondering if there's anything that I can do! I would really appreciate it and thankyou so much for taking your time helping me out! *guppylover*
2007-03-04 15:17:13 · 9 answers · asked by guppylover 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
you are a guppie lover and already know the cycling rules.
It doesn't sound like a swim blatter problem to me since your fish will try to swim and not be gasping. I know I don't have to tell you this but, have you checked your ammonia levels? No red around the gills? and/or tested the water. Have you done anything different to the tank? No signs of outward parasites?
If you have done a 25% water change and lowerd the temps in your tank to either room temperature (not too fast now)
Remember gold fish need pleanty of Dissolved oxygen to survive. Lower your water in your tank about 2 inches. This will allow your filter to Dump water into your tank creating massive amounts of Dissolved Oxygen. this will help with the breathing.
Also, adding a bubbler or air tube will do nothing for Dissolved oxygen. You will be waisting your time and the little time your fish may have.
Feel free to email me and let me know the progress. If I can help further, please feel free to email me and I will help the best that I can.
And remember unfortunately sometimes fish just die for no real reason (be prepared for that too).
2007-03-05 03:12:09 · answer #1 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Goldfish (especially fancy ones) tend to suffer from something called swim bladder disease, the symptoms of which include an inability to swim properly. In my research, there may be different causes, but a big one is water quality. Make sure you're changing the water and the filter regularly to keep it clean, and make sure you have an air pump or a filter that stirs up the water enough so he can get oxygen. Check the ph level too if you can. If you don't have a test, take a sample of your water to a pet store, because most places will do it for free.
Sometimes feeding them the insides of peas helps with swim bladder disease. Also, look him over well and make sure he isnt showing symptoms of other fish diseases (if you search for these you should can find out what the symptoms are, and how to treat them) However, from trying to help my little siblings and friends with these problems, there isn't much you can do besides making sure his environment is as pristine as possible, and waiting.
2007-03-04 15:25:26 · answer #2 · answered by grunge_girl17 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The most common reason fish get sick is poor water quality. Testing your water and correcting its parameters and getting the water healthy again is what you, ultimately, need to do to fix this problem, but for now, you have to do an immediate water change. I would say 50%. And add something called Amquel. It has a stress reducer, slime coat enhancer, as well as neutralizes the chlorine, chloramine and some of the ammonia. You will need to do this every day. Hopefully it will be enough to save your fish. In the event it doesn't, please read about the nitrogen cycle and water cycling, how to do proper water changes and tank cleaning, proper tank size, proper filtration and diseases before you get another fish so that this problem doesn't happen again. Good luck to you and your fish!
2007-03-04 15:42:10 · answer #3 · answered by Venice Girl 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Do a 25% water change tonight and then do one tomorrow night as well. Add slime coat if you have it.
I would hold off medicating for now. Most illness in fish is caused by the water quality. Improve the water and the fish normally gets better. If he doesn't then you may want to post some more specific info. A lethargic fish could mean a lot of things.
2007-03-04 15:25:27 · answer #4 · answered by Lynn 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
you might have to check ph level of the water and try to use water to fill tank with water ager.You could go to the pet shops and they have drops to put in water to help sick fish.
2007-03-04 15:24:13 · answer #5 · answered by jac 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
is it tank clean if it is that's all i can think about have you feed him ? there's not much you can with a fish sorry if it was a dog or cat or something similar i would say take to the vet sorry i'm not much help with fish
2007-03-04 15:23:24 · answer #6 · answered by Moo moo I'm a chicken 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't think there is anything you can do for it. It could be sick; in that case it would be a good idea to scoop it out and put it in a separate container; other than that I am not sure you can do anything.
2007-03-04 15:25:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
DUDE! listen this to grunge_gi...
that is my answer too! I know fish and goldfish!!!!!
2007-03-04 15:35:50 · answer #8 · answered by jdizine 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
ITS A GOLDFISH LOL NOT A DOG FLUSH IT GO TO THE PET STORE GET YOURSELF A NEW FISHY
2007-03-04 15:25:02 · answer #9 · answered by clever1 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋