I recently got 3 little goldfish for my brother and today I noticed that one of them is staying/floating in the center of the tank in a vertical position, his/her head is facing the bottom of the tank. It stays like that for a while and then it swims all around the tank. Its fins are moving and it is still breathing, but is it about to die? Thanks in advance...
2007-04-28 11:07:41 · 7 answers · asked by aleecyboo 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
it looks as if he/she is a common single-tailed goldfish :-/
another thing, everytime it moves, it winds up going back to the same spot to "float" or sleep
2007-04-28 11:19:36 · update #1
i actually got the fish from someone who won them at an event at the college i go to and they've been in the tank since wednesday night...
2007-04-28 12:20:36 · update #2
I am sorry to report that the fish died almost an hour ago. I would like to thank everyone for their responses.
FYI, as soon as we noticed that it was dead, I removed it from the tank. We plan on cleaning it ASAP to remove the bacteria and ammonia that was mentioned below. Thanks again for all of your answers!!!
2007-04-28 15:48:21 · update #3
While it's possible the fish is having issues with it's swim bladder, it's also very possible that this is due to ammonia in the tank. If the tank was just set up on Wednesday, that's almost certainly the problem. You should do a significant water change to lower the ammonia level and plan to keep doing them every day for about the next 3-4 weeks. The fish release the ammonia and eventually beneficial bacteria will build up in the tank to convert it to less harmful stuff. In the mean time you will have to keep the ammonia down by removing it. Here's a link that will explain everything that's going on in your brother's tank in detail. Hope this helps and welcome to the hobby!
http://www.firsttankguide.net/cycle.php
MM
2007-04-28 14:24:26 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What type of goldfish? It sounds like this one may be developing a swim bladder problem. The ones with rounded bodies (orandas, pearlscales, etc) get this quite often.
Okay. If it's a comet, then it's not swim bladder disease. You say it's been in the tank since Wed? What size tank and is it filtered? If you have them in an adequate sized tank with good filtration, the tank is just now cycling. Cycling unfortunately puts a lot of ammonia into the tank..then nitrite...then the good stuff. Cycling tanks about a month or so from start to finish. Both ammonia and nitrite are toxic to fish. If the water isn't cycling..no filter, etc...then they're definitely going to need frequent water changes with water conditioner added.
Really..they should be in a 30 gallon tank, hang on the back filter meant for a 40-50 gallon tank as adults.
2007-04-28 18:13:12 · answer #2 · answered by Barb R 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's probably in a new tank, and the stress of being moved caused this, unfortunately the odds are that it is going to die , sorry, your pet store should have done a better job on advising you, however it's definitely not a disease, i know it looks like bladder but it's not; your fish does swim around the tank occassionally like you stated. remove it from the tank and good luck with your other 2 fishes...
2007-04-28 19:06:20 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
get a pea..and smash it and put it in the tank..i know it sounds stupid..but it sounds as though it may have bloat or some other similar illness..the peas do something to the water and are supposed to be an easy inexpensive way to make the fish better i read this in readers digest..the only other option is to flush the fish so the other two dont get it...but it does sound as though its going to die..i have had fish do this and for the benefit of the other fish..after two days and they dont seem any better i flush them after i have tried to treat them..i have never used the pea remedy..but it cant hurt to try
2007-04-28 18:14:54 · answer #4 · answered by bailie28 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like he has Swim Bladder...
Swim Bladder causes the fish to float to the top, and have trouble swimming down.
You can get special food to cure this sickness at the pet shop. Or you can feed it crushed peas for awhile, it should clear up.
Good Luck!
Ãübblëš
2007-04-28 18:20:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont think theres anything to worry about cause one of my two fantailed goldfish swims that way only with its head up,if I knock on its bowl he starts to swim again,I think its just napping. withpeninhand33
2007-04-28 21:44:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sleeping
2007-04-28 18:10:37 · answer #7 · answered by just hanging around 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋