About 2-3 weeks ago, I found my 6 year old goldfish at the bottom of the tank on his side. I tested the pH levels which were low but it has always been low since I use distilled water so I don't think that is the problem. The second day, Goldie began to get finrot which cleared up within 3 days of using antibiotics. About that time, Goldie seemed much better, sitting up straight and able to swim strait for about 10 seconds. The first 3 days, when he tried to swim, he would swim backwards for a few seconds and then go back to lying on his side. 2-3 weeks later, he seems healthy but is still at the bottom of the tank but strait up at least. He is going to starve if nothing is done. I have been buying sinking food and have tried lifting Goldie to the top of the tank to eat... which works sometimes
The ammonia level is very low. No outward signs of disease. I've been keeping the water clean. I've been using stress-coat. I feel so helpless, what can I do?
2007-05-30 19:38:01 · 9 answers · asked by Mrs. Travolta 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
Thanks, I did contact Petco and Petsmart, Petland and about 10 other pet stores. They all give me different advise and I have tried almost everything.
2007-05-30 19:51:19 · update #1
It sounds as though he's got a problem with his swim bladder. Most people will recognize this problem when there's too much gas in the bladder so the fish "floats", but your's doesn't appear to have enough gasses to maintain his ability to keep afloat.
Swim bladder isn't just a disease or condition by itself, but it can be a symptom of a number of diseases and conditions that affect the bladder. This could be an internal infection, impaction, or a tumor that doesn't allow enough air to enter.
If there are no other fish in the tank, and you have an air pump, you could try lowering the water level so he's close to the surface. At this level, your filter might not function. If he's eating, try giving him a cooked pea with the skin removed - if the problem is related to constipation, the fiber from the pea may help him pass whatever is in the digestive tract. If there's a chance he ate gravel, it may have impacted his intestine (and adds extra weight). Since you've already treated with antibiotics, it may or may not be caused by infection - that would depend on the product used, as some treat only gram positive or gram negative, while others treat both. The antibiotics will have affected the bacteria in the tank, so you'll need to do water changes more frequently because the tank will have to cycle again. You'll also need to watch for signs of infection or sores from constantly laying on the gravel.
You might want to look at #4 of this link: http://www.mu.edu/~buxtoni/puregold/disease/technique/technique.html#Jo%20Ann's%20Fish%20Physical to see if you can determine if there might be an impaction or infection. If so, you can go to this page for treatment information: http://www.mu.edu/~buxtoni/puregold/disease/disease.htm
Sadly, if this is caused by a tumor, there may be nothing you can do.
2007-05-30 20:35:24 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
he/she has probably internal disease. To be more specific, the fish's liver or lungs are almost completely destroyed and you can't do anything at the moment.Unfortunately,I have lost a lot of fish by this bacteria. Things get worse when you add additional stress, so I would advice not to touch it or try to feed it and you may add some salt in his tank in order to help him get more oxygen.But I'm sorry he/she is probably won't make it. :( Sorry..
2007-05-30 19:52:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anna P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lift him to the surface, don't take him out - but just hold him and flap his fins. Do they come out far enough to be able to swim? If not, crouch down and check under them - a piece of food may have got stuck inbetween the inside of his fin and his body. If there is something stuck, take him to the vets. If not, I'm afraid I really don't know what to do for you. Maybe a trip to the vets wouldn't harm him...
2007-05-30 19:52:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact Petco or some animal shop like that with expertise.
Good Luck!
2007-05-30 19:47:00 · answer #4 · answered by Route1 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sounds to me you are keeping it to clean to many chemicals will kill anything! Go to Petco and they will teach you how to raise a goldfish.
2007-05-30 19:50:07 · answer #5 · answered by firefighterace 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
could be old.. or, your doing something to the tank water
2007-05-30 21:41:07 · answer #6 · answered by Mel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like you need to watch "finding nemo" and follow their advice.
2016-04-01 06:23:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's time for Goldie to die !!!!!!!! SORRY! JUST HIT HIM WHIT A ROCK IN THE HEAD! A FEW TIMES HE WILL BE BETTER!!!!
2007-05-30 19:51:57 · answer #8 · answered by L.T BONILLA 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
He's just old, sweetheart..............you did the best you could do
2007-05-30 19:47:27 · answer #9 · answered by tommyeureka 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋