my gold fish looks like its dead - but its still breathing - can anyone help?

Question

He (or she) is kinda bent over like its arched and not looking real good - but its still breathing.. what should we try to do?

Answer 1

By bent over, do you mean it's floating at the top of the tank in an "head-down" position? This would indicate a swim bladder problem.

This is usually caused by poor water quality or a bacterial infection, but in goldfish it can also be caused by bad food/constipation if the food ferments and causes internal gas to build up.

If you have a water test kit, I'd suggest testing your water, if not, do a 25% water change and replace the water you remove with frsh water that's about the same temperature (add dechlorinator). If the fish will eat, give him a cooked pea with the skin taken off (peas are a source of fiber, and fiber acts in fish like it does humans to help push food through the digestive tract). If the fish doesn't seem to improve in a day, treat this as a bacterial infection with a broad-spectrum antibiotic like Furanase.

See swim bladder disorder in this link: http://www.fish-disease.net/diseases.htm

If the tank is new (less than two months old), it's also possible the fish has ammonia or nitrite poisoning because your tank hasn'r fully cycled yet. You can get some information on these from the above site, as well as this one: http://www.firsttankguide.net/cycle.php

Answer 2

Its swim bladder diseases or dropsy diseases. Normally,the fish will die though there's medication to it. Remove yr fish right away n place it into a separate tank or bowl for medication. Yr water in the tank must be change totally n filter wash throughly b4 u place in any new fishes. Run the tank for 3 days,remember to put sufficient aquarium salt and anti-chlorine.As for yr sick fish treat with medicine for dropsy diseases n do not feed him for 3 days during medication n monitor. Keep the water clean n remove all waste disposal from the fish if any.Gd Luck

Answer 3

My fish has the same look facing down bent looking dead but she is at the bottom.. I hope the best answer is right I followed the rules and slightly worried

Answer 4

your fish is sick sry to tell u but your gonna have to wait it out its nuthing serios its like having the flu or sumthing for us dont worry

Answer 5

i think you should ask the pet owner. is it the 10cent gold fish. if they they usually die, but if it the one that are meant for living then it probably sick

Answer 6

Time to say good by.

Answer 7

Flush it.