My goldfish is very sick?

Question

I've had my goldfish Steve since 2004, when my now fiance won him at a festival. Last night I came home to find that our filter must have died yesterday. Steve had his whole fish face out of the water trying to breathe. My fiance' and I raced to a 24 hr Walmart, and got him a new filter. Then at 3am, I noticed that Steve was now floating upside down, but still breathing. I don't know what's wrong with him, but he is sitting on the bottom of the tank upside down breathing, and not swimming at all. Please help!!! What do I do? He's in a 10 gal tank, and he's fed regularly.

Thank you all for your responses. I went home on my morning break to try some of the suggestions, but it was already to late. He must have passed away after we left for work. Thanks for all the advice.

Answer 1

You are seeing the effects of ammonia in the tank. Quickly do a 50% water change and monitor the ammonia level for the next several days, changing water whenever it gets into the caution or danger levels indicated on the ammonia test. This will pass fairly quickly witht he new filter in place, but for the next several days to a week, it can easily kill Steve.

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MM

Answer 2

Fish will gasp at the surface trying to get oxygen. With the filter off, and not agitating the water surface, the oxygen was depleted out of the water. And, most likely the ammonia levels started to rise. You're best bet is to try to do a water change, of about 30-50% of the water. He may perk up or it may be too late. I'd still try to save him though. Hopefully you put all the old filter media from the broken filter into the new filter, this will prevent the tank from going through a mini cycle(ammonia and nitrite spike as the beneficial bacteria colonizes). Good luck and hope he makes it!

Answer 3

I have pond goldfish, but I would think the same would apply. Whenever I see one at the surface trying to breathe, or "suck in air", I assume the oxygen level has dropped due to too much chlorine in the water, with the addition of fresh hose water, or the water is too dirty, and the filter needs cleaning. I've never had any luck with a fish recuperating after this trauma though. I think it's like they suffocate. Sorry about Steve.

Answer 4

Put him out of his misery and give him a flush. He is dying. I have had gold fish and believe me, he is a goner.

Whenever a filter stops, the waste gases back up into the water. I had this happen in my goldfish tank years ago. My young son had accidently pulled out the plug, literally,so to speak. They were all dead; and mine were really big ones. We had to bury them! Sorry for poor Steve.

Answer 5

i highly doubt that your fish "had his whole fish face out of the water trying to breathe," fish breathe underwater and cannot breathe above water, that is why a fish dies when you leave it out of water for too long

Answer 6

this might sound funny but take him to the vet or some fish doctor

Answer 7

this is the funniest thing ive ever read on here hahahahahahaahahahhaaha! thank you