why are my goldfish swimming on thier side?

Question

I've had my goldfish for 5 years and lately I've noticed they seem to be swimming on thier side

Answer 1

Fancy goldfish are quite prone to constipation and this can cause problems with their swim bladder which in turn causes swimming problems like you are seeing. Try allowing the fish to do without food for aday and then try feeding it softened hulled peas. Then give it another day.

If that doesn't seem to help his swimming problems you may be dealing with a more serious swim bladder infection. If that is the case you will need to treat with medicated food for bacterial infections as well as a good antibiotic. I would recommend Furanase, Furan -2 or in a pinch Maracyn TC. Treatment can take a week or more and you should plan on treating the tank for at least 10 days.

If I can help further feel free to email me.

MM

Answer 2

Hi Tasty, without further information it's impossible to give you a definite response-do you mean they are completely parallel with the surface of the water or just listing? have you altered/removed/added anything to or about your tank lately? A couple of simple explanations if they are listing slightly could be change in lighting as Goldfish align themselves to the light source or alternatively will lean against oncoming currents from filters. You can check these two by looking if they are leaning just one way all the time-if they are leaning to both their left & right then there is probably nothing wrong & as they are both affected this is probably what is going on-you may need to replace one of your lights or turn down/alter the direction of your filter outlet. If they are both leaning just one way or flat on the surface then the problem is be more serious like poor aeration or even swim bladder related. Try feeding shelled, cooked, diced peas & also keep a close eye on your water parameters, a healthy tank should show zero ammonia & nitrite [NO2]. In addition make sure you have your tank is well aerated with a good bubble stone-you need to have some surface agitation for healthy oxygen transfer.

Answer 3

Toxic water? Water Quality Conditions are issues that need to be taken seriously. It is necessary to check pH and ammonia and nitrite, nitrate levels to maintain a proper balance for your fish.

Answer 4

a goldfish max life expectancy is around 5, so it could be dying

Answer 5

They could be dying, as the previous person suggested, or it could be that the salt concentration in the water is too great making them over-bouyant. I would suggest changing the water and seeing if that helps.

Answer 6

my fish does this sometimes too....maybe they are just bored? sometimes i come home and he looks like hes dead O_O might just be a fish thing. apparently fish can see all the colors we can, so maybe we underestimate their brain power or something and they actually do get bored, haha. either way, watch it. they might be constipated. try feeding them peas , remove the skins first. i heard this helps constipated fish (no im not jokeing...)

Answer 7

they are not being fed properly or sick... silly enough they may have gas problems mine starting having problems at 6 years and i found out too late on 4 out of 5... :( but was able to save the 5th and she is still alive .. go to the pet store you bough them at for advice

Answer 8

Practicing sideway swim maybe..

Answer 9

its dying in fact, a goldfish max life expectancy is around there and so it could be dying

Answer 10

I think they swim on their side when they are dying????