It looks like my goldfish has a swim bladder problem. It's backside is floating, having a hard time swimming, stays near the top. It's in a 10 gallon tank with two other smaller goldfishes as well. They are all about 1inch long. I've tried peas but it doesn't want to eat it and the peas sink to the bottom. I want to try fasting but not sure if I'll have to make all the other fish fast as I don't have another tank. I've replaced the water, added dechlorinater and cycle solution. I'm out of ideas. What should I do?
2007-09-27 16:43:49 · 6 answers · asked by L L 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
im sorry to tell ya but its probably dead!!!!!!!!
2007-09-27 22:00:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
This sounds like a swim bladder problem to me as well.
Are you able to test your water? If so, test the ammonia and nitrite. Swim bladder problems can be linked to overfeeding, and if the tank is fairly new (under 2 months old), you may have ammonia and/or nitrite building up. These would cause the lack of an appetite.
I would try changing 25-50% of the water just to be sure if you aren't able to test, then see if your fish will eat the pea in the morning.
Even though the tank may be okay for your goldfish right now, realine than in less than 6 months, you'll need to upgrade to a larger tank as your fish grow. You should figure on about 10 gallons each if these are fancy goldfish, more if they're commons.
2007-09-27 16:53:53 · answer #2 · answered by copperhead 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
do you have a bubbler and/or filter in the tank? turn them off for now. the fish may be swallowing bubbles or breathing them in through the fins.
also, turning off the equipment will make the water have less current, making it less of a struggle for the poor fishie to swim downwards. i know, it's not an ocean in there, but your fish is probably very TIRED.
next, try to put the pea somewhere where the fish can get to it. if you have plants, try to prop it up in a visible area of the plant, closer to the surface of the water. and definitely make sure the pea is peeled. if it was frozen, i would also cook it briefly in the microwave. that will help get the shell off. and often, the pea inside will split into two pieces, making it a more manageable piece for teh fish to swallow.
now the hard part: you just have to wait. if the little guy has enough strength left, he will swim down to that pea. and it should help him. but it will take time. eventually, though, he will just keep working at it and he will finally get to it. of course, if you aren't watching, the other fish might get to it first...they are less likely to go after it if they are well fed.
smaller fish tend to have this problem more often than bigger ones. you can turn the equiupment back on when he seems better. ask at the aquarium shop about bubblers that make different size bubbles. also, check which food (flakes or pellets) has more fiber content? i always feed my fish pellets, they seem to do better on that than on flakes. you can also continue to supplement with peas as often as you like, just make sure that you dont' overfeed.
2007-09-27 18:57:26 · answer #3 · answered by artichokealert 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most most likely their swim bladder is swollen or a bit of... tousled. Sometimes they hit a few constitution within the tank, or the glass (might attempt to 'battle' the glass). Or the fish got here like that, or have turn out to be pressured as a result of alterations within the atmosphere or something identical. When a swim bladder is tousled it influences their bounecy and swimming. Sometimes your fish will die however that is by and large when you consider that they arn't getting ample meals (to a lot pageant they cannot battle or cant achieve it). Or the fish is also "picked"on by way of different fish and might be attacked or killed. Also the fish might not be in a position to get air. Make definite that your fish is getting air, meals, and is dwelling as pressure unfastened as you'll be able to. Add a pressure coat (discovered at puppy retail outlets) to the water. If you've gotten one more tank. Move the fish their, utilizing the equal water (PH and Temperature shrewd) and feed them in that tank. Moving the fish can also be worrying so simplest do in case you ought to. Sometimes your fish will are living, so do not stop. My buddy has a betta like this and to this point it has lived three months like this. Good Luck!
2016-09-05 10:16:26 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
for one you have too many goldfish in a 10 gallon , you need to seperate the sick fish as it may be something contagious , you need to get at least a 55 gallon tank for three goldies, they will get up to 14" each , your tank will become too small for three as they grow , I know from having 1 in a 29 gallon tank he is 11 1/2 inches and that tank is barely big enough for him.
2007-09-27 18:14:56 · answer #5 · answered by lisadolenz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Copperhead is 100% Right. Make sure to feed it a pea. Defrost it or cook it and shell it, make it into Goldfish serving and feed it.
2007-09-27 17:07:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋