We had five fancy goldfish in a tank. 1 month ago one of them became lethargic
and floating upside down and off her food for a few days. Then she starting
sitting on the bottom and only occasionally moving about, and died a couple
of days later.
We thought it was a one-off but now another is doing the same thing - on the
bottom barely moving, so there must be some problem - we are desperate not
to lose any more.
It's complicated by the fact that some of them have been in the habit for many
months of gulping air at the surface after feeding, and then sometimes being buoyant
overnight before recovering. We assumed they were just swallowing air, and
they did poops with air-bubbles in them. It didnt seem to be doing them any
harm but now 2 are dead/dying in a few weeks. Not at all clear that the two
things are connected.
We do feed them pea every few days to help with any constipation.
We sometimes get white stringy poop - perhaps indicates a parasite, or just
a side-effect of the pea? No other external signs of ill-health.
I've read lots and recognise that swim bladder problems are complicated.
One site suggested that floating then sinking was a symptom of internal bacterial
infection. But, could be parasite, or viral infection?
We are in UK and available brands include Interpet, Nutrafin, Tetra.
We've tried Interpet 13 Swim Bladder treatment, but not added salt.
Tank is 160-litre with external filtration - sponge, zeocarb & carbon.
There are lots of plants (which they chew), and air-stones for oxygen.
We do a 1/3 water change every week with water treatments (e.g Nutrafin
Aqua-Plus and Cycle).
One of those multi-litmus strips showed normal colors for all tests.
Temperature is around 65F.
A few months ago we had a bad attack of green water algae which we treated
with Interpet Greenaway and adding more plants. These problems have started
since the algae were beaten. We also have three Apple snails in there.
I think the second fish is probably a lost cause now, please advise on how
we might save the other three.
Many thanks
Paul
and floating upside down and off her food for a few days. Then she starting
sitting on the bottom and only occasionally moving about, and died a couple
of days later.
We thought it was a one-off but now another is doing the same thing - on the
bottom barely moving, so there must be some problem - we are desperate not
to lose any more.
It's complicated by the fact that some of them have been in the habit for many
months of gulping air at the surface after feeding, and then sometimes being buoyant
overnight before recovering. We assumed they were just swallowing air, and
they did poops with air-bubbles in them. It didnt seem to be doing them any
harm but now 2 are dead/dying in a few weeks. Not at all clear that the two
things are connected.
We do feed them pea every few days to help with any constipation.
We sometimes get white stringy poop - perhaps indicates a parasite, or just
a side-effect of the pea? No other external signs of ill-health.
I've read lots and recognise that swim bladder problems are complicated.
One site suggested that floating then sinking was a symptom of internal bacterial
infection. But, could be parasite, or viral infection?
We are in UK and available brands include Interpet, Nutrafin, Tetra.
We've tried Interpet 13 Swim Bladder treatment, but not added salt.
Tank is 160-litre with external filtration - sponge, zeocarb & carbon.
There are lots of plants (which they chew), and air-stones for oxygen.
We do a 1/3 water change every week with water treatments (e.g Nutrafin
Aqua-Plus and Cycle).
One of those multi-litmus strips showed normal colors for all tests.
Temperature is around 65F.
A few months ago we had a bad attack of green water algae which we treated
with Interpet Greenaway and adding more plants. These problems have started
since the algae were beaten. We also have three Apple snails in there.
I think the second fish is probably a lost cause now, please advise on how
we might save the other three.
Many thanks
Paul
