Goldfish Floating On His Side

[tttnjfttt]

After a heater disaster in my tank, I had to re-start everything and decided to go for 2 gold fish. The tank is currently cycling, ammonia 0, nitrite 0.5 and is getting water changes every few days. It is a 40 gal tank.

Earlier this evening, both fish were swimming fine, and after feeding them one is floating on its side. I doubt it is an illness, but I have no clue what to do here. Any advice?

 

[Spooky76]

Usually if its floating but still trying to swim its swim bladder problems. Again they are normally down to poor water, which if your tank is cycling it probably is. I had a koi do the same a while back

You can try feeding peas as you would tropical fish, but not sure if it works same with cold water.

 

[tttnjfttt]

I did get a little pea in him, but he couldn't catch them as they dropped, so he didn't get too much.

I'm actually proud of my self, the highest the ammonia and nitrite got were .75 and those were brought back down very quickly with water changes. My dechlorinator also neutralizes ammonia and nitrite to make it easier for the fish.

I'm wondering if I should start antibiotics?

 

[badboy1690]

its definently a swim bladder problem, your tank stats mean nothing unless you get it treated straight away!

 

[tttnjfttt]

its definently a swim bladder problem, your tank stats mean nothing unless you get it treated straight away!

I don't quite get what you mean by the tank stats mean nothing unless you get it treated straight away! I am already doing water changes every other day.

 

[Spooky76]

Dont get that - your stats are more important than anything, in fact alot of deseases and problems are brought on by poor water, plus ammonia is far more toxic and lethal than bladder problems.

You have to sort your water out first, cos otherwise in doing water changes to keep levels down you remove medications...

You can start treating yes, but if you do a water change you will have to top it up again.

Good luck

 

[WILDER]

Cook peas for a few minutes, let cool down, pop out of shell, mush between fingers and add to the tank.
Swim bladder can be fetched on by bad wate quality.
You will need a bigger fillter with goldifsh they are massive waste producers, so if your filter for a 40 gallon you need a 80 gallon filter.
Hi ttnjfttt.

 

[tttnjfttt]

Amazingly, he seemed fine this morning. Does this sound possible: When eating, he swallowed some air when he went up for a flake, and basically had air in him, and as we all know, air floats.

 

[Spooky76]

Thats great news !!

 

[WILDER]

Yes that can happen ttnjfttt.