Goldfish Problem Diagnosis And Treatment Needed

[Defqon]

My goldfish(2 years old) has a clear visible problem and I am looking for the closest possible diagnosis and guide to treating this problem. Hopefully this short video is enough to get an idea.

I have done some research before asking for extra help, leading me towards swim bladder disease or bloat. Nevertheless, I would prefer the suggestions from others with experience related to fish and there keeping.

http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1qFNBvnHDA

 

[Fishy friend2]

My best guess is ammonia poisoning, because of that small size containing goldfish, leading to a weakened ammune system so he is vulnerable to diseases , it looks like SBD to me

 

[Defqon]

What effect does changing the water regularly have on ammonia levels?

 

[snake007]

It lowers it, you mean you've never done a water change?

 

[Fishy friend2]

It just lowers it

FYI that tank is wayyyy to small for goldfish they requi 30 gallons minimum

 

[Defqon]

It lowers it, you mean you've never done a water change?

I change it regularly, maybe once a week. I just wanted to know if the water change would effect the ammonia levels in the fish.

 

[Fishy friend2]

How much do you change and is your filter cycled

 

[fluttermoth]

I'm afraid once fish star lying around on the gavel like that, there may not be much you can do.

First thing to do if you have sick fish is to do a massive water change; leave just enough water for the fish to swim upright, then refill with temperature matched, dechlorinated water.

However you can try;

lowering the water level (but I wouldn't do that in your tank as it's so small already)

raising the temperature to 78°F/26°C

giving the fish a bath, for half an hour or so, in Epsom salts; one tablespoon dissolved in a gallon of water

starve the fish for a few days and then feed with some lightly cooked, de-shelled crushed peas. Change the food from flake to a sinking pellet type so they don't gulp in air while they're eating.

You really must get a larger tank if you want to keep these fish healthy and happy long term (and goldies can easily live for 20 years or more, and grow to a good 6 or 8 inches in length); a 100l/three foot tank is the bare minimum size for two fancies.

How often and how large are your normal water changes, and how do you clean and maintain your filter?

 

[Defqon]

I'm afraid once fish star lying around on the gavel like that, there may not be much you can do.

First thing to do if you have sick fish is to do a massive water change; leave just enough water for the fish to swim upright, then refill with temperature matched, dechlorinated water.

However you can try;

lowering the water level (but I wouldn't do that in your tank as it's so small already)

raising the temperature to 78°F/26°C

giving the fish a bath, for half an hour or so, in Epsom salts; one tablespoon dissolved in a gallon of water

starve the fish for a few days and then feed with some lightly cooked, de-shelled crushed peas. Change the food from flake to a sinking pellet type so they don't gulp in air while they're eating.

You really must get a larger tank if you want to keep these fish healthy and happy long term (and goldies can easily live for 20 years or more, and grow to a good 6 or 8 inches in length); a 100l/three foot tank is the bare minimum size for two fancies.

How often and how large are your normal water changes, and how do you clean and maintain your filter?

Thanks alot for the information, much appreciated.

To be honest, these are family fish and I have nothing to do with them. I just walk past the tank and notice this fish laying there(has been doing this for over 6 months) and feel sorry for it. I have tried some stuff in the past and it didn't make a difference. The family believe there is nothing they can do and are waiting for it to die off. They will then give the other healthy fish to my Aunt who keeps many fish(including goldfish) in good keeping.

Would it be a good idea to try putting this suffering fish in the tanks which my Aunt owns along with the current healthy fish sharing this small tank?

 

[nurglespuss]

Yep thats definately a swim bladder problem.

There are now remedies on the marked if you want to try them
(I won't go on about big fish/small tank as its not your tank as it were - but the others here are correct, stress is a key component in triggering/increasing susceptability to, disease etc.)
I believe a few were mentioned in a copy of practical fish keeping a while back.

 

[Defqon]

Yep thats definately a swim bladder problem.

There are now remedies on the marked if you want to try them
(I won't go on about big fish/small tank as its not your tank as it were - but the others here are correct, stress is a key component in triggering/increasing susceptability to, disease etc.)
I believe a few were mentioned in a copy of practical fish keeping a while back.

A SBD remedy has been tried, but no positive results were received.

 

[nurglespuss]

hmmm then not sure what to suggest. I might up the water changes to daily, to keep the ammonia (and therefore further stress) down, but thats about it. What temp is the tank at btw?

 

[Defqon]

hmmm then not sure what to suggest. I might up the water changes to daily, to keep the ammonia (and therefore further stress) down, but thats about it. What temp is the tank at btw?

The temperature hasn't been tested. Same goes for the immonia levels. Maybe that is the next step.

 

[nurglespuss]

Yep a constant temperature will help aid recovery (reduce physical stress of small vol. temperature fluctuations).

Pick up an ammonia test kit from the petshop if you can, API ones are good.

Daily water changes will help (even though they are tiresome).