Poorly Fancy Goldfish

[kittencapes]

My fancy goldfish looks very unwell, he is sat at the bottom of the tank as if he can't really swim, he is twitching a bit and it almost looks like his fins have got very small, or are squashed down close to his body. He has spent the last few days hidden inside a sort of toy cave in his tank, any ideas what is wrong with him?

 

[fluttermoth]

Hi kittencapes.

Have you done any water changes in the last couple of days? Any test results of your water? He certainly sounds ill, poor little chap. Is he eating ok? Is he struggling to swim at all?

 

[kittencapes]

Hi kittencapes.

Have you done any water changes in the last couple of days? Any test results of your water? He certainly sounds ill, poor little chap. Is he eating ok? Is he struggling to swim at all?

I haven't done a water change since Thursday night, should I do one now? He isn't really eating as he doesn't move much. He is moving a little bit, but not really swimming. His tank mate is absolutely fine however

 

[fluttermoth]

A water change is always the first thing you should do if you have a sick fish

Some fish do seem to be more sensitive than others. I'd be inclined to do a couple of big water changes and not feed for a day or two and see how things go if it was me; but do get back to us if he's not improving, or, god forbid, takes a turn for the worse.

Hope the little chap cheers up soon.

 

[Harlequins]

Do a very large waterchange,unfortunately its probably been suffering with the fish in cycle that you've been doing.

I hope it perks up

 

[kittencapes]

Ok I will do a big change now, it baffles me how one can be so well and happy and the other like this. He almost looks like he has shrunk a bit, what could that be do you think?

 

[fluttermoth]

It is odd, but it's like that with fancy goldifsh; some are remakably tough and live through all sorts and others just seem that bit more delicate.

It's quite common for poorly fish to look like they've shrunk; they tend to lose a bit of weight and with their fins clamped they do look much smaller than when they're in the peak of health. It's not a symptom of anything in particular.

 

[kittencapes]

It is odd, but it's like that with fancy goldifsh; some are remakably tough and live through all sorts and others just seem that bit more delicate.

It's quite common for poorly fish to look like they've shrunk; they tend to lose a bit of weight and with their fins clamped they do look much smaller than when they're in the peak of health. It's not a symptom of anything in particular.

I have done a water change, he has swum up a bit now but still looks terrible After doing the change there seemed to be a lot of 'bits' in the tank, I believe the stones might need a clean? The tank has been running for 3 weeks now, and all I have done is water changes. I do have this sort of tube cleaning thing, but I am not sure how to work it? Any tips of cleaning the stones gratefully appreciated - guessing emptying the tank and washing them manually would be terrible?

 

[fluttermoth]

Emptying the tank and washing the stones like that wouldn't be terrible, and would be better than leaving it; as long as you make sure the filter doesn't dry out.

To use the tube cleaning thing, you need to get it full of water somehow; I suck on the end of mine, but some kinds will fill if you shake them up and down, or you can coil it up and put it underwater; whichever works for you. Then you put a finger over one end and put that end in a bucket that's lower than the end that's still in the tank; the water will rush out and you can use the end that's in the tank to suck up the 'bits' from the gravel.

It sounds much harder than it is; I'm sure you'll soon get the hang of it!

 

[Rynofasho]

http/www.amazon.com/BiOrb-biOrb-Cleaner-Pump/dp/2272800025

Problem solved.

 

[trianglekitty]

http/www.amazon.com/BiOrb-biOrb-Cleaner-Pump/dp/2272800025

Problem solved.

Just reading the description on that- I feel like an idiot for not realizing I can use my gravel vac to put water BACK IN to the tank (I have a similar one with a hand pump). I have a neck injury, and I've been lifting heavy buckets this entire time. It's actually embarrassing that I didn't have the common sense to reverse the process.

Thanks for posting that link- you just saved me a ton of pain.

 

[OldMan47]

I add water back into my tanks this way TK.

It is not a way for people who cannot lift a bucket but is a method for most of us.

 

[JMcQueen]

Sitting on the bottom with fins clamped is never a good sign. What are the water conditions for ammonia, nitrate and nitrate? Also has the tank been cycled or are you doing fish in cycling?

 

[weezebegs]

I add water back into my tanks this way TK.

It is not a way for people who cannot lift a bucket but is a method for most of us.

Thanks for that great idea....was trying to work out an easier way rather than trying to tip water in tank without creating a tidal wave for the fish........now need to get a plank

 

[kittencapes]

Thought I would let everyone know that whilst I had a few casualties, Pearl one of our original fish is still with us and doing very well! I am doing small water changes on a regular basis, and even feeding her some frozen fleas once a week! Thanks for all the advice in caring for her