Ugly Bubbles In Tank, Fish In Trouble :(

[Meszs]

Hi guys,

I recently acquired a fantail goldfish. My family has had a few before, all of which lived a few happy years, despite us not knowing much about fish care at the time.

I've got the one fish in my tank, filter on 24/7, fake soft plant, gravel.

For some reason there are ugly bubbles at the top of the tank, particularly bunching up on the sides. They almost look like soap bubbles. When I change the water, the ones on the sides still remain and I have to wipe them away with a cloth.

I change the water regularly, once a week. I've tested ammonia, ph, nitrite, nitrate, ALL of which are at near-perfect levels. Only nitrate is a bit higher than I'd like.

My fish is having troubles swimming, floating easily at the top of the tank and struggling to swim down.

At first this happened every couple of weeks or so, but now it's gotten to be a constant problem.

WHAT are these bubbles, and is my fish... swallowing them? What's going on? I have never had this issue before. I'm trying to be a good fish owner and this is bringing me down.

Any help appreciated. Thanks!

 

[StandbySetting]

It's nothing to worry about, it's more than likely the proteins from the fish food forming a surface scum which is allowing bubbles to form, you could try increasing surface agitation.

 

[Meszs]

Ah interesting. How do I increase surface agitation? And how do I make my poor fish swim properly, grrr.

 

[StandbySetting]

What do you mean swim properly? Out of interest what is the tank volume? Sounds like swim bladder, post about it in the emergency section.

To increase surface agitation aim your filter outlet so that it breaks the surface more.

 

[KittyKat]

Bubles may be food related, try a pellets instead of flakes.

As for what's wrong with the fish, please post exact water readings, size of aquarium and decor information.

 

[Meszs]

It's a 20 gallon tank, yes swim bladder problems is what it seems like when I google this issue. I've changed its food from flake to pellet, I've ensured that food sinks to the bottom to prevent the fish from swallowing air while eating... Yet the problem continued to get worse and is now pretty much constant.

The fish spends half the day floating pitifully at the top of the tank, barely moving. I am assuming it's going to die, and I almost wish it would happen sooner rather than later because it seems so uncomfortable.

Don't know what else to say about the decor, it's just gravel and a fake plant and a small decorative skull head thing.

 

[StandbySetting]

20 Gallons is way too small for a Black Moor in my opinion, as for the health issues, I can't advise as I've never had to treat for them.

 

[Meszs]

It's a fantail. As far as I've known 20 gallons was the minimum but still acceptable. In any case like I said I've never had this problem before, ever... Not even back in the day when my family had a goldfish in a tiny bowl. That thing lived for 8 years. I just don't understand...

 

[KittyKat]

Sometimes it can just happen to fancy goldfish, although not usually in common shaped fish (non-fancy body type). Try adding live plants such as Elodea (for the fish to eat), and including boiled and de-shelled peas in its diet.

Tank size wise, 4*2*2 ft is my recommendation for fancy bodied fish, 6*2*2 ft for common bodied fish: both grow over a foot long, with good care.

 

[The chilly dipper]

in my opinion,20 gallons is just enough for a goldfish.

how exactly is the fish swimming?
exactly! how is it trying to swim?

if the fish is swimming on a axis then you can treat with a good swim bladder treatmentlike interpet swimbladder
about 7.00gbp.

as standby says,reduce feeding quantity.
smell your water does it smell like cigar smoke?

 

[Meszs]

Okay thanks for the recommendations guys. It was fine this morning when I left the house, so maybe I just need to go a couple of days without feeding it, then try giving it peas.

I'll try that medicine if this doesn't work...

At the pet store I was advised against live plants, because my tank is not near sunlight... The staff said that plants would end up harming the water more than anything. Would you agree with this? I suppose it depends on the plant?

 

[KittyKat]

At the pet store I was advised against live plants, because my tank is not near sunlight... The staff said that plants would end up harming the water more than anything. Would you agree with this? I suppose it depends on the plant?

No, I would not agree with this in any way. Even if you do not have lights over the tank, there are still some plants which will happily live with ambient room light. You are most likely to have success with Java moss, in this case.

I mention Elodea specifically because it would be for the fish to eat (and it would usually eat it quite quickly. The only problem with goldfish eating plants is that they do shred them and the left overs need to be cleaned out of the filter.