Is my fish sick?

Drea

I have only recently kept fish. I had a oranda redcap initially in one of the small fish bowls but last week I bought a small tank and got a black moor. Things have been fine, they both seem to get along okay and have been quite happy.

Tonight I noticed that my black moor was at the top of the water on her side. I thought she was dead but when I went to look closer she started swimming again. She keeps doing the same thing though, sometimes just lying there but sometimes swimming at the top on her side... then she'll start swimming as normal again (although she does seem to be flapping her back fins around a lot more than normal - not sure if this is me just looking for things or not though).

I think she might be sick any ideas?

Drea

She is really swimming squint now

By googling it looks like she has a swim bladder infection, I've changed her water and am off to the 24 hour shop for peas just now! Apparently they help...

Fiver29

I had that problem with goldfish, and it was to do with the food. I was feeding the flakes that sit on the top on the water for a while before dropping to the bottom. The lop-sided swimming is caused by the buildup of dried food in the stomach causing it to swell, pressing onto the swim bladder
I ended up buying frozen brineshimp, which solved the problem.

Drea

Fiver29 wrote: »

I had that problem with goldfish, and it was to do with the food. I was feeding the flakes that sit on the top on the water for a while before dropping to the bottom. The lop-sided swimming is caused by the buildup of dried food in the stomach causing it to swell, pressing onto the swim bladder
I ended up buying frozen brineshimp, which solved the problem.

Oh I feed them that too... maybe I should swap.

Apparently it's pretty common in fancy goldfish too

picklepick

You may be overfeeding them in that case.
How much do u give them?
Fancy goldfish do have a lot of problems with their swim bladders you're right.

Goldfish only need one or two flakes a day of food. They can last over a week with no food so dont worry about underfeeding them.
Have you got a filter in your tank. If not, you should.
Have you got live plants aswell?

Drea

picklepick wrote: »

You may be overfeeding them in that case.
How much do u give them?
Fancy goldfish do have a lot of problems with their swim bladders you're right.

Goldfish only need one or two flakes a day of food. They can last over a week with no food so dont worry about underfeeding them.
Have you got a filter in your tank. If not, you should.
Have you got live plants aswell?

I guess I have been overfeeding them I usually give them about 6/7 flakes with their feed.

I don't have a filter, I did ask the person in the fish shop if I could do without as they sit right beside my bed, she said as long as I change some of the water every second day I should be okay? No... no plants, I'm not sounding like a very good fish owner right now!

Stacey is the same today, I'm going to go to the fish shop soon and see if they have anything for her.

picklepick

They definitely need a filter. Not only to help remove bad bacteria but also to store good bacteria. It will also keep the water moving, which helps with oxygen levels.
Goldfish are very dirty fish and produce a lot of waste.

Same as live plants. They arent expensive and your goldfish will nibble them if they're peckish!

Changing your water that often isnt really a good idea. Once a week should be fine with a filter.

Perhaps have a read of this article...
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=2599

Drea

picklepick wrote: »

They definitely need a filter. Not only to help remove bad bacteria but also to store good bacteria. It will also keep the water moving, which helps with oxygen levels.
Goldfish are very dirty fish and produce a lot of waste.

Same as live plants. They arent expensive and your goldfish will nibble them if they're peckish!

Changing your water that often isnt really a good idea. Once a week should be fine with a filter.

Perhaps have a read of this article...
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=2599

Thank you, I'll pick up some plants and will get a filter when I get paid next week

Have been to the fish shop and was told to try her with bloomworm (which is bloomin' disgusting!) but if that makes no difference then there isn't much I can do I put some in the tank but she won't eat any... which isn't like her! Bradley however is having the time of his life :rotfl:

aliasojo

Stacey? Bradley? :rotfl:

Sorry.

I hope your fish get well soon. x

Drea

aliasojo wrote: »

Stacey? Bradley? :rotfl:

Sorry.

I hope your fish get well soon. x

Hello you

No prizes for guessing where I got my inspiration from :rotfl:

~Chameleon~

How big is your tank? I might be wrong but I get the impression it's quite small and possibly not big enough for one goldfish let alone two?!

Goldfish need lots of room, about 10 gallons (45litres) per fish if I recall correctly so your tank would need to be at least 20 gallons (90litres) for two of them, with dimensions of 24" x 12" x 18"

It's likely the problem with your fish is due to a build up of toxic nitrates and ammonia in the water. Did you actually cycle the tank before putting them in it?