Fish with swim bladder

rising_from_the_ashes

Thanks Froglet, yup I part change the water regularly (stand to room temp, let chemicals out etc). I have an underbed filtration tray, a "proper" filter and air stone in it - it's not very big, only around 40 litres.

The PH is tested every week and, touch wood, it's fine too.

The fish still seems to be swimming better and there is now a big poo train hanging from it (lovely!) - so think it's maybe been constipated (think this can cause swim bladder)?

pug_in_a_bed

I definately second using peas and not feeding for a few days, one of my fancy goldfish had an unnerving upside few days and she's fine now after peas and fasting.

I say she as she looks too pretty to be a boy, plus she's called mabel:o

Froglet

Oh dear i had a horrible feeling you were going to say it was that sort of size.How long have you had them and what size are they? 40 litres is just nowhere big enough for goldfish.Tropicals,yes,but not goldfish.They are very messy creatures and need a filter large enough to cope with that.The bigger the tank and body of water,the better the water quality will be and the less chance of the fish being poisoned by swimming in their own waste.

I would be looking at getting them a bigger tank,more along the lines of at least 100+ litres and ultimately they should be in a 150 litre tank.Otherwise as they grow their skeletons will be stunted but their internal organs will keep growing .Not a pleasant way to live and ultimately you may well lose them.

I don't mean to frighten you,and i hope there is time to transfer them into something bigger.It sounds as if you take good care of them but please ease off the feeding and get a better internal filter,i don't rate the undergravel ones.

rising_from_the_ashes

Thanks Froglet, the tanks a really funny shape (kind of a rectangle but 1/2 hexagon at the front), measurements are 18 x 15 x 12 (may have worked out the litres wrong but don't think I'll be far off).

There's only 2 fish in, still quite wee (about 1.5" & 2").

I've the underbed filtration system, a Fluval 2 filter (biggest I could fit in) and the airstone. I replace 10L every week to ensure the water doesn't get too "yukky".

Yes, I'll prob need to move them to a bigger tank but hopefully they'll be fine in here for a while!


Fish looking much better so thanks for all the advice - will starve for another day and fingers crossed it'll be fine!

Froglet

At least they are still small at present,but they do grow fast! if it was me,with having the fluval 2 filter,which is excellent,i have the 4,I would remove the undergravel one,then use a gravel cleaner each water change.The fluval will take care of all the waste,but gravel cleaners really do a superb job.

Glad to hear the fish is looking better.They are a joy to watch.I have well over 100 in 2 ponds,and they are blooming hard work! I also have tropicals in a large tank.Fish mad you could say!

rising_from_the_ashes

A quick update - mrs fish is totally back to normal!! (yeehaa)

A couple of days starvation seems to have done the trick.

I'm only feeding them once a day so fingers crossed it won't happen again

Thanks for all your help.