FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Hi,<br><br>My Calico goldfish keeps floating to the top belly up, but it seems that if he trys to swim he can, but it looks like he is fighting to stay down. What is wrong with it, and how do I cure him, and is it contagious to my other fish??<br><br>

Your fish might be about to die. If so, it's probably in the final stages, so I wouldn't think you can cure it. At least, whenever I've had a goldfish that acted like that, it died very soon after.

Last edited by sirbooks at 01-Oct-2004 05:08

---

And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

What is the reason for the dealth, and should i remove him from my tank?

Hold on just one damned minute.

Goldfish can also float simply as a result of swallowing too much air while feeding on flakes. If the goldfish eats too many, the flakes can further decompose and create gas in the goldfish's belly. This would cause the fish to float upside down. It could simply be a matter of soaking flakes you feed a little before giving them to the fish, or using pellet foods.

--------------------------------------------
The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

Thank you!

I much more like to try pellet food, rather then flushing my fish!

I will try that, and keep you posted!

How soon will I notice a difference if I change to pellets?

Here's the other possibility.. (From the FP Disease Identification Guide)

Swim Bladder Disease
Swim bladder disease is due to a contagious virus, which causes gas filled cysts in the abdomen. As the cysts increase in size, the fish will lose equilibrium, and will show inflamation around the stomach area. Most of the time will be spent at a 45 degree angle with the head down, before the fish loses all control.

The onset of the virus can be slowed with methylene blue or triple sulphur, but will usually prove fatal.

"Swim bladder disease can be misdiagnosed if the fish has ingested air, or eaten too much." This is what Shini is referring too.

So good luck and I hope it's the latter not the former..
ps - 'flushing" fish is not recommended either.



The Amazon Nut...