Goldfish floating

[matashi]

I have Ryukins floating on the surface and not feeding.
also a few ranchu floating in the middle section without much swimming activity.
1 of the ranchu is floating upside down on the surface.

Tank is cycled and recently all was just recovered from white spot outbreak. Can anyone tell me what's the problem and how to save them?

I also have few other fish inside the tank thats coping well.

[James_Bond]

You have to specify some things in order to get effective help:
What is your tank size?
What are your water parameters, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and ph?
How frequent/when is your last water change?
How many fishes do you have in the tank?
What filter are you using and what food are you feeding them?


But from what you described, I'm thinking its got to do with your water parameters. Best thing you can do now is to give them a water change of 50%. However, take time when filling in the tank with fresh water treated with anti-chlorine, making sure that the water temperature is about the same, so as to give them time to acclimatize to the new water parameters.

This website is valuable for goldfish keepers like yourself: http://www.goldfish-emergency.com/news.php

As with anything, read carefully before dedicating to a course of action. Good luck!

[matashi]

Just did a water change and added some internal bacteria solution. Hope they recover!

[tonyneo]

Hi matashi,

I have been keeping goldfishes for years and I have encountered such issues before. The likely cause is due to Swim bladder disorder (U can google this disorder for more information). This disorder will affects the goldfish's buoyancy. The purpose of the swim bladder is to help the fish to move up and down in water. Goldfish has compressed body shapes, especially fanciful one, thus afflicting their swim bladder.

Causes may therefore be (i) internal physical deformity (ii) constipation (gulping air while feeding at the surface or eating food with too much air inside, such as dry floating foods). (iii) parasites & bacterias present in the bladder, due to unclean water.

Treatment ranges from (i) Ensure your water is clean (Do a major change) (ii) starving them for 1- 2 days (to prevent constipation) (iii) Feed them with peas (Boil them till they are soft. Remove the pea cover). Many ppl swear by this method (iv) Don feed them with commercial pellets. (I have STOPPED using commercial fish product after seeing my goldfishes die from such problem) I only use boiled soften vegetables, cut fruits, and occassionally frozen brime shrimps for my goldfishes!

Hope this help!

[tonyneo]

One more thing.

Seriously, try not to feed them with commercial pellets, (They are usually too dry and cause constipation). If you have no choice, try to soak these pellets in the water for a while, so that they will sink to the bottom for the fishes to eat. This will prevent the fishes from gulping the air while eating floating pellets and secondary make them less "dry".

In fact,

U can check out kokogoldfish forum. This forum is a MUST for all the goldfish owners as it contains wealth of information!

http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/Swim%20...0Disorder.html

Natural diet for Goldfish

http://goldfish2care4.com/goldfish-feeding.html

[Vincent cs]

Try feed them sinking pellet in future as I have encounter this before when I see they starting to float I will feed them spinach usually will cure the next day

[jtss2001]

Vincent, do you cook the spinach or feed them raw?

[stormhawk]

Good tips all around. However, if your goldfish are not active, it's likely the water is too warm and oxygenation is insufficient. I find that goldfish appreciate extra aeration and clean water.

[jervinphua]

change water... feed spinach.... increase aeration...