Ammonia-0
Nitrite-0
Nitrate-20
PH-7.6
10 Gallons
Tank-Over 2 months
Penguin filter
Change awater 0nce a week-25-30%
One fish
Prime water conditioner.

My Charles has been floating for 2 weeks, has a lump on his side, I've been changing the water almost every day, hand feeding peas, adding salt, tried epsom salts (1/4 teaspoon) now he's getting red spots on his side, is there anything I can do!! I also tried Maracyn for a week, nothing is working, I'm beside myself. Should I put anything on his red spots? Please advise, I've been reading all the advice on this forum, I really need Help. Thanks.

Hi there.


All fish have what is called a swim bladder. This is an air-filled sac inside of their body cavity that help keep them upright. Being that fancy goldfish have very squished bodies, they have the tendency to be floaters due to the fact that their swim bladders are precariously positioned in their body. This balance that the swim bladder dictates can be offset by feeding foods that have iar iside of it. Changing the fish's diet to gel foods and the like can sometimes overcome this floating habit. Constipation plays a role in some floaters as well. if the fish digestive tract becomes blocked in the slightest, this exerts pressure on the swim bladder and can cause flipover or floatiness.

However, other maladies can offset their balance. You described that your fish has a lump. Can you give us explicit details as to the size, shape, position on the body, discoloration, when it appeared in relation to the floatiness, etc?


Post back soon.


Paul

It just looks like his side is swollen and that is whats making him float, could it be an infection? I think the red spots are from exposure to the air, he is trying so hard to swim its heartbreaking. I'm not sure what else to do. Should I put anything else on the redness? Should I try antibiotic food? Thanks so much

Well, believe it or not, that is good news that the swelling seems to be from the exposure to air. There was another ailment that I was worried about.....

I would begin fasting this fish immediately. Do this for 3 days straight and then feed it peas. Frozen, par cooked peas that have been de-shelled are best. Pull some out of the freezer and put them into a coffecup with some water and cook for about 15-30 seconds or however long it takes to get them nice and hot. Let them cool and then mash them a bit with your fingertips. Hand feed them to him.


You can use bacitracin or triple antibiotic ointment to help keep the exposed skin from dying out. Apply it liberally and as needed.

Below is a link to a recipe for gel food. Many people find that feeding excusively gel foods is the only way to keep their fancy floaters upright:

http://kokosgoldfish.com/GelFood.html

I think the main thing to concentrate on is to avoid airbubbles in the food. Even soaking pellets and flakes sometimes isn't enough.


Good luck!

Paul

I think this is like whats happening to my fish Munchie but i don't see any red spots. but then again i can't quiet see because he's all different colours. do you think you can look at my board to try to see whats wrong with him? He's my favorite fish and it would mean alot to me if you could help me.

Krieger, I think you're receiveing some great advice from everyone in your thread.

However, I would like to add that everything would be a LOT easier if you reduced the amount of goldfish you are dealing with. I'll bet you that a good local fish shop would be happy to find them a good home. If you call around you could find one. Or maybe you know of a really good shop?

With fewer goldfish, you wont need such a large container for them to thrive and be happy. It really would be much easier to provide good clean water for a fewgoldies than to struggle with many.


Just a suggestion...... Good luck


Paul

Now Charles is lying at he bottom of the tank, I got the metro-meds and medi-gold and he is eating them. Any other suggestions? If I lose him now I'll be devastated, Thanks.

Okay, could fill us in a bit more? I mean, how did he go from floating to sitting on the bottom? What all has transpired in the past few days? Try to keep the dialogue going about everything you see. Post results for water quality each time as well.


Post back soon.


Paul

Ammonia-0
Nitrite-0
Nitrate-.05
PH-7.6
10 Gallons

I put neosporin on his red spots and added some epsom salts to the water. I woke up and he was on the bottom He was moving around a lot but has since slowed down, he is still eating really well and when he swims he is upside down.

Have you been fasting him?

Did you try feeding peas?

What prompted you to use epsom salts and how much, per gallon, did you add?

Post back soon.


Paul

I read on another web site that it might help with the swelling, I put in 1/4 teaspoon for the whole ten gallon tank. I had been fasting him for four days at a time and then fed him peas like every couple of days for the past three weeks. Then started him on the medicated food three days ago. Should I still feed him peas? Thanks

Dont stop feeding medicated food until at least 2-3 weeks has lapsed. Peas are ok as a treat.

If his fins are not clamped and he eats with gusto, then he seems to be feeling well enough. This might just be part of his new routine. Becoming a floater must be tretty stressful and bewildering to him. He might just be learning to deal with it.


Give him some time........


Paul

Thanks!