When I came home last night I noticed my goldfish was led on the bottom of the tank. When I checked on him this morning, he was still led there, yet when I turned the light of his tank on (what I do when I feed him), he tried to swim up for the food but more like floated to the top (he did manage to eat a bit though)...seems to struggle to stay buoyant. But he is unable to maintain his balance for long and sinks to the bottom, spiralling down and he sinks. Sounds like his swimbladder to me, but I just need conformation so I can get the right treatment. Thanks people x

Comet Cutey, we need for you to fill in the answers to the questions in the red box....thanks. This is vital information we need before helping with any diagnosis. We would hate to give you wrong information before hand.

It does sound like SBD, but let's get all the info first.

(Before water change), Ammonia 0.25, Nitrite 0, PH 7.6, Nitrate 0 (after water change ammonia down to 0)

A 6 gal tank (yes I know it's too small, he's only a baby at the mo though - will be getting a bigger one when I've paid off my student debt!) Been running since last October but cycle messed up once my first fish died and I didn't add another till a week later (have had this fish for about 2 months)

Water changes once a week, more if ammonia etc is a little on the high side.

Just the one fish in the tank.

No medications in tank

No new fish

Water conditioner Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Tap Water Conditioner/Dechlorinator

Fed on King British Flakes

Ok, first thing I see is the tank isn't cycled. Even though it was not being so now is complicating things. So I would attack that first.
Do you have a store near by that carries Biospira? This will help to kick start that cycle again.

Next is being in such a small tank. Often a SBD fish does better in bigger tanks.

I would fast the fish for 2 days and follow with peas the next 2 days, see if it helps.

Since you feed flakes another thing is to soak them first and make sure they sink to the bottom so the fish doesn't eat off the surface. All this can help with SBD as well.

Good luck with him.

Thanks for your help! So you don't recommend adding a treatment then? Is it possible for him to get better then without treatment? I have noticed that he gulps a lot of air in when he feeds from the surface. Do you think this could be part of the problem then?

Fish gulping air when feeding could well be the problem. I suggest you soak the flakes in tank water for a few minutes before feeding to the fish, or better switch the flakes with sinking pellets (still soaked though). Pellets are much more substantial meal than flakes.

SBD often doesn't require any treatment other than fasting and some lightly-cooked-deshelled peas

Right, there is really no treatment. Just things you can do to help the fish.

A bigger tank, low nitrates (once the tank gets cycled).
Soaking foods, feeding peas a couple times a week. Fasting the fish.
These are all things you can do to "prevent" the disease and or control it.

He's took a turn for the worst guys He's all curled over (like a dead fish but living, if you know what I mean), floating around the place, dropping to the bottom as soon as he tries to get up. His breathing is really bad too Do you think it'd be best to put him out of his misery? Not sure of the best way though:(

Unfortuntely that is usually the signal he isn't going to recover. Euthanizing him may be best at this point. Most people use the clove oil method. You can research it and see what you feel most comforatable with. Sorry.

He's still alive atm...but all curled over at the bottom...he's barely moving. Think it'd be best to put him out of his misery...can't believe he's still alive and like this Do you think he's is much pain? Guna go research it now, never had to do anything like this before though, so it's v upsetting

Thanks for all your advice ppl, you've been great

It is hard to say, but my guess would be yes he is suffereing if curled in a ball.

I know it is hard but ending the suffering is better than letting it continue. Let us know how things go.

Just to inform you that by the time I got hold of the clove oil my ickle baby had already passed away At least he isn't suffering anymore, I just feel bad I couldn't get hold of any sooner

Thanks again for your help peeps x

R.I.P Little Larry

I'm so sorry

I am so sorry to hear he didn't make it. But it was probably best.