Hello,
A recently purchased fantail telescope has his head up at the surface and his body hanging *straight* down (imagine a hanky pinned to a wall -- that's kind of the effect). What should I do? Raise temp? Salt? Medicate?

Tank stats I know offhand (no time for water parameter tests right now; will provide later):

Ammonia Level
--unknown, but should be low (2 3-inch goldfish added 5 days ago to established and nearly empty (1 guppy) 20 gallon tank)

Nitrite Level?
don't know right now

Nitrate level?
don't know right now

Ph Level, (If possible,KH and GH and chloramines)?
--tank pH probably 7.2-7.5
--chloramines -- shouldn't be any (I use a neutralizer and the water I use sits for several days before a water change anyway)
--KH/GH unknown

Ph Level out of the Tap?
-- tank is half RO-filtered, half tap; tank pH probably 7.2-7.5

Tank size (How many Gals) and How long has it been running?
--20 gallons; over a year

What is the name and size of the filter/s?
Whisper 30

How often do you change the water and how much?
Every 7-10 days; usually 50%

How many fish in the tank and their size?
two 3-inch goldfish (telescope fantails), one young adult male guppy

What kind of water additives or conditioners?
Stress Coat

Any medications added to the tank?
No

Add any new fish to the tank?
Both goldfish added 5 days ago

What do you feed your fish?
Hikari Lionhead pellets, soaked before put in the tank

Any unusual findings on the fish such as "grains of salt",
bloody streaks, frayed fins or fungus?
--no, though from a top view the rear end of the sick fish's belly is asymmetrical -- bulge runs further back on right side

Any unusual behavior like staying
at the bottom, not eating, etc..?
--One fish is fine. The other seems droopy and has some buoyancy issues -- often clamped dorsal (though no damage) and his tail end is negatively buoyant. His head is positively buoyant, and he spends a lot of time lately at the top of the tank with his mouth and eyes at the surface and the rest of him hanging straight down. Water temp is currently 72F and the power filter is turned up all the way, so oxygenation shouldn't be the issue.

I will send water stats once I've run the tests.

thanks,
Nathan

Hi Nathan, test results would be very useful because even though your tank is established the bioload has increased greatly by adding those two fish over the last 5 days. It's quite possible your tank is going through a mini-cycle and your ammonia/nitrItes may be spiking.

The asymetrical bulging is not an issue if the fish is healthy, some fish are just built that way and it doesn't effect them.

The 'tail standing' your other telescope is showing may be a swimbladder issue or a reaction to toxic water parameters.

Please post back soon.

Yep,I agree. It's best to make time,and get those params tested. Water quality can change overnight.

Okay, I don't think it's the water:

NitrItes: negligible (lowest point on the color scale of my test)

I don't have a test for NitrAtes or hardness, but the latter shouldn't be an issue b/c the tank water is 1/2 reverse osmosis filtered.

Ammonia: zero

pH: actually 8.0.

what to do?

Nathan

Personally,when I see an issue like this the very first thing that I want to say is change out some of the water anyway,at least 25 % and see if that makes any difference in the fish.Also,have you seen him pooping at all-if so does it look normal?
Can you take a look at his gills-Are they red & meaty,or pale and kind of tattered looking?Is he gasping at the top of the water?

>Personally,when I see an issue like this the very first thing that I want to say is change out >some of the water anyway,at least 25 % and see if that makes any difference in the >fish...
--Will do.

Also,have you seen him pooping at all-if so does it look normal?
--Poop looks relatively normal but would string out for 1/2-1 inch before separating from the fish.

Can you take a look at his gills-Are they red & meaty,or pale and kind of tattered looking?
--I will check tonight.

Is he gasping at the top of the water?
--Not really.

Thanks,
Nathan