Help - Search - Members - Calendar
Full Version: Help! Goldfish's Back Is Twisted!
Forum > The Goldfish Topics > Disease Diagnosis/ Treatments > Diagnosis & Discussion
Dylan
Hello, Please help.

My Goldfish was found alive, yet with a curvature (curve) from his back to his tail that he
cannot uncurve! He tries to swim up to get food but topples over in the water and loses balance
because of the curve! He stays at the bottom because he cannot swim and his back is literally
curved so much that he cannot even swim!
I need so much help please!
sandy
Hi Dylan and welcome to the forum.

I know its upsetting to have a sick fish but we really need you to answer as many questions from the red box above as possible so we can get a good idea of how he is being kept.
Dylan
Ammonia Level? I do not know.
Nitrite Level? I do not know.
Nitrate level? I do not know.
Ph Level, (If possible,KH and GH and chloramines)? I do not know.
Ph Level out of the Tap? I do not know.
Tank size (How many Gals) and How long has it been running? About 10 and since october this year.
What is the name and size of the filter/s? I have no filter
How often do you change the water and how much? Once A week, add 1 new cup.
How many fish in the tank and their size? 2 both about an inch
What kind of water additives or conditioners? 1 - I havent a clue the name
Any medications added to the tank? Just now, yes - Maracyn-Two
Add any new fish to the tank? No
What do you feed your fish? Flake food (Wardley)
Any unusual findings on the fish such as "grains of salt",
bloody streaks, frayed fins or fungus? The fish from the middle portion of his abdomen to his tail is
stuck in a curve shape, similar to how it would turn , only stuck and cannot swim correctly, finds not swimming easier and doesnt swim ofter so he sits on the ground usually not right side up.
Any unusual behavior like staying
at the bottom, not eating, ect..? Yes, staying at bottom, tossing over when swimming



Could it be dropsy?
sandy
To rule out mechanical injury do you have any ornaments the fish could have got stuck in at all?

If it is due to disease then the likely culprit is poor water quality. Two goldies in a 10 gallon is not enough room im afraid and without a filter the ammonia will be high.
You will need to do bigger water changes and more often if youve any chance of saving your fish.
Start by doing a 50% water change tonight by using a jug to take the water out and replace with fresh dechlorinated water. Tomorrow morning do the same again and for the next few days.
You will need to get a gravel vac which will clean the gravel for you, a filter with a large media basket in it and some tonic salts.
A bigger aquarium as well will eventually be needed as they need more space.
You also will be needing to alter their diet a bit as lack of certain vitamins and minerals can also cause deformity to show.

How long have you had your fish and how big are they?
Dylan
I've had them since october, they are 1 inch long.

Your sure this couldnt be dropsy????

d_golem
I think it's very unlikely to be dropsy. The cause is much more simple, and it's water quality issues. If u keep goldfish in a tank, u gotta have a VERY efficient filter.

One clear indication that ur goldfish's care and living conditions are not up to par is their size. If u've kept them since october, they now should grow to much more than than 1-inch long. Ur fish are suffering from long-term bad water quality and need proper care ASAP. Right now I'd suggest u do a large water change of 75%. Be sure to acclimatise ur fish slowly.

I strongly suggest u have a read at the links below and try improve ur current set-up. Good luck wink.gif
http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/care.html
http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/tensteps.html
http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/Filtration.html
Dylan
Oh my god, please tell me how long should they live like this!?????
How much time do I have!!
Should I put any conditioner in it now!???
should I get a filter now!?
please help tell me how much time I have
d_golem
No one will know how much time u have. Have u done the big 75% water change? More often than not a water change is a better treatment than any medications.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.