My small goldfish has suddenly become ill. I noticed he(she?) was hiding from the others and would not come up to eat. When approached he swims off balance.

The problem seems to have gotten worse, now he is curved and floating near the bottom of the tank on his side. He's still breathing but looks like he's in a lot of pain.

Didn't detect any ammonia or nitrites, although the pH was high 7.4. Any advice would be appreciated. I plan on giving him some peas, but the prognosis doesn't look good. Thanks

7.4 isn't that high for gf... is the curving like a curving of the spine? Does there appear to be any other signs of sickness? This could be a symptom of fish tuberculosis which is very contagious, but if none of the other fish are exhbiting these symptoms it is most likely something else.. sometimes the curving of the spine is caused by nutrient defficiencies...what do you normally feed him? If he isn't eating now, it may be too late to save him It also could be some kind of a bacterial infection.. (I normally suspect this when my fish die when I try to do everything I can to get them better).... anyways, good luck to you.. I hope he eats something...

Maybe someone else here can help more than I can
~Stasia

I guess you could call it curving of the spine, but his whole body is contorted into a U-shape.

I also noticed what may be a swollen area near his anal fin, maybe constipation?

He is isolated and other fish don't show any ill-signs.

I feed them flakes, every day, just a pinch.

Hmmm, swelling near the anal fin? is it very red/bloody? This sounds like an internal bacterial infection to me... if he isn't eating than antibacterial food wouldn't work.. perhaps you can find a broad spectrum antibiotic at you lfs... Only if you have a hospital tank though, to isolate the sickie... Maracyn or Maracyn 2 has been reccommeded before, but it seems as it may be too late for your little guy... It is sad to lose a fishie, especially when you do everything in your power to keep him healthy and make him better... .. anyways, just keep trying to see if he'll eat peas, and if you have a hospital tank maybe you can try a broad spectrum antibiotic...

oh yeah, constipated fishies are usually bloated and have thick poops when they DO go...oh, and they usually still eat...

good luck to you and your fishie I hope someone else here can help you more

~Stasia

He's better!!!

I gave him some peas last night, skins removed and cut into tiny bite sized pieces. I also added a little salt. This morning he was straightened out and poking his head at the top trying to get out of his isolation (a flower vase that I immersed in the water).

So I guess he was constipated. I'll feed them less.

Thanks for your help!

That is so good to hear that your fish is better. I just saw this post now and was going to suggest feeding peas.

I think that soaked sinking pellets are better to feed than the flakes. Less chance of them gulping air with the food. The pellets come in different sizes. In a small bowl of tank water, I soak the pellets for at least a few minutes.

Now he's back the same way!!!

He was feeling better but now this morning he is curved up again and sitting on the bottom!

I isolated him again and gave a few peas!

Does anyone know what this is?

Now his eyes are bulging, it doen's look good.