After battling with SBD for long enough with my baby pearlscale, I really really really would like to avoid having to deal with that again. I know there are no guarantees with the health of any animal least of all fish but im wondering if any particular types of fancy goldy seem more predisposed to SBD problems as I come to buy a new tankmate for Francis.

Im guessing pearlscales would be pretty high up on the list given their roundness.
In everyones own experience which type seems to be most predisposed to these problems?

Also. Asides single tails which type of goldfish is the strongest swimmer?

The wakin would be the strongest swimming fantail.

IMO the longer bodied orandas are less prone to SBD. My 2 have never had any trouble with SBD. Where as I have had about a total of 8 short and round bodied orandas with SBD issues. Orandas I believe are also more common than wakins. The long bodied orandas however, dont look as nice as the short bodied ones IMO but that doesnt mean they cant be loved.

~Happy Holidays~

Ryukins I would think are at the highest risk for SBD b/c of thier deep bodies...

I agree with Erin, the ryukins seem very prone to SBD as do pearlscales.

agreed with the Ryukins being prone to SBD, because of their body structure.

######. The two types that would be my first choices then.

My Black moor use to have bad Swim Bladder problems. Even when I carefully prepared the food, I think the problem was because the fish was a telescope. In order to get the food it had to get it from the surface, so it was taking in water as it fed. I guess some goldies are more prone to it than others.

From my experience, pearlscales are definitely more prone to these types of problems. I've had four and every single one of them had SBD issues and all ended up dying of dropsy . It's almost like their bodies can't properly regulate fluid buildup when they get to a certain size. I now have orandas and ranchu and one ryukin/pearlscale. None have had any health problems in 9 months. However, I am keeping a close eye on the ryukin/pearlscale as he is getting very round. It seems the round bodied goldfish are fine until they get to a certain size, 4 - 5 inches and this is when the problems begin to occur. Feeding peas on a regular basis also helps keep SBD problems at bay.

Angela

Thanks for the input guys.

Daust: My pearlie suffered SBD for several months before dropsying too and subsequently dying.

Sorry to hear about your pearlscale. I was heartbroken when mine kept dying. I really like pearlscales as they are the friendliest goldies! Mine would swim right into my hand and sit there. Absolutely no fear. I wish they were healthier. I'd have a whole tank full if I knew they wouldn't suffer and die again. I never did figure out what caused the dropsy. My tank parameters were always perfect, food was the same, and I didn't introduce new fish. Still a mystery to me.

Angela

Me too. My Bumble died in the week before christmas and I miss him so much. He was just like how you described! Fearless! He was a tiny little thing but not frightened of anything, by and far the most tame fish ive ever had. I too would love more pearlies but just dont think I could deal with it if they went the same way Bumble did.

Maybe someone will try to research why this happens with pearlies. Perhaps, over time, they can find a way of breeding them so they don't have these problems. On a different note, I just realized looking at my previous posts that I've somehow changed from a female to a male on my personal information. Weird! I guess I'll have to find out how to fix that!

Angela

How odd.